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Importing car from Buffalo. Can't speak to ANYONE!

twobelowpar

Member
Jul 15, 2009
19
0
Okay so I've tried for hours to get all the info myself but it's impossible to speak to anyone in person to just ask a few questions. I have already emailed the Buffalo office and let them know we are importing. I asked them questions but they don't answer.

First I want to make sure they don't remove the license plates when you export. I read somewhere they do this? Don't know how we'd drive it in Canada without plates.

Second, is the title different from the registration? Even though it's my wife's car it was in her mom's name for some reason. We got that switched over but it's still "registered" to her mother? Is this a problem if the title is in my wife's name but the registration isn't?

Third, just confirming the car doesn't have to be in the States for the 72 hours prior. That just seems ridiculous.

Fourth, did any of you who have done this get proof of Canadian insurance before importing? Not sure how that's possible without Ontario plates yet. It's still insured in Michigan.

Finally, if the car is from Michigan does it matter that we do the import/export from NY? It's closer to home.

We put this off for a long long time (oops) but I don't want my wife driving her Michigan car anymore. Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance! :)
 

AllisonVSC

Champion Member
Nov 5, 2009
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twobelowpar said:
Okay so I've tried for hours to get all the info myself but it's impossible to speak to anyone in person to just ask a few questions. I have already emailed the Buffalo office and let them know we are importing. I asked them questions but they don't answer.

First I want to make sure they don't remove the license plates when you export. I read somewhere they do this? Don't know how we'd drive it in Canada without plates. No, they don't. They check the VIN, the title, and the identity of the exporter to see if they all match.

Second, is the title different from the registration? Yes. Even though it's my wife's car it was in her mom's name for some reason. We got that switched over but it's still "registered" to her mother? Is this a problem if the title is in my wife's name but the registration isn't? Shouldn't be; they don't care about registration.

Third, just confirming the car doesn't have to be in the States for the 72 hours prior. That just seems ridiculous. There is no requirement in the regulations, but some export offices seem to think it's required. Call the one you intend to use and ask specifically.

Fourth, did any of you who have done this get proof of Canadian insurance before importing? I did not. Not sure how that's possible without Ontario plates yet. It's still insured in Michigan. Make sure though that your insurer will cover the car while in Canada.

Finally, if the car is from Michigan does it matter that we do the import/export from NY? No. It doesn't matter. It's closer to home.

We put this off for a long long time (oops) but I don't want my wife driving her Michigan car anymore. Sorry for all the questions and thanks in advance! :)
Hope that helps. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. I imported my car from South Carolina to Ontario at the Queenston/Lewiston crossing. Allison
 

kumbu.bumbu

Hero Member
Jan 13, 2009
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AllisonVSC replied good. I have small doubt about registration. If you are importing the title should be in your name. If your wife is importing it should be in her name. May be AllisonVSC is right. But if I were you I would like to recheck and confirm.
 

jonny12

Newbie
Oct 25, 2012
1
0
AllisonVSC said:
Hope that helps. Feel free to PM me if you have more questions. I imported my car from South Carolina to Ontario at the Queenston/Lewiston crossing. Allison
Hi Allison, was it a new or used car you imported from south carolina? Thks, Jonny.