Importing Car into Canada from US

cl55amg1

i guess i can update on my situation. i eneded up buying a BMW 645 2004 from ALBERTA, from a guy who originally purchased it from the states.

Paid SAME money as i would get this car from the US. Perhaps i overpaid a little bit on taxes (not much) but i got a very sweet deal on it plus he gave me m6 wheels he had.

I decided not to buy car in the US and perhaps find a private deal in BC or in Canada first and I did found car i wanted in AB.

Also, i found out that if you are bringing a Mercedes CL or SL, perhaps other models you have to reinforce front and back bumpers to pass mercedes inspection. It would probably cost around 4000-6000 cad cost of this modification by certified mercedes dealership.

wooha2000

Nope... I am actually going on vacation for 10 days. So, I will have a 15 day drive permit and will have faxed all of the info to US Customs 72 hours ahead of time. So, it will be all in one trip. I will finalize all paperwork when I get there and pick up the car.

importerguy

Hi
I bring in cars on a regular basis.
The vin number on all cars is the basis of import taxes.
BMW cars are all manufactured in Europe it is a 6.1% tax paid to Transport Canada at Canada customs border crossings. The first character on the VIN if it is a
#1or#2or#3or#4 the vehicle the was built Canada U.S. or Mexico no 6.1% duty. Many import models are built in both in North America and overseas of the same model.
VIN numbers for Korea start with the letter "K"
VIN numbers for Japan start with the letter "J"
You save 6.1% duty buying the same car if it is built in North America
Hope this helps

spurtree

Can someone tell me what a 2007 Acura TL with Navigation would cost in Canadian dollars, even more specifically in Toronto or Montreal?

importerguy

Hi Spurtree,
Are you looking for a price on a U.S. Acura TL?

seandamien

Can someone please help

I'm about to purchase a 1999 BMW M3 from Texas, and just wanted to know if anyone could help me approach this.

Since the car is made in Germany, do I have to pay more than if it was a North American manufactured car?

Also, what taxes do I face at the border? What other fees are there?

And lastly, what do I need to arrange before and after the sale?

I appreciate your help.

Thanks!

spurtree

Hi Importerguy,

I actually wanted to find out the price in Canada so that I can determine cost differential and weigh against not getting Canadian warranty coverage.....a kind of cost/benefit analysis. You get me?

bcameron

The RIV site seems to suggest that Mercedes SUV's can't be imported and then in the next breath says that I need to contact MB and give them the year/model/VIN and have them give me a letter saying if it is ok. It looks to me like it has something to do with seatbelt placement and apparently you can't modify that, so the vehicle either meets it or it doesn't and no amount of fixing the issue will resolve it. Seems to be similar for Mercedes cars (although they also have the bumper issues to worry about). I can't believe that a low volume model like the R series that is built in Tennessee wouldn't be setup to meet Cdn seat belt laws but it appears that it might well be. Has anyone tried to import a recent MB? Sounds like their active safety systems may be the culprit.

paulege

I have a car in Florida and need to have it shipped up here. Any recommendations on reliable transportation companies?
:shades:

tedd2

I just had a car shipped by J Simon Securities from Montreal to Vancouver..they have been in business many years..they did a great job and gave me the best quote..they have a web site..and have offices on the east and west coast...

wooha2000

Hi,

I actually have 2 questions.

1. When do you get the Certificate of Title? Same day when you have closed the deal and drive out with the car? OR do they have to send it to you. If so, how long does it take?

2. Transfering or sending money. I was going to send the cash to the dealer but don't feel confortable doing it.
What the cheapest / safest way? I asked if the dealer had a bank account I could transfer the money to. avn't heard back.

I am from Canada and buying the car in the USA.

Thanks

theklingon

Hello , I am going through the same process. Where you successful in purchasing insurance and from whom? Thanks
Allan Weitz

dbritt

Greetings - Am I correct in assuming that as well as paying all the RIV,AC,GST&PST Taxes I will still have to pay the 6.1% tax on a SUV manufactured in Japan ? Thanks for any info this Forum can provide - Skyman

gatsby636

Generally, if the car is assembled or made in north america, there is no duty. Check RIV's list:

http://www.riv.ca/english/US_vehicle_admissibility.pdf

The bulletin at the above weblink shows exactly what cars you have to pay duty on, and which cars you don't.

dbritt

Thanks for replying gatsby636, Read my post - I am asking if
an SUV that is manufactured in Japan(Toyota 4Runner)- will this 6.1% tax also be added on with all the other taxes at the border ? I just couldn"t seem to find any info on this particular question. Thanks. Regards, Skyman.

wooha2000

Yes, from what I know or heard... they will check VIN # and be able to tell where the vehicle is manufactured, if it is manufactured in Japan. For sure you will have to pay 6.1% on converted Canadian $ cost including GST.

BTW, the Canada Custons people will use the Bank of Canada exchange rate at the time you cross the border to do the US dollar conversion.

trentsteel

I am looking to import a 2005 Nissan Pathfinder. Will I have to pay the new $1,000 green levy as this vehicle gets about 13.2l/100km? Does the new levy even apply to used cars?

wooha2000

I talked to CCRA about the green rebate in general and from what I understand it is for new vehicles.

You should call the CCRA. Also, look at this site....

http://www.tc.gc.ca/programs/environment/ecotransport/

windsorguy

Guys, I am a canadian resident and was thinking of buying a Nisaan Altima from Michigan. I have a few questions in regards to that:

1. Do I have to pay Michigan Sales tax? I plan to bring the vehicle back to canada.

2. Can I take financing from the dealership? If not, can I arrange for financing from my canadian bank? I can pay some money down, but how do I pay the rest of the balance.

Has anyone bought an Altima from US recently?

Thanks for your help.

subahonda

1. No
2. Financing is up to whoever is offering it to you. It depends on what the basis of the security of the loan is. The best thing is to separate the sale from the financing to make things clear.
You should call a Nissan dealer and ask a salesman if they will sell you a car and if so ask how to contact a satisfied customer in Canada. For example, the Subaru salseman in Buffalo has given my name to potential customers.

subahonda

Toyota Canada and Toyota USA specifically permit transborder sales and honor warranties regardless of where it was purchased. Dealer associations in New York and Ontario have agreements not to sell to nonresidents. This is a violation of international trade rules and could be challenged. Writing to the Governor of New York, Eliot Spitzer, could get this fixed. I the meantime, dealers farther from the border have no such restrictions.

windsorguy

kawika, was your car used or new?....can we get the car inspected and fixed in the US before we bring it to canada? I didn't know we had that option....can anyone share their experience?

Kirstie_H

Sorry - that was a marketing post. It would be nice if someone can provide the answers without soliciting!

starman4

I have been living in the US for 12 years and plan to return to Canada soon. The rules posted on the CBSA website are a bit unclear. Can I bring a car back without paying GST and PST? or am I just exempt from duties?

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4105/rc4105-e.html

As well does anyone have any idea of how much it would cost to ensure a Toyota Highlander conforms to Canadian standards? I asked Toyota Canada and got a non-answer referring me to the RIV website.

wzad

If you are a returning resident you are entirely exempt from the RIV program IF the vehicle is the same one you originally moved to the United States with.Therefore if you bought that vehicle while living in the United States, you will still have to import it through the RIV program and potentially pay duties depending on the model of your car. Either way You likely will still have to pay PST when you go to register the vehicle in your province depending on what province your moving to. Here's a site with some more info: importcartocanada.info

gws

Au Contraire... Toyota USA does not 'endorse' sale for export. That means that most or all Phoenix-area dealers will not make such sales. The result is, the vehicle must be registered and sales tax paid to the State.
On the other hand, Toyota USA offers to supply the necessary
letter assuring US Customs that no recalls are outstanding. And it states (orally at least) that US warranties will be honoured in Canada (unlike Honda). Toyota USA has refused to provide a written statement of its policy, and will not permit dealers to do so. Toyota's customer contact telephone staff claim that any restriction is due to Arizona dealer association policies, but the dealers tell a very different story.

gws

Phoenix Lexus dealers would not sell me a new car for export to Canada, due to 'corporate policy.'

gws

According to the US law firm that settled the class action suit with Toyota, the violation then was that Toyota was colluding with other manufacturers to restrict trade. The situation now - with Toyota imposing a restriction on their own network - is not similarly actionable, according to the firm.

geo9

If your looking for a DRL kit to retrofit your non drl
model for use in Canada check this link out:
http://www.hamsar.com/home.htm

DIY kits for most vehicles.................

geo9

Heres a link for a retrofit DRL light kit(s) for most cars:
http://www.daytime-running-lights.com/blank?pageid=47&catstart=0&prodstart=0

importingcar

Hi,

My car was used (its a 2002) at the time. You can definitely get it inspected in the states to pass for the Federal Inspection. Realize you will still need to get it inpsected in Canada but what I learned is that the cost of getting it repaired in Canada is about 200% higher than getting it fixed in the States.

For example I failed my Federal Inspection since there was a crack in my windshield (it would have passed in the state i was living since it was on the passanger side. canada wants a perfect windshield). I went to my local speedyglass here and they quoted close to $600 to replace the window. I drove over the border and got it replaced for $250.

You wouldnt believe the amount of money you can save getting it all fixed up in the states rather than getting it fixed in Canada.

Cheers,

Kawika

vang

Can I get some suggestions on payment options that minimize bank gouge on obtaining US funds?

Our total will be about 40K US and TD CanadaTrust takes 1.5% on top of exchange rate ($600).

Van G

ccacp

Another source for US funds are xe.com, they wire the money to your account at preferential rate.

Also, consult www.redflagdeals.com and look up automotive deals. There is a 100 page long forum discussion on importing into Canada. Search US funds or xetrade and you will find what you are looking for.

wooha2000

If you have a trading account (Webroker) you can transfer (do a foreign exchange) money (C$ to US$) and the rate is is much better than the teller. You need to open up a US Dollar account to transfer the cash to.

that is what I am doing.

wamco

I am planning to import an antique car to Canada from the USA. Can anyone advise me how old it must be to be called antique? and what savings are there when importing antique cars. I plan to purchase a car in Florida and transfer the title to my name. When I get to the border, what documents will I need? The obvious ones are title, receipt, insurance etc.

ccacp

Your car needs to be 15 years or older in order to not need inspection. Please consult riv.ca

spurtree2

Thanks for all the very useful information appearing in this thread.

I am cotemplating private purchase of a 6-month-old car from the U.S. What are some of the key issues with which to be fully aware? How are the certificate of ownership and recall letter to be handled, since there is no dealer involvement here? Any guidance in this connection would be greatly appreciated. I shall also be quite willing to share my experience with all in this room. Thanks to all participants.

Spurtree2

wzad

Certainly the first thing you will want to check into is the warranty situation with such a new car. Find out if the dealer will honor it in Canada by calling a local dealership of the vehicle you are wanting to buy. If this is a deal breaker, importing may not be for you. As for the recall letter, you will need to get one from an American dealership. This does not take long you will just have find one and stop by on your way home. You can also check this ahead of time by getting your local dealer to run the VIN number. Certificate of ownership will vary slightly from State to state - this isn't anything complicated that requires a dealer anyway. Just make sure the title document is signed over to you (it will now have your name on it) and bill of sale (basically a piece of paper documenting the transaction). Co-ordinating these isn't much more difficult than doing it in Canada. Hope this helps
________________________

www.importcartocanada.info

wooha2000

Hi,

Is there anywhere else other than Canadian Tire who can do the vehicle Inspection that RIV is contracted?

I am in Calgary.

ccacp

Find contact number at riv.ca and they will tell you what shops do inspections near Calgary.

Hope this helps !

tedd2

Did you ever import the BMW..any problems..??

tedd2

Did you ever import that Honda? Did Honda Canada honour the warranty?

tedd2

Did you import the Cayman? Were any major modifications required?

tedd2

Did you ever import the BMW? If so, how was the experience?

tedd2

Did you ever import a BMW from the States? If so, how did it go..??

tonytan1999

1. Same day if your payment has cleared bank (eg. cash or wire transfer). For new car, the title doc is called "certificate of origin".

2. Bring cash to the dealer in person - remember to declare it on both sides of the border (better bring a forex or withdrawal receipt)

subahonda

My friend who lives in Ontario bought a Honda Pilot in the US (central upstate NY) last year. He told me that the only problem with the warranty was for the dealer to find the car in the database. He says he saved a large amount on the purchase and is totally satisfied. With the dollar today about 0.92 US the deal is even better.

subahonda

Sorry for the delay - don;t get here much. I enquired at a Toyota dealer in the Buffalo area. The salesman told me that he had sold several new vehicles to people in Ontario. Toyota Canada and Toyota USA both told me that the warranty will be honored and they have no sales restrictions. The salesman then followed it up with another call. He said that when he went to check with the sales manager he was told they have an agreement with an Ontario Toyota dealers association not to sell in each others' territory. He said the boss told him that he was lucky to get away with the sales without being scolded. I really wanted a Subaru anyway. So I went to the dealer and bought it on one visit after making all arrangements in advance. Since then the salesman in Buffalo has had potential Canadian customers call me if they need details. I paid no US taxes and got a 15 day paper license tag for a nominal fee. The dealer faxed the title to the US border a week ahead. I walked into the US border station and he stamped the title "approved for export". Then I drove across to the Canadian station and paid the GST and RIV fee and took the paperwork to Canadian Tire and then the whole bunch of stuff to the Ontario Licensing Office and paid all the fees and taxes and got my ON plates. For the one warranty issue I went to the local Canadian Subie dealer who courteously did the work.

kyfdx

So... how much do you think you saved, versus buying in Canada?

wooha2000

I can comment, I figure I saved ~9k (if I get my 2k rebate from the Goverment of Canada, which I should).

This is based on comparing a 2007 Prius Package B in Canada with a 2007 Touring Prius Package 2 in the USA.

Canada - 37.5K C$ (Quote I recieved OTD from Canada Dealer)
USA - Paid 30.5k C$ (includes all GST, Duties, Fees)

If I exchanged my Cansadian $ now I would have saved an addition 1.5k.