Importing car, taxes, warranties etc

[saria1]

I've been looking around to see what amount can be taxed when importing our cars into Canada. I'm seeing somethings that conflict the conversation I had with CBSA last time we went to Canada. I was told anything over 10k in value will be taxed, based on the Kelly Blue Book value. I remember seeing somewhere the amount for settlers was 15k and somewhere else it didn't clarify the tax, leaving one to believe there was no tax due on an imported vehicle for a settler. For those who have direct experience, what did you run into?

Also, what is the tax rate, 10% of the value?

Another question, we have 2 cars, one in my husbands name, the other in both our names. When we apply for the EIN to export out of the States, can I get the EIN under my name and export both vehicles? Or does my husband need to have his own EIN to export his car? Then a dumb question, what is the point of the EIN, why can't they just allow the use of an SSN to export? Seems like a petty little step to have to go through.

Warranties, how do they translate into the Canadian dealerships? I know American dealerships service Canadian cars without question and honor the Canadian warranties. Does it work the same for Canada?

Thanks! ;D

 

[Alurra71]

As far as I know, there are no taxes charged to you for settling in Canada and bringing your car. I just imported mine a bit over a year ago, no taxes, no big questions, no hassles.

I can't answer you about the EIN system as that was NOT part of the procedure when I imported.

I would THINK the warranties would transfer over just as easily back to this side of the border, but if you are still under warranty, are the cars paid for? If you are still making payments on those cars then you are in a whole 'nother world and it's very likely you won't be able to export/import them at all. If you don't have a clear title, then you must get written permission from the lien holders to export the vehicle out of country and the odds of that happening are very very slim.

 

[saria1]

As far as I know, there are no taxes charged to you for settling in Canada and bringing your car. I just imported mine a bit over a year ago, no taxes, no big questions, no hassles.

I can't answer you about the EIN system as that was NOT part of the procedure when I imported.

I would THINK the warranties would transfer over just as easily back to this side of the border, but if you are still under warranty, are the cars paid for? If you are still making payments on those cars then you are in a whole 'nother world and it's very likely you won't be able to export/import them at all. If you don't have a clear title, then you must get written permission from the lien holders to export the vehicle out of country and the odds of that happening are very very slim.

Thanks for answering, Alurra71. I recently turned in my lease, knowing that definitely can't go to Canada with us. One of the cars is new, 3 weeks new, the other is 2 yrs old. We did finance them, and after I spoke with the finance company yesterday, we quickly realized we need to pull from our savings to pay off the cars and get the titles OUCH :'(

Is your car newish? What about daytime running lights? I was reading how the wire for DRL are capped off and all that has to be done is to hook them up to a terminal. I keep seeing that Canadian Tire does it, but they charge ~$400. I have a problem paying $400 for someone to hook a wire into a terminal.

 

[Alurra71]

Thanks for answering, Alurra71. I recently turned in my lease, knowing that definitely can't go to Canada with us. One of the cars is new, 3 weeks new, the other is 2 yrs old. We did finance them, and after I spoke with the finance company yesterday, we quickly realized we need to pull from our savings to pay off the cars and get the titles OUCH :'(

Is your car newish? What about daytime running lights? I was reading how the wire for DRL are capped off and all that has to be done is to hook them up to a terminal. I keep seeing that Canadian Tire does it, but they charge ~$400. I have a problem paying $400 for someone to hook a wire into a terminal.

Both of your cars are probably already running daytime running lights. Just make sure you don't have them switched off on the 'stick'. Mine is a 2000 and didn't need anything to pass RIV. Yours only being a few weeks and years respectively, you probably only have the DLR shut off on the stick. There is a marker setting for them, you'll know because the lights come on automatically at night without your help.

 

[saria1]

Both of your cars are probably already running daytime running lights. Just make sure you don't have them switched off on the 'stick'. Mine is a 2000 and didn't need anything to pass RIV. Yours only being a few weeks and years respectively, you probably only have the DLR shut off on the stick. There is a marker setting for them, you'll know because the lights come on automatically at night without your help.

I read the manual to figure out if there was a trick to get the DRL's on, nope, there are no DRL in the car. I made sure my fog lights were off, parking brake was off. Nothing.... I have an auto setting on the stick, but that doesn't utilize DRL's either. The more I read on DRL's I'm seeing it's a wire from the high beams plugged into the IP and it utilizes the high beams at 50% power. Now...... If I could only figure this out, maybe I can do it myself :-\ Or I could just call a dealer in Canada and see what they charge to it.

 

[Alurra71]

I read the manual to figure out if there was a trick to get the DRL's on, nope, there are no DRL in the car. I made sure my fog lights were off, parking brake was off. Nothing.... I have an auto setting on the stick, but that doesn't utilize DRL's either. The more I read on DRL's I'm seeing it's a wire from the high beams plugged into the IP and it utilizes the high beams at 50% power. Now...... If I could only figure this out, maybe I can do it myself :-\ Or I could just call a dealer in Canada and see what they charge to it.

what kind of cars are you driving? Remember, the DRL don't come on unless you start moving. Put the setting to 'auto' because that is where it would be if you want the lights to come on automatically, then put the car in gear, let off the brake, then put it back in park and take a look to see if the lights are on.