I just got my inspection form 2 in morning thru email. Canadian tire did the inspectins. But DAY TIME RUNNING LIGHTS IS STILL AN ISSUE. In limited vehice there is switch called " DRL Off". it means If I want i can off day time running lights. That option should not be there as per canadian tire .Canadian tire charged me extra $ 170 bucks to fix it. I just cannot switch off DR lights. Everything else was ok and my car passed the inspection. I went directly to BCAA to get insurance and got my new plates right away. They took all originals like CO origin, bill of sale etc and gave us acopy of all documents. Finally I have car which is legal and registered in canada. I hope to get complaince label in next two weeks. But I am not worried any more.
Rutilus, Do you have the name of the Transport Canada employee that gave you that information?
I phoned Lawrence Cannons office today and was advised there has been no announcement or policy change. I am waiting for Andrew Walasek who has been assigned the file to return my call.
I also left a voice mail for Pierre Tremblay Chief of Import and Audit Inspection, he has not yet returned may call.
The Transport Canada employee named Moussa I spoke too this morning said the issue still remains unresolved and he no no idea when TC would be making a statement. he thought maybe some time in the middle of December
She went on to say that a lot of the folks caught up in the mess currently with their 2008 vehicles could not have possbility exercised due dillienge because at the time of their purchase there was no admissibility information for 2008s on the list. In a lot of cases people apparently went ahead with importing an 08 on the assumption that it would be okay because it was okay for an 07 model....
This is not true for MPV vehicles. The form that was listed on the RIV site on Oct 26, 2007 - Nov 1, 2007 has Section 5.3 listing that All MPV’s are admissible except for a few listed inadmissible. Nobody needs to make any assumption... It's listed there in black and white.
There are also people who exercised due diligence by actually calling and emailing RIV when the change was made after there purchase. There are a number in this thread that have additional proof in writing, from RIV saying they should have no problems importing their vehicles. Now they find out that they CAN'T register these cars. I would say the bulk of the people in this thread that are having problems fall into this category.
"As long as the bill of sale date for the vehicle is before the date associated with the VAFUS list that changed negatively towards your particular situation you will get a pass...."
My case number is with RIV not TC. The guy at RIV just happened to open a case number based on our conversation so it is one before I even got Form 1. After I brought the RDX across the border I got form 1, which means now I have two case numbers with RIV. The first one only serves the purpose of being proof that I made sure before I drove the car home, which I was very glad to have, but so far it hasn't helped my case very much.
The solution until this mess is handled appears to be to just obtain a used(2006 just to be safe) vehicle, hopefully in a state that has no sales tax(they sell it and whatever - it's your problem now), AND a model that was manufactured in the U.S.(okay) or Canada(better).
You'll save a huge wad of money doing it this way, even after the refitting.
As far as that goes, it's possible to retrofit ANY car to pass in the U.S. or Canada that was sold that year - just it will require a lot of little bits and parts and a few thousand dollars. Be persistent, get an itemized list, and grind away at it, realizing that you'll be paying for essentially the pright sticker on the same part.(ie - the guy with the Mercedes, just buy the Canadian bumper from a parts store or via an auto repair shop. (Bypass the dealer entirely here if they want to gouge you)
Get the auto shop to install it, like they would with any collision repair. Rinse, repeat. (this may require a lot of parts as I mentioned) Sell the old parts on Ebay to recover some of the cost.
Caiello98; I have hit a brick wall trying to get info regarding the extra costs associated with the import of a ML320CDI. MB Canada does not want to provide any info without a 350$ payment. Do you have the exact info regarding the required changes? thanks
I read today about someone who physically inspected immobilizers in identical models of a US and Canadian Toyota and found IDENTICAL PARTS!!!! So far I have not been able to find out EXACTLY how a Toyota 2008 US Prius fails to meet the Canadian CMVSS 114 standard. Maybe because it actually does not fail the standard? Any suggestions on how I can prove this when I bring the Prius I just bought to the Canadian border?
one guy checked the immobilizer part numbers on two Siennas - one manufactered for Canada and the other for the states - and found the part numbers to be identical. The canadian one was installed in a different hard-to-reach location than on the us model in order to comply with the CMVSS 114 requirement that it take at least 5 minutes to defeat the system versus 3.5 minutes for the us standard. This might not be the case for all makes and models declared inadmissible but it supports what a lot of people've been thinking: this immobilizer thing is pure BS. If this is really the only difference then why is it not possible for Joe Public to retrofit the vehicle with a compliant one or simply just relocate the existing immobilizer?
I also thought that the reason why one can not "get an aftermarket kit" to fix this is because the immobilizers are the same.
My impression that the RIV has to still provide a specific reason why the immobilizers don't make the grade. If there really was one, they would say so. So it looks like it is up to us to demand this information and point it out to Transport Canada and the RIV.
From what I understand, in the case of the ML350 the instrument cluster has to be changed. The person at MB canada has said that she doesnt know the cost however I will know more tommorow once I bring the truck in to an MB dealer. I tried to go to RIV without an MB clearence letter and I got busted. This is complete garbage but since when did the little guy ever win??
Did you end up importing the BMW Z4 3.0SI COUPE ? I am thinking about importing a Z4 coupe too. Did you have to do any modification at BMW Canada dealership ? Thanks!
For Toyota to actually use the same part, but install it differently between the two markets,, says a lot about their business practices and foresight. It appears that they've chosen the models that they don't want crossing the border and have changed their production lines to accommodate it.
Picture a scene from Apollo 13: a dozen geeky engineers sitting aournd a table. The boss comes in with a box of immobilizer parts. "Gentlemen, here is your challenge: you have to put all of these parts on this vehicle in two configurations. One that can be disabled in 3.5 minutes and one that takes at least 5."
I suspect that the "admissable" vehicles were produced at a different plant where they didn't have the luxury. Maybe the Japanese models of Lexus?
They likely also have a "service" for their customers who are moving to Canada to make their vehicles valid in Canada.
bummer, you went to the wrong canadian tire......my gmc truck has same feature and i knew it was a risk that they would ask me to have the DRL off function shut off but they didnt even ask. Just showed them specs that indicated DRL's & showed him DRL's function (have to put GMC in gear for DRL's to come on). Funny thing is this can easily be shut off via dealer computer. If you havent brought your car up north yet, have your US dealer do this for you (free of charge of course). Some vehicle odometers can only be altered to kms this way also, have your usa dealer do this for you too (i can change mine on gmc via on board computer myself). Funnier thing is i called 3 GMC dealerships to ask cost of this before i got inspection, 2 of them told me $150. One of them told me they refused to do it. I know a guy that builds performance chips for vehicles & he said he could do it also. Dont assume that you have to go to dealer to do this.
PS - Form2's in on both new (pre Sept1) honda's in the driveway. Trying to book in for DTRL install this week - the installers in Calgary are backed up big time. Book ahead!!!!!
my favorite part about the immobilizer thing is that you can buy aftermarket bypass modules to defeat the immobilizer. Required for pretty much every vehicle with an immobilizer to install aftermarket command start....hmmmm. This has to be the most retarded regulation ever.
Are you making me optimistic. I bought a 2008 GMC last month. Its still sitting at dealership in Idaho because of all this flip flopping.by TC/RIV. What makes me opptimistic, please,please correct if I'm wrong, is that the MANUFACTURE date is late August but BEFORE the Sept 1/07 mandate for Immobilizers. Do you think I'm okay to take it thru the Can border crossing eventually receive Form 1 & 2? Tks!
wrajinder: Could you please post the location of the Canadian Tire Dealership that required the DLR "fix"? It seems that most CT locations are not being so "diligent" (I suspect the one you used is as much interested in raking in an extra $170 as they are in doing a first class inspection), so we should avoid that location and go to ones which are more forgiving. Thanks.
I am really very angry with this DRl fix money.Nobody else mentioned about DRL on this form while importing. So I thought Its better to tell you about this issue. its not about highlander ltd or sport or any other vehicle. It applies to all imported vehicles from USA. The CT i used was on King george HWY and 72nd Avenue in BC. Old guy was really admant about this issue and got stucked with this. I even told him than many other vehicles like mine passed wihtout this change. but he never budge from his point. Funny thing is That price for adding additional part is only $ 24 and he charged me $ 150 labour to fix this. I am still fuming about that. But When I look at my amazingly intelligent and awesome highlander I like to let it go.
Has anyone purchased a used car in Florida and driven it to Ontario recently? I am interested in doing this but would like to learn from others who have already been successful in the process. How issues of insurance, license, state tax etc. were resolved would be appreciated. PM
"I am really very angry with this DRl fix money.Nobody else mentioned about DRL on this form while importing."
The DRL requirement is easily found on this forum and the RIV site. While doing your due diligence and research before you imported you must have heard about this requirement. What I don't understand is how you can complain about $170 when you just saved thousands by importing a vehicle?
... you can buy aftermarket bypass modules to defeat the immobilizer. Required for pretty much every vehicle with an immobilizer to install aftermarket command start ...
Then that would surely be unlawful on a post August 31, 2007 vehicle. Anyone doing so who then gets their vehicle stolen might have trouble collecting on their insuance. OK under the law on any pre Sept 1 vehicle though.
I have a lead on a new 08 Sienna mfg before Sept. It's my understanding that a recall notice from an authorized dealer is acceptable in lieu of an OEM letter, is this true? Is there anything else that I have to worry about besides this? I'm fairly familiar with the process to import and I'm most concerned with possible roadblocks on a pre Sept vehicle. Any feedback is much appreciated. Thanks
You are right the only difference is the time it takes to disable the immobilizer. Cars are usually left unattended for 8 or more hours at a time. Do they seriously believe that adding 5 minutes to the time it takes to disable will reduce car thefts.
No. he is no more selling to candians. He was shut down on Nov 2nd. My order was paced on Nov 1st . So I got my vehicle. Somebody with log in name "Tundratan" put my dealer's name on this post on Nov 2nd. I was not surprised When I came to know about my dalers fate. You have to be very careful baout all of this. Try calling delaers across border. I am pretty sure you will find one.
Hi everyone - we are updating our VAFUS lists. Would someone be able to supply us with: English RIV list - Version - June 1 to October 23 ( we have October 23). French Version - June to October 23 ( we have a portion of Sept. and the October 23rd. We really appreciate your help. Please email sergelbergeron@bergeron.ca. to be used by www.carswithoutborders.com - fighting for consumers
Because of the 72 hour rule and the fact that I won't be able to get the ownership until I pickup the vehicle, was wondering if I would be able to pickup the vehicle fax the ownership to US customs and cross the border with the vehicle back into Canada without doing the export first. After the 72 hour mark, go back with the car and do the export/import process?
Reason for this is obviously I am hoping to do this myself without having to involve someone else with a 2nd car to drive me back to pickup the vehicle. Thx
Are you positive about them not needing 72 hours? I could be wrong, but I'm pretty sure I was told they need 72 hours when I called there. I imported a truck across there last Tuesday night. The US guard was a real dick.
IMPORTATION OF U.S. VEHICLES BY CANADIANS: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO CLARIFY AND EASE THE PROCESS OF IMPORTING WITH AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS OTTAWA — The Government of Canada is proposing an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) to clarify and make it easier for Canadians to import vehicles from the United States built as of September 1, 2007, which are already equipped with an electronic immobilization system or can be fitted with one.
The proposed amendment will be published in the Canada Gazette Part I on December 1, 2007. It would modify section 12 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations as it pertains to importing new vehicles sold in the United States. Interested parties have 15 days to comment. The proposed regulation would take effect shortly after the consultation period.
"Our government is committed to ensuring safety on Canadian roads and highways," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This amendment will simplify and clarify the process for Canadians importing U.S. vehicles, to ensure those vehicles meet our requirements with respect to anti-theft immobilizers."
As of September 1, 2007, the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations require that all new cars, vans, light trucks and SUVs sold in Canada or imported into Canada come equipped with electronic, anti-theft immobilizers.
Canada requires these systems in response to the public's desire to reduce the trend of thefts for convenience and to protect innocent parties from serious accidents, injury and death.
The proposed amendment will offer more flexibility to Canadians wishing to import vehicles and maintains efforts to ensure safety on our roads. However, before buying a vehicle in the U.S., Canadians should check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) about the rules and process for importing vehicles (www.riv.ca).
Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles program verifies that new vehicles sold at the retail level in the U.S. and imported for use in Canada meet Canadian safety requirements. Imported vehicles may have to be modified to meet requirements for daytime running lights, child tether anchorage systems and anti-theft immobilization devices.
Questions on duties and taxes on imported goods, including vehicles, should be directed to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or 1-506-636-5064 (outside Canada).
While the provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction for after-market additions to motor vehicles, Transport Canada develops standards and regulations for new vehicles manufactured or imported for use in Canada.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Karine White Press Secretary Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa 613-991-0700 Media Relations Transport Canada, Ottawa 613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
Comments
Cheers
I phoned Lawrence Cannons office today and was advised there has been no announcement or policy change. I am waiting for Andrew Walasek who has been assigned the file to return my call.
I also left a voice mail for Pierre Tremblay Chief of Import and Audit Inspection, he has not yet returned may call.
The Transport Canada employee named Moussa I spoke too this morning said the issue still remains unresolved and he no no idea when TC would be making a statement. he thought maybe some time in the middle of December
This is not true for MPV vehicles. The form that was listed on the RIV site on Oct 26, 2007 - Nov 1, 2007 has Section 5.3 listing that All MPV’s are admissible except for a few listed inadmissible. Nobody needs to make any assumption... It's listed there in black and white.
Check out the RIV lists at http://www.carswithoutborders.com/resources/riv-lists/
There are also people who exercised due diligence by actually calling and emailing RIV when the change was made after there purchase. There are a number in this thread that have additional proof in writing, from RIV saying they should have no problems importing their vehicles. Now they find out that they CAN'T register these cars. I would say the bulk of the people in this thread that are having problems fall into this category.
Did she specify when/how to get this "pass"?
Was there an email address TC gave you to submit your documentation? How did you go about opening a case number?
I think you were in fact referring to your post #2675...correct me if I'm wrong...
netdog
You'll save a huge wad of money doing it this way, even after the refitting.
As far as that goes, it's possible to retrofit ANY car to pass in the U.S. or Canada that was sold that year - just it will require a lot of little bits and parts and a few thousand dollars. Be persistent, get an itemized list, and grind away at it, realizing that you'll be paying for essentially the pright sticker on the same part.(ie - the guy with the Mercedes, just buy the Canadian bumper from a parts store or via an auto repair shop. (Bypass the dealer entirely here if they want to gouge you)
Get the auto shop to install it, like they would with any collision repair. Rinse, repeat. (this may require a lot of parts as I mentioned) Sell the old parts on Ebay to recover some of the cost.
I have hit a brick wall trying to get info regarding the extra costs associated with the import of a ML320CDI. MB Canada does not want to provide any info without a 350$ payment. Do you have the exact info regarding the required changes?
thanks
one guy checked the immobilizer part numbers on two Siennas - one manufactered for Canada and the other for the states - and found the part numbers to be identical. The canadian one was installed in a different hard-to-reach location than on the us model in order to comply with the CMVSS 114 requirement that it take at least 5 minutes to defeat the system versus 3.5 minutes for the us standard. This might not be the case for all makes and models declared inadmissible but it supports what a lot of people've been thinking: this immobilizer thing is pure BS. If this is really the only difference then why is it not possible for Joe Public to retrofit the vehicle with a compliant one or simply just relocate the existing immobilizer?
netdog
I also thought that the reason why one can not "get an aftermarket kit" to fix this is because the immobilizers are the same.
My impression that the RIV has to still provide a specific reason why the immobilizers don't make the grade. If there really was one, they would say so. So it looks like it is up to us to demand this information and point it out to Transport Canada and the RIV.
Cheers
Picture a scene from Apollo 13: a dozen geeky engineers sitting aournd a table. The boss comes in with a box of immobilizer parts. "Gentlemen, here is your challenge: you have to put all of these parts on this vehicle in two configurations. One that can be disabled in 3.5 minutes and one that takes at least 5."
I suspect that the "admissable" vehicles were produced at a different plant where they didn't have the luxury. Maybe the Japanese models of Lexus?
They likely also have a "service" for their customers who are moving to Canada to make their vehicles valid in Canada.
PS - Form2's in on both new (pre Sept1) honda's in the driveway. Trying to book in for DTRL install this week - the installers in Calgary are backed up big time. Book ahead!!!!!
Does somebody have a copy of the Export Worksheet for exporting vehicle at Blaine WA.
cheers!
John
PM
The DRL requirement is easily found on this forum and the RIV site. While doing your due diligence and research before you imported you must have heard about this requirement. What I don't understand is how you can complain about $170 when you just saved thousands by importing a vehicle?
Then that would surely be unlawful on a post August 31, 2007 vehicle. Anyone doing so who then gets their vehicle stolen might have trouble collecting on their insuance. OK under the law on any pre Sept 1 vehicle though.
Thanks,
http://www.toyotaofseattle.com/default.aspx?html=canadian.html&s=new
You left out the part about failure not being an option!
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
As we know Highlander is made in Japan, do you know how much duty the custom ask for if I import it from states?
Many thanks.
English RIV list - Version - June 1 to October 23 ( we have October 23).
French Version - June to October 23 ( we have a portion of Sept. and the October 23rd.
We really appreciate your help. Please email sergelbergeron@bergeron.ca. to be used by www.carswithoutborders.com - fighting for consumers
Because of the 72 hour rule and the fact that I won't be able to get the ownership until I pickup the vehicle, was wondering if I would be able to pickup the vehicle fax the ownership to US customs and cross the border with the vehicle back into Canada without doing the export first. After the 72 hour mark, go back with the car and do the export/import process?
Reason for this is obviously I am hoping to do this myself without having to involve someone else with a 2nd car to drive me back to pickup the vehicle. Thx
from the looks of the link above I don't think you can bring the car across.
I'm in the same boat as you. Picking up my CLK500 on Saturday and i'm going to have to leave the car at a friends place in Bellingham.
doesnt need 3 days notification.
For release - November 30, 2007
IMPORTATION OF U.S. VEHICLES BY CANADIANS: GOVERNMENT OF CANADA TO CLARIFY AND EASE THE PROCESS OF IMPORTING WITH AMENDMENTS TO REGULATIONS
OTTAWA — The Government of Canada is proposing an amendment to the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations (MVSR) to clarify and make it easier for Canadians to import vehicles from the United States built as of September 1, 2007, which are already equipped with an electronic immobilization system or can be fitted with one.
The proposed amendment will be published in the Canada Gazette Part I on December 1, 2007. It would modify section 12 of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations as it pertains to importing new vehicles sold in the United States. Interested parties have 15 days to comment. The proposed regulation would take effect shortly after the consultation period.
"Our government is committed to ensuring safety on Canadian roads and highways," said the Honourable Lawrence Cannon, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities. "This amendment will simplify and clarify the process for Canadians importing U.S. vehicles, to ensure those vehicles meet our requirements with respect to anti-theft immobilizers."
As of September 1, 2007, the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations require that all new cars, vans, light trucks and SUVs sold in Canada or imported into Canada come equipped with electronic, anti-theft immobilizers.
Canada requires these systems in response to the public's desire to reduce the trend of thefts for convenience and to protect innocent parties from serious accidents, injury and death.
The proposed amendment will offer more flexibility to Canadians wishing to import vehicles and maintains efforts to ensure safety on our roads. However, before buying a vehicle in the U.S., Canadians should check with the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) about the rules and process for importing vehicles (www.riv.ca).
Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles program verifies that new vehicles sold at the retail level in the U.S. and imported for use in Canada meet Canadian safety requirements. Imported vehicles may have to be modified to meet requirements for daytime running lights, child tether anchorage systems and anti-theft immobilization devices.
Questions on duties and taxes on imported goods, including vehicles, should be directed to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or 1-506-636-5064 (outside Canada).
While the provincial and territorial governments have jurisdiction for after-market additions to motor vehicles, Transport Canada develops standards and regulations for new vehicles manufactured or imported for use in Canada.
- 30 -
Contacts:
Karine White
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities, Ottawa
613-991-0700
Media Relations
Transport Canada, Ottawa
613-993-0055
Transport Canada is online at www.tc.gc.ca. Subscribe to news releases and speeches at www.tc.gc.ca/listserv/ and keep up-to-date on the latest from Transport Canada.
This news release may be made available in alternative formats for persons with visual disabilities.
http://canadagazette.gc.ca/partI/2007/20071201/pdf/g1-14148.pdf
I was wondering if anyone knows what the immobilizer part number is on either Cdn or USA 2008 Prius is?
THATS UTTER B.S.