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Importing Car into Canada from US

4506 messages,  Last post on Dec 01, 2009 at 10:14 AM

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#40 of 4506 More questions about importing a new car by tonytan1999 Dec 22, 2005 (1:44 am)
I have been planning to buy a new Volvo in a state-sales-tax-free state near BC (Alaska, Oregon, or Montana) and import it to Canada, but am finding the following issues unclear:   1. Title Most states, if not all, requires residency (i.e. qualification for a local driver's license) before they'll title/register a new car. Does anyone have experience getting a new car titled in AK or OR without proof of residency? And even if you got title without showing proof of residency, how long did you have to wait for it (i.e. leave the car in the states)?   2. Recall Clearance Letter The safest way appears to be: call the dealer, get the VIN and hold the car, call the manufacturer, ask for the letter, wait for the letter to arrive, then pay for the car. Does anyone have the experience of getting a letter from Volvo USA?   Other issues seem to be solvable for now. I'll be glad to share any research findings with anyone interested.   Thanks. Replies to this message: rikat007 (Dec 23, 2005 1:58 pm) bryanreo (Dec 26, 2005 8:57 pm) tonytan1999 (Dec 27, 2005 12:11 am) subahonda (Jan 23, 2006 12:53 pm) tmalik (Jan 24, 2006 9:16 am)
#41 of 4506 Re: More questions about importing a new car [tonytan1999] by rikat007 Dec 23, 2005 (1:58 pm)
Replying to: tonytan1999 (Dec 22, 2005 1:44 am) Hi I'd like to get any info on requirements/process & cost of importing a new BMW into Canada. Thanks
#42 of 4506 Re: More questions about importing a new car [tonytan1999] by bryanreo Dec 26, 2005 (8:57 pm)
Replying to: tonytan1999 (Dec 22, 2005 1:44 am) Am also interested in purchasing a new car in the US and importing to Canada. A 2005 BMW X3 is about $9,000 less in the US after accounting for currently differences but I imagine there will be big duties to pay. Did you find out anything in your research?   Thanks for you time.   Bryan REO Replies to this message: tonytan1999 (Dec 27, 2005 12:11 am)
#43 of 4506 Re: More questions about importing a new car [bryanreo] by tonytan1999 Dec 27, 2005 (12:11 am)
Replying to: bryanreo (Dec 26, 2005 8:57 pm) Revenue Canada (or whatever the current name is) lists on its website a 6% import rate for cars made in countries without special treaties. I don't think EU has any special treaties with Canada as far as car importing is concerned. I'm not aware of any other taxes.   That duty does eat into your potential savings (of $9000 less travel expenses, additional insurance, title fees, licensing fees, RIV fees, inspection fees, modification costs, GST, PST or HST, etc.).   It appears that the 6% duty (and probably the 7% GST too) will be calculated based on the Canadian blue book value rather than your true cost. But still, we can probably save a good $6000 to $7000 after tax by going to the states for a few days of vacation. Right? Just have to make sure the whole process is at all possible.   (Again, as I said in my first email, getting title document and recall clearance seems to be the biggest issue, unless you can already live in the states.)   Good luck, and lets share any further findings...   PS: you might want to check this page for some real life experience of importing an USED car: http://www.mr2.com/TEXT/Import.html#Sec9
#44 of 4506 YOU GUYS MIGHT WANT TO CALL by geo9 Dec 27, 2005 (8:17 pm)
#45 of 4506 YOU GUYS MIGHT WANT TO CALL by geo9 Dec 27, 2005 (8:22 pm)
The car mfr. direct and ask if the warranty will still be honored on cars bought in the US then reregistered in Canada (or visa versa).   I have read quite a few auto makers doing this on these forums......................   I live along the US/Canadian border and have seen this happen several times with Canadian cars imported into the US..............
#46 of 4506 Re: Mfg Recall clearance letter [henry01] by nondalover Jan 16, 2006 (5:15 pm)
Replying to: henry01 (Nov 19, 2005 12:27 pm) Hi henry01, I have a same problem with damn the clearance letter from American Honda.They just refused with no reason...   Can you or anybody who nows,please write me how to download the info with the VIN number from honda site.   Would very appreciate you halp ,folks !!!! Please email me: adpmailmail.ru Replies to this message: subahonda (Jan 23, 2006 12:39 pm)
#47 of 4506 Re: Mfg Recall clearance letter [nondalover] by subahonda Jan 23, 2006 (12:39 pm)
Replying to: nondalover (Jan 16, 2006 5:15 pm) If you are buying from an authorized dealer, the manager of the dealership can write the letter. Look at the instructions at the RIV site. Simply downloading stuff does not meet the requirement. The US DOT has a list of recalls. You should call the manufacturer again and ask for the letter - someone else should answer the phone. You are entitled to such a letter as a customer - but you have to own the car and have title.
#48 of 4506 Re: More questions about importing a new car [tonytan1999] by subahonda Jan 23, 2006 (12:53 pm)
Replying to: tonytan1999 (Dec 22, 2005 1:44 am) There are a lot of errors on some of the posts. The state sales tax is not collected on a car that is being exported unless you are plating it in that state. You cannot be a resident of the state because residents have to pay the sales tax. So a Canadian can buy the car and take it out. Some dealer associations have deals with their counterparts in Canada to prevent the sales but they are legal by NAFTA. I just went through this. I also got the full rebate as advertised. The title goes with the car and will be signed over to you by the dealer and you will be given a transport certificate. The recall clearance letter is required at the inspection when you complete form 2 at Canadian Tire. The RIV web site has all the steps and they are correct. The US export clearance requires that a copy of the MCO (which is the title or manufacturers certificate) be faxed to the US border office where you will enter Canada "at least72 hours" ahead. This is incorrect. They want three full business days. They don't count weekends or holidays. So count three days after they receive the fax (and call to confirm that they received it). You then have the US Customs officer stamp the title upon presentation of the vehicle. You drive across the border with the title and bill of sale. Look at the certificate of compliance label on the car for its date of manufacture because that will be required for Form 1 on the Canadian side, as well you must pay the GST and Air Tax. It states the site of manufacture as well. The matter of duty is not clear. Expect to pay it and be happy if you don't - include it in your calculations. The RIV fee is $209 and you have to pay whatever provincial inspection fee and sales taxes are required in your province when you get to the provincial licencing office. Remember that the Customs people are not your enemy. They are making sure that everything is in order. The biggest problem is the US clearance - people think they can just show up. The manufacturer will only give the letter after you have the title showing that you own the vehicle in question. They will not do it ahead of the purchase and it is not needed at the border. The US dealer required a US taxpayer identification number (Social Security), which you can get if you don't have one. There are also Patriot Act requirements of disclosure of the owner's past record. Everything is okay if you do the things as required. Check with the manufacturer on both sides about the warranty. Replies to this message: tmalik (Jan 24, 2006 9:16 am)
#49 of 4506 Importing Honda to Ontario by 4runnerrip Jan 24, 2006 (8:22 am)
Hi all,   I've read through the RIV website but there still seams to be some manufacturer-specific loose ends. So I'd like to know if any Canadian has bought a new Honda in the US and imported into Canada (even better if to Ontario)?   Will the warranty be honoured in Canada? Did you have to pay any type of tax in the US? How did you arrange for trip permits while transporting back to Canada? Were the border staff in both countries already familiar with this sort of thing or were there hassles? Any other hiccups?   I ask because the CDN dollar at the moment is trading at almost 0.87US which means for the Element I was considering buying here in Canada costs about 30,000C$ (excluding taxes) whereas the same model bought at a US dealership would be about 21,500US$ (24,712CS)   Thx, Ian Replies to this message: tmalik (Jan 24, 2006 9:09 am)

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