Hi,
I can help you out. I moved from TX to ON. Being single, I drove with all my belongings stuffed in my one car.
Now, there is good news for people who are immigrating to Canada. You do not pay for customs if you are landing for the first time. I didn't pay customs on my Camry or any of my electronics or other belongings. You should already have form PERSONAL EFFECTS ACCOUNTING DOCUMENT (available online) filled. You are going to tick mark SETTLER if moving for the 1st time.
Since I didn't pay customs, the next thing was to go through the process of importing a vehicle into Canada. This is a lengthy process:
1. You have to Pay an Importing Fee of $195 + GST (Ontario 2009, may have gone up) at the border or tell them you will pay later (I forgot the time limit).
2. RIV will then send you inspection information. They also asked me If my model had a recall. I had to call Toyota and have them send me letter stating it was clear.
3. My car is pretty new and didn't have any modifications. Once Passed, you take that form, RIV reciepts and Personal effect document to the Service Ontario to surrender your title for a new Ontario (might be different in Alberta) title. $70+GST.
4. Take your registration and Previous insurance information and history from States to a Canadian insurance. BTW, Insurance here is a highway robbery compared to states.
5. Go to Service Ontario and surrender your Driver's license ($30). This was one of the best things as I didn't had to go through the classes of license like a baby but you do have to go through a vision test. Get a new one in the mail.
Thanks
Stoetzels
