US to Canada Detailed Post including Car Export/Import and Landing Experience
Hello,
P.S:
1. This post is for first time landers/immigrants to Canada and NOT for flagpoling, you’ll not find any information relating to flagpoling timings here.
2. This post shares the experience and not the steps involved in detail. There is another excellent post here in this community which has detailed steps. https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/exporting-a-vehicle-from-the-u-s-and-importing-into-canada-complete-step-by-step-guide.539649/
Okay, let's move on -
Border Crossing: Lewiston/Queenston border, NY (Port Code 427 / 0901)
Date and Time: M – F. 8 AM to 4 PM is the only time this office opens, so plan your travel accordingly to arrive between this window to cross. If you plan to import/export your vehicle this is the only time you can come. However, if your plan is to just immigrate/landing in Canada without vechile, you can do that anyday and anytime.
Total border crossing time: 1:30 - 2 hours (including US and Canadian formalities)
Documents required by US Export Office (aka. US CBP)
Office Contact:
Vehicle export reporting Office
Phone: 716-843-8359
Email: buffalovinnyoffice@dhs.gov
· Passport
· Shipper Export Declaration Form (shows your ITN Number)
· Original Vehicle Title (Must) and Bill of Sale (Recommended)
· Printed Email Confirmation, including your email communication with CBP
Follow the signs to Canada and drive along the infamous arch bridge with stunning views of Niagara to arrive at immigration toll booths
At Immigration toll booth
Documents Required for immigration at border toll booth
· Passport and nothing else
You’ll be asked a few usual border questions here, shouldn’t be too confusing. First question would be, where do you live/reside? Answer the US city where you’ve lived
Now, because you’re landing for the first time and have other import formalities to complete, you’ll be asked to drive to Transport Canada building on the right side.
At Canadian Border Office (CBSA)
Documents Required for completing your landing at border office
· Passport
· CoPR
· Proof of Funds (Bank Statements, Balance Certificates etc.)
· Goods to Carry (2 copies)
· Goods to Follow (2 copies) – not mandatory if you don’t have any goods that will follow
Border officer will ask you where you’ll reside in Canada, as this is where you’ll receive your PR Card. Prefer to give actual address where you’ll reside along with other pertinent details. You’ll also be provided with a Welcome to Canada handbook that has some useful information for newcomers. My bank statements were not asked, and I did not need to show them, it depends on officer to officer (YMMV). Make sure you present your Goods to Carry and Goods to Follow list so that you’re redirected to the cashier to generate a certificate which you’ll retain.
Documents Required for completing car exporting at Transport Canada (counters shared with CBSA at border)
· Passport
· CoPR
· Original Vehicle Title stamped by US Export Office
You’ll be given a K22 Form at this point, along with Casual Goods Accounting Document (at cashier counter) and also a Welcome to Canada booklet (handy in future).
The building in below photo on the right side is where you will meet CBSA officers and complete your immigration and car import process on Canadian side.
Driver’s License
Get your driver’s license in from your province’s administration at earliest. It can take 3-4 weeks for it to arrive to you via slow mail. US license holders can exchange their license for a full (Class 5) license in Canada without any knowledge or driving tests.
RIV Inspection at Canadian Tire / Federal Inspection
This inspection is a statutory requirement. Any Canadian Tire (auto services division) would be able to do this in couple of minutes. Some CT’s charge for this service, some provide it for free (YMMV).
After 48-72 hours, visit your vehicle registration authority in your province and provide them with K22/Form-1 and the confirmation you received from Canadian Tire. Pay the requisite fees in your province and you’ll be given new registration plate immediately. Make sure you CANCEL your US registration after this and RETURN the plates to xyz state DMV.
Good Luck!
Hello,
P.S:
1. This post is for first time landers/immigrants to Canada and NOT for flagpoling, you’ll not find any information relating to flagpoling timings here.
2. This post shares the experience and not the steps involved in detail. There is another excellent post here in this community which has detailed steps. https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/exporting-a-vehicle-from-the-u-s-and-importing-into-canada-complete-step-by-step-guide.539649/
Okay, let's move on -
Border Crossing: Lewiston/Queenston border, NY (Port Code 427 / 0901)
Date and Time: M – F. 8 AM to 4 PM is the only time this office opens, so plan your travel accordingly to arrive between this window to cross. If you plan to import/export your vehicle this is the only time you can come. However, if your plan is to just immigrate/landing in Canada without vechile, you can do that anyday and anytime.
Total border crossing time: 1:30 - 2 hours (including US and Canadian formalities)
Documents required by US Export Office (aka. US CBP)
Office Contact:
Vehicle export reporting Office
Phone: 716-843-8359
Email: buffalovinnyoffice@dhs.gov
· Passport
· Shipper Export Declaration Form (shows your ITN Number)
· Original Vehicle Title (Must) and Bill of Sale (Recommended)
· Printed Email Confirmation, including your email communication with CBP
Follow the signs to Canada and drive along the infamous arch bridge with stunning views of Niagara to arrive at immigration toll booths
At Immigration toll booth
Documents Required for immigration at border toll booth
· Passport and nothing else
You’ll be asked a few usual border questions here, shouldn’t be too confusing. First question would be, where do you live/reside? Answer the US city where you’ve lived
Now, because you’re landing for the first time and have other import formalities to complete, you’ll be asked to drive to Transport Canada building on the right side.
At Canadian Border Office (CBSA)
Documents Required for completing your landing at border office
· Passport
· CoPR
· Proof of Funds (Bank Statements, Balance Certificates etc.)
· Goods to Carry (2 copies)
· Goods to Follow (2 copies) – not mandatory if you don’t have any goods that will follow
Border officer will ask you where you’ll reside in Canada, as this is where you’ll receive your PR Card. Prefer to give actual address where you’ll reside along with other pertinent details. You’ll also be provided with a Welcome to Canada handbook that has some useful information for newcomers. My bank statements were not asked, and I did not need to show them, it depends on officer to officer (YMMV). Make sure you present your Goods to Carry and Goods to Follow list so that you’re redirected to the cashier to generate a certificate which you’ll retain.
Documents Required for completing car exporting at Transport Canada (counters shared with CBSA at border)
· Passport
· CoPR
· Original Vehicle Title stamped by US Export Office
You’ll be given a K22 Form at this point, along with Casual Goods Accounting Document (at cashier counter) and also a Welcome to Canada booklet (handy in future).
The building in below photo on the right side is where you will meet CBSA officers and complete your immigration and car import process on Canadian side.
Driver’s License
Get your driver’s license in from your province’s administration at earliest. It can take 3-4 weeks for it to arrive to you via slow mail. US license holders can exchange their license for a full (Class 5) license in Canada without any knowledge or driving tests.
RIV Inspection at Canadian Tire / Federal Inspection
This inspection is a statutory requirement. Any Canadian Tire (auto services division) would be able to do this in couple of minutes. Some CT’s charge for this service, some provide it for free (YMMV).
After 48-72 hours, visit your vehicle registration authority in your province and provide them with K22/Form-1 and the confirmation you received from Canadian Tire. Pay the requisite fees in your province and you’ll be given new registration plate immediately. Make sure you CANCEL your US registration after this and RETURN the plates to xyz state DMV.
Good Luck!
- I will respond to questions as and when I have time, I am not so active on this forum nowdays, but do stop by once in a while. Thanks for understanding!
