Importing Car into Canada from US

maffer

does anyone know if it is possible to remove the mph speedometer and replace it with a kph? Any idea how much that would cost? Does it at least have kph on the inside like we have in Canada for the mph?

screwedbybmw

I purchased a used 2007 328XI from a BMW dealer in a different city (USA) than I live. The car recently developed an transmission leak. I took it in for warranty work (at Edmonton BMW) and they told me it is leaking in three places (pan, where wire probes enter, frost plug). I was told work had been done on the car and they would not cover fixing it under warranty. I said the car is almost new with two registered owners (other BMW dealership and myself). Only work would have been performed by BMW. BMW records show no work was ever done. They still refuse to do the warranty. They told me they can tell when the pan was dropped by the screws. Even in the highly unlikely event that someone did work on the pan (1) it would have been by BMW and (2) how come the other leaks are not covered.

This does not make sense to me as to why this car would not be covered under warranty - its crazy. By the way, Edmonton BMW says they have to replace the entire transmission because the "frost plug" is not a part available from BMW - it will cost me $14,000.

I was wondering if any others have had leaking transmissions in 2007 328XI (Automatic Trans)? Also has anyone ever heard about the frost plug leaking? Has anyone else had warranty issues denied by BMW?

Thanks
Darryl

Sorry for some cross-posts. I saw this forum after I had already posted in another and thought this might be a better place.

animagus

Can't comment on the cost of a new speedometer - that will vary from car to car. But even if the car has only MPH at the federal inspection (Canadian Tire) they will issue a sticker - but most (if not all) newer cars have both MPH and KM's on the speedometer - MPH on the outside ring for US model cars vice versa for Canadian vehicles.

calgaryboy

2 things:

1. To those that are thinking of importing a Honda, I think it would take more work than it's worth. My friend made a deal on a fully loaded Accord for under $20k, got his flight booked, with money waiting at a US bank to give the seller. Seller had original title, so the deal looked good. However, when my buddy called Honda USA to get the vehicle recall letter (you need this to get across the border and register), Honda USA would NOT issue the letter. So that was the deal breaker. There are ways to get around this, but I don't think it's worth it. My 2 cents.

2. Does anybody have experience importing Audi's? I'm very interested in them, but I don't know much about importing them. I notice this question was asked and never got an answer. What about VW's? If anybody knows, pleace let us know! That would be a great help! Thanks.

-CB

dlau

"Are the savings worth the trouble is always your own decision"

I think that is what it boils down to be. But enough intentions to purchase from US should start to scare the Canadian car dealers/manufactures, to force them to equalize the pricing.

I hope more people who have successfully imported cars will share their experience, esp. effort, time, frustrations to avoid etc etc.

ffonly

I have a friend in Oregon who will buy a new brand new toyota off the lot and then sell it to me right away. From what I understand, the certificate of title takes roughly a month to get mailed to him. Can I export the vehicle right away with just the MSO and bill of sale from him, or do I have to wait till he gets the title and gives it to me before I export it?

jonesanf

I would like to buy a vehicle. Can you contact me? (I'm in Canada). Thanks jonesanf@gmail.com

crikey

It's a bummer because you would have to get Subaru US involved, when previously, you wouldn't have needed to. Just transfer the US warranty to Canada and be done with it.

Of course, Subaru US is willing to pay for warranty repairs, the car was bought in the US. They have to, they cannot deny you warranty. I mean, how is this situation any different from a Canadian manufacturer not honoring the US warranty? Of course, any Canadian dealership will work on your US automobile as long as you pay for it.

I do agree that Subarus are reliable and the likelihood of a warranty repair on the vehicle is minimal. But, there is still that extra step that one did not need to do for pre-2008 models, should such a situation arise.

The savings are still worth the hassle. All Canadians seriously considering a vehicle purchase should consider cross border buying to put pressure on the Canadian manufacturers.

calgaryboy

You need the original title to cross the border.

kerusso

Wow! That is very unfortunate. A dealer should be able to supply you with a recall clearance letter. I would tell everyone out there that is buying a vehicle in the U.S. to ask the dealer to get the recall clearance letter on your behalf. I have done this twice without a hitch. Believe me, if they want the sale they WILL get you that letter! Also note that it is NOT the border that requires the recall clearance letter but the Register of Imported Vehicles. The recall letter needs to be faxed to RIV after you have entered Canada.

kerusso

Yes, you can get your speedometer replaced on most vehicles but it can be costly. If it is a newer vehicle you will have the speedo showing in both KM and Miles. For me personally it is not an issue. Just remember that if you sell your vehicle down the road you will need to note on your bill of sale that the vehicles mileage and speedometer both register in miles and NOT km's!

kerusso

Unfortunately you will need to wait until you have that original Title in hand before you can bring your new Toyota into Canada. Good Luck!

newmarketca

I am in Newmarket as well and am looking for a Chevrolet Silverado Duramax. Do you have access to several makes or just Toyota?

Thanks

Mike

ted25

Hi,
Thanks for the info.Did you get your M.S.O.right away?
I have a U.S. friend who will drive the car across the border{its a Toyota so it has to go in his name]and then sell it to me in Canada.Has anyone done this?Can you do it right away or is there a wait for paperwork.

Thanks

silver_fox

I am in the process of importing a new XC90 into Canada (Alberta) from the US (Idaho). I've contacted Volvo Canada and Volvo USA and there is no problem with warranty. The dealer will supply me with title, recall letter and temporary state registration. After calculating all fees for importing including fees for RIV, duty, excise taxes, inspection, air fare and travel expenses to pick up the vehicle I am saving $24300.
I plan on going next week to pick it up, I am hoping for a smooth transaction and border crossing.

Anyone else have experience importing a Volvo? How are the Alberta Dealers for warranty?

scrolllock

How much is the duty? Was this car built in the US?

Thanks

defrederick

You DO NOT need the Title to cross the border. According to the US Customs website, you only need "Front and back of Vehicle Title, salvage title, Manufacturers Certificate of Origin or certified copy of same from the Department of Motor Vehicles. If the title’s NOT in your name, then on the title, the seller must sign as the seller and your name must appear as the buyer."

The MSO is sufficient. The title can come later.

I hope that helps.

Dan

kor1

Looking at importing at TL S-type with 700 mi. this car is a demo. does this make it used? if so then my nderstanding is that there is a different protocol for importing.

Kev

silver_fox

Duty is 6.1% and only charged on vehicles NOT produced in US, Canada or Mexico. Volvo is made in Sweden.

silver_fox

Normally demo cars are sold as new even if they show mileage on the odometer. They consider a vehicle used when it gets transfered to a purchasers name, in the case of a demo they remain in the dealers name.
As far as protocol, RIV told me new and used is the same process.

vivela

Does anyone know why some crossings are aloowing 2008 vehicles into Canada and others are not? These vehicles are not on the admissable vehicle list.....

ffonly

I Think I found an easy way around this. I talked to the Toyota dealer where I'm going to purchase my truck. He said I could buy it and register it under my friends name, then drive it across the border under his insurance. When the friend gets the title from the state, he signs it and mails it to me. After I receive the documentation and fax that to the US customs, wait 3 days, drive back into the states and do the export/import process. At least this way I don't have to leave the truck in the states waiting for the paperwork. Otherwise, when the vehicle is registered in the States, they actually take the MSO in exchange for the title they will mail to you

subahonda

You should not bring that vehicle across the border. If you are a Canadian resident you can't bring a car that is not Canadian-registered unless in the process of importation. Check with customs officials on both sides before you do this to protect the car from seizure.

thunder_strike

Hi There

I am new in the area too. For those who imported a new car from Toyota, could you pass me along the Toyota dealer who sells to Canadians ?

I tried one but he won't sell to Canadians.

Thank you :-)

subahonda

The speedometer is an all-electronic unit. The replacement is about $700 at the dealer who sells US Subarus along the QEW. It's not worth it. Indeed both mph and km/h are listed although the odometer is in miles.

ffonly

You should not bring that vehicle across the border. If you are a Canadian resident you can't bring a car that is not Canadian-registered unless in the process of importation. Check with customs officials on both sides before you do this to protect the car from seizure

How about if I also got a binder insurance for the truck from icbc for canada? Would this allow me to drive it across and do the export/import process later after I receive the paperwork?

neighbor1

Honda is more miserable than most people realize. If you call them and register your VIN they will tell you that you if you have a Canadian address and you have purchased it in the USA have a "grey market" vehicle. Then, they will not give you the clearance letter that you need to get your RIV package (fortunately RIV waives this for HONDA). If you go into a dealership in Canada and give them your VIN to get something like touch up paint, HONDA blocks your VIN so that no information is available about your car, recalls, etc. This is against our free trade laws. If 6 people will get together to write a letter to the Competition Bureau, then they will be forced to open a file and investigate HONDA for being in breach of Fair Trade pracices. Is anyone interested in this?
http://www.competitionbureau.gc.ca/internet/index.cfm?lg=e

defrederick

ffonly,

I don't see why you can't just have your friend sign over the MSO three days before you plan to bring it over the border and fax that to US Customs. I agree with subahonda that purchasing a US vehicle in Canada without it being "properly" exported could lead you to a whole mess of trouble. You don't need to wait for the title. You just need the MSO and you only need to wait three days, which you can do before you go down to pick it up. Your friend could even meet you at the border crossing.

If you're still confused, read the links by both RIV in Canada and US Customs. They both explain the process quite well.

Good luck!

Dan

ffonly

ffonly,

I don't see why you can't just have your friend sign over the MSO three days before you plan to bring it over the border and fax that to US Customs. I agree with subahonda that purchasing a US vehicle in Canada without it being "properly" exported could lead you to a whole mess of trouble. You don't need to wait for the title. You just need the MSO and you only need to wait three days, which you can do before you go down to pick it up. Your friend could even meet you at the border crossing.

If you're still confused, read the links by both RIV in Canada and US Customs. They both explain the process quite well.

Good luck!

Dan

Thanks Dan. That was my original intent but the Sales Rep at the Toyota dealer told me that when my friend registers the car, the MSO gets taken away by the DMV and then the state issues a title for the vehicle which takes 3 to six weeks to arrive. Since my friend lives in Oregon (so I don't have to pay state tax), I want to do this transaction in one trip.

1kraut

I tried to purchase a new Audi from a New York City area dealer last week; was ready to do the wire transfer of funds when they called me and told me it was "beyond the terms of their franchise".
But buying Certified Pre-owned is no problem.

smogil

1kraut, I had a similar experience from a NY dealership, but went even a few steps farther. I'm really interested in talking to you. Would you mind sending me a personal email to sasha.mog@rogers.com please?

jac_3232

That's a good question. I just noticed that the RIV website only lists GM and Toyota vehicles up to 2007. I called the RIV and was told 2008's should be allowed in, as long as they have an "imobilizer". The fellow on the phone could not explain this further.

jpsv70r

Hi,

Yes I got my MSO even before I had the wire transfer all done. Actually a copy of it which is all you need to send US customs by fax 72 hours before you cross.

JP

kor1

Anybody have any experience importing Acura from the Northeast. Some dealers are posting on their website that they will not sell cars to Canadians who do not live in the US. Also, Acura is not know for readily giving out the recall clearance certificate.
Tkx

jpsv70r

Hi, sorry for the delay in responding,

The reason I got the car in Kansas is that I found it on the Internet and it was the right for me. The dealer had no problems with selling to Canadians, he had done it before and specialize in Internet sales. As for your last question, I did not wait around at all to get through customs. I had sent my MSO by fax to US customs 4-5 days before and got the car delivered in Detroit, met the trucker in a parking lot, got the car off the truck, drove to US customs with Original MSO, (took about 25 minutes at customs) then crossed the ambassador bridge and told canada customs I wanted to import this car. They filled out the paperwork (Form 1) I paid GST etc... and was off on my way within 15 minutes. I then drove to Toronto for Business and went directly to RIV with my paperwork and got Form 2 for Inspection at Canadian Tire. Left from there and went straight to Canadian Tire on Dundas, took 15 minutes and Form 2 was stamped. Now I just need to get the Quebec inspection done tomorrow and then get plates. Saved about $20K.

defrederick

ffonly,

I don't think you want your friend to register the vehicle. My understanding is that he'll get temporary tags from the dealership that are good for something like two weeks. The intention is that he'll register the vehicle in his home state and pay state sales taxes then. If you purchase the vehicle before it is registered, he just signs the MSO and you both avoid the state taxes.

Now, keep in mind I'm only speaking in anticipation of this working, but it's exactly what I'm planning to do in the next week.

Dan

fsabbagh

Hi,

I've read your posts on the Volvo 70R and the $20K savings. Can I ask how much you paid and what are the options you bought? What is the internet site that links me to your kansas dealer would be appreciated.

Thx!

scrolllock

Yes, I have just left my self a reminder. I am in the process of buying a Honda...

I will follow-up with u once I have the car registered and plated.

Thanks

scrolllock

How did it work out? Are u a happy camper?

crazysammy

Howdy,

I've started the process of buying an S60 from the US and would appreciate knowing the dealer you worked with in Kansas. If it makes the process smoother for me, I'm all for it.

Also, what does MSO stand for?

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Sam

silver_fox

MSO = Manufactures Statement of Origin

manitou

It's me buy my MDX to USA this report is in french !

http://www.radio-canada.ca/Medianet...0021930_1_1.asx

Manitou :shades:

scrolllock

Yea! many people refer to it as Manufactures Certificate of origin.

silver_fox

quoteYea! many people refer to it as Manufactures Certificate of origin. End quote

Yep, that's what I usually call it but Certificate doesn't start with "S". I didn't want to confuse anyone.

scrolllock

the address is wrong this one should work.... I hope

http://www.radio-canada.ca/audio-video/index.shtml#idMedia=1488700&urlMedia=http- /www.radio-canada.ca/Medianet/2007/CBFT/LaFacture200710021930_1.asx&dureeMedia- =532

tiger88

Hi,

I am also looking for a Honda dealer too in the US. If you find one please let me know too.

Thanks
David

david_ing88@yahoo.com

another_nogn

Hi 1kraut, I'm interested in learning more of your experiences in dealing with US Audi dealers as I too am looking at importing an A4. My email is tg2122460@yahoo.com

subahonda

The selling dealer with a Honda letterhead is authorized to issue the letter stating that there are no outstanding recalls. It is not a requirement that the letter come from the manufacturer. I had both but only used the dealer's letter. It has to be worded as stated by the RIV. The letter is not required for entry into Canada nor for the issuing of licence plates. It is needed for the final transport Canada sticker that you never look at - RIV sends it when the whole deal is done. Your car is legally registered without it. When you buy a car do you look for that sticker? Be honest.

exeunt

Hi There Gabe,

Also looking to get a RAV4 V6 Sport from the US, and serious about it if the terms are right. I'm located in Stouffville, so let me know how I can contact you about this.

Thanks

therizinos

Thanks Dan. Keep us posted. I would like to know how the "MSO in someone else's name signed over to me" works out. That maybe the only option for me as well.