Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
A reporter would like to speak with you about your experience; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com by 7/22 for details.
Options
Comments
Did you mean to say "turn OFF?" I would have thought the DRLs would be activated at the factory.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I don't see why someone has to buy it in Canada. But the same goes the other way around. In my case it's not a bit hassle except for the obvious (I mean understood hassle, not unforseen ones).
Turning them on... as was posted.. may work for some, but not all.
All vehicles that have undergone any alteration other than typical repair are inadmissible.
This does not apply to daytime running lights, but if you are at all concerned I recommend not having the work done until you get it home. It is a very simple issue with almost all vehicles aside from the "gougers" who are looking at doing the work as a form of punishment for exports...ie BMW.
I don't let the American dealer touch my imports as I don't trust them..to be honest. Do they really know what Canadian standards are, and will they do the work correctly? In most cases likely they will, but after all the effort of arranging an import I recommend doing the work at CT or your local dealership.
Take care
Get a PO box at a border town and you are now a US resident.
I am in the process of completing my purchase through the same route you have, through Nevada, and was hoping you could explain how you didn't pay state tax.
Thanks in advance.
1. Buy the vehicle in Nevada, but do not title it.
2. The title will be done in New Hampshire.. at the town office there rather than DMV. NH proceedures.
3. Your friend then sells to you. Bill of sale is prepared and title signed over to you.
4. Export to Canada and enjoy. The car will not be able to legally be driven from Nevada of course, so shipping will be needed. Wait until you have done the sale between you and your friend and have it shipped to Canada in one move.
Take care
MSRP: 29750
document: 50
freight: 660
total: 30460
GST: 1515.92
PST: 2122.26
Total: 34098.18
US exchange @1.0255: 663 (on Dec 13, 2007)
RIV fee: 206.7
ICBC 10 day temp insurance: $36
temp permit: 30 (I pay one and dealer buy me one)
air condition: 100
Greyhound ticket: 17
provincal inspection: 117.58
DRL modification: 291.87
CAD$35560.33
Compair to buy locally: $37045(MSRP)+$1240(freight)+$100(air)+GST+PST=CAD$ 42979.20
Save about CAD$7419.
There are some discount recently from Toyota which is $2500 on Camry. But the exchange rate is better as well. So I find I still save over CAD$5000.
It pisses me off that the Washington state Toyota dealerships that are willing to sell to Canadians won't budge from MRSP. If we get a group of us down there together, I'm hoping we can get them to give us a break on price.
E-mail me directly at rakewell@hotmail.com if you're interested.
Ryan
I am also looking to import the 2009 Murano . I just saw the RIV status today. Let's work together to get the best deal and learn the details. So far I have been in touch with brokers in Colorado and Oregon. So far I have received a price of $42,000: 2009 Murano LE AWD loaded with the following options;
- Moonroof
- Navigation Package
- Splash Guards
- 3 piece floor mat
Next I am trying to learn more about the immobilizer issue. Let me know what you learn.
Pass this around
We didn't pay state tax because my friend lives in MA. There was an out-of-state export form that the dealer completed and provided us with a temporary transit tag from NV. All he needed was an out-of-state driver's license and proof of insurance (any insurance - it doesn't need to have your VIN).
Like I mentioned earlier, we didn't need to worry about title, as the dealer completed the MSO in my name. I still don't think they'd request taxes even if we had waited for the title. It just would have taken longer. If I were you, I'd call the NV DMV for clarification. I wasn't aware of any restrictions on transport, as I drove it home myself. If found the toll free number for the DMV at www.dmvnv.com: 1-877-368-7828. If you talk to them, please post their response! You might also want to ask them about their expedited method of getting the title through prepaid couriers.
Dan
1. Buy the vehicle in Nevada, but do not title it.
Do you need to register the car to title it?
2. The title will be done in New Hampshire.. at the town office there rather than DMV. NH proceedures.
Why do you do this? Is New Hampshire a state that does not charge tax?
3. Your friend then sells to you. Bill of sale is prepared and title signed over to you.
IF my friend lives in Texas, could he still do the steps you mentioned even though he lives in a different state?
My biggest concern is the title. If my friend buys the car on my behalf and it is in his name, how can he get the title without paying the taxes so that he can resell back to me?
Thanks hacheyimports
We have a couple of scenarios mixing together I think twotone.
The title, which shows ownership of the vehicle, is done in the state of residence. If your friend is lives in Texas, then that is where it is done and state taxes are paid at this time.
Registration is done when you want to plate the vehicle. For your purposes, this would be done in your home province upon export to Canada.
There is no need to register the car if you do not intend to drive it. If shipping is being arranged then wait until you arrive home to do this.
Your concern about payment of tax is valid. He will pay state tax in Texas. Some suggest the PO Box and other ideas..I do not do this, but it is your call.
I hope this helps.
I certainly hope that no one is advocating violating the law as doing so would be contrary to our Terms of Use.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Find me at kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
2015 Kia Soul, 2021 Subaru Forester (kirstie_h), 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 (mr. kirstie_h)
Review your vehicle
Add DRL (daytime running lights) which is easy, add fog lights and a Hamsar Diversco Inc. DRL module to power the fog lights at a cost of about $250.00. OR I can get a kit from Canadian tire for $25.00 and install it myself – CTC unit just does not run the lights at 50% power!
Imobilizer is already on Murano, installed by Nissan - it's approved by RIV. No warranty in USA or Canada because Nissan considers it to be a grey market car.
Best of all, I can just drive it over the border, no transport costs and no state tax – it’s allowed! Florida requires “no tires on the road” to avoid 7% state sales tax on exports as do most other states. Buying in Niagara Falls New York makes it easy
Whew, what a relief! I thought I was an oddball, being the only guy who felt that way about sunroofs! :P
I'd like to work together but at this point I'm only toying with the idea.
I have too many cars so I need to sell one before I buy the Murano.
My cousin bought one (Calgary) and is very nice indeed.I still wonder about that CVT tranny.Usually they are really boring to drive.The new one is different I heard.
Let me know what you find as far as dealers willing to sell to Canadians.
If it's 6 month old the warranty is valid too.Does it mean 6 months sitting or had to be registered ?
I would not buy one without the sunroof or AWD (or navi) just for resale if nothing else.I like german cars so this would be a first for me.
J
My Questions
1. Once I get the bill of sale, original Certificate of Title do I have to go to DMV
to switch title
2. Will California sale tax be required to paid?.
If I don't have to go to DMV then I can get it on a trailer and shipped.
3.There is something called the Board of Equilization (form boe-106). Will this need to be completed before going to DMV
Please I need some info before I head to LA
Thnaks
Aside from a great place to visit, you have no reason to physically go to California to complete this deal. This can all be done over the fax machine and no taxes are involved..if you don't drive it.
Agree on price.
Have bill of sale prepared.
Pay for your vehicle.
Complete all required US and Canadian import/export regulations.
Transport the vehicle by shipping company to your home. Pay GST and associated duty/fees at the time of crossing.
Register and title it in your home province, after fulfilling all required import responsibilities. You will now pay tax at your provincial rate.
The form boe-106 should, based on my discussions with California State Board of Equalization, have nothing to do with this transaction.
I am glad you posted this question as I hadn't ever dealt with that form, or been asked about it. The tax and title was easy, the other was a new one.
Take care.
Thanks for the reply as it has been difficult getting answers.
Here is another question you may be able to help me with regarding title.
The present owner has a loan on the car with a bank in the US and as a result shows up as a lien. The owner will send me the loan account information and I will payout the ballance owed. Will the bank now send me title of the car, if yes then how long does this process take.
Thanks again
2. It is not necessary to register you vehicle to any state of USA. It won't give you any benefit except for cost increasing another 5 to 8%, depends. Plus you will have to provide a legal US address by doing so, and it will take 4 to 8 weeks to get the title. For an used vehicle, you will easily find that most dealers (including most difficult ones like Honda and Toyota dealers) will be more than willing to sell you one without any problem. So if the dealer asks you to register it to a USA address, just go away from him and find another one.
3. US temporary plate is theoretically only valid in USA( except for MA state). You better ask your dealer to confirm it if you are planning to drive it by yourself to save $500 to $1000 transportation charge. When you enter Canada border, your Form1 from Canada CBSA will allow you driving home legally. Then you may need a temporary plate from your provice to drive it legally before you register it into Canada. I heard lots people have been using the USA temporary plate in Canada for a few weeks without problem. but one could have a risk to get warning or fine if a tough policeman stop him. So for safety reason, you better leave you imported vehicle in your garage before you finish the processing --- it typically take a week to get everything done in Canada.
Hope this helpful.
Thank you.
You state:
"It is not necessary to register you vehicle to any state of USA. It won't give you any benefit except for cost increasing another 5 to 8%, depends. Plus you will have to provide a legal US address by doing so, and it will take 4 to 8 weeks to get the title."
If you don't register a new car in a state, how do you get the title? Since most Toyota and Honda dealers will not sell to canadians if you have a canadian address, I am left with using a friends US address. I thought either RIV or the border require the title document? Doesn't Toyota need to have the title in your name before warranty is given?
Thank you
Twotone
Intersting that you say illigal.
I checked with the some of the various agencies involved.
i.e. US Customs and Border Protection; Canada CBSA, Canada RIV and Ontario MTO.
The USA only cared about the title and that there were no liens or actions against the title. Canada said it was quite possible to bring a car into Canada that was leased. All that was required was a letter from the leasing company on their letterhead that they gave me permission.
Ontario MTO said the same thing but the problem was the title in Ontario had to come into my name. No leasing company would ever do that as then I would own the car. Ontario MTO said the lic could be transferred to the Leasing company if they had a presence in Canada and a licence to do this sort of business in Canada.
I tried the Royal Bank of Canada and they would not. I sort of gave up because the only way I could get a USA Bank/Finance company to do this would be to post a bond equal to the cost of the auto. I quit at that point.
However no organisation ever said it was illegal.
over
el
Did you avoid the state tax since you didn't drive the car in the states? Which shipping company did you use?
Sorry for the delay in response...been a busy week.
You have it right..deal bank to bank. Wire the money from yours to his. I recommend you discuss this with your branch agent in Canada and explain your needs and they will assist you. Protection is often provided by the major banks in these cases. In a local sell it is common to actually go to the branch with the buyer and transfer all funds/title in person. You obviously face a different challenge.
The time frame is all about that human part of the equation, which state you are dealing with and so on. Plan for the worst... 4-6 weeks and hope for the best...less than a week.
This is becoming more and more common and needs not be a source of concern for you. Lean on your bank to deal with the lien! Funny guy I know...make my kids roll their eyes on a regular basis.
Take care.
I should make a post again about title issues. I know folks don't have the time to read through all of these pages of comments to find their specific information needed. Title takes on seperate problems based on;
New vs used
Import friendly or not
Shipping vs driving it yourself
State to state differences
Maybe I should make a sticky desription of all title scenarios..that is when I find the time to work on it that is.
Shawn
Please make a sticky.
With CAD at Par With USD and the unwillingness for some manufacturers to lower there prices there will be larger volumes of transaction acrosss the border.
Now we have to deal with some of the road block being put up by the manufacturers with warranty and putting restriction on selling new vehicles to Canadian to by US dealers
http://www.financialfreedomiseasy.com/blog/2007/09/25/importing-a-car-from-the-u- sa-to-canada/
if you plan to drive your car in the States this is another website just for you:)
http://www.autonoto.com
my story: I live in Toronto, I bought a car in California (a few weeks ago, it was a private sale). I shipped the car to buffalo, DAS is great for this, I had door-to-terminal service. if I wanted door to door service (crossing the border) I would have to pay at least $800 more, but driving from toronto to buffalo is not a big deal.. not sure if you can bring your car to the border and pick it up by yourself... my Mazda is home:), safe. I picked it up last Thursday. I didn't pay any taxes in the States. not sure when you will read this and if I come back to this forum (it's not my regular place), but if you need more info I go to the forum at autonoto.com , my nickname there is Margot. you have to use the USA ZIP code to register...
But for a new car, many dealers especially Honda/Acura dealers won't sell to Canadian. It is a hardest part to find a dealer who sell you a new with your Canadian address, but lots of people do it successfully everyday.
By using your USA friends' address, there are two easy ways you can try.
1. Involving your friends into the processing. Having your friends stand at the front and do the whole processing including contacting dealer, dealing the price, getting the MCO and all other documents, and exporting the vehicle imediately as the exporter, without registering. For exporting(US side) processing, you can act as a transportor with your friend's authorized letter. For importing processing(Canada side) you will have your friend's transfer document, most importantly a bill of sale on which your friend signs as seller and you will be the buyer. This is the way to avoid registering the vehicle in USA. You better to ask your friends buy from a state other than his own state to avoid registering and sell tax. There are some posts which discussed this in this forum. By doing so, your friends may have to spend a lot time. But the big benefit of this way is your friend can easily get a true USA price which could be up to $2000 less than the best price you can get as a Canadian.
2. Using your friend's address but your own name. Some dealers such as Honda and Toyota dealer will do it if you give them a US address. Some dealers ask a legal address which is difficult for us, but some dealer don't care. Anyway, find a dealer from a state other than the state of your friend in order to avoid the sell tax. Ask the dealer put your name with the us address on the MCO. You should have no problem to export and import the vehicle. A few people here and I myself did this way and works great. One thing I recommend is that, when you cross the border, make sure you bring everything with you including the money transfer receipt, all important communication document between you and your dealer. You need to prepare to answer any question that US Customer officer could ask if they suspect there could be a person with the same name at that us address. You will have to provide evident that you are the person to buy the vehicle and explain the us address is you mail address etc. In my case, the us officer didn't ask any question, but I am not sure other officers or other ports won't. This way, your friends don't have to be involved in the processing.
In my point, it is not a good idea to have you friends to register the vehicle into USA before transfer to you. It is safe for sure. But it takes long time and costs money.
For warranty issue, if it is tranferable in Canada such as Toyota, it doesn't matter which address you are using for the purchase.
If he crosses the car into Canada for me, he will have to pay provincial and federal tax on the car, then when we transfer the title in canada, i will have to pay taxes again.
Is there a safe and legal way to do this. Keep in mind, i am looking to buy a new car ! In theory, that friend will buy it for me.
Thanks
I am looking to buy a brand new car.
An Afgani can buy a car in the USA if they have a US mailing address.
Your friend buys the car, titles but does not register.
You buy from your friend, he provides a bill of sale and signs title to you.
You drive the vehicle or ship it to border, pay GST there then the PST at Motor Vehicle agency. Taxes will only hit your friend, for most cases, when he goes to register the car in his state.
I recommend to my customers that we ship in most cases. The option to use another mailing address as your own I do not support.
Have you looked into all the importing regulations and researched compliance/admissibility concerns already? Post your questions and I will try and respond in a timely manner.
Take care.
You wrote:
Taxes will only hit your friend, for most cases, when he goes to register the car in his state.
SO if he transfers the title to me, he will not have the tax in his state. Right ?
I am looking to buy an 328 BMW or a Audi A4
I see with BMW there is a few problems. Not sure about Audi. Is the Audi speedometer in KM and MPH ?
In "most" cases buying and not registering will allow your friend to avoid paying state taxes yes. If you want to drive the vehicle home then you will be hit with the state taxes in some cases.
I advise you spend a few nights reviewing this site and others to be sure you have considered all of the issues involved or some nasty suprises may bite you in the.....
Take care
I heard people bought MB from US, a expensive S series. He got the recall clearance letter from MB, cost him $600+. But it just the start, the car can enter CAD, but does not mean it can be driven in CAD. The speedometer has no KM reading, cost him $6000+ to remove it. The car eventually not past RIV and need to be stored at garage, and wait for 15 years. What terrible experience.
So do your homework to find out for those expensive car importing procedure first.
Toyota.com cannot get a Highlander Sport with NAV or leather, only sunroof (I assume your typo).
Toyota.ca cannot get that w/ sunroof, or leather, only NAV.
So I'm a bit at a loss in duplicate your result. Not that I don't believe you, but is that the final after everything cost though? My RAV4 resulted in only $3000. savings, including tax differences. I am just wondering how yours can be 4 times as much. Even without the 6.1 import duty, mine only can be about $5000. difference, still less than 50% of your result. I do, however, notice that some posters (not necessary on this board, but in general), have calculated TAX (GST and PST) in the Canadian side offer, but disregard the same for the US pricing. I really doubt how one can get away from paying GST and PST legally, and thus those "differences" are not actual.
I hope the calculations should include all fees and expenses as well, to reflect the real cost:
Canadian side: car cost + freight + air con tax + tire levy + (and / or battery levy) + GST and PST.
US side: car cost + freight (usually including in price quotation though and is generally much less than Canadian side) + air con tax (but no tire or battery levy) + GST and PST + (and / or 6.1% import duty depending where it is made) + temporary insurance / permits approx $150. in total (US permit $30. + ICBC 10 day binder $77. + 2 day permits @ $21. each) + immobilizer installation (or in your case could be DRL installation) @ $250 + RIV $200. + BC provincial $100. + gas for transport $20. (your mileage might very, pun intended) + dealer document fee $50.
Basically the misc fees outside of car cost and freight is about $870. (not including and duty and taxes) if import from US (in my case).
The misc fees for Canadian side is about $135. [of course, just the diff. in freight already make up for the diff. in misc fees here. $1500. vs. $700., so you can write them out as equal]. In other words, if this is even out, then the main diff. in cost would be in car cost + (and/or import duty). Mind you , sometimes it's hard to compare apples to apples as options and other things are not necessary same, nor listed everything.
e.g. My RAV4 showing Tow Prep Package, claiming bigger radiator, etc etc, while the Canada side doesn't even show it as an option at all. Yes, it could be a standard but it's not listed (shouldn't it be a selling feature anyway, even the option price diff. is not much, ironically).
I'm still puzzled why everyone is saving over $12000. or in another guy's case saving over $15000 (but that one is clearly not apples to apples). Again, I'm not doubting you, I just want to know how.
Another agent explicitly said that I have to get a one day temp permit, and can only use it for one trip, Point A to B and back. (i.e. if you go to a restroom at a gas station in the middle then you are in violation, guess if someone stole your car, or you got hit, then no coverage???). This agent said there is a "discount" since I already have the binder insurance, so the licence is already paid for. The earlier agent, when asked about the same thing, said it's not because the licence is already paid for, but because this kind of one day temp permit doesn't not require the ($12.) licence.
Then at a third agent, one guy said I had to pay for $33. for a day permit, even I have the 10 day binder insurance, until his coworker overhead him, and said that it doesn't (when I asked why the other place didn't charge me for that part).
You can see I got 3 different answers at 3 different places, so how do I know which is the most accurate answer? [Yes, except phoning ICBC I guess.]
Of course I am worried about any tricks so that the insurance will be voided when there is a problem. But is it our fault if we were told by Autoplan agents the wrong answers? But I guess there will be no proof after the fact. These Autoplan agents have been around for years and many people use them, I'm surprised.
For those who are not in BC, we have a monopoly in auto insurance here (now third party can get in, but only as comprehensive and collision, but not liability and basic such as stuff like this), it's run by a Crown Corp. and it makes tons of money, and also spends tons of money. Basically they are god. They have a huge database bigger than the one at the police department.
Of course I shouldn't have to worry about an extra $42. (for 2 days), but I can't be satisfied when I'm told conflicting answers.
One point, after I bought it Toyota in Canada did start offering discounts of $2,000 to $3,000 I think so savings would be less. Then again, i only got $800 off the MSRP in the US. After doing more homework, I now know I could have saved at least another US$1,500 but am happy with what i got. Great vehicle but a little hard on gas. I had a 4 cylinder 2002 Highlander before which my son still drives. That was one fantastic vehicle.
Cheers,
thecannyscot
Please help! .... I've researched all the additional steps that one has to go through to get a car here, I was just wondering if people are actually doing this for profit rather than personal use....
Thanks!!!!