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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 44 of 46

#426 of 448 Can anything be done with this cool old truck? by arlo2

Apr 26, 2012 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: jamjet (Apr 24, 2012 7:26 pm)
Here's a scenario to ponder: Friends drive to US from Canada 15 years ago in an 85 VW double cab truck on a brief visit. When down here, the engine blows up. As the vehicle can't be driven and had other issues, he sells it to a Volkswagen buff not far away and mailed the title and a bill of sale a couple weeks later. The truck was parked in a barn and its still there to this day, 15 years later. Never fixed up. It's in need of some rust repair, and the engine needs replacement before it can be driven. Here's the question: how does one take this through US customs after 15 years?? Of course, the engine has to be replaced first, and the gas tank cleaned, but afterward can't be driven as it has no license plates or US title. Can anything be done to put this cool old truck back on the road again? How can this old truck legally be titled and put into use again here in the USA?

#427 of 448 Re: I am on TN Visa, Would like to import Canadian Vehicles to the U.S. [ataur] by schnizzle

May 23, 2012 (12:18 pm)

Replying to: ataur (Aug 22, 2011 10:24 am)
Hello,
 
I am also trying to import my Hyundai Tucson in to the U.S., did you ever manage to bring it in to the U.S. successfully? I have the Hyundai Canada letter with CMVSS standards, did you have to obtain anything else?
 
thanks,

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

May 23, 2012 (12:34 pm)

Replying to: pamarama (May 31, 2011 1:22 am)
Hello, I'm trying to import my Canadian Manufactured 2009 Hyundai Tuscon into the U.S. I have the letter from Hyundai Canada CMVSS indicating that it meets all CANADIAN requirements and has not had any recalls. Is this sufficient for the people at the border crossing or will I need other documents? You mentioned you obtained a document from American Honda, would I need to do the same with my Hyundai (obtain a letter from Hyundai in the U.S.) ?
 
thanks for your help.

#429 of 448 Re: Important thing to know. [rathahonni] by jonmar

May 23, 2012 (7:45 pm)

Replying to: rathahonni (Apr 21, 2012 8:52 am)
Do you still have the brokers name that you used? I have the same problem as you did.
 
Thanks,
Jon

#430 of 448 Re: Purchasing a U.S made car in Canada and bringing it back into the U.S. [jamjet] by drinkthis

May 28, 2012 (12:02 pm)

Replying to: jamjet (Apr 24, 2012 7:26 pm)
I am in the process of doing the same thing. Vehicle manufactured and originally titled/registered in US for many years. Was imported to Canada and then offered for sale. I (US citizen) bought it on ebay and now need to import back to US at the Ambassador Bridge near Detroit. I called US customs there twice and received two answers:
Answer #1: Obtain a letter addressed to me from the vehicle mfr (Toyota) stating compliance with EPA emission regulations. This person was a bit nasty and even said something that was untrue: That the vehicle could receive an EPA emission test at a Toyota dealership in Ontario.
Answer #2: If the vehicle has two stickers, one from DOT (on door pillar) and one from EPA (on underside of hood), then no problem to re-import. This person was fairly friendly but somewhat authoritative in their tone and asked me intrusive questions. He also said he was too busy when I asked for more info.
 
I called another POE in Maine and they confirmed that answer #2 was correct. Except in the case where the EPA sticker was not present, then I would need the letter. This person was very friendly and down to earth and seemed sincerely helpful. He also said that this is the current regulation but to check with the specific POE to see if they any other (unnecessary) requirements.
 
I've decided to at least try to get #1 satisfied, because you never know who will be waiting at that POE and what kind of info or attitude they have.

#432 of 448 Re: I am on TN Visa, Would like to import Canadian Vehicles to the U.S. [schnizzle] by fsantafe

Jun 08, 2012 (9:02 am)

Replying to: schnizzle (May 23, 2012 12:18 pm)
Hi,
I am the same issue in California for my SantaFe, I appreciate if you give me some insights, i brought the car from Canada and I can't get the letter of compliance from Hyundai USA nor from Canadian one! did you get the car registered already and how?
Thanks

#433 of 448 Re: I am on TN Visa, Would like to import Canadian Vehicles to the U.S. [fsantafe] by babacole

Jun 11, 2012 (6:26 pm)

Replying to: fsantafe (Jun 08, 2012 9:02 am)
Any luck with the process? I have the same issue and looking for some guidance in getting my SantaFe into the United States and can't get the letter of compliance from Hyundai USA or Canada. Please help.

#434 of 448 Re: Purchasing a U.S made car in Canada and bringing it back into the U.S. [drinkthis] by ls11j

Jun 17, 2012 (11:47 pm)

Replying to: drinkthis (May 28, 2012 12:02 pm)
Hi drinkthis,
 
Any luck with getting the Compliance Letter from Toyota Canada?
They just simply refused to provide me that letter and telling me since a few month ago they stopped providing that letter due to their policy changes.
Please let us know how your process went?
 
Thanks!

#435 of 448 Re: Purchasing a U.S made car in Canada and bringing it back into the U.S. [drinkthis] by jolie4

Jun 22, 2012 (11:22 am)

Replying to: drinkthis (May 28, 2012 12:02 pm)
Regarding the bringing of a original US car that had been imported to Canada back to the US, we just had to do this for a move to FL. I'm not sure that the rules are the same for your state, but because the car was built in the US for the US market, it already complies to US standards - you just have to have the appropriate party in your state verify it. For FL I just had to take the car down to the local FL DOT office that handles the "verification" and get a form filled out. They looked for/at the sticker on the driver door pillar and verified that "yes, it was a US vehicle". The fact that a CDN sticker was also there (from when we moved/imported the car to Canada 10 yrs ago) did not matter. Then I took that verification letter to the Dept of Motor Vehicles with the registration from Canada and registered the car in FL.
 
The first answer that you received regarding Customs would be for importing a Canadian vehicle to the US (we have to do THAT, too). You shouldn't have to "import" your vehicle, however, because it is a US vehicle.
 
I don't know anything about the EPA stuff, but that seems like it would be for the Canadian built car that you are importing. The car met EPA standards when it was manufactured in the US, so unless something has been done to change it's exhaust, etc., it would still meet the EPA standards for that make, model, year. You shouldn't have to bring it up to current standards...
 
just my 2 cents...
 
Another aside: when we went to cancel the auto insurance in Canada (BC in this case) we were penalized because I only had a COPY of the original registration. I was supposed to keep the original and FL was supposed to get a copy. I was lucky I asked for a copy at all - the guy in FL was just going to take the original and let me go on my merry way.
 
Hope some of this is helpful.

Messages Page 44 of 46

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