Importing Car into Canada from US

francesg

The point is: the Toyota dealer demanded insurance with the US address on it (the address of a friend, let me be honest). I could not get my Canadian broker to give me a temporary policy with a US address on it. If anyone has got around this (and apparently alot of people have), e-mail me at sassmuskoka@yahoo.ca. I did threaten to move all my policies from State Farm, but to no avail. I tried 5 other insurance companies; they would not sell me insurance for a vehicle with a US address.

radbrad

Wow, just back in October I see someone posted that Mazda Canada had told them they would cover the warranty. I just called both mazda canada and mazda usa about the warranty on a pre-owned vehicle I was planning on purchasing, and both say the same thing: they tell me that there is no warranty once it crosses the border, however they make exceptions on a 'case by case basis'.

This is a pre-owned vehicle too, not one of those new ones that the dealers aren't even allowed to sell me. It's getting ridiculous.

Does anyone have recommendations on good third-party/ aftermarket warranty providers? I actually tried WarrantyDirect, and they told me they don't cover exported US vehicles up in Canada here.

I've just about had enough of this crap, so maybe my backup plan (buying a new Subaru) will be what mazda gets for their trouble.

imports4all

We are looking for a Toyota or Honda Minivan. Is anyone aware of any U.S. dealers in the New York/Ohio/Pennsylvania area who will sell to Canadians? I'm not sure if you can just email me through this forum, but if you need my email address, it is wossamattayou@hotmail.com. Any assistance is very much appreciated. Thanks

hammatime

Again, laws may be different in different states ; policies may differ bewteen dealers ; insurance companies here may have different policies.

In my case, I spoke with my State Farm BROKER before going to the US. She said all I neded was the VIN. At the dealer, after buying the car, I called my broker, gave her the VIN, she faxed me a State Farm "Binder of Insurance" with the vehicle and VIN identified, but only good for 30 days. That allows me to drive the vehicle in the US and Canada. A few days ago, my Broker sent me the full insurance policy and the pink insurance paper.

matador51

I'm interested in purchasing a toyota Avalon and RIV says it's admissable.

Now I have to find a dealer. My kids work in Vancouver & Winnipeg so a dealer Seattle, Grand Forks, North Dakaota or even Montanna may work. does anyone know dealers along the border from Minnesota to Portlad that sells cars Toyota cars to Canadians?

Thanks in advance.

gabeman

Hi mattyjack,

I was also thinking of getting a highlander from the states. But due to your last post, I'm a bit uncertain now. Would you mind sharing the reason why your saga came to an end? Did your dealer just refuse to sell you the highlander?

Cheers.

defrederick

francesg,

All my Toyota paperwork was in my friend's name. My dealer needed to see proof of insurance, but all he cared about was any car insurance from that address. He also needed to show his driver's license for that address. I insured the van from Canada with no problems and no one asked to see it.

Find out if your friend's proof of insurance will work.

Good luck!

Dan

sergelbergeron

Hard to tell - but check Post 1505 - that's the way I found my dealer.

like2drive2

Showmeanimport, I’m 100% with you on this issue. I think it’s a real shame on their behalf. TC has to specifically say which modifications are needed in their RIV list. Apparently, we still have to wait a little. By the way, isn’t interesting that the only 2008 model from GM that is admissible is the Saturn Astra seemingly w/o modifications? What, they try to make us believe that that’s the only GM car that complies with the CMVSS114 ?
Matt

controlfreak1

US auto mfgrs. aren't stupid unfortunately. I think you'll find that the only vehicles that they have told TC are compliant with CMVSS 114 are the ones that aren't flying off the lots down south. If they aren't having trouble selling them in the US, they haven't bothered informing TC of their compliance with the new statute - if they aren't exactly hot commodities on US lots then they want them to sell to whomever has the dough, either Cdn or US, so have told TC they are compliant. Blatant disregard for NAFTA - amazing how they scream for NAFTA when it is to their benefit but do everything in their power to circumvent it when it isn't, eh?

pathrunner

Has anyone purchased a new Nissan vehicle from Washington State? I'm considering an 08 Pathfinder and looking for some recommendations for a salesman/dealership. Let me know what your experience was from initial contact with the dealer to the final deal. You can contact me at gemini135@yahoo.com.

My feeling is the closest one to the border may not want to charge anything less than the MSRP.

jco2008

Toyota tacoma 08 manufactured in October 2007

bodble2

There's been mixed messages on this. I was told by local BMW salesman that BMW has nothing against importing BMWs, and warranty will be honoured. But apparently some BMW dealers in border towns have been issued letters from BMW USA prohibiting sales to Canadians! :confuse: Maybe the trick is just to find a dealer who will sell to you.

civicexportit

We purchased a 2008 civic that is currently inadmissible (that is why we are a part of this forum) but we also purchased a 2007 Ridgeline and I had no problems what so ever. Just had to have daytime running lights installed.

francesg

Please, time is running out, the pre-Sept. 1 Toyota Siennas are disappearing fast. The fastest way for me to get the name of a dealer who will sell to Canadians is through people who have already done this. This is people helping people. We're in this together. I'm not a Toyota spy, just part of a retired couple living between Bracebridge and Minden in Ontario. We've tried NY and Ohio with no luck. Please e-mail me at sassmuskoka@yahoo.ca. I'm calling dealers in the US, but there are alot of them, and Time is running out. Thanks. Frances

defrederick

I don't know of any dealers that are still selling to Canadians direct. I suggest you do what everyone else seems to be doing: contact a friend in the US and purchase through them.

scrolllock

Try south south south... Texas.. Florida...or the mid states Kansas...etc..

I have a feeling the The southern dealers aren't in the loop,

go through all the details over the phone... do you have what I want? , yes, can I come in today.?.. no ....then when will it be available?...

only as a last detail give your name and address.

Any smart salesguy.. will do wonders after you make him think he has a sale in the bag...

and when you call ... use SKYPE or maybe *67 hides where you are calling from...

So in summary don't let these folks know u are a canadian until you have negotiated price, delivery and given your visa card as a deposit!!

Make it real hard for them to refuse you

With the state of the economy in the US these days... I am sure they will sell to you.

Good luck

bckearns

I bought my car through an import company finds all cars and works with all car makes. Picked the car up in oakville, and didnt have to deal with any of the border hassles.

doc911

Are you going to give us the name of the company?

bckearns

Company is fournier leasing. Do a google of em'

hammatime

FYI - here's text of letter that my MP will be delivering to Cannon today.

November 15, 2007

Hon Lawrence Cannon
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
House of Commons
Ottawa, ONK1AOA6

Delivered by Hand

Dear Minister,

I am writing to you regarding a situation that has been brought to my attention by a constituent who has encountered difficulty during the importation of a vehicle he purchased in the United States. A copy of his letter is enclosed.

As you will read in his letter, Mr. ***** purchased a vehicle in the United States on November 5, 2007 with the intent of importing it into Canada. He had first confirmed that same day that the vehicle was considered “admissible” by Transport Canada. He sent the necessary documentation to the border and waited the required 3 days. On November 9th, he checked to ensure his vehicle was still admissible to Canada and found that it was now considered inadmissible.

Is there a mechanIsm in place that would allow Mr. ***** to import his vehicle into Canada considering that his vehicle was not on the inadmissible list on the day he purchased it and he went to great lengths to ensure he was complying with government regulations?

If there is no mechanism in place that reasonably addresses Mr. ****’s bureaucratic predicament, I request that you have one put in place. It could be as simple as a vehicle is considered “admissible” to Canada if it was not on the “inadmissible” list the day before the date of purchase. Another option could be that a vehicle is “admissible” if it is imported within 30 days of being added to the “inadmissible” list.

I appreciate your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

,MP

Encl. 1

trilium1

Ya well I tried Fournier leasing and couldn't even get them to return my call. Obviously they are very busy and I'd rather not take my chances with someone who will be un responsive.

mattyjack

Hi Gabeman, The car was manufactured in aug-07 and i had put down a 100$ deposit. I had also booked a flight down there and had been calling the RIV everyday (different answer every time). Then 2 days before my flight the dealer called and said he can no longer do it, apparently the owner of the dealership had gotten in trouble with Toyota. The quote from Toyota was 'We will use every means at our disposal to stop Canadians from buying new cars in the states'. I got my deposit back but lost $100 on the flight. I then talked to another dealer who would still sell to me but he had none manufactured before Sep. At this point i would not try to bring a Toyota back that was built after sep-01. So as of now i am waiting. I may look for a used SUV at some point but can not stomach buying a new one in Canada.

bckearns

I worked with them exclusively through e-mail. They were very responsive.

bloogene

I will give the name of a dealer in PA who will still sell to us. Please Email me at blugene@rogers.com.
I just brought home a Camry this week,
The person who handles internet sales is
extremely capable. Dont know about Sienna s though

scarlet52

HI . I am also trying to do the "Nissan Frontier Nismo" import thing - I had to order mine from the factory. A little stressed, but hoping it works out. Truck won't be ready until Jan/08. I have called the dealer to make sure it meets all Canadian standards , he says it does . I specifically asked about the "immobilizer" , he again says that it meets all Canadian standards , don't have that in writing , just his email. Have you gone any further with import of your truck?

hammatime

Just a warning: dealers will say anything to make a sale and get your dough. Once you drive-off their lot, it's really up to them how much they help you out.

Others on this board have suggested writing up a special contract between you and the dealer that you make THEM sign (there's a twist!) so that if things they SAY do not in fact HAPPEN, then you can back out. Also, ask for all the paperwork you need from them (MSO, Recall Clearance, ...) up-front before you buy. Dealers will dissuade you from this becuase it's more work for them, BUT you come in and say LOOK, I'm prepared to pay CASH right here and now, you've just got do do things a bit differently if you want this business.

wrajinder

TC is going o update list in next few hours But definatley today. Most of changes are about the people got trapped in this mess during all these VAFUS list changes. I am not sure about the details about it. few other Important things

1) CMVSS114 issue is going to stay - no changes on that issue. Most of the manufacturere's are telling TC them that after market immobilizer system do not work well or blah, blah , blah to stop installing these systems. I do not know the name of manufacturer's
2) 2008 Rav & Highlander CMVSS114 letter issue is not going to resolved. TC do need a letter and no alternatives about it. AS per TC this can only be done while ordering you vehicle you must be specifically asking for CMVSS114 immobilizer system to be installed while manufacturing of vehicle. OPtional system by toyota USA may or may not meet standards?? TC need letter from toyota about it. No third party are allowed to installed in these vehicles.

jackd4

Hey,

I recently bought a USED 2002 acura mdx from seattle (an ebay sale), and i brought it into canada, did everything they asked i had to do. however i later found out that i need to call one of the honda dealerships in the U.S. and get them to send me a safety recall letter or something of that sort. when i did call them, they asked for my vehicle ID # and what not, and then later said that i cannot bring a car into Canada.. even though it is a USED car and a PRIVATE sale. What do I do now?

mechie

A number of posts have mentionned Mastergard is claiming one of their aftermarket immobilization systems will cause a vehicle to comply to CMVSS 114.

I'd be very cautious with that statement.

First, take a look at the full text of CMVSS (Post Sept 1, 2007), as posted on TC's website:

link title

Then, scroll down to 7.a.i:

"Effective September 1, 2007, every vehicle.... shall be equipped with an immobilization system that meets

(a) the requirements...of an electronic immobilization system that are set out in National Standard of Canada CAN/ULC-S338-98,... published by the Underwriters' Laboratories of Canada (ULC), except that

(i) the requirements set out in section 1.6 and the requirements respecting non-OEM systems as defined in section 2, ... shall not apply"

So one can interpret CMVSS 114 to say that it specifically excludes those immobilization systems intended for aftermarket installation, including the Mastergard product.

It kinda makes sense since Transport Canada historically has avoided trying to regulate aftermarket equipment. They have focused on stuff the manufacturer has control over at the assembly plant.

Aftermarket equipment would be stuff that is added to the vehicle after it is sold (an 'in-use' vehicle), and that is traditionally the responsibility of the province or territory the vehicle is registered in...

Just my 2-cents' worth

sergelbergeron

Try CARFAX I think they have that data. but not sure.

mars_25

Hi Woodytwo,

Can you please tell us the name of your MP? My own MP's office called the Minister's office this morning and couldn't get the same news you reported (i.e. that TC will be announcing that vehicles purchased prior to Nov 1 will be allowed).

kbrar

I just spoke to RIV and they said any GM vehicle's purchased before november 1 and manufactured before Sept are now admissible.

altaboy

try zurich
i bought 4 year 60k mile bumper to bumper warranty for new 07 ody EXL for $900
being used vehicle you may have to get inspection done for them prior to warranty coverage. No inspection was needed for new vehicle.

jackd4

they have that info, but will it work as part of the federal inspection, because at riv.ca they say the letter must have the official company overhead, and logo.

shellyh

Does anyone know how long it takes to get a title transferred in Montana? I had a friend of mine purchase a vehicle almost a month ago and still no title.

survivor1

Good post. This is people helping people... I like that. I have been looking for a Toyota dealer to sell to me for a couple of weeks and am still looking. I have email'd some of the people on this forum and they refused to tell me as they said they don't know who I am. That's is fine and I respect their decision. So far, I have contacted about 60 dealers in various states (NY, MI, CA, WA, MT, ...etc) and they all said no selling to Canadians. I'll keep trying... but with a full time job and several toddlers and babies at home, it is a bit hard. Anyway, if I am lucky enough to find any dealer, I'll email you.

survivor1

Do you mind posting their email address here?
Thx.

mechie

Just a thought survivor1 -

How do all the dealers you're contacting know you're not an undercover agent for Toyota checking up if they are willing to sell to Canadians in violation of their franchise agreement?

eieio2

I am in the US - MT and will be getting a MSO that is going to the fellow that I purchased the vehicle from ... my question is - Can the MSO be FAXed to the border as a substitute for the title that would take 4 weeks maybe longer to wait for .... ???

I would like to FAX the info today ... going to the court house this afternoon

I would really apprciate feedback as to if I am on the right track ...

THANKS INADVANCE

survivor1

mechie, I agree. This is a legitimate question. But what can I do to prove I am not an undercover? Do you have any suggestion as to how I should initially approach them?

altaboy

i have been told up to 6 weeks. i bailed out of a MT deal on this basis. dealer would not sell to me on MSO, found dealer further south that would. much easier, no wait.

hammatime

eieio2:

You have to call the specific Border Point where you want to cross and find out what their requirements are. Each crossing has its own policies. OR, you can look at the US Customs and Border Patrol web-site where the policies for each crossing are given.

In my case, faxed docs. were not acceptable. I had to send originals plus 2 copies of each by courier. Make sure you keep copies of anything you send.

Kirstie_H

Hi survivor1 - we can't permit that under our Membership Agreement - both because it could be construed as soliciting for that company, and because we don't permit contact info that doesn't belong to you to be posted.

But I bet Google is your friend on this one

altaboy

fax MSO to border (usa side) is same as faxing title. Fine for 72 hour notice but when you actuall cross you need original (not copy) of either MSO or title.

pjgordon

It is possible to get round the 'will not sell to Canadians' problem by going through a broker who arranges for an affiliate in the US to purchase the new vehicle and sell it to you. All legal. However, some brokers might not be completely above board with you.
Ask me about my experience before you select that broker. It might save you some heartache.

clavin

I was in touch with a broker in eastern canada...they seemed ok but their shipper had a lot of complaints so I backed off......please tell us about your experience.....

edi_wan

All,

The 2008 Acura RDX at the time I had agreed with a dealer on a price was NOT on the inadmissable list. Later on from a news article on the local tube I found out that a lot of vehicles were not allowed on. I have been checking this post for the past 2 weeks now for any word on any of the 2008 Acura vehicles and am wondering if anyone had any success with bringing one across the border and registering it. Can anybody help?
Thanks.

bodble2

As I follow along on this thread, this question has always been on the back of my mind --- for a few hundred $$, couldn't a broker alleviate much of the frustration, speculation and road-blocks that many have experienced, from finding a Canadian-friendly dealer, to things such as insurance and title, and then to actually getting the vehicle onto Canadian soil?

shellyh

Does anyone know when TC will be making their announcement? I have a post sept1st manufactured 2008 Cadillac Escalade purchased prior to Nov 1st.