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Importing Canadian Vehicles to the U.S.

448 messages,  Last post on Mar 08, 2013 at 7:35 AM

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Messages Page 43 of 46

#415 of 448 Re: Help needed - import Canada Kia Soul to US [medlowa] by pamarama

May 31, 2011 (1:22 am)

Replying to: medlowa (May 25, 2011 4:41 pm)
Felt I needed to post about my experience here, as I just went through this process today, with a 1999 Honda Civic, importing from Canada to the USA. I'm a Canadian citizen but permanent resident of the US for the past 8 years. I had a lot of anxiety about it, but it turned out to be a simple process As other posters mentioned, you do not need the HS-7. What you need is a letter on original letterhead from the manufacturer (in my case, American Honda, if importing a Honda manufactured in Canada into the USA). Do this in advance, as it took a few weeks to get this letter from them. I crossed the Windsor-Detroit border today with a temporary 10-day plate on the car I obtained in Ontario when the title was transferred to me (at a cost of $15). The customs officer asked me for the vehicle registration/title before even asking for my ID (a greencard, in my case), and when I planned to import the car. I said, "uh...now". I didn't realize there was an option?? Anyway, he sent me inside to fill out a form "CBP 7501" - "Entry Summary". They asked for the vehicle registration, my ID again, and gave me an explanatory form to help me fill out the form correctly. They inspected the car, had a big discussion about one ambigous line in the letter from US Honda stating the car was "non-compliant" re: instrument panel differences. (i.e. km/hr vs mph on the odometer), went out to inspect the car again, and then issued me 2 copies of the stamped, approved 7501, one for me and one for Secretary of State so I can register the car here in Mich. They were extremely courteous and helpful. As long as you have a letter from the manufacturer stating the vehicle complies with US standards, you will be ok. Make sure you have a temp plate on the car and insurance. Do your homework! Many late-model cars are importable into the USA. Expect to spend a half hour or so at customs going through the process, but they will help you through it.
 
  Oh, and another good thing...I was charged ZERO duty on it at the border. I asked the Customs Officer what I should write under the "value" section on the form, as the car was used and a gift to me from my dad. He guesstimated $2000, but wrote $0 in the value for duty section, so I was charged no duty. He said if I had been importing a brand new Ferrari, I'd be assessed duty, but not for an older car like the Honda.
 
When I register the car at the Secretary of State office on Tues., they will likely charge state tax on the assessed value of $2000. I'm ok with that!
 
Glad to see this forum here. The process of importing cars can be a bit mystifying. Just do your homework! The info is available online or with a phonecall or two. Just make sure you have your ducks in a row when you show up at Customs. They will help you with the paperwork.
 
Cheers! E-mail me if I can help in any way. I can relate to the confusion on this...took me months to sort it all out, but in the end, it was a process, but a smooth one.

#416 of 448 Re: Help needed - import Canada Kia Soul to US [pamarama] by us_cross_honda

Jun 07, 2011 (12:10 pm)

Replying to: pamarama (May 31, 2011 1:22 am)
It is going to happen to me as well.
I am crossing US Border at Detriot -Windsor from Canada with my Canadian Honda Civic.
I have a recall clearance letter from Canadian Honda Manufacture, and waiting for a compilance letter from US Honda Manufacture.
 
I don't have time to wait the compilance letter from US Honda Manufacture.
I am wondering if I cross the border without this letter or not.
 
Do you have any experience?
 
Thanks
 
Kwn

#417 of 448 I am on TN Visa, Would like to import Canadian Vehicles to the U.S. by ataur

Aug 22, 2011 (10:24 am)

I am Canadian citizen and working us on TN Visa. I would like to import my car Hyundai Sentafe to US. I got Compliance letter from Hyundai Canada with CMVSS standard. What else I need?

#418 of 448 Re: Help needed - import Canada Kia Soul to US [pamarama] by singhn

Sep 29, 2011 (11:31 am)

Replying to: pamarama (May 31, 2011 1:22 am)
I have been driving my GMC Envoy that I bought in canada three years ago. Its canadian plates have expired. The car is already in US. I want to register it in WA, USA. How can I get letter of compliance to US standards?

#419 of 448 1969 alfa romeo from canada by abray

Oct 20, 2011 (11:53 am)

What can anyone tell me about importing this car into the US? EPA, DOT, etc compliance etc. Thanks

#420 of 448 Re: 1969 alfa romeo from canada [abray] by robr2

Oct 20, 2011 (2:14 pm)

Replying to: abray (Oct 20, 2011 11:53 am)
It's more than 25 years old so it shouldn't be a problem.
 
Start here:
 
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/278/~/importing-classic-or-antique-- vehicles-%2F-cars-for-personal-use

#421 of 448 Selling Canadian Honda Civic in US by nitlsu

Jan 23, 2012 (8:31 am)

I have a 2005 Honda Civic that I imported from Canada to US a few years back. I did the necessary paperwork and it's registered in TX right now. Presently I am looking at selling the thing...can I do so? The speedometer and more importantly the odometer are in KMs (at least the speedometer has both units listed...not the odo though). Do I need a new odometer? Can someone who has done this whole selling process before give me some suggestions?

#422 of 448 Re: Selling Canadian Honda Civic in US [nitlsu] by tracetoba

Apr 14, 2012 (9:35 pm)

Replying to: nitlsu (Jan 23, 2012 8:31 am)
I recently became a permenent resident in the US living in Texas. I am working on importing my 2007 Honda Civic. The car is already in the US. When I originally drove into the US it was as a visitor so nobody inspected my car or anything for import. Now I want to be able to register and insure the car in Texas. I already have the compliance letter. I have been told I now have to take my car to a place called Wallace Labs, in Houston for testing and such, and pay $3400 to Wallace Labs before I can register the car in TX. Does anybody know if this is correct?

#423 of 448 Important thing to know. by rathahonni

Apr 21, 2012 (8:52 am)

After trying to obtain a letter of compliance from General Motors of Canada,i was informed that they no longer issue these letters. So be advised,should u desire to register a Canadian General Motors car in the U.S.,I was forced to consult a broker that knows all the ins and outs of this process,the cost for me was 350. dollars. But lucky for me ,i am located near the Canadian Border as is the broker which made the process much easier. Money well spent for me.

#424 of 448 importing a car from canada by ram39

Apr 23, 2012 (3:33 pm)

i bought a car from canada and i have the title and bill of sale and also i worked an getting the manufacturing letter and i have it now. My question is will the sos in us Mi give me a temporary liscense plate to go get the car from canada ?

Messages Page 43 of 46

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