Exporting/Importing a car from the US

[mmshock]

Hi everyone,

I've just gotten my PPR and while I'm really excited, I now have a load of questions about what to do with my car and would really really love some guided advice. I have about 8 different websites open at the moment and can't seem to make sense out of anything.....

I live in the Niagara region and can pop over to Buffalo any Tuesday or Thursday really for my Visa. Obviously the sooner the better! I have a 2002 Jeep from the US here with me in Canada and have been told that you must import the car upon landing. It is the only car my husband and I have. I have the title and everything is in my name.

First off, does anyone know if any of the Buffalo bridges process export papers on the weekends? I am understanding that I have to bring the original title and two copies with me 72 hours prior to export/import to the border for processing. In those 72 hours the car must remain in the states. Can those 72 hours be weekend hours? Or a holiday?

We were going to do that, park it at the airport and then pick up a rental. Is it easy to get rentals over the border? Guess we did in a Uhaul and nobody said anything, but never hurts to ask.

I was planning on coming back over in the rental as a visitor, and then when I land a few days later importing the car at that moment. Does this sound reasonable?

Or - has anyone imported a car as goods to follow? If thats the case, I can get all of this done much sooner. Go on Thursday or next Tuesday to get the Visa and a rental and pick up the car later.....


Last but not least, what paperwork do I need to bring with me to the Canadian border upon landing/importing the car? Can i fill out everything there?

Thanks so much everyone. Sorry for the questions, just so excited and overwhelmed at the same time. All good stress at least!

 

[Stumpedmom]

The vehicle does NOT have to be over there for 72 hours....all you have to do is fax the Title to the US immigration 72 hours before you import it....

I have just called the US Customs as well as the Canada customs for our vehicle...neither side cares whether the vehicle is over there for 72 hours, as long as the paperwork (title) is there 72 hours in advanced of exporting it from the US.

http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx

That is the website and the phone number is awesome....my suggestion is that you do need a recall clearance letter from the manufacturer...GM wanted $360 for them to do it, we went to the GM dealership here where we live and they did it for free.....

We are faxing it today and landing on Saturday!!!

If you are going on Tuesday to get your visa and land the same day, as long as you have the information faxed to the US immigration 72 hours in advanced you should be good to go....there is a $215 fee for importing but that covers the cost of the import inspection as well.....

Best of Luck...check out the site I posted for you!!

 

[mmshock]

Thanks StumpedMom, that is awesome. I've been to that website, i just think my mind is moving to quickly to process anything. Can I please have the number of the US agent you called? That would help loads!

 

[Kess]

You also don't have to import the car when you land.. you can put it on your goods to follow list and import later I believe (that's what we have to do because we can't afford the RIV and inspection yet).

 

[mmshock]

StumpedMom - Did you get the recall clearance then and there? Going to head to a dealership tomorrow....
Thanks!

 

[Stumpedmom]

Yep it took about 2 minutes to get it...and I just called the Detroit Windsor border which is where we were going to land....

 

[AllisonVSC]

I also imported a vehicle from the US as goods to follow (even though it was already in Canada). The US export office is not open weekends; they keep regular office hours (at least at Queenston/Lewiston). I did not have to leave my vehicle in the US 72 hours prior to importing (they didn't ask me anything about where it was), but I did read on the forum that one person had trouble with exportation for this reason. I also have a long post regarding my experience from back in 2009; if you want to read it send me a private message and I will be glad to share it with you. Allison

 

[canada_dream100]

You also don't have to import the car when you land.. you can put it on your goods to follow list and import later I believe (that's what we have to do because we can't afford the RIV and inspection yet).

Guys... I am confused... Can someone confirm if I can import my car later by mentioning it in "Goods to follow list";
I am in USA and want travel to Canada for landing by my car ?

???

 

[mmshock]

You can claim it as goods to follow. I spoke with a very friendly CBSA agent who said to put it on the B4, print out a valuation (black book estimate is fine, nothing specific) and make sure I get it stamped.

I have to say, it seems like the internet is really a curse in this department. For one, tons of information online seems to be dated or conflicting or just a tad bit unclear. I also find, similar with some of the immigration processes, everyone's experience is different. (even though it shouldn't be!) Guess it just depends on who you get! But after speaking with the 4 different agencies involved (US Customs, RIV, CBSA and MTO) I now am totally clear on what I need and don't need, have names and reference numbers, and don't really have any more stressers about the process. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and didn't make me seem like a pain for asking so many questions. Biggest concern now is whether I go next Thursday or the following Tuesday!

Also, in regards to the recall clearance (I know a few were asking in various threads), an agent named Dennis told me that you can simply go to the car makes website, find their recall search page and print the screen. I have a Jeep and Dodge.com's "for owners" section was where I found it. Free and fast.

 

[JustandDaph]

You can claim it as goods to follow. I spoke with a very friendly CBSA agent who said to put it on the B4, print out a valuation (black book estimate is fine, nothing specific) and make sure I get it stamped.

I have to say, it seems like the internet is really a curse in this department. For one, tons of information online seems to be dated or conflicting or just a tad bit unclear. I also find, similar with some of the immigration processes, everyone's experience is different. (even though it shouldn't be!) Guess it just depends on who you get! But after speaking with the 4 different agencies involved (US Customs, RIV, CBSA and MTO) I now am totally clear on what I need and don't need, have names and reference numbers, and don't really have any more stressers about the process. Everyone was very friendly and helpful and didn't make me seem like a pain for asking so many questions. Biggest concern now is whether I go next Thursday or the following Tuesday!

Also, in regards to the recall clearance (I know a few were asking in various threads), an agent named Dennis told me that you can simply go to the car makes website, find their recall search page and print the screen. I have a Jeep and Dodge.com's "for owners" section was where I found it. Free and fast.

Did you have to type in the VIN number and it would send you a letter on the dodge website?? I'm trying to figure out how to do it online for my husband's Scion.

 

[KazInAz]

We imported 3 vehicles. The information from Stumptedmom is correct. You must notify the US side for exporting 72 hrs prior to arriving. The canadian side needs no notice. the onl bridge in that area that can export and import is the Lewiston bridge. The US export office is only open mon-fri from 8-4pm I believe. Go to a dealership and you'll get your recall clearance letter on the spot for free. You can email the US export office all the required information and they will email you a confirmation back. You must have this confirmation with you when you get there.
We found the online information confusing. We called the US export office and they were very very helpful and it cleared up alot of questions we had. They check the VIN on the car with whats on the paperwork. The canadian side didnt look at much. One car was in a trailer and they didnt even go out an look. If you are going to keep the car for more than a year there is no taxes or duty. If you plan on selling before a year then you do. The RIV fee can be paid after you land...online.

We landed on June 14, 2011.

KazinCdn

 

[mmshock]

I did have to type in the VIN number and then a box popped up on the screen saying there were no recalls, so I just printed that. The agent knew I had a Jeep and told me to simply go to Dodge.com. Not sure what other makes do that. He also said a few times that this would be sufficient, and then gave me a ticket number as they are able to document conversations. I highly recommend calling the RIV if you have any questions.

 

[AllisonVSC]

I imported a Hyundai. I called a Hyundai dealership here in Canada and they wanted to charge me for the clearance letter. So I called Hyundai USA corporate office. They ran the clearance check for me and I needed a few updates. I took the car to the dealer in Buffalo. They handled all the updates, sent confirmation of the updates to the corporate office and instigated the issuance of the letter for me. Then Hyundai USA corporate office sent the letter by postal mail. I just did a quick search of the Hyundai website and could not find a way to do it online.

 

[can_usa_97]

I put my two vehicles on my goods to follow when I landed in June and returned to the US to live till our home sold.
Today my husband is taking one of those vehicles to return as a Canadian citizen thru Sarnia/Port Huron- he had to go by 8pm tonight or Noon tomorrow.

 

[canada_dream100]

Hello All,

Please forgive my ignorance....

I am fine with process to import the car in "Goods to Follow".

But I am still confused and here is my case;

I want to travel to Canada from USA in my car for landing process purpose, at that time I am not importing my car to Canada.
But one of VIP member has mentioned in his post that there are cases, where officer at Port of Entry (forced) asked to import the car in landing visit so that VIP member has suggested to travel by rented car if someone want to avoid such case.

I wish to avoid to travel by rented car as I am planning to stay in Canada for 5-7 days, and that why can avoid to pay for rented car.

Question is - Can I complete landing process if I visit Canada by my own car, which will be in "Good to Follow" list.

Please reply...