This is just a quick post to let everyone know my story, as the vehicle export process is quite complicated.
Background: I immigrated into Ontario from the west-coast U.S., so not sure what other provinces' rules are.
1. Apparently you're not supposed to be driving a U.S. vehicle in Canada once you have PR? No idea what that's about, but I have read it elsewhere on the forum. I am not sure as to the validity, but you may want to look it up. I'm a very cautious driver, but if you're not, and you get caught...
2. If you want to import a vehicle, you're supposed to have owned it for at least six months, or it's a surcharge/extra issues/fine. It may not even be possible; look it up. Cars are much cheaper in the U.S. so they're really cracking down on this.
3. You must submit your vehicle paperwork to the U.S. customs Vehicle Export Office at your border crossing at least 72 HOURS in advance. There are help lines you can call, and depending on the border, you may have to fax or email a copy of the vehicle title. At least at the Lewiston Bridge in Niagara, NY, you DO NOT have to present the actual documents to the Vehicle Export Office in advance, but you may have to at other crossings; be sure to ask. All I had to do was email my vehicle's VIN and description.
4. The vehicle is not supposed to be in Canada before you submit your VIN and vehicle information to the U.S. Customs Vehicle Export Office. As near as I can tell, there is a possible $500 fine for this, or that's what it says in the law itself. I had had my vehicle in Canada, and they were pissed, but they let me go through and didn't charge me. I have no idea if they will be as merciful to other people. I came from the west coast, so I feel it was pretty apparent I couldn't just waltz across the border, which may have saved me. I also don't know if they've flagged my border profile for future scrutiny. As I said, I'm from thousands of miles away, so I didn't have much choice, but I highly recommend not risking it.
5. You must have Ontario Car Insurance on your vehicle before you import your vehicle. Some companies, i.e., Belair, require a vehicle inspection before they will insure it. TD Auto insurance does not, but they have long wait times for coverage. I had good service with Johnson Auto Insurance, but I do not know the reliability of the company. They have good reviews on insurance review websites, and a couple of good recommendations online, but other than that I cannot vouch for them. Their prices were also reasonable.
6. The process for me at both borders was very quick. It was done in less than fifteen minutes at the U.S. Vehicle Export Office. It took me about twenty minutes on the Canadian side. There were no lines at either, and I went on a Friday afternoon.
7. If your vehicle is more than 15 years old, you do not have to do the RIV application. It is a very quick and easy process, assuming you don't have to wait in a long line, and as near as I can tell, you do not have to pay the RIV fee or get the usual vehicle testing done, though I will have to confirm this. I was told that all I have to do now is go to the Ministry of Transportation and get my Ontario plates. We'll see if that's the case.
That's all for now. It's a REALLY confusing process, and I don't claim to understand it, but I just wanted to share in case it helps someone going through a similar situation.
Background: I immigrated into Ontario from the west-coast U.S., so not sure what other provinces' rules are.
1. Apparently you're not supposed to be driving a U.S. vehicle in Canada once you have PR? No idea what that's about, but I have read it elsewhere on the forum. I am not sure as to the validity, but you may want to look it up. I'm a very cautious driver, but if you're not, and you get caught...
2. If you want to import a vehicle, you're supposed to have owned it for at least six months, or it's a surcharge/extra issues/fine. It may not even be possible; look it up. Cars are much cheaper in the U.S. so they're really cracking down on this.
3. You must submit your vehicle paperwork to the U.S. customs Vehicle Export Office at your border crossing at least 72 HOURS in advance. There are help lines you can call, and depending on the border, you may have to fax or email a copy of the vehicle title. At least at the Lewiston Bridge in Niagara, NY, you DO NOT have to present the actual documents to the Vehicle Export Office in advance, but you may have to at other crossings; be sure to ask. All I had to do was email my vehicle's VIN and description.
4. The vehicle is not supposed to be in Canada before you submit your VIN and vehicle information to the U.S. Customs Vehicle Export Office. As near as I can tell, there is a possible $500 fine for this, or that's what it says in the law itself. I had had my vehicle in Canada, and they were pissed, but they let me go through and didn't charge me. I have no idea if they will be as merciful to other people. I came from the west coast, so I feel it was pretty apparent I couldn't just waltz across the border, which may have saved me. I also don't know if they've flagged my border profile for future scrutiny. As I said, I'm from thousands of miles away, so I didn't have much choice, but I highly recommend not risking it.
5. You must have Ontario Car Insurance on your vehicle before you import your vehicle. Some companies, i.e., Belair, require a vehicle inspection before they will insure it. TD Auto insurance does not, but they have long wait times for coverage. I had good service with Johnson Auto Insurance, but I do not know the reliability of the company. They have good reviews on insurance review websites, and a couple of good recommendations online, but other than that I cannot vouch for them. Their prices were also reasonable.
6. The process for me at both borders was very quick. It was done in less than fifteen minutes at the U.S. Vehicle Export Office. It took me about twenty minutes on the Canadian side. There were no lines at either, and I went on a Friday afternoon.
7. If your vehicle is more than 15 years old, you do not have to do the RIV application. It is a very quick and easy process, assuming you don't have to wait in a long line, and as near as I can tell, you do not have to pay the RIV fee or get the usual vehicle testing done, though I will have to confirm this. I was told that all I have to do now is go to the Ministry of Transportation and get my Ontario plates. We'll see if that's the case.
That's all for now. It's a REALLY confusing process, and I don't claim to understand it, but I just wanted to share in case it helps someone going through a similar situation.
