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Does anyone know if it is possible to determine the date of manufacture from VIN number and if so, how?
I know that I have to send the MCO by fax to the US customs 72 hours ahead of my actual arrival. Do they also want a fax of the Dealer contract/Invoice? Do I need to fax the back side of the MCO? If so does the back side have to be filled in by the dealer at this time?
The dealer wants me to use my NY state mailing address (address of a friend) on the contract/invoice. Is this a problem when I get to US or CDN customs?
If the dealer also uses my NY mailing address on the back of the MCO, is this a problem when I get to the US or CDN customs?
I will of course use my Ontario address when I arrive at the border for all forms and payments. But when should I issue a change of address to the vehicle manufacturer?
Am I right in my assumption that the original of the MCO stays in Canada? The dealer wants to know if the MCO will ever get back to the manufacturer.
Thanks for your help.
So are you saying the immobilizer standards need to change every 6 months , every year.
Exactly what is the difference between FMVSS 114 and CMVSS 114 effective Sept 01/07
I am guilty...I purchased in the USA and yep, it is grey market according to Honda USA.
Lets talk about savings as I am now experienced at buying in the U.S.A. The MSRP including 2000 + dollars of options installed on my Honda RTX ridgeline in Canada is $43,000. The price I paid in the USA out the door $25,000 USD.
So if a Canadian dealer would like to compete they would need to provide me approximately $18,000 s in incentives. Not going to happen.
Read Edmonds.com prices paid. You will see what others are paying. If you compare Canadian MSRP to US MSRP on anything other than an economy car the savings are $5,000 +. So lets say you get the canadian dealer to give you 5,000 dollars off. You are still getting ripped off! Why? Because americans do not pay MSRP. In almost all cases they pay a minimum of 2000 less than MSRP.
I am willing to pay a small premium..and yes currency fluctuations aside, there are situations that result in a canadian car to be more expensive however...how much of a premium is reasonable? 5%? 10%? but common 50+
Destination charge to ship my car to Denver Colorado which is where I purchased the truck $600
Destination charge to ship my car to Toronto Canada $1,400.
Wait a minute. Manufacturers must think we are really dumb. You mean to tell me you can ship a car 1500 miles for $600 yet in Canada it costs $1,400.
Comon...just another example of gouging Canadians.
The bottom line is that our Economy is going to be hurt by the short sighted politicians and manufacturers. More and more people are going to think twice about buying new vehicles to avoid being gouged.
The end result, less cars being sold, less manufacturing, less jobs, less money in the economy and ultimately the Ontario economy falling into recession!
Excise Tax on Fuel Inefficient Cars (per post #2402), most likely you will have to pay a US Federal Gas Tax.
The Infiniti I plan on buying will not be affected by the Canadian tax but in the USA there will be a $1,300 Federal Gas Tax.
Will this be treated like the state tax
i.e. if not registered in the sate or the US for that matter, the tax would not be applicable / payable?
Thanks
NOT
Do I need to fax the back side of the MCO?
Yes, just to play it safe
If so does the back side have to be filled in by the dealer at this time?
NOT as far as I know
The dealer wants me to use my NY state mailing address (address of a friend) on the contract/invoice. Is this a problem when I get to US or CDN customs?
NOT
If the dealer also uses my NY mailing address on the back of the MCO, is this a problem when I get to the US or CDN customs?
NOT
The vehicle I want is a Chevrolet HHR Panel with heated seats. The MSRP prices including rebates disclosed on Chevy's Canadian and US web sites are:
Canada: $25,570
U S A: $18,030
One reason for the huge price differential is that Canadian pricing puts the seats in a package with Premium Sound System w/sub-woofer and Security Package - none of which I want.
Soon, I will ask my GM dealer what his final price would be and show him the US price. I don't think he can come close. That's why I'm not buying for a while.
Prince George Citizen.
MP’s car safety bill reaches Parliament
Normally true, but I think right now almost any dealer in Canada would be very motivated to discount significantly from MSRP.
Get the thumbs off our windpipes.
Current Dealer ....: 800-37155 any one tell me who it is.
Thx Bean
Have many out there already received their export notices or is this a sign of where things are going? How long do they give us to export the vehicle or plead our case?
I was holding out hope that something would happen to exempt those of us who followed all the rules and purchased our vehicles well before they became inadmissible (early sept in my case), but I am not sure how serious our politicians are if they are now allowing export notices to go out to those same people whose plight they claim to recognize and want to find a fair and balanced solution for.
For now, I am not going away and I'm really pissed!!! Stay tuned ... :mad:
netdog
Canadians are already paying huge premiums over the US price because of the lack of harmonization.
I don't need any more Liberal big brother legislation. This already has cost us billions in hard earned cash that went to the car companies. I'd like to begin to keep all of that car premium in my pocket for my kids' education.
See
www.carswithoutborders.com
Any advice
However I just don't trust TC or Minister Cannon will act in the best interests of the people caught buying vehicles bought between Sept 01 and Nov 01 that were deemed inadmissible.
A TC representative told me yesterday that for TC to allow those vehicles would be breaking their own laws. (ie CMVSS114 effective Sept 01)
I think TC is spending an equal amount of time determining the governments liability if they say tough to those caught in the snafu as they are looking for way to help.
I see only two options. Either TC gives a grace period for compliance to CMVSS 114 or the manufacturers advise TC that aftermarket immobilizers can be installed on their vehicles.
Anybody else see another way out?
Yes. Minister Cannon should direct Transport Canada to harmonize the immobilizer regulation so the manufacturers can't set their own rules for importability. Keep up the pressure. Write your politicians. If someone has a list of cabinet ministers' emails, please post and let's turn up the heat.
http://www.conservative.ca/?section_id=1051®ionId=32&submit.x=15&submit.y=8
Register your story with this website, Robert Lamb and his team have been working hard to bring this story on the front burnner in the media to put pressure on the government. Lets keep the fire burning...........
http://www.carswithoutborders.com/about/
I hope you are right; I just received the export notice printed on Nov 16 (regard the 2008 Sienna LE, made in early October 2007; I purchased on Oct 30.). But I had recived an email from RIV that stated TC had prevented them from accessing the files so that they could not process the case at that time.
I'm going to visit our MP office and the TC Minister office to raise such matters which affects many importers. Here are my arguments, using my case as an example:
1. I was confirmed by RIV Call Center agent that my transaction would be ok after I signed the purchase agreement but beofre I wired the balance (the purchase price - $400 deposit). But it was my mistake by not asking her for a written letter. I noticed that your previous posting mentioned that you have a copy of the amnesty letter. Can you please send me a copy of that letter? My email is CXD8988@yahoo.com. The letter would help to prove that RIV does not hold their confirmation so that more canadians have been affected.
2. TC has been utilized by manufactures to continue manipulating Canadian auto market and abusing Canadian consumers. TC should document the reason(s) or concerns why a specific model is said imadmissible -- if the immobilizer is the single big concerned, then manufacturers should be required to provide the part difference ( have any one found out what part number is in US Sienna and what's in Canadian Sienna?).
3. Not everyone has been fairly or equaly treated.
A group of four of us bought the same model vans (2008 Sienna LE) from the same dealer (Now, the dealer has stopped selling to Canadians since they were noticed shortly after that) on the same date. The other three (2 of the 3 have vans made after Sept 1) has got their plates without any modification required to comply for CMVSS 114 - the LE is equiped with an immobilizer.
And 1 of the 3 received his Form 2 sent by RIV on Nov 16 -- the same day it printed an export notice for me. What a difference!
Any additions?
Thanks,
David
CXD8988@yahoo.com
David: couldn't agree with you more. Nothing about this mess has been fair.
In my case a friend of mine bought the same vehicle (sienna 2008) from the same dealer and on the same date as mine but he imported his on Nov 13th and got his Form 2 on the 14th. Had I NOT heeded RIV's advise to wait for a TC announcement and went with him at that time, I may be in the clear right now.
Go figure....
netdog
I need need your help and guidance.
My bro is gifting a car to me, he lives in California.
I live in Toronto Ontario and interested in SUV.
But I am totally unaware of importing procedure, luckily yesterday I came a cross to this forum, Please guide me :
1. which suv is admissible in canada from the following:
honda pilot, chevy tahoe, lincoln navigator, nissan armada, acura mdx, cadillac escalate, toyota 4runner, gmc acadia
2. After new changes in rules (TC and VIC), it is still possible to import any of above car from usa
3.As My bro is in California, Is it good for him to buy from any toronto's surrounding state, so that we can save money in transportation or driving from California is permissible.
4.Can you guys provide info about some reputed car dealers in toronto's nearby states who are aware of canadian rules and regulations.
5. Is there any saving in terms of taxes if gifted
6. Please provide me the step by step procedure, as I am very scary and delaying the import since last one year but this forum provided me some confidence.
Fact is notwithstanding beaurocratic screw ups these vehicles are illegal and these same beaurocrats. could order them exported at any time. I do not discount this possibility.
Form 1 clearly says in section 17. "I acknowledge that receipt of this vehicle import form and payment of fees are not warranty the the vehicle is necessarily capable of being brought into conformity with applicable law."
My story is the same as yours. 08 Sienna LE purchased Oct 18 based on RIV verbal advice. I have not paid the balance yet, but my dealer will be looking for me to complete the deal next week. I won't complete the deal until TC makes a clear and firm statement about our cases.
Here is a copy of the RIV amnesty letter and the VAFUS that was current when you bought your Sienna. TC told me the amnesty letter was issued without authorization and is not valid.
This was provided by another member on this site
http://68.146.1.199
I was instructed by TC to send copies along with my case story to Mr Pierre Tremblay Chief, Audit Inspection and Vehicle Import
The model year is important - since changes to a model may impact its admissibility. The date of manufacture is also important. The regs changed on Sept 1 2007 in Canada so that all vehicles built in Sept 07 and later are supposed to meet the new standards which are different from the US standards.
If you are bringing in a vehicle built on 09/07 or later you might find it advisable for your brother to find out if he can get a compliance letter from the manufacturer if the vehicle is registered to him as a legitimate US resident, then he gifts it to you with that letter. He should enquire ahead of buying the vehicle - otherwise he will have the problem of disposing of it if it is found to be inadmissible due to non-compliance. If he cannot get the letter your chances of getting the letter are even worse.
As far as duties and taxes are concerned, with a gift the value for duty will be the market value at the time it crosses the border. You should get an independent assessment of value from a independent person. CBSA will not consider a valuation by you or your brother. You might call CBSA beforehand and ask what they would consider acceptable.
Duties depend on where the vehicle was built. If built outside NA duty is generally 6.1% then there is the air conditioning levy of $100 and then the GST and provincial taxes. All these will be based on the value for import purposes. Duties on a vehicle built in NA is 0% but the other taxes and levies apply. Also there may be the fuel inefficiency levy to be considered also.
You will need to advise the US border about the vehicle being exported three days in advance of crossing.
You might consider a slightly used or demo model with a build date pre 09/07.
The RIV site has quite a good checklist of what needs to be done.
This is just a general overview - if you have further questions post them here.
Good luck and advise us of the outcome.
Anyone know how much the contribution of the lawyer was to Mr. Volpe's election campaign?
I don't want active handling. I already have it on one car and it can confuse the hell out of me. It's a computer chip that can malfunction particularly given our climate. If a person can't drive safely, send him to high performance driving school or don't issue a license.
MP’s car safety bill reaches Parliament
Print E-mail
(News) Friday, 23 November 2007, 03:00 PST
Citizen Staff
A Prince George safety crusader is behind a private members bill introduced in Parliament on Tuesday.
Liberal MP Joe Volpe's proposed legislation would make electronic stability control (ESC) a mandatory feature on new cars in Canada.
He designed Bill C-481 after Glen Nicholson, a Prince George lawyer, brought the issue to his office.
"We want to impart that first and foremost this is a safety issue," Volpe said Thursday. "The latest studies by Transport Canada said there were something like 2,778 motor vehicle deaths plus another 24,000-plus hospital admission in 2001, and things haven't changed all that much since then. The strong indication from the research already done on ESC by a number of studies in a number of jurisdictions, is that ESC would have saved 270-some-odd lives and reduced hospital admissions by about 2,000 people. Now you think about that for a moment just in terms of the costs to the medical system, and then think for a moment the great impacts to human lives when these tragedies occur. You'd be well on the way to saving lives, reducing injuries and saving money all through this one safety feature."
Many models of vehicles already have ESC in Canada, but almost all of them are on luxury models, begging the question why wealthier people's lives are more important than the common person for the auto industry, Volpe said. This bill would make vehicles equally safe for all, and also mirror the laws in the United States and other countries that are also imposing ESC on all new vehicles.
Cariboo-Prince George MP Dick Harris is already a supporter of ESC and indicated government support for Volpe's bill with a public statement issued Friday.
“I know that Minister (of Transport Lawrence Cannon) has worked diligently on evaluating the performance of electronic stability control for some time. The minister knows that ESC saves lives and prevents injuries,” Harris said.
Harris said in further statements that he has personally been involved in a skid that he drove safely out of because of the ESC feature he had on his own vehicle. "The cost is between $200 and $400 and that is a very small price to pay for the extra safety," he said, adding that further government legislation can be expected in the coming months.
Both Volpe and Harris point to Nicholson as the champion of this issue.
"Sometimes these things happen because MPs talk to constituents," Volpe said. "Kudos to him. We went through a whole series of issues together. He told me he was doing it because he thought Canadians should not do without this safety feature. We don't seem to have a sense, as other countries do, about how important this technology is for saving lives and preventing injuries. I just want to raise awareness, he said. I said fine, you know what, I'll introduce a private member's bill."
Volpe's bill would force auto manufacturers and importers in Canada to have ESC on all new cars, pickup trucks and SUVs as of six years from the time Bill C-481 is enacted, expected to be about 2013. That, said Volpe, would give the industry plenty of time to prepare, for consumer awareness to grow, and also mirror similar U.S. laws for vehicles made and imported into America.
Set as favorite
http://www.princegeorgecitizen.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=105- - 366&Itemid=159
Is there some way to get this guy to not be able to post in here....frankly he is wasting everybody's time with his "information". What he is talking about essentially has nothing to do with the topic at this point as far as I am concerned.
If I went into a Barbie doll forum and told everybody in there over and over how much I hate Barbie dolls then what is my presence there achieving other then being counter productive towards the topic and annoying people?!?!?!?!?
You have had ample opportunity to spout your opinion....over and over and over and over and over....people are looking for help in here, not banter...
Cheers
Negotiating the best deal possible is precisely what the folks here are attempting to do and stating the obvious isn't particularly helpful. No one here is seeking investment counseling and such counseling does not pertain to the topic at hand. Moreover, the topic is neither whether to import nor the politics of importing. The topic is simply Importing Car into Canada from U.S. which clearly indicates that it's about the process.
We ask that if you choose to continue your participation in this discussion then please stick to the designated topic.
Thanks.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Mccreeper is on topic. His subject matter is related to the importation of vehicles. He is not interjecting messages about the occupation of Palestine or the invasion of Iraq.
His name is displayed at the top of his posts. Just don't read them .... but don't try to deny others the opportunity to read them.
Finally, this forum is not a club - not a place where we must all subscribe to the same view. Arguing against importing is good for free exchange of ideas.
I am a new member and getting prepared to buy a new or used car in the US.
My brother did it this past summer and purchased a new 2007 Tundra and saved 17 K after taxes.
I wanted to purchase a 2007 TL type S build date is 05 of 2007. But after reviewing the RIV I see that Honda and Acura is the exact opposite of what the other manufacturers are doing. I am not sure now that I can bring this TL into Canada.
If I read the RIV correctly it says Honda ad Acura cars BEFORE Sept 1/07 are NOT admissable and that after Sept 1/07 they ARE admissable.
Is this not the exact opposite of the others who are saying it has to be built before Sept 1/07 to be admissable ?
Please confirm.
Thank you
Paul
Robert Lamb and possibly a few others will be interviewed on the popular radio talk show the Roy Green show at 2:00pm (est) which will be broadcast nationwide on your local station. He will be touching on many important points regarding the immobilizer issue and frequent changes to the admissibility list that have left many of us stuck with cars without borders. Here are some of the local stations you can listen in on:
940 AM in Montreal
Cfpl 980 London
Sask 650 Saskachewan
CHQR Calgary QR77
Chad ed 630
CJME rejina
CjOB win
CKNW Vancouver
If you cannot find a local station to listen in on then you can listen in LIVE on the station's web site at http://www.940news.com/sch_Saturday.php. There is a button near the top left of the page labbelled "RADIO Listen LIVE".
Please listen in and if at all possible call in and lend your support.
To Robert, Serge and the gang, thanks for all of you r hard efforts.
netdog
Cheers,
Mike
I am here for information on how to import a vehicle from the United States...not to argue with you...After I posted I saw a post by a moderator (now gone) that seemed to agree with me. This thread was originally intended for people in favor of importing (as far as I can tell)...---->ie: a resource for people who are trying to sort through information that will help them import safely without experiencing hardship, financial or otherwise.
If there was a thread entitled "Those not interested in importing from the US" I wouldn't go in there because it is not useful to me. Why is he here??!?!? From an efficiency/interest standpoint I just don't see why....he knows the majority of people in here are not interested in what he has to say yet he continues to post in here...Why? Attention? Just to annoy people? Has to be, because there is nothing he can say that makes it true that importing is not financially benefical to Canadians...because it is...this is a fact...
Anyway, I just wish there was some kind of filter on here where I could say "Please don't display any posts from so and so" because there is enough stuff that has to be sifted through without posts like his...
Threads have a title for a reason, and moderators are here for a reason too...Why don't we just take our conversations in here over to the "What exhaust should I buy" thread so that we can annoy people in there who are trying to get useful information. No better yet...lets not put any titles on any threads and just let everybody talk about whatever they want...that will be useful and respectful of everyone's time eh? Yeah let's do that...
It is nothing personal against him or you...
Cheers
Easy to do, even without a filter.
I hope all of those others with inadmissable cars find a fair solution.
I don't think the RIV list should be updated the way they do. Had the list excluded cars as of Sept 1/07 for the new model year with some sort of 30 day notice that would have been fair. To come out with a list Nov 20/07 and list cars as of Sept 1/07 does not seem fair.
Thank you again for a great website.
Paul
Thanks in advance.
Michael K.