Can you talk a little bit about exporting your car. What is the process like and is it worth doing it if you have a used car? Hi
Exporting the car is fairly easy although there is a bit of paperwork that needs to be done. Steps I took are below.
1. Make sure car is paid off and you own the title clean. You can export a car with a loan on it but there are issues that will come up and I believe it is not worth the hassle.
2. Apply for an ITN (Internal Transit Number). There are many companies that you can research online that will file for an ITN for you. I used a company called Simplified Trade Solutions and they charged $35USD to apply for an ITN. You will need to provide vehicle information and your information to the company for them to file for an ITN. Takes about a day to get this.
3. Pick the border crossing where you want to export your car. Note that not all border crossings will allow you to export a vehicle. Just because you can drive through the border crossing doesn't mean you can export a vehicle through that border crossing. I picked Niagara Falls, at the Lewiston Bridge. You need to let the company that is filing your ITN know which border crossing you are going to use. Some border crossings are easier that others.
4. You have to provide the border crossing with a 72-hour notice before you can export your car from that border crossing. Each border crossing has its own procedure on how they want you to inform them. For the border crossing I chose, at Lewiston Bridge, all I had to do was email my ITN and my VIN 72 hours before my planned crossing. An automated email was sent back to me confirming my export and also showing me where I should bring my car on the day.
5. On the day itself, the process is fairly simple. You go to the export building and park your car in the designated spot. From there, you go in to the building and submit your documents (title, VIN, email from border, passport, drivers license). The officer will stamp your title, then confirm your VIN, and you are good to go.
6. Drive to Canada border. When you arrive at the border, the officer there will ask for your landing papers. Inform them that you are also importing a car.
7. Canada border will help you fill out what is called a Vehicle Import Form-Form1. They will also submit it to RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles). There is a fee that you will have to pay but that can be done online. They will provide you with two copies of the Form1.
8. You will need to pay the RIV fee and submit a recall clearance letter (from the manufacturer) to the RIV via email or fax. After that is done, they will send you an RIV inspection form.
9. Take the RIV inspection form, make any required modifications to the vehicle as detailed in the inspection form, then get it inspected by an authorized inspection center. Then only you can get the vehicle plated in Canada.
I think it is worth it to take a vehicle over with you. The most important points being:
1. You have something to drive around in when you get into Canada.
2. If you are a First Time Settler, you do not have to pay any duties or tax on the vehicle, as long as you are driving the vehicle when you first come to Canada. This is a one time only scenario.
Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any other questions.