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Importing Vehicle Questions

lovemycanadian

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I'm planning on "selling" my car to my husband and importing it. I know that I'll need to install daytime running lights. Do you guys know of any other modifications that need to be made to make this import possible?
 

rhcohen2014

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you will need to go to the RIV site and check out the import eligibility of your specific car. all the information is there, and it depends on the make/model/year. Also, whether there are any recalls on the car will determine if it can be imported. the exporting/importing process involves a lot of little steps, and it STARTS with Exporting it from the US. there are threads on the settlement board about this process. Generally, it's only the DTL that needs to be installed, and they are not the first step in the process. it's actually one of the last to be done, and shouldn't be done until AFTER the import has been started. What happens is the RIV will release the car report for you to bring to an authorized inspection place (most likely a canadian tire), they will examine the car, do the repairs and the import inspection. There is a form that needs to be filled out by the place that does the repairs. Most US dealerships/mechanics don't know about DTL, and will look at you like you're crazy. Canadian dealerships will most likely refer you to canadian tire, because it is known they are responsible for RIV inspections.

i would highly recommend waiting to import your car until you get PR. as a newcomer to canada, you would be exempt from paying duty/taxes on the import. If you plan to "sell" it to your husband, he would not be exempt from taxes unless he is resettling in canada as well. the taxes i'm sure can be quite expensive, and in my experience it's worth waiting until PR is approved to initiate the export/import.
 

lovemycanadian

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Jan 5, 2015
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Spruce Grove, AB
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Mississauga
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Pre-Assessed..
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rhcohen2014 said:
you will need to go to the RIV site and check out the import eligibility of your specific car. all the information is there, and it depends on the make/model/year. Also, whether there are any recalls on the car will determine if it can be imported. the exporting/importing process involves a lot of little steps, and it STARTS with Exporting it from the US. there are threads on the settlement board about this process. Generally, it's only the DTL that needs to be installed, and they are not the first step in the process. it's actually one of the last to be done, and shouldn't be done until AFTER the import has been started. What happens is the RIV will release the car report for you to bring to an authorized inspection place (most likely a canadian tire), they will examine the car, do the repairs and the import inspection. There is a form that needs to be filled out by the place that does the repairs. Most US dealerships/mechanics don't know about DTL, and will look at you like you're crazy. Canadian dealerships will most likely refer you to canadian tire, because it is known they are responsible for RIV inspections.

i would highly recommend waiting to import your car until you get PR. as a newcomer to canada, you would be exempt from paying duty/taxes on the import. If you plan to "sell" it to your husband, he would not be exempt from taxes unless he is resettling in canada as well. the taxes i'm sure can be quite expensive, and in my experience it's worth waiting until PR is approved to initiate the export/import.
I am in the US now and planning on driving back end of the month and trying for another 6-month visitor pass. My husband is in Canada now. I talked to my insurance company, and they said they won't cover any claims made on the vehicle unless it is in Minnesota for the majority of the time. Since I know this won't be the case, I thought it was a better idea to import the vehicle so that it can be covered by a Canadian insurance company. I had a friend who went through this process and she said that Canadian Tire will do a free inspection but she had to get it inspected again by someone who is certified. So Canadian Tire isn't certified?
 

rhcohen2014

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lovemycanadian said:
I am in the US now and planning on driving back end of the month and trying for another 6-month visitor pass. My husband is in Canada now. I talked to my insurance company, and they said they won't cover any claims made on the vehicle unless it is in Minnesota for the majority of the time. Since I know this won't be the case, I thought it was a better idea to import the vehicle so that it can be covered by a Canadian insurance company. I had a friend who went through this process and she said that Canadian Tire will do a free inspection but she had to get it inspected again by someone who is certified. So Canadian Tire isn't certified?
'

I would recommend first calling other insurance companies to see what their policies are. if you are at a small company, and large companies can insure in your state, you may want to switch to a larger company who will cover your car while visiting your husband. of course, the length of stay will determine what's available.

again, you will need to refer to the RIV website. the website will provide a list of the registered inspection places in your area. most of them are canadian tires, though not ALL canadian tires are registered RIV inspection places.

i suggest starting on the RIV website, all the directions are on there. it will be far easier than trying to piece everything together on this forum.
 

lovemycanadian

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rhcohen2014 said:
'

I would recommend first calling other insurance companies to see what their policies are. if you are at a small company, and large companies can insure in your state, you may want to switch to a larger company who will cover your car while visiting your husband. of course, the length of stay will determine what's available.

again, you will need to refer to the RIV website. the website will provide a list of the registered inspection places in your area. most of them are canadian tires, though not ALL canadian tires are registered RIV inspection places.

i suggest starting on the RIV website, all the directions are on there. it will be far easier than trying to piece everything together on this forum.
Thanks.
 

GustavesF

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Get a different insurance provider. I'm sure someone will be willing to sell you something.
 

lovemycanadian

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GustavesF said:
Get a different insurance provider. I'm sure someone will be willing to sell you something.
I have insurance, they just don't want to cover me while I'm in Canada.
 

GustavesF

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lovemycanadian said:
I have insurance, they just don't want to cover me while I'm in Canada.
Right, get a different one. You'll be able to find someone willing to sell you coverage into Canada.
 

Panamai

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My insurance company covers visits to Canada of up to 6 months at a time. I had to use my dad's US address to keep it though. I use Shelter Insurance.
 

lovemycanadian

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Panamai said:
My insurance company covers visits to Canada of up to 6 months at a time. I had to use my dad's US address to keep it though. I use Shelter Insurance.
Aww man, I looked them up. They don't cover my area.
 

lovemycanadian

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GustavesF said:
Right, get a different one. You'll be able to find someone willing to sell you coverage into Canada.
I called State Farm. They said they will only cover me for 6 months. After that, I have to find insurance up in Canada. To that I say, "How would I find insurance up there if I'm a US citizen and I have an American registered vehicle?" They didn't have an answer for me, so I called the State Farm where my husband lives in Canada, and he wasn't sure if they would be able to cover me. He told me he was going to call me back.
 

rhcohen2014

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lovemycanadian said:
I called State Farm. They said they will only cover me for 6 months. After that, I have to find insurance up in Canada. To that I say, "How would I find insurance up there if I'm a US citizen and I have an American registered vehicle?" They didn't have an answer for me, so I called the State Farm where my husband lives in Canada, and he wasn't sure if they would be able to cover me. He told me he was going to call me back.
they probably won't because you need a valid canadian license to insure a car in canada (at least in ontario).
 

lovemycanadian

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rhcohen2014 said:
they probably won't because you need a valid canadian license to insure a car in canada (at least in ontario).
That's what I'm worried about. I think my two options at this point are to sell my vehicle here or have my husband import it to Canada.
 

rhcohen2014

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lovemycanadian said:
That's what I'm worried about. I think my two options at this point are to sell my vehicle here or have my husband import it to Canada.
seems like it, when did you send in your application and when do you plan to go to canada for 6 months?
 

lovemycanadian

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Says it got to Mississauga on March 2. Planning on crossing the border on the 30th-ish.