Hi All
I am currently married to a Canadian citizen living in Vancouver. I recently received my PR and live in Washington State. While I currently spend most weekends in Vancouver, I plan to permanently move up at the end of July. Through some poor advice I received, I decided to land early 2 weeks ago. My hope was that I could slowly start bringing my stuff up across the border and avoid the cost of hiring movers or renting a Uhaul. Everything was fine when I landed and neither of the border agents I spoke with had any issue with me telling them that I would export my car at the end of July and slowly bring my stuff up until then.
Well last week I found out the issue with this and was berated at the border by a guard who was extremely unhappy I had not imported my car. When I went inside and explained my situation, the woman seemed fine with it after I told her that I had signed a lease starting August 1. However, I want to avoid this issue in the future and avoid the risk of me being turned away at the border. So here is my question:
I've done some searching, but I can't seem to figure out how long it takes to complete the import and registration process. Would it be possible for me to export/import my car on Tuesday the 3rd of July, take it in for inspections on the 4th at Canadian Tire and title/register it on the 4th at BCAA? Obviously I would set up appointments ahead of time. I know I need form 2 signed, but I am unclear if this is mailed to me after importation or provided by Canadian Tire.
In addition, I am hoping to drive it back down to Washington that Sunday. My hope is that it will have BC plates by then. At this point I am basically living half time between the two countries as I move up. If I am not able to get plates, am I going to have issues crossing into Canada the next week if it has been imported but doesn't have BC plates?
I realize I could rent a car each time I go up in July, but its going to cost a small fortune to do so considering how often I am back and forth. The car is basically new, so selling it is out of the question.
I am currently married to a Canadian citizen living in Vancouver. I recently received my PR and live in Washington State. While I currently spend most weekends in Vancouver, I plan to permanently move up at the end of July. Through some poor advice I received, I decided to land early 2 weeks ago. My hope was that I could slowly start bringing my stuff up across the border and avoid the cost of hiring movers or renting a Uhaul. Everything was fine when I landed and neither of the border agents I spoke with had any issue with me telling them that I would export my car at the end of July and slowly bring my stuff up until then.
Well last week I found out the issue with this and was berated at the border by a guard who was extremely unhappy I had not imported my car. When I went inside and explained my situation, the woman seemed fine with it after I told her that I had signed a lease starting August 1. However, I want to avoid this issue in the future and avoid the risk of me being turned away at the border. So here is my question:
I've done some searching, but I can't seem to figure out how long it takes to complete the import and registration process. Would it be possible for me to export/import my car on Tuesday the 3rd of July, take it in for inspections on the 4th at Canadian Tire and title/register it on the 4th at BCAA? Obviously I would set up appointments ahead of time. I know I need form 2 signed, but I am unclear if this is mailed to me after importation or provided by Canadian Tire.
In addition, I am hoping to drive it back down to Washington that Sunday. My hope is that it will have BC plates by then. At this point I am basically living half time between the two countries as I move up. If I am not able to get plates, am I going to have issues crossing into Canada the next week if it has been imported but doesn't have BC plates?
I realize I could rent a car each time I go up in July, but its going to cost a small fortune to do so considering how often I am back and forth. The car is basically new, so selling it is out of the question.
