Bringing a US. car to Canada

[65Vart]

Ok, obviously this topic has been re hashed many times. I thought it would be a good idea to get everyones stories, horror or not, on one thread. What is the cleanest , easiest way to bring a US. car to Canada? please share your expiriences so all of the pitfalls can be avoided for those of us who have not done this yet. I can tell you I have bought my last Canadian car. I got reasonably lucky but it's always a crap shoot. My next car will come from a saltless region south of the border and with the $ at par this might be sooner then later.

 

[Riddler]

Well to be honest, there are alot of stories, but don't take them all as truth. I work at the border crossing in Windsor, ON and have done the paperwork for people bringing cars into Canada more times than I could count. I've also purchased US cars and imported them into Canada.

When you buy a car in the USA you are required to fax the title to the US Custom and Border Protection 3 days in advance. While many people do not do this it is a US law requiring exportation of the motor vehicle. Why 3 days? The CBP does a title search to make sure the car has no liens or is stolen.

Before I expain the proceedure to bring the car into Canada check out this website provided by Transport Canada. www.riv.ca It explains all the details of importing a motor vehicle, including cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, trailers and personal sport vehicle such as snowmobiles, atv's, dirtbikes, etc.

If the car is less than 15 years old you have extra steps to complete. I'll get into that later on.

Vehicle less than 15 years:

Bring the car into Canada, remember to bring the ad where you found the car, also bring all the emails with you. Have a bill of sale made up by the person your buying the car from. Remember to include the actual price paid, VIN number and extra details in the Bill of Sale.

When the officer completes the Form 1 for you, they will mark your vehicle as 15 years or older and therefor you don't have to pay the RIV program fee of $204.95. You'll be required to pay 5% GST at the border on the price you paid for the motor vehicle. If the vehicle was built with air conditioning, wether it works or not you have to pay $100 Excise tax for that feature.

Now bring your title (remember to make a copy for yourself, as the DMV takes the original) to the DMV. They also need to see your Form 1 at this time and you'll be required to pay 8% PST in order to obtain your Canadian Title.

*** Important note for those who buy a project vehicle. Remember to get your vehicle's title in Canada before you complete the project. You'll pay the PST on the value of the car as is. Once the project and you want your Canadian title the DMV will require an appraisal and will charge the PST on the appraisal amount. So pay less now.

Under 15 years:

Everything is same for paperwork as over 15 years old. However at the border when the officer completes the Form 1, you'l have to pay a $204.95 RIV program fee as well as the GST and Excise tax for A/C.

Before you go to the DMV, the RIV program will send you a package and you'll be required to take the car for a Federal Inspection at a Canadian Tire. The car must conform to Transport Canada laws. After this is done you can take the car to the DMV and pay the PST and get your Canadian Title.

I'm sure there are a ton of questions and I'll do my best to try and answer them. But alot of information can be found at www.riv.ca

Riddler

 

[jd340]

Riddler's got it covered! I will add one piece of advice: If you are ever planning to import via Lewiston,NY crossing, be aware that they only do it Mon-Fri, 9-5, NO EXCEPTIONS!!! At least that's the way it was the last time I did it. I learned the HARD way. Had to stay the weekend in Niagara Falls,NY, miss a night of work...

 

[MoparLvr]

That's great info. Thankyou!! I've been considering looking south as well.

 

[pettybludart]

That beautiful 68 Cuda FB get ya thinkin Wally?LOL.I hired a transport company and a broker for all the paperwork.They still screwed up!My car sat at the border for 10days,cause they forgot?to send the paperwork 3 days ahead?WTF?Also I had the bill of sale,title noterized by a judge in Alabama where the car was from.They,re exempt from a ownership,which made it easier to transfer here.Good luck!

 

[Coyote Jack]

Well to be honest, there are alot of stories, but don't take them all as truth. I work at the border crossing in Windsor, ON and have done the paperwork for people bringing cars into Canada more times than I could count. I've also purchased US cars and imported them into Canada.

When you buy a car in the USA you are required to fax the title to the US Custom and Border Protection 3 days in advance. While many people do not do this it is a US law requiring exportation of the motor vehicle. Why 3 days? The CBP does a title search to make sure the car has no liens or is stolen.

Before I expain the proceedure to bring the car into Canada check out this website provided by Transport Canada. www.riv.ca It explains all the details of importing a motor vehicle, including cars, trucks, buses, motorcycles, trailers and personal sport vehicle such as snowmobiles, atv's, dirtbikes, etc.

If the car is less than 15 years old you have extra steps to complete. I'll get into that later on.

Vehicle less than 15 years:

Bring the car into Canada, remember to bring the ad where you found the car, also bring all the emails with you. Have a bill of sale made up by the person your buying the car from. Remember to include the actual price paid, VIN number and extra details in the Bill of Sale.

When the officer completes the Form 1 for you, they will mark your vehicle as 15 years or older and therefor you don't have to pay the RIV program fee of $204.95. You'll be required to pay 5% GST at the border on the price you paid for the motor vehicle. If the vehicle was built with air conditioning, wether it works or not you have to pay $100 Excise tax for that feature.

Now bring your title (remember to make a copy for yourself, as the DMV takes the original) to the DMV. They also need to see your Form 1 at this time and you'll be required to pay 8% PST in order to obtain your Canadian Title.

*** Important note for those who buy a project vehicle. Remember to get your vehicle's title in Canada before you complete the project. You'll pay the PST on the value of the car as is. Once the project and you want your Canadian title the DMV will require an appraisal and will charge the PST on the appraisal amount. So pay less now.

Under 15 years:

Everything is same for paperwork as over 15 years old. However at the border when the officer completes the Form 1, you'l have to pay a $204.95 RIV program fee as well as the GST and Excise tax for A/C.

Before you go to the DMV, the RIV program will send you a package and you'll be required to take the car for a Federal Inspection at a Canadian Tire. The car must conform to Transport Canada laws. After this is done you can take the car to the DMV and pay the PST and get your Canadian Title.

I'm sure there are a ton of questions and I'll do my best to try and answer them. But alot of information can be found at www.riv.ca

Riddler

Very good explanation Riddler. A couple of things I would add is that I used a broker at the border and that saved a lot of time and confusion for every body and only cost me $50 extra. One other thing with newer vehicles is to make sure you do your homework as far as a vehicle being able to enter Canada.

Jack

 

[65Vart]

Thanks guys, especially Riddler for taking the time to go over this! Great information so far. One question from me so far is what if it's a race car? same rules apply?

 

[fjr]

See ACCCC - Importing Cars into Canada for more information.

If your race car has a title, I think US & Canada Customs would treat it the same as any other car. If you don't have a title, I don't think US customs would allow it to be exported. I would check with US Customs to be sure.

 

[Riddler]

Race car only for off road use? It'll still be required to have a VIN or serial number.

However I don't believe a rcae car would enter the RIV program in Canada so you would be required to pay the GST at the border. I'm also thinking you'll be required to pay the PST at the border as well.

Few questions first,

1) Was the car for on road use before making it into a race car?
2) Was it build only for racing and competition? Meaning full tube chassis with a body?

Riddler

 

[justcuz]

It is not as hard as some want you to beleive.

I just imported mine in January and had no problems or issues.

Good luck with your search!

 

[4spdragtop]

I dont have as much experience as Riddler, but I have brought cars back and a couple things I have learned. All of the export points operate at different times and days. And you cant bring an imported car across thru all of them. Faxing the title or bill of sale, when you do that make sure your fax machine prints a confirmation page and take that with you to the border. That proves you faxed it. CBP will tell you that as well. If the car does have a lien or is stolen etc. and you get to the border, you are SOL, the car stays put. The CBP will not phone you after they do a lien or theft search to give you a heads up. This was from a conversation I had with a CBP about bringing a car back. Sometimes you get good guys on the phone and sometimes you dont. Also I am not 100% certain on this but I believe that the vehicle you are bringing into Canada has to meet CSA standards, if it doesnt, it stays put. HOpe it helps, its really not that big a deal, just be organized and it will go nice and smooth.

 

[Gryzynx]

Riddler, Excellent post! you are the man!

You mention that if your car has A/C, expect a surcharge at the border, I'd like to add, even on a parts car.

I think a little of your advice might be specific to Ontario. All my cars were brought in thru Manitoba, Port of Emerson. PST was payable upon registration and was based on the amount declared at the border. PST rates differ. I believe Manitoba was 6% and Saskatchewan will exempt the first $3000 of value. The registrar in Manitoba never claimed the American titles, same for the one car I registered in Saskatchewan.

The T1 is one area where I experienced some inconsistency. As you mention, the customs agent will usually supply and fill this in for you. On my last purchase, I arrived at the desk with all the paperwork in hand only to be met with a blank look and "Where's you T1?" I was, of course, stumped. Finally, the agent pointed to an unmarked stack of forms in the corner of the waiting area and informed me I was to get the form from the pile and fill it out, then return to the desk. Previous visits, the form was behind the desk and produced by the customs agent when I arrived. Possibly a change of policy?

Also should note, (and as a Mopar site, I know most are not infected with this problem), cars and parts with documented American origins are duty free. Offshore products may be subject to duties.

 

[plumcrazy704406]

canada gov's site is good. US border guys you can call. they are helpfull. get a good transport company that has experience to bring the car over. less headache!

oh yeah, most important! don't forget to wash and wax before shipping. you want it arriving in style!

:cheers:

 

[65Val]

Hey Riddler...great post. I'd just like to add...unless they've changed the procedure for 15 yrs and older cars, I didnt have to pay any "RIV" fee as a 15 yr and older car didn't have to go through the RIV program 4 years ago when I imported my Dart from Washington state. I didnt use a broker, but did fax the title to my nearest border crossing (Port Angeles, WA) 72 hours ahead of time. When I picked the car up in Port Angeles, I just reported to the US Customs office there for verification of VIN number, then onto the Coho ferry to Victoria. Upon arrival here, checked in with Canadian Customs at the ferry dock, paid GST and was on my way home.

It was just that easy!

 

[moparwedden]

All Boarders Are Not The Same, Detroit Wants A Copy Of Title There 3 Days Before Where Lansdown AKA Thousand Island Bridge Needs The Original Title 3 Days Before You Try To Bring It Across. Keep This In Mind When You Bring One Across.