Importing Car from USA

[TG71]

Has anyone gone through the process of moving to Canada from the USA and going through the process of exporting the Car (importing the car into Canada)? Information? Experiences? Was it costly?

 

[Mariac819]

I have the same questions but mostly about USA export. Maybe someone will answer - Even though its been a while since you posted. Any update on this?

 

[RajaJi]

There are several posts in this forum by members who have imported cars from USA to Canada. Experiences are smooth to frustrating. However, below is the link where you can have information and procedure for importing a car from USA to Canada

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

 

[Mariac819]

There are several posts in this forum by members who have imported cars from USA to Canada. Experiences are smooth to frustrating. However, below is the link where you can have information and procedure for importing a car from USA to Canada

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

I've read that link before. It talks about when you purchase a car in the USA and export it to Canada. I have had my car for 10 years. I don't see how that applies to me :-\ .. I am extremely confused about all this. I already checked and my car meets all the requirements in the Canadian side. I am more concerned about the USA export side really, not the Canadian import side.

 

[RajaJi]

Any vehicle that is registered in USA and is being imported to Canada must go through US Customs at the border.

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

Link to US Customs and Border Protection Website
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle

Though some skip this process but that is not the right way and can cause problems in future if you drive back to USA and in Canada as well.

 

[Mariac819]

Any vehicle that is registered in USA and is being imported to Canada must go through US Customs at the border.

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

Link to US Customs and Border Protection Website
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/export-docs/motor-vehicle

Though some skip this process but that is not the right way and can cause problems in future if you drive back to USA and in Canada as well.

Yes I saw it is mandatory as of April 2014. I am just not understanding the process. They want original titles sent to them 72 hours before exporting but I feel highly uncomfortable sending my original title registration just like that. I guess I should just call them...

 

[RajaJi]

You don't need to send the original title. Just Fax all the documents and take the originals with you. Make sure to fax all the needed documents at least 72 hours in advance.


Email the vehicle information (description, make, model, vehicle identification number) for the vehicle(s) to be exported to CBP at buffalovinnyoffice @ dhs.gov (email address varies depending on which border crossing you decide to use). CBP will confirm receipt of the email within 24 hours and provide the exporter with additional instructions.


Vehicle Export Information Hotline (Buffalo)

(716) 843-8359

 

[Mariac819]

You don't need to send the original title. Just Fax all the documents and take the originals with you. Make sure to fax all the needed documents at least 72 hours in advance.


Email the vehicle information (description, make, model, vehicle identification number) for the vehicle(s) to be exported to CBP at buffalovinnyoffice @ dhs.gov (email address varies depending on which border crossing you decide to use). CBP will confirm receipt of the email within 24 hours and provide the exporter with additional instructions.


Vehicle Export Information Hotline (Buffalo)

(716) 843-8359

THank you


This is what I had read before so I was confused:

http://www.cbp.gov/contact/ports/alexandria-bay

"For Vehicle Exports, call (315) 482-2261 ext. 2660. Hours of operation are 8:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday - Friday (excluding holidays). Original documents are required at the port a minimum of 72 hours prior to export. Faxed or photocopied documents are not accepted. "

 

[RajaJi]

It seems each port has different requirements. Call the port office where you intend to cross the border and follow accordingly

 

[Mariac819]

It seems each port has different requirements. Call the port office where you intend to cross the border and follow accordingly

I will do so. Thank you so much for taking the time to answer my questions

 

[Rob_TO]

I already checked and my car meets all the requirements in the Canadian side. I am more concerned about the USA export side really, not the Canadian import side.

Do you mean your car already meets all the Canadian safety requirements (i.e. daytime running lights, etc)?
Also I assume with a 10 year old car there are no liens against it so it's fully owned by you.

Make sure you don't actually export from USA/import to Canada, until you have landed as a PR. That is if you wanted everything tax free. If you import the car before, your car would be subject to full taxes/duties (vary depending on manufacturing location) based on it's book value.
If you intend to bring the car to Canada before landing as a PR while your app is processing, it could be better to have the car come as a visitor and maintain it's registration/insurance from the US.

 

[Mariac819]

Do you mean your car already meets all the Canadian safety requirements (i.e. daytime running lights, etc)?
Also I assume with a 10 year old car there are no liens against it so it's fully owned by you.

Yes and Yes , car is payed off.

 

[Mariac819]

Make sure you don't actually export from USA/import to Canada, until you have landed as a PR. That is if you wanted everything tax free. If you import the car before, your car would be subject to full taxes/duties (vary depending on manufacturing location) based on it's book value.
If you intend to bring the car to Canada before landing as a PR while your app is processing, it could be better to have the car come as a visitor and maintain it's registration/insurance from the US.

Yes, that was my plan to wait until PR so it is tax free. I don't even know how it would work before my PR, I don't want to think about that!

Thank you for all the great advice.

 

[oconnoec]

You don't need to send the original title. Just Fax all the documents and take the originals with you. Make sure to fax all the needed documents at least 72 hours in advance.


Email the vehicle information (description, make, model, vehicle identification number) for the vehicle(s) to be exported to CBP at buffalovinnyoffice @ dhs.gov (email address varies depending on which border crossing you decide to use). CBP will confirm receipt of the email within 24 hours and provide the exporter with additional instructions.


Vehicle Export Information Hotline (Buffalo)

(716) 843-8359

Thanks!!

 

[OhCanadiana]

Has anyone gone through the process of moving to Canada from the USA and going through the process of exporting the Car (importing the car into Canada)? Information? Experiences? Was it costly?

Overall, simple. There's a few steps involved so planning out to ensure you have the right documents, coverage, etc. helps avoid hiccups along the way. Here are step by step instructions I wrote a while back:

To move the car, there's several steps:
1) Confirm the car is eligible
Check the riv.ca website to confirm that your car is eligible for import and to see what modifications you may need to make (e.g., daytime running lights) to pass inspection once you are in Canada. You can make the modifications either in the US or upon arrival in Canada (i.e., you don't have to do them before crossing the border but do need them to pass inspection in Canada)

2) Prep for the move
- Contact the Ministry of Transportation for your province to understand what you'll need to register your car (e.g., driver's license, insurance, import documentation, etc) and get whatever you need lined up
- I don't know the BC specifics, but Ontario requires an Ontario driver's license to be able to register the car, so make sure you have everything you need with you to get it (e.g., for some states you may need a driver history)
- Get the recall clearance letter (for Honda, my understanding is that you can register on their owner's website and print it directly or get it from a dealer on their letterhead). Send the letter showing no outstanding recalls to the RIV (document is valid for 30 day) to support @ support.riv.ca so they pre-process it. Call them to confirm all's set before you leave the US so you can get anything else necessary before you leave.
- Confirm your US insurance will cover you in Canada and get a letter of experience to help you get Canadian insurance
- Lay foundation to get insurance in Canada (you'll need it to register your car)
- If you don't own the car (e.g., you have a lease or loan), get authorization to export the car from the lienholder
- Make sure you have your car title easily available

4) Export car from the US
You can only export the car at certain border posts in the US and at certain times. So, figure out where you are crossing and then understand their requirements to get the info to them ahead of time - usually they are looking to get the info 3 (sometimes natural, sometimes business) days before you arrive at the border. Take a look at http://www.ucanimport.com/Border_Crossing_Info.aspx for a good list of border crossings, but then search for the specific info for the border post and their instructions on the CBP website directly. For example, for Buffalo, look at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/ny/0901.xml and search "export a vehicle" to see an example of the instructions (other crossings sometimes need you to mail them the title so they receive it 3 business days prior so it's important to check for your specifics). You can search for other border crossings at http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/ . Find out the location of the export office online or when you call them (it's not necessarily easy to find when you are at the border).
On the day of the crossing, stop by the CBP export office before you cross the border into Canada so they stamp your title to clear it for export.

3) Import the car into Canada
After you cross the border, tell the officer you are importing the car. Show them the stamped title and they'll send you inside to complete the process. Fill out the document at the Canadian border post - one page with your name, address, etc and car info. You'll need to get Form 1. If your car is included on your B4 (either submitted that day or previously), your tax rate will be 0% but make sure you keep the receipt carefully ... you'll need it at the Ministry of Transportation. Include your e-mail on Form 1 so the RIV e-mail you Form 2 (faster than mailing it). CBSA will be faxing Form 1 to the RIV.

4) Pay the import fee to the RIV and get your Form 2 from the RIV
You'll need to pay $195.00 + GST/HST (or QST) either at riv.com or by calling the RIV at 1-888-848-8240 (Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (EST), Sat. and Sun.: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST))
You'll need the red numbers from your Form 1 to do this step and they will then e-mail you Form 2 which you'll need to get the car inspected.

5) Get your car inspected for import inspection (at Canadian Tire) and, if necessary, provincial inspection
You'll need to get your car inspected to ensure it meets Canadian standards (remember the checklist you got at the beginning from riv.ca ... they'll check for those modifications so get them done before elsewhere or arrange to have them done at Canadian Tire). The cost is included in the import fee you paid to the RIV. Plan for an hour or hour and a half for the inspection.
Depending on the province, you may need a provincial inspection too. For expediency, you may want to have the provincial inspection done at Canadian Tire the same day. Just tell them when you make the appointment so they can schedule it in.
Canadian Tire will stamp Form 2, which you'll need at the Ministry of Transportation. Make sure they fax the form to the RIV so the system shows you passed the inspection.

6) Register your car and get plates at the Ministry of Transportation
The specifics vary by province

7) Cancel your US insurance and send your US plates back if your state requires them

8) Celebrate!!!