Exporting a Vehicle from the U.S. and Importing into Canada: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

[northern sunshine]

This is the issue for Canada that you are able to turn 0n/Off daytime running lights. I had this on my Mercedes and by the order of RIV inspection had to go to the dealership and re-program the vehicle.

You know what's funny is that most Canadian cars have the option to turn their DRL off, and their drivers exercise this option very often! Although I will say I have the option to turn my lights off (my light settings are Off - DRL - lights - headlights) and supposedly I've passed inspection without issue.

 

[Canada2425]

Hi Guys,

We have a very complicated scenario.
I am a PR holder and my wife is in the USA. Her PR spousal application is in process. She has to go to India next month and we were hoping that by that time she'll get her PR approved, which is not the case now. And she won't be able to reenter US as her student visa will expire by then.
Now the question is how do I bring her car in Canada.

1. She can't travel to Canada as she doesn't have any visa. She won't be able to enter the USA until she applies for B1/B2 visa once she gets her Canadian PR.
2. If I borrow her car and bring in Canada, how long I can keep it here in Canada without doing the formalities at the border.
3. Let's say I bring her car in Canada without her and she declares her car in B4 form. How can we finish the export/import formality using the ITN with she being in Canada? That way we won't have to pay the duties.
a. Her car registration in the USA is valid till April 2020 or May 2020
4. Last resort, she transfers the car title to me. I import it in Canada by paying $3-4k (GST, HST etc)

Very complicated.

 

[rikoa]

This is the issue for Canada that you are able to turn 0n/Off daytime running lights. I had this on my Mercedes and by the order of RIV inspection had to go to the dealership and re-program the vehicle.

I got my RIV inspection letter and none of the boxes for modifications are checked off. So I'm assuming this means I don't need any?

 

[rikoa]

You know what's funny is that most Canadian cars have the option to turn their DRL off, and their drivers exercise this option very often! Although I will say I have the option to turn my lights off (my light settings are Off - DRL - lights - headlights) and supposedly I've passed inspection without issue.

Yes as I mentioned my husband's Canadian purchased Ford f150 has literally the same exact options as my car. He purchased his truck when he was living in Edmonton, so maybe Alberta doesn't have this requirement and Ontario isn't going to make someone go get it fixed if it was purchased in Canada?

 

[rikoa]

So, you are exported/imported the vehicle. Great. As far as registering the vehicle I would check with Service Canada about registering the vehicle with US loan. I am not sure how it works since you are supposed to surrender your US title.

They don't care as long as I have the letter from my bank and the certified copy of the title. I doubt I would be able to get this far without someone mentioning any issues with that.

 

[rikoa]

I've blacked out my personal info but as you can see this form does not indicate that any modifications were needed and if they are to be done before I bring it to inspection, I'm assuming they would have checked the daytime running lights box.

 

[rikoa]

Well I can't get the image to load... Sorry.

 

[nihalp]

Hi all,

I plan on exporting my car from US to Canada.
I have a question regarding the title of my car - I recently paid off the loan and received the original title from my bank with Lienholder information on it, BUT it's been signed indicating the release. Can this title be used during the export/import process?

Another question - can I get a recall clearance letter from my local dealer on the same day?

Thanks for all help!

 

[northern sunshine]

Hi all,

I plan on exporting my car from US to Canada.
I have a question regarding the title of my car - I recently paid off the loan and received the original title from my bank with Lienholder information on it, BUT it's been signed indicating the release. Can this title be used during the export/import process?

Another question - can I get a recall clearance letter from my local dealer on the same day?

Thanks for all help!

On the first part, I believe so. My title was as you described-- it indicated that there had been a lien on it (financed), but the lien had been signed off on the title, and I used the title as it was given to me for export/import. I brought the lien release paperwork with me just in case, but no one has ever asked to see it.

On the second part, depends on your dealer and manufacturer. I have a Toyota and they ask you to contact their customer support for recall clearance, which took about a day to get back to me. I used the email and letter they gave me (basically an undated printout) along with a screenshot of the Toyota recall clearance website to send recall clearance to the RIV.

 

[sam512]

You know what's funny is that most Canadian cars have the option to turn their DRL off, and their drivers exercise this option very often! Although I will say I have the option to turn my lights off (my light settings are Off - DRL - lights - headlights) and supposedly I've passed inspection without issue.

I ran into the same issue, was able to import the car successfully. Went to Canada Tire for RIV inspection, they said the car fails the inspection because it has the option to turn the DRL off. BC requirement is to have them on all the time. Any idea where I can get that fixed? the CT asked for $340 for it

 

[northern sunshine]

I ran into the same issue, was able to import the car successfully. Went to Canada Tire for RIV inspection, they said the car fails the inspection because it has the option to turn the DRL off. BC requirement is to have them on all the time. Any idea where I can get that fixed? the CT asked for $340 for it

For whatever reason, they let mine go without modifications-- maybe it's not a requirement in Ontario? I imagine your other options are probably a local dealership or a private shop that's familiar with your make/model of car. Otherwise CT is usually the go-to.

 

[sam512]

For whatever reason, they let mine go without modifications-- maybe it's not a requirement in Ontario? I imagine your other options are probably a local dealership or a private shop that's familiar with your make/model of car. Otherwise CT is usually the go-to.

Thank you. I ended up fixing the DRL with CT and inspection passed

 

[MiraR]

So i exported my car through the Ambassador Bridge on a Saturday afternoon.
I found the following post very helpful and accurate in locating the CBP office.



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https://www.google.com/maps/place/42°19'11.8"N+83°04'49.4"W/@42.3199589,-83.082569,759m/data=!3m2!1e3!4b1!4m6!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d42.3199549!4d-83.080375

This route should pass via this cbp office. Take 47B exit to Canada and merge on to another ramp coming in your way in 20+ meters. In 50+ meters take left before you enter Amexshop (/ the amex toll). There wont be anyone in there. So go slowly and the door should open slowly or someone might be there sometimes.
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Oakland+Mall,+412+W+14+Mile+Rd,+Troy,+MI+48083/University+of+Windsor,+401+Sunset+Ave,+Windsor,+ON+N9B+3P4,+Canada/@42.32036,-83.0821206,15.43z/data=!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x8824c51b4dbcd71f:0x5c17b45fc1c7e7e7!2m2!1d-83.110853!2d42.53711!1m5!1m1!1s0x883b2d77c6ec4bef:0x1a44f1192a4e41ee!2m2!1d-83.066039!2d42.3043142!3e0

Once you obtain the Export stamp on Car Title, exit through the adjacent gate "Return to Canada". This gate opens every 15 minutes so we had to wait a while before a CBP officer comes and opens the gate.

can you share your number on poojacontactindia@gmail.com

 

[karthikeedala]

Hi All

Has anyone exported vehicle from port huron (blue water bridge) to canada on a weekend.
if they allow it where should i take my car to. their website says a different location.

Thanks

 

[northern sunshine]

Hi All

Has anyone exported vehicle from port huron (blue water bridge) to canada on a weekend.
if they allow it where should i take my car to. their website says a different location.

Thanks

Why don't you reach out to them directly and ask about the process? Better to get information directly from them. https://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/port-huron

3)Vehicle Exportation- email email VIN and description to porthuronvehicleexport@cbp.dhs.gov or call (810) 989-8838;