HOW TO: Import a car from the USA: As authored by 95EagleAWD
Things to do before you import
Make sure it's legal. Sounds stupid, but not everything can come over.
This is what you need
Title - Make sure the owner has signed the back of it, signifying it's sold.
Bill of Sale - You really should have one that has both signatures in ink. I got major shit at the US side of customs when trying to export the car. My bill of sale had been faxed between the seller and I, and customs didn't really like that. You can also fudge the amount if you really want to, but make it believable.
Insurance - Take your bill of sale to your insurance company and insure the car before you get it. That way you can drive it home, or if anything happens to it, it's covered
Recall Clearance Letter - I've heard people having no problem getting these, and I've heard of dealers refusing to give them out, so YMMV. You'll need one for the federal inspection if your car is less than 15 years old. If it's older, no need.
Things on the car
Manufacturer's cargo capacity lab - This is simply the doorjam stickers that state date of manufacture, VIN, weigts and all that crap.
VIN - Again, sounds stupid, but make sure the 17-digit VIN is on the dash.
Speedo - Make sure the speedometer has KM/H on it. Some older cars might not.
Customs
Paperwork - You have to fax your title and bill of sale to the Border. This MUST BE DONE AT LEAST 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE. I can't stress that enough. If you don't, they can make you wait at the border till 72 hours has passed. That being said, they let me across early, so again, YMMV. Also, when you fax them all the stuff, they will fax you something to fill out as well. Do so and fax it back to them. You might want to call them to make sure that all your paperwork gets there. No point in them not getting it.
The crossing - Make sure you go to the right border crossing for exporting. Coots does it in Alberta. Lewiston Bridge or Detroit in Ontario. You have to declare that you're exporting the car to the US side. They'll make you park, then you need to go inside and show them the bill of sale and title. They will ask the value of what you're exporting, so you better know what's written on the bill of sale. They will stamp the title as EXPORTED and you're on your way to the Canadian side. When you get there, they will ask you if you're bringing anything across. Tell them you're importing the car. Again, they'll ask you the value. So make sure you know it. Again, they'll tell you to park it and come inside. Show them the bill of sale and title. They will check the bill of sale versus blue book, so like I said, make it realistic.
Then it's time to open the wallet. You'll pay 5% GST on everything. On anything BUILT outside the USA, you'll also pay 6.1% duty. If the car is not 15 yet, then you'll pay $206 for the RIV fee. If it has AC, another $100. They never checked my car, so you might get away with lying about that.
After you've been raped in taxes, you should be free to go. And it's a great feeling.
Now, I never had to go through any of the RIV crap, so the following is off JAYMEZ's Beyond.ca thread.
Things to do in Canada
You have 30 days to do this. Or the government takes your car away.
Put DRLs on the car if it's built after 1990. You'll need these for both Federal and OOP inspections. Mine lasted five minutes after OOP.
You will need to get a car inspection (I believe the paper can be bought at a registry for $18) - They will check basic things like , lights , how it drives ect ect , this is pretty damn painless , and sometimes they might forget to do it and pass you.
OOP - You have 10 to 15 days to complete this once you have applied for the inspection. After this, you can get a plate.
Federal Inspection sheet - 10 days after you import your car , you will get form 2 in the mail , this inspection you have to do at Canadian tire. You have 45 days to complete this.
Things to do before you import
Make sure it's legal. Sounds stupid, but not everything can come over.
This is what you need
Title - Make sure the owner has signed the back of it, signifying it's sold.
Bill of Sale - You really should have one that has both signatures in ink. I got major shit at the US side of customs when trying to export the car. My bill of sale had been faxed between the seller and I, and customs didn't really like that. You can also fudge the amount if you really want to, but make it believable.
Insurance - Take your bill of sale to your insurance company and insure the car before you get it. That way you can drive it home, or if anything happens to it, it's covered
Recall Clearance Letter - I've heard people having no problem getting these, and I've heard of dealers refusing to give them out, so YMMV. You'll need one for the federal inspection if your car is less than 15 years old. If it's older, no need.
Things on the car
Manufacturer's cargo capacity lab - This is simply the doorjam stickers that state date of manufacture, VIN, weigts and all that crap.
VIN - Again, sounds stupid, but make sure the 17-digit VIN is on the dash.
Speedo - Make sure the speedometer has KM/H on it. Some older cars might not.
Customs
Paperwork - You have to fax your title and bill of sale to the Border. This MUST BE DONE AT LEAST 72 HOURS IN ADVANCE. I can't stress that enough. If you don't, they can make you wait at the border till 72 hours has passed. That being said, they let me across early, so again, YMMV. Also, when you fax them all the stuff, they will fax you something to fill out as well. Do so and fax it back to them. You might want to call them to make sure that all your paperwork gets there. No point in them not getting it.
The crossing - Make sure you go to the right border crossing for exporting. Coots does it in Alberta. Lewiston Bridge or Detroit in Ontario. You have to declare that you're exporting the car to the US side. They'll make you park, then you need to go inside and show them the bill of sale and title. They will ask the value of what you're exporting, so you better know what's written on the bill of sale. They will stamp the title as EXPORTED and you're on your way to the Canadian side. When you get there, they will ask you if you're bringing anything across. Tell them you're importing the car. Again, they'll ask you the value. So make sure you know it. Again, they'll tell you to park it and come inside. Show them the bill of sale and title. They will check the bill of sale versus blue book, so like I said, make it realistic.
Then it's time to open the wallet. You'll pay 5% GST on everything. On anything BUILT outside the USA, you'll also pay 6.1% duty. If the car is not 15 yet, then you'll pay $206 for the RIV fee. If it has AC, another $100. They never checked my car, so you might get away with lying about that.
After you've been raped in taxes, you should be free to go. And it's a great feeling.
Now, I never had to go through any of the RIV crap, so the following is off JAYMEZ's Beyond.ca thread.
Things to do in Canada
You have 30 days to do this. Or the government takes your car away.
Put DRLs on the car if it's built after 1990. You'll need these for both Federal and OOP inspections. Mine lasted five minutes after OOP.
You will need to get a car inspection (I believe the paper can be bought at a registry for $18) - They will check basic things like , lights , how it drives ect ect , this is pretty damn painless , and sometimes they might forget to do it and pass you.
OOP - You have 10 to 15 days to complete this once you have applied for the inspection. After this, you can get a plate.
Federal Inspection sheet - 10 days after you import your car , you will get form 2 in the mail , this inspection you have to do at Canadian tire. You have 45 days to complete this.
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