Questions on importing a car into Canada

[OntarioBound]

Do you submit Form 1 and make the payment when you import you car, or before you import the car, or after you import the car? It looks like you can fill out the form online and make the payment, but I wasn't sure if I could do that before I get to the border to do the import, or only when I get there (since the mileage on the form will be different once I drive in...).

Also, is it OK to drive the car back into the US after the car is exported from the US and imported into Canada, but before the inspection is completed successfully? I would like to drive back to the US shortly after the car has been imported.

Any comments would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Aquakitty]

As far as I remember, when we brought the car to the Canadian side the border agent filled out our form 1 (and made an error on it, so be sure to double check it). We paid the GST (at the time it was HST). I am pretty sure you pay the RIV part either at the border or yourself online or by mail. You pay the provincial taxes when you bring it in to get insurance.

Once you import it it's kind of in limbo till you get the inspections, I can't remember if we got temporary insurance to drive it to crappy tire for the inspections or if it was still technically covered under our US insurance. I'm sure you can ask your insurance company, as long as it's insured I see no problem driving it.

From the RIV site: Unpaid registration fees

The Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 is the invoice for the payment of the import fee as outlined under section 17, payment is due at the time of declaration and may be facilitated at the border or may be paid on our website after you have crossed. If a registration fee remains unpaid for 10 days after import, RIV will mail the importer a reminder notice. If full payment has not been received within 45 days (or 1 year for salvage vehicles) after the date of import, Transport Canada and the licensing jurisdictions will be notified of the non-compliance of the vehicle.

Now I recall we paid it online.

 

[OntarioBound]

As far as I remember, when we brought the car to the Canadian side the border agent filled out our form 1 (and made an error on it, so be sure to double check it). We paid the GST (at the time it was HST). I am pretty sure you pay the RIV part either at the border or yourself online or by mail. You pay the provincial taxes when you bring it in to get insurance.

Once you import it it's kind of in limbo till you get the inspections, I can't remember if we got temporary insurance to drive it to crappy tire for the inspections or if it was still technically covered under our US insurance. I'm sure you can ask your insurance company, as long as it's insured I see no problem driving it.

From the RIV site: Unpaid registration fees

The Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 is the invoice for the payment of the import fee as outlined under section 17, payment is due at the time of declaration and may be facilitated at the border or may be paid on our website after you have crossed. If a registration fee remains unpaid for 10 days after import, RIV will mail the importer a reminder notice. If full payment has not been received within 45 days (or 1 year for salvage vehicles) after the date of import, Transport Canada and the licensing jurisdictions will be notified of the non-compliance of the vehicle.

Now I recall we paid it online.

Thank you for your post, Aquakitty.

I went to the border and did the export, import and then came right back to the US side. (They opened a little gate for me to come right back in.) It was a breeze. They gave me a sheet explaining how to pay the fee via RIV.

 

[msbigshot]

Thank you for your post, Aquakitty.

I went to the border and did the export, import and then came right back to the US side. (They opened a little gate for me to come right back in.) It was a breeze. They gave me a sheet explaining how to pay the fee via RIV.

Did you have to pay duty or tax on it? Or just the RIV?

 

[OntarioBound]

Did you have to pay duty or tax on it? Or just the RIV?

No duty, no tax. They said no need for me since I am a landed immigrant.
I just paid RIV fee online and emailed them the recall info I got from Honda website.

 

[msbigshot]

No duty, no tax. They said no need for me since I am a landed immigrant.
I just paid RIV fee online and emailed them the recall info I got from Honda website.

Awesome thanks! My husband has purchased all his trucks from the South so I know how it works i was just curious as the duty or tax went because I was landing technically not purchasing... & my car was already imported to the US from Canada when i bought it..lol

 

[Aquakitty]

Did you have to pay duty or tax on it? Or just the RIV?

There's no duty on US made cars regardless, but as a landing PR YOU GET TO LAND ONE CAR FOR FREE! No tax! What a deal! 8)

Yea I forgot to mention my experience was not from landing, you get one "free" car when landing aside from the RIV fee if your car is newer than 15 years.