landing with a car on the weekend??

[CanadianT]

My husband (american) was granted PR and will be landing next weekend. We researched importing his car but I just discovered a very important fact. We will be landing on Saturday, but the US Customs and Border that handles the initial car exporting is only open Mon -Fri 8am-4pm. Since I have had a hard time getting time off work, we planned to land on Saturday, but now, not sure what to do. My husband did call the US Customs and they said, technically, they could allow him to land with his truck, and then just go back over on Monday and begin the process for exporting his car. I really don't want to take any chances. Another suggestion was to park it somewhere.. say at the Buffalo Airport... and then later in the week, we both go back to get it and do the procedure. But my question is... once my husband lands, will he be issued his PR card right then and there so he is able to cross the border freely, or will he be unable to cross back into the states for awhile?

Thanks in advance for your suggestions!

Toni

 

[matthewc]

I'm not sure what the best solution to your problem is, but I'd suggest calling Canadian customs directly, not US customs, to see if you can do the official import later (maybe that was what you meant). Just because the US side says it's OK, doesn't mean the Canadian side agrees

If you get someone at the border crossing where you will be landing who has said you can bring it in, then do the official import next week, and you have their name, and confirmation they will be working when you want to land, then that sounds like it might work out.

As for traveling back to the US, you don't actually need the PR card to cross back and forth in your own vehicle - a copy of the COPR is good, or even just a passport, although that would likely mean a delay while they verify you are a PR in the system. (Since US citizens are visa-exempt coming to Canada, you don't necessarily need the card if flying in either, although it's always a good idea to have it.)

 

[CanadianT]

Thanks for the reply Matthewc, I will call the Canadian Border Agency tomorrow and see what they say. Good to hear that he should be able to cross back and forth with his passport.

Thanks again for your help! Love this site!!

Toni

 

[BeShoo]

Seems to me that you should be able to declare it as "settler's goods to follow" and then take that form back when you are able to get the truck paperwork done.

 

[AllisonVSC]

Canadian customs will allow you to start the paperwork for importing even though you haven't exported yet. Just mention to them when you cross the border that you intend to import it, but the export office is closed. You should declare the car as goods to follow even if you drive it across the border when landing so that you can come back and deal with it later.

The US export office requires that you provide two copies (officially, but they only took one from me) of the title several days prior to exporting the vehicle. You will also need to show that your passport name matches the name on the title. They will verify that the VIN number of the vehicle matches the title and send you on your way. My advice is do NOT try to export on a FRIDAY. It is there busiest day and the wait can be long due to all the truck drivers carrying multiple vehicles.