Importing Car into Canada from US

benji99

Hi dayfut

You can import it under section 5

Cheers

Ben

scrolllock

Do you have proof, that we could use?

Thanks

bigjonnyc

RIV does not have the 08 Honda Odyssey listed as a compliant Canadian vehicle as of yet. Any ideas as to the non-compliance?

bigjonnyc

MiniVans are listed under Section 5, pg 17

There are no exceptions to any 2008 minvans including Honda so there is no modification necessary.

Import away, screw you Honda Canada, rip artists

learninghow

I too am interested in importing a 2008 Prius.

I talked to several dealers in the US and got two dealers will to sell to me. One in New Hampshire ( no sales tax state) and one in PA. ( using the Costco auto program to get the car at $700 over invoice.

New Hampshire dealer cannot sell direct so can sell to my cousin in PA who can sell to me. Thing is he needs to title it in PA, paying their taxes. I dont want to pay tax in US AND in Canada.

I am interested in knowing what your net costs were.
i) did you have to pay state tax? If exporting out of state I am told no tax is collected. true?
ii) was the MCO and bill of sale in your name and Canadian address?

The dealers are shying away from selling to Canadians as there are rules with their franchise agreement. Any issues?

I am interested in hearing your final review of the steps involved.

I am thinking of buying in the next weeks or waiting till first week of January to save 1% GST and benefit from the still lower dollar.

I too figure $8500 to $10,000 savings. That will pay for my gas for the next 10 years!

Thanks and enjoy driving your car that is helping fix this world in a small way.

My bumper sticker for my Prius will be
'HUMMER ... more money than brains! "
or
"Would you do anything for your kids?
Then why are you driving such a big car?"

silverboy

After reviewing a painfully detailed dissertation on CMVSS 114 that was published in the Canada Gazette (http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2007/20070303/html/regle2-e.html), it appears that CMVSS 114 is close to FMVSS 114 but they aren't identical. I'm still trying to get my mind around the differences and I have the name of a guy at Transport Canada who apparently is the expert on this stuff. I will try to get in touch with him and see what he can tell me.

scrolllock

I also heard that for $400 you could install a 3rd party immobilizer on top of the Honda one. It would not affect anything on the car and you would have 2. But at least your imobilizer would be compliant.

Wonder why all the Canadian Civics and Accords are allowed onto our highways when they are not compliant!

kyfdx

Just because Canadian and US Civics are built in the same plant doesn't mean they are identical, does it?

Immobilizers, DRLs, etc, etc, could be different for different markets.. Are they? No idea.. but, definitely possible.

regards,
kyfdx
visiting host

bodble2

I'm not saying you're incorrect, but I cannot fathom why an immobilizer would be different in the US v. Canada. I mean, do car thieves in the US use different techniques, or use different tools to ply their trade, compared their counterparts in Canada?! :confuse:

thecannyscot

Does anyone know if all 2008 highlanders in the US are made in North America? I understood they were but I just received something that may show otherwise. I guess the Certificate of Origin should show it. Anybody out there imported a 2008 highlander?

I am just about to buy one!! Help.

smccarten

Any news? Very curious to hear how your trip went as I'm thinking of doing the same thing.

smccarten

All,

I'm right on the verge of buying a 2008 Honda CRV EX-L from a US dealer. He's more than happy to take my money, but the RIV has it listed as Inadmissable, even though it comes with an immobilizer. No idea if it's compliant with CMVSS 114, so I'd be curious to hear if anyone has successfully imported a 2008 vehicle that wasn't on the RIV list.

Thanks,

lexus250

I am planning on buying and importing a Lexus IS 250 AWD 2008 into Canada.
I need help on the below items:
Lexus IS 250 2008 is not on the Canada’s RIV admissibility list. Do you know why? How do handle this?
I am getting a quote of $34,000 from a dealer in NY for HID and preferred package. Is this a good deal? Did anyone get a better deal?
The dealer is saying I have to pay NY taxes. Is this true? NY taxes are 8.25%.

Please let me know.
Thanks

evenpar

I too am looking at 2008 CRV and noticed it is not on RIV list. Maybe Honda has just not got all the dtls to RIV ?

BTW what area of U.S. were you able to locate a dlr willing to sell ? I am in B.C. and looking to buy on west coast.

wrajinder

No they are not build in North America. Every new highlander comes in base models from japan like base, Base sport and base limited. After that they put options on port as per requirements ad assingned them vin numbers. They are made in japan vehicles and you have to pay a duty of 6.1% at border. I am looking for one too. Hard to get a dealer. Keep us posted

scrolllock

A Certified Honda Technician reviewed all the manuals and service bulletins ... there are no differences other than those minor ones that have been posted previously.

The current manual for the Honda Civic 2008 is called "2006-2008 Honda Civic" and is used in both counties!

scrolllock

Toyota/Lexus

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...YOTA_LEXUS.htm

ADMISSIBLE

1992 TO 2008 All passenger car models except those listed in the inadmissible column
2008 Yaris Sedan (see notes)

INADMISSIBLE

1992 Corolla
1992 TO 1994 Tercel / Paseo
2000 SC400/300
2000 TO 2005 MR2
2005 AND 2006 Scion TC
2008 Yaris Hatchback
2008 Corolla
2008 Prius
2008 Matrix

This is bull. They are doing the same thing as Honda.

smccarten

Having read a lot of the postings here, I'm now going to back off the 2008 and find a 2007. I spoke to someone at the RIV who said so long as your car has an immobilizer, you're fine. Having read these posts, the immobilizer needs to comply with Canadian standards and apparently the 2008 CRV doesn't (it's not on the list) and I bet the guy at the RIV doesn't care enough to point that out. Some of the posts here suggest that you can get over the border but you won't get certified without the right immobilizer, and then you're basically screwed.

I would normally agree with most posts that it's a 'conspiracy', except some cars are on the admissable list while others aren't. I suspect it's gov't bureaucracy and the cars are fine but aren't ready to be allowed on the list yet for whatever reason. I do agree that the car companies here aren't going to help - they aren't going to certify the immobilizers if you bought the car in the US - why would they? I bet in 6 months time the 2008 CRV will be on the list, but for the time being no luck.

So I'm going to back off unless someone else has more concrete evidence...

thecannyscot

Thanks wrajinder. I thought they made Highlanders in Canada (Ontario) so I wrongly assumed that they would make them for the US. What province are you from? Do you have a relative in the US that lives in a state with no sales tax? They could then buy it for you. Thats what I plan to do. Now however I have to deal with a 6.1% price increase.

thecannyscot

scrolllock

Talk to the companies of 3rd party immobilizers. They can install one that is Canadian certified on top of the one that comes with your car!! see www.IBC.ca

wrajinder

I am from BC. My sister lives in usa. I will do same thing what you are doing,If I dont find any dealer in our area . I just checked riv website. The good news is that 2008 highlander is admissible. but if it is manufactured after sept 1 /07 then you must get a letter from toyota that it complies with cmvss114. recall letter must be from toyota internal network. Be very careful if dealer is not providing these papers. I definately like to know about your experience . Keep us posted. Best of luck for your deal.

andrew87

If you go on the IBC website and look at immobilizer on the right hand side of the page it lists the cars with immobilizer's that are accepted in Canada. I was advised to go to this site by RIV. I think the site is out of date as I have been advised that that all BMW models meet the standard.
If you go to this website you can also see aftermarket immobilizer and I phoned Masterguard and they assured me that installing their immobilizer does not change the warranty.

veedub18t

From the Nov 1, 2007 VAFUS list: Scary how the 2008 Sienna is now listed as inadmissible. Can you imagine the killing Honda would make on the Odyssey if they add it to the admissible list? Especially given the slower sales of minivans?

I’ve been waiting for the Odyssey to clear the list for a while (yes, it just went on sale)... given the volatility of “the list” (it’s been revised 3 times this last week alone), we would all be safer to import a vehicle that is EXPLICITLY stated as admissible on the VAFUS list.. don’t get caught with a $30-$50,000 ornament on your driveway!

thecannyscot

I spoke to RIV on Tuesday and they said that I didn't need a letter re the immobilizer only show that it was installed with an immobilizer. I just got off the phone with RIV again now and lo and behold they now need a letter from Toyota US that you mention. Very frustrating!!! as i have made a deal and about to pay for it. Will try and find out the date of manufacture. If these are all made in Japan maybe the ones taht are being sold are pre Sept 1. Will let you know how I get on.

thecannyscot

easytogo

Hi guys, do you mean the immobilizer on the highlander does not meet the standard?

thecannyscot

I spoke to RIV on Tuesday and they said that I didn't need a letter re the immobilizer only show that it was installed with an immobilizer. I just got off the phone with RIV again now and lo and behold they now need a letter from Toyota US that you mention. Very frustrating!!! as i have made a deal and about to pay for it. Will try and find out the date of manufacture. If these are all made in Japan maybe the ones taht are being sold are pre Sept 1. Will let you know how I get on.

thecannyscot

wrajinder

I think your dealer must be able to provide you with a letter from manufacturer. So you should not be worried about it. Just talk to dealer he will be able to provide you with one. I think it is not a big issue. Good thing is that vehicle is admissible. You can import and install third party immobilizer in worst case scenario.

veedub18t

This sounds like a similar conversation I had with RIV last week on the phone. I tried following up with an email to get it in writting but all I received back was the quotation from Section 9 of the VAFUS. I would be careful with RIV... especially verbal conversations on the phone. Get it in writing if possible... And even if you manage to get it in writing, if it conflicts with the VAFUS list... you could have a fight on your hands with Transport Canada because TC is the authority... not RIV.

suckercdn

Very surprised by this. Spoke with RIV this morning and it was until the nov 1 update came in. I will be calling the Dealer rep in CAlary to setup an appointment. I will then cancel stating that if the 2008 Sienna is not admissiable how can I be assured that I am buying a Canadian Sienna built with superior parts and not inferior american parts. The engine immobilizer according to Toyota's official part list is identical and clearly states that it is for hte Canadian and American vehicles.

How many other parts are like this. Also it is Toyota that said it is not admissible not RIV or TC. From this standpoint then all this standards and codes is really a wash in the end. If Toyota can say don'tallow then the case is closed. No explanation is required. Screw the customer
I had paid for but not titled or imported an Oct 2008 Seinna. I save $20,000 by using my costco card. I wonder if toyota canada will match.

sergelbergeron

No it did not go. This is much more serious than I thought - I am angry. I cannot get RIV, TC or Toyota USA to provide data. Expecially my car was built in aug 07 before the Sept 1 date for the cmvss 114. I' m fuming. Today they approved some 2008 models except Prius, Corolla, Matrix and Yaris ----??? the best sellers. this is purely arrongant money grabbing big company- I would not have thought Toyota was that stupid.

silverboy

Agree with you 100% on this. Just to show you what a farce this has become, yesterday I finally got an email from the RIV confirming that the 2008 Sienna could be imported into Canada (subject to the immobilizer requirement being satisfied). Today, lo and behold, the Sienna is inadmissible. Wonder what would happen if I went ahead and bought the Sienna and tried to rely on the email when it came time to register the vehicle. Needless to say, I don't think I'll try. Hopefully, I can put my hands on a 2008 built before Sept. 1 and then I can give Toyota a hearty "up yours"! Unless, of course, the admissibility list changes again ...

sergelbergeron

To all - I am calling politicians, the USA dealer, Toyota Motor - US customs etc. the morale - don't buy if it is not on the list. Even if it makes sense, like the 2008 Prius is the same car than the approved 2007, but there is not any logic here. The manufacturer doesn't give the letters and you get stuck with a car. Mine is in Massena New York. Anybody like a brand new Prius 555 miles, #5 Package,,,, TC told me that last year Toyota provided the final data for all models in January 07, so maybe there are always slow, who knows but this year it kills us

easym1

To all my frustrated friends here, let's all send emails to all the people that we know advising them not to buy any new car in Canada for the next 6 months if possible. Advised them also to send emails to their friends to do the same..and to the friends of their friends and create a chain.

I bet that we can win. I'll start mine tonight.

veedub18t

Frustrated. Yes. I live in Alberta. Oil is produced in vast quantities here. Yet I still pay more at the pumps. Some radicals decide to attack the US on 9/11 (no disrespect to the fallen and affected here), and I pay. Katrina hits New Orleans (again no disrespect) and I pay. The war in Iraq and unfavorable American foreign and domestic policies plummet the US economy... and I pay.

Yet, the day FINALLY comes where I, the Canadian, can benefit from the strong Canadian economy, the loonie is at an all time high... and I still must pay. Every single time the Canadians get flogged. The van I want to buy here costs $10,000 more. Yet some greedy @#$#$%# had decided that the predicted 160,000 TOTAL exports for ALL OF 2008 will kill the local dealers and are doing EVERYTHING in their power to stop US exports to Canada. Where is the justice in this? I'm not trying to sound "anti-american"... just frustrated that we Canadians can't seem to catch a break... maybe I'm still harboring angry feelings from the Gretzky trade... lol.

tidester

maybe I'm still harboring angry feelings from the Gretzky trade... lol.

That would certainly explain it!

tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper

dayfut

I dont think these Toyota's and Honda's are not up to Canadian standards because when I talked to RIV, they said I can import a car on the inadmissibility list IF i get a compliance letter from Honda USA (in my case, for an 08 Civic EX). This letter states that it complies with all Canadian standards. So, I called Honda USA and they were willing to provide me with such a letter IF the person provided US ID and US insurance. What i am trying to get at is that these cars are probably all admissible, as Honda USA is readily able to provide such a compliance letter, but they are just unwilling to if you aren't a US citizen...which sucks.

I am sure this is against some discrimination law, as is their rule to not sell to Canadians. If instead of Canadians, they said they couldnt sell you a car because you were Iraqi, or South Korean, or Indian..would that be acceptable? Wouldn't that be breaking some discrimation law?

dayfut

Also, if one of us were somehow able to get such a compliance letter for one of these cars. Would that letter become precedent, in RIV's eyes, for all other cars of the same model to pass into Canada?

ccacp

Get that statement in writing, then forward that to the RIV. That is definitaly creating a precedent....

crazy_canuck

I'm writing a letter which I'll have my lawyer send to RIV and TC stating that I intend to import a 2008 Prius into Canada and the only way they can prevent me is if they tell me which CMVSS the car does not comply with.

If they cannot give me this information, that means there is no basis for refusing the import due to safety standards, and they are instead supporting Toyota's anti-competitive policies, which violate the Competition Act.

Everyone here should also contact their MP and raise the issue of Transport Canada's ridiculous behaviour.

scrolllock

Honda America told me that in order to get a safety compliance letter an American would have to buy a Honda Civic in the U.S. and be transferred to Canada. They would need to provide a U.S. Passport and proof of re-location.

As of today their position seems to be that the immobilizer does not pass Canadian Safety standards but for an American it will pass!

I thought that another way would be to have an American buy the Civic 2008 for his daughter/son who is going to be attending University in Canada. She will be living there for 6-12 months and needs the letter.

Somehow this will happen, but in the meantime all the cars that have been imported will have to be exported or destroyed.

Even if we do find a way, I have a feeling that the Government will find a way to protect Honda Canada at the expense of the every day consumer like you and me. Unless we can pool our resources. We need to find a rich dude that wants to make a name for himself! We need a leader that can fight for the consumer? APA?

All of us really need to rattle some chains!

volvomax

I am sure this is against some discrimination law, as is their rule to not sell to Canadians. If instead of Canadians, they said they couldnt sell you a car because you were Iraqi, or South Korean, or Indian..would that be acceptable? Wouldn't that be breaking some discrimation law?

The "rule" is that a US dealer cannot sell a new car for export.
Doesn't matter that you are Canadian. Canada is a foreign country, same as Mexico, or China or India.
The franchise agreements that dealers sign prohibit the sale of a new car if that car is going to leave the US.

curtdept

CMVSS 114 Engine Immobilizer, thats they info they are giving Canadian delaers anyway.

scrolllock

Dear Crazy Canuck, your lawyer probably will tell you to send them a registered letter first! Then send the letter. Maybe you could post samples on the site that we could all use.

lexus250

Does anyone know that the Engine immobilizer on the US IS 250 AWD 08 complies with the Canadian CMVSS 114 standards?
Did anyone successfully import an IS 250 AWD 08 into Canada?

Here is information regarding the immobilizer from Lexus website:
Engine Immobilizer
A tiny transponder embedded in the key sends a personal identification code to the engine control computer. Unless the system reads the proper code, the computer will not enable the ignition and fuel injection, thus immobilizing the vehicle.

Thanks

veedub18t

IMHO you don’t need to worry about this requirement. Your 08 IS 250 is implicitly listed as an admissible vehicle and no notes are displayed as per the Yaris regarding the immobilizer. To be safe, request Lexus to provide this information to you. Or, worst case, should the OEM immobilizer be non-compliant, you can have one installed per the instructions at www.ibc.ca.

dbcanuck

has anyone been successful bringing a 2008 Lexus into Canada? My wife is American and technically resides in the US so I am able to buy a new 2008 Lexus. RIV told me that until Lexus (Toyota) sends in the paperwork stating the 2008 model is admissible, I won't be able to bring it across. Has anyone gotten Toyota to send them a letter to that effect?

scrolllock

Don't count on installing a 3rd party device. The manufacturer will not warrant the safety of the car to meet Canadian Standards.... I know .. I Know... Please don't all you techies go nuts ... I am only telling you what I have been told.

scrolllock

This is great. Have her re-locate and bring in a Honda Civic... let me know what the letter looks like that you receive from either Toyota or Honda... gee I thought these companies were competitors but they sure seem to be doing the same thing to protect their Canadian prices!

lexus250

Thanks for replying. You are right RIV clearly states that the vehicle is admissible. But I see discussions around Highlander. Highlander is admissible also not sure.
Thanks

evenpar

Am I correct when I look at the current RIV list (Section 5.3 multi-purpose vehicles) that RIV expects the importer (me) to obtain a letter from the SUV manufacturer stating it is compliant with Canadian regulations ? I do not see too many vehicles specifically listed as admissable for any manufacturer .. all it says is to obtain letter !!