Steps to export the vehicle from USA to Canada...

[Alex54321]

I was successfully export the vehicle from USA and import it in Canada. I have to give a heads up that it is a tedious task, but achievable. I am giving steps in details. Please make a note that I am providing the steps for crossing over the NewYork to Ontario. Other borders in the middle and west, there may be a slight change in the process. But 90% will remain the same.

Please read through each step. Each steps are very important. Do not miss anything. This is not an official version. I am just trying to help out people. Please do go through the official documentations which I have mentioned below.

1. The vehicle should not have any vehicle loan(lien). Basically you need to have the title in hand. If you have the loan, then you need to have the letter from the bank/institution that you are allowed to export the car and cross the border.

2. The vehicle should not have any open Recalls. All the recalls should be cleared before we export. Email your vehicle manufacturer to provide a letter stating that this car is cleared from all recalls and this car is compliant with Canadian safety and compliance standards. In case you have any open recalls, go to manufacturer, get it fixed. Then wait for one day. Contact the manufacturer again to get the recall clearance letter.

3. Once the manufacturer sends this letter, email them to RIV recall@support.riv.ca. They will confirm in a day or 2 that they have accepted the same and the car is cleared for import.

4. You can get the importers checklist by navigating to this website and provide the details of your car. riv.ca/ImporterChecklist.aspx

5. Email the border customs office on both USA and Canada sides to get the information. It is very important to do it because they will let you know in case anything has changed.

Not every bridge allows exporting the vehicle. In NewYork state, only Queenston-Lewiston bridge allows exporting the vehicle.

6. You need to register in AES direct website and get the ITN number. The details will be mentioned in the email which the customs team send to you. It is a simple form. But since I didn’t had the time, I contacted one agent to get it done. I had to pay around 100$ to get it done. You have to provide the border crossing date when you fill in the form. If any details change, please update it before you cross the border.

7. Send the ITN number, VIN number to BUFFALOVINNYOFFICE@DHS.GOV 72 hours before crossing the border. This is very important. If it is not met, you will not be able to export the vehicle.

8. The border can be crossed only during the weekdays 8am-4pm. You have to go to Queenston Lewiston bridge on US side and look for customs office and check for Vehicle export office.

9. Give the title, ITN details, email proof etc. Please keep your legal presence proof in USA. For e.g. valid i797A document for H1B holders. They specifically asked me for my legal presence document.

10. They will put a seal in the title and will handover the title.

11. Cross the border (do not drive back to USA). Once you reach Canada side, please inform them that you are exporting the car. They will ask you to park the car near in the parking lot and carry all the documents inside the office.

12. Please visit the office, complete the landing procedures. For car export, provide them the title and copr. Fill in the FORM-1 (Auto import form for Canada). They will put a seal in Form 1 and will give it back to you. They will also give one blue color paper (invoice). Please keep these 2 documents with you. It is very important.

13. Go to RIV website, provide the number which is given in the Form 1, and make the payment. It is around 350$.

14. Once you take an apartment in Canada, you will get your lease agreement. Go to driving test office and transfer your license.

15. Take the car for Canada safety inspection and RIV inspection. Better to take appointment because of long wait period. The RIV inspection is free since you already pay directly to RIV (included in 350$). But safety inspection is something which you have to pay. In Canadian tire, it was 130$. But I was able to get it done from another shop for 60$.

16. Search for auto insurance. Get one before you register the car.

17. Once you have both the documents ready, go to Service Ontario and get the car registered. You need to give Title, Your Ontario DL, Safety clearance, Form 1, Application form, proof of insurance.

18. They will register the car and will give the new number plates.

19. Send the old number plate back to US, your state DMV. Disconnect the US insurance after this.

All official details can be found in this website.
http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx

Here is my experience today, September 21, 2018. Every case is different and I am a dual citizen.

My spouse landed in August and her US titled car was on "goods to follow list". She is a landed immigrant inadmissible back to US. I drove her US plated/insured vehicle to US export office at Ambassador Bridge (Detroit). Presented clear Title (with my wife name and old US address) and my US passport and in 5 minutes got export stamp to the Title and went to the Canadian side over the bridge. At Canadian customs presented stamped Title and "goods to follow list" explaining that I am the husband importing "her" car to Canada. No additional questions asked, just a Title, "goods to follow" form and Canadian address to fill out Form 1. After a while got filled Form 1 with my signature, another blue form ( 0 duties paid as she is a settler), generic RIV instructions - that's it.
Have a nice day!!!

Now, as far as cross-border travel. All they care is the drivers home. US customs on my question whether I (dual citizen) can drive my spouse's exported car back to US (commute to work place) next week - answer was they do not care about stamp in Title. Canadian customs - the same answer - they do no care.

So, at this point the car is formally exported, but is still US insured/plated and looks like I can drive her back and forth. Now, after RIV inspection and Ontario registration (not done yet) I think that my spouse will add my name to "her" Canadian insurance, so I can drive "her" Canadian plated/insured car back to US.

 

[OntarioRose]

Hello All

I’m new to this really terrific forum so if this question has already been answered, please excuse my asking again.

I’ve got all the necessary paperwork approved for spousal immigration from the US to Canada. I’ll be doing my landing next month (Dec. 2018) and my settlers’ effects will follow.

I plan to ship my car in February 2019. It’s a 2017 Mini Cooper. Fully paid; clear title. Anything I need to do (besides making sure the car is in my settlers’ effects list) in advance to make the process smoother?

Also, I am wondering if anyone has has to do anything about installing an anti-theft system on their car once it’s in Canada? Looking at the import requirements, it looks like an anti-theft system is required under Canadian law. (CMVSS 114.) My car doesn’t have an anti-theft system. Is it really necessary?

Thank you for your help!

OntarioRose

 

[northern sunshine]

Hello All

I’m new to this really terrific forum so if this question has already been answered, please excuse my asking again.

I’ve got all the necessary paperwork approved for spousal immigration from the US to Canada. I’ll be doing my landing next month (Dec. 2018) and my settlers’ effects will follow.

I plan to ship my car in February 2019. It’s a 2017 Mini Cooper. Fully paid; clear title. Anything I need to do (besides making sure the car is in my settlers’ effects list) in advance to make the process smoother?

Also, I am wondering if anyone has has to do anything about installing an anti-theft system on their car once it’s in Canada? Looking at the import requirements, it looks like an anti-theft system is required under Canadian law. (CMVSS 114.) My car doesn’t have an anti-theft system. Is it really necessary?

Thank you for your help!

OntarioRose

I'm still working out the kinks myself, but obviously you're aware of the import process-- are you also aware of the export process? You'll need to export the car from the US before importing it to Canada (they're done basically one after another at the border).

Check the RIV and Transport Canada for the requirements for your car. Yes, if your car doesn't already have it, the EIS is mandatory, as described in section 9 in the Explanations section at the start of the link below.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/Explanations.htm

You'll need to get a recall clearance letter from the manufacturer in addition to your export/import documents.

There are a couple threads about importing cars from the US into Canada as well, makes for good reading material.

 

[OntarioRose]

I'm still working out the kinks myself, but obviously you're aware of the import process-- are you also aware of the export process? You'll need to export the car from the US before importing it to Canada (they're done basically one after another at the border).

Check the RIV and Transport Canada for the requirements for your car. Yes, if your car doesn't already have it, the EIS is mandatory, as described in section 9 in the Explanations section at the start of the link below.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/Explanations.htm

You'll need to get a recall clearance letter from the manufacturer in addition to your export/import documents.

There are a couple threads about importing cars from the US into Canada as well, makes for good reading material.

Thanks—very helpful. I’ll have to call to see if a Lo-Jack system would be acceptable since that can be done here before I go.

As a side note, I’m moving to a rural area where people don't even lock their cars. So this seems like

 

[Alex54321]

Thanks—very helpful. I’ll have to call to see if a Lo-Jack system would be acceptable since that can be done here before I go.

As a side note, I’m moving to a rural area where people don't even lock their cars. So this seems like

Who is going to do export - you or your shipping company? I did all steps for my spouse's car myself because we live at the border (Detroit-Windsor).

 

[OntarioRose]

Who is going to do export - you or your shipping company? I did all steps for my spouse's car myself because we live at the border (Detroit-Windsor).

I would like to do the export myself. I may end up using a shipper though just because it’s a long drive from Northern California to Ontario.

 

[ssnmohammad]

I got Express Entry COPR and about to do the soft landing next month. I've got a question regarding importing my car.

What's the solution if my US car insurance doesn't cover Canada?

Can I take a Canadian car insurance before I do the soft landing which I can use to drive the car after crossing the border for few days?

 

[Alex54321]

I got Express Entry COPR and about to do the soft landing next month. I've got a question regarding importing my car.

What's the solution if my US car insurance doesn't cover Canada?

Can I take a Canadian car insurance before I do the soft landing which I can use to drive the car after crossing the border for few days?

First, you said "if my US car insurance doesn't cover Canada" - normally US insurance company covers visitors to Canada and secondly, no, you cannot get a Canadian car insurance without Canadian DL.

 

[ssnmohammad]

My US car insurance doesn't cover Canada.

 

[rashpal26]

I want to soft land by air and then return back to USA. Would there be any issue like import duty, if i import car after couple of months when I am moving permanently.

 

[Alex54321]

I want to soft land by air and then return back to USA. Would there be any issue like import duty, if i import car after couple of months when I am moving permanently.

As far as I know the List of Goods to Follow does not have time limit.

 

[APPNOV2014NY]

I want to soft land by air and then return back to USA. Would there be any issue like import duty, if i import car after couple of months when I am moving permanently.

No issues.

 

[jaydoshi3292]

Great post, answers most of the questions.
1. I get border office should be informed 72 hours prior but what is the maximum time band, like can I inform them 2 weeks in advance and that should be fine?
2. I read somewhere that car should be on my name for a while or there are additional fines. Is this true? I am financing the car for 3 years but planning to buy it now 2 months before moving.

 

[Alex54321]

Great post, answers most of the questions.
1. I get border office should be informed 72 hours prior but what is the maximum time band, like can I inform them 2 weeks in advance and that should be fine? Is it a problem to send a simple email 72 hours in advance as asked?
2. I read somewhere that car should be on my name for a while or there are additional fines. Is this true? I am financing the car for 3 years but planning to buy it now 2 months before moving. The Title of the vehicle to be imported should be on the name of landing person.

 

[Min01]

Hi everyone, we will be crossing the borders in April ...I would like to clarify couple thinks if anyone can help me with this questions.Me and my husband are planing to travel to New Brunswick. Both lost the status in USA (we start to work on moving to Canada since 2013, that time we had work authorization) and recently both got COPR for Canada. My main concern if will have any problem crossing the borders. We are planing to take our car with us. We got the title for the car.I do have the I-94 which I need to gave them at the borders by my knowledge, my husband doesn't have the I-94. From this forum threat this what I got: USA borders for export.
1) AES pay 75$; 2) receive INT and send with PoA Title to the borders; 3) wait 72 hours before the export the car; 4) at the borders present (title,insurance,registration,SED with ITN.) What about EEI? Anything I'm missing at the USA borders.?
Canada borders for import.
1) Recall clearance letter; 2) Vehicle Import form; 3) RIV Fee $350; I think I need to do more research on Canada Borders. Any advice will be appreciated. Thank you very much.

Were you able to import the car successfully being out of status from the USA ?