Did you recently take on (or consider) a loan of 84 months or longer on a car purchase?
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www.carswithoutborders.com
I imported a toyota Sienna (from Florida) in April - No problems -
note in message below about not selling for export - that means that the Toyota delaer will not export the car into Canada. if you have an address in the states ( I was there for 3 months in the winter) or go through a broker ( who buys the car , then flips it to you) then there is no problem -
Dear Mr. XXXXX:
Thank you for your recent communication with our company.
For your information, it is our understanding that Toyota dealerships in the U.S. are not authorized to sell Toyota motor vehicles to customers located outside the U.S. or to sell Toyota vehicles for re-sale or use outside the United States.
You may be interested to know that Toyota vehicles distributed in the US and Canada may not have identical equipment or meet the same regulatory requirements. When Toyota Canada considers equipment on Toyota vehicles for the Canadian market, we select certain options and features, on a model-by-model basis, that we believe are best suited for Canadas challenging climatic and driving conditions.
When a US vehicle is brought into Canada, the importer must ensure it complies with Canadian regulatory requirements, like mandatory daylight running lights, an appropriate vehicle immobilization system, etc. In addition, the costs to retrofit or modify a vehicle in order for it to be brought into Canada are the responsibility of the owner or person importing the vehicle.
For further information on importing a vehicle to Canada, we suggest you visit the website of The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (a division of Transport Canada). The address is as follows: www.riv.ca. If you prefer, you may call them at 1-888-848-8240.
The manufacturer's warranty (regardless of whether it is a US Toyota vehicle or a Canadian Toyota vehicle) is honoured in continental USA and Canada.
Thank you for taking the time to write.
Sincerely,
Alice McNamee
Customer Interaction Centre
Toyota Canada Inc.
search this site for brokers near to you .
good luck -
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
is it possible to buy a car from an american visiting canada? can all the paperwork be completed in canada, or the car have to go back to the border? a friend of mine is willing to buy a car and drive her to ontario. can anyone suggest the simplest process? cheers for help.
i thought i'm responsible for PST/GST, not an american seller.
another question. if i'll go to US to pick my car up and drive it myself to Ontario, can i get Ontario temp plates to drive through NJ/NY?
Is there anyone else out there with any insights on this problem......short of having the vehicle transported?
Thanks for any insights.
Hope that helps.
Furthermore, I been told that an individual can not obtain an In-Transit tag for the Georgia Motor Vehicle dept.......heck of a situation I in.
I bought my truck in Pensicola, Florida. This is in the "Forida pan handle" next to Alabama. I had been staying with a friend in Alabama. He drove my truck from Pensicola to the Alabama border, with me following close behind in his truck, as a "sceen" to any nosey cops due to my unplated truck. Alabama at that time did not require insurance on vehicles. I'm not suire if this has changed. I went into the court house a the small town in Alabama, and for about $2.50, obtained a temporary tag to stick in my window. I drive to Ontario on this tag. At the Border, Canada Customs did not look for any liscence plate nor tag question me as if I had one. Canada Customs is not in the business of enforcing provincial highway laws. I completed the documents at the border (I had faxed the bill of sale, recall clearence letter etc. a few days ahead). I paid the import fees and GST. I drove around Toronto as few days, then homeward to Nova Scotia. I was only stopped in Quebec by a curious Quebec Provincial Police officer. She easily accepted my explaination of having recently bought the vehicle, and I showed her the temporay tag. She asked to see the VIN at the windshiled corner, then left me to continue on my way. I'm not sure why temp tag instruction tell yoiu to put the tag in a side windo, as not being visible from behind almost garantees that you will be stopped by a cop. If I try this again, I might just put the tag in the back window, or at least a copy of it. Beware of visibility issues with tinted windows. Might be best to put a photo copy in a clear plastic pouch and tape on the outside. But secure it inside the vehicle when you leave it parked anywhere. But I do not know if there are any legal issues with displaying a copy along with the real tag.
So I had Alabama's non manditory insuance laws in my favor. I do not know what I would have done had this not been the case. I found out at the Nova Scotia vehicle registry that the Alabama temporary tag was only valid in Alabama, and not in any other state or province. So I was open to being shut down by the poilce in any place I'd driven through. But I drove within the speed limit all the way, so was not looking for trouble. I think that as long as any cop in any state or province sees a temp tag, they will not bother you though.
I have been told by a dealer in Texas that he can write my bill of sale or title "for export only" and give me a temporary tag good for 30 days. And he would not have to charge me state sales tax. So Alabama and Texas seem to be "export friendly" for purchasers. I do not know what other states would be in this category. And I do not know what is possible to do with a private sale in TX. Best to call the seller or state registry and find out before comitting on a plan to purchase.
Hope this helps,
Dieseldude
PS: If you find out anything else, that would be useful, please let me know.
While I really don't want to run the risk of driving the vehicle without some form of Transit Permit I am getting pretty close to having to take the same chance you did traveling from Florida to Alabama. However my drive will be through Georgia, Tennessee, Missouri, Iowa, South Dakota, and North Dakota into Saskatchewan and on to Alberta. If you can believe it, a representative from the Georgia Motor Vehicle Dept actually told me that I might have to do this!!!!
In an previous reply to my query I was told I can obtain a transit permit from Alberta Motor Vehicle prior to my departure and it would activitate once I reach Alberta. I'm hoping that something similar will also be available in Sask. Don't know what to expect in the States as I was astounded to be told Georgia does not issue any such permits to individuals!!!! If I had bought the vehicle from a registered auto dealership I would be issued a Temporary Transit permit by the Dealer.
While there will be a delay in my posting further information on my findings - I head for Georgia late tomorrow afternoon - I will post again after I return.
Thanks again,
Ralph
I currently have a 39 month lease BMW 328xi and am a temporary resident( have a work visa) of Canada. My father is on the title of the vehicle but is willing to give me the car. Is it possible for me to assume the US lease and import it to Canada? I've been living in Montreal for over 20 months now...Please help!
You are indeed responsibile for the GST/PST. You pay the GST along with the duty at the border. You pay your PST when you show your passed inspection test and your Forms from the RIV, insurance and so forth to the Ministry of Transportation. Then only do you get your plates.
I would advise calling the DMVs for the states you are driving through. From what I heard temporary permits from one state usualy is valid in another state. However there are restrictions as some states don't get a long. The only state I've heard trouble from is the state of Massachusetts. From what I've seen, heard and experienced, cars bought from Pennsylvania and/or Indiana and Georgia made it through to Ontario with temporary plates from the originating state of purchase with out issue. The only trick they were told: Do not drive through Massachusetts.
I am not sure why. If any one disagrees or has corrections to the above, please advise. I look forward to learning more from other peoples experiences.
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.ef18c13/4030
Please feel free to contact me at that address for further info. Good luck with your purchase, this is a great thread to get all the info you need.
As per my earlier post, to you:
US Temp Regn: My temp tag was copied, in plastic on back of vehicle and real one in the glove box.
Prov. Permit: I would not recommend driving in Canada without a provincial in-transit permit. It only cost me $25 and no risk of getting stopped for driving without a permit in Canada. I'm surprised Dieseldude's PQ cop did not realize foreign registrations are no good in Canada; she was lienient I think. Driving without a permit risks the car being towed, impounded until permitted plus a ticket.
Insurance: You can obtain Canadian insurance to cover you while driving your car in US and Canada; that's what I did and took with me an insurance "pink" slip. They don't care it's not registered here yet, used, new, from a dealer or private, they just need the VIN and your money.
At least that's what we do in the Wild West!!
Hope that helps. Good luck.
Yes, I was quite lucky that the PQ cop was quite lenient. She did not scrutinize the tag close enought to read "Alabama" on the print. Glad that you mentioned insurance. I had forgotten to state that I had my insurance company in Nova Scotia send a fax of the pink insurance slip after telling them the VIN and model info. That was the easiest part of the deal. The trouble that caused my long rambling story was that the State of Florida will not accept insurance from out of state on a vehicle purchase within the State. I had enquired with a local Florida insurance agent, but they would not write up a short 30 day policy, but were only interested in a one year deal. So this, combined with also having to pay state sales tax if proceding to obtain a temporary tag all added up to me taking my temporary tag business to Alabama. Strange that vehicles from all over North America are allowed to enter Florida on their existing insurance from their home provinces or states, but insurance from these home places its not good enough if making a purchase within Florida. Its an unfair double standard.
Can you tell me about how to get a Canadian in-transit permit ? Being that motor vehicle licensing is provincialy controlled, how does one deal with interprovincial permits ? Normally you would get a temporary tag in the province where you live upon registering the vehicle. But if you have to drive through several provinces on your trip homeward, this is not possible. So what government office or department would provide this interprovincial in-transit permit ?
Cheers,
Dieseldude
In AB we have Prov. Registry Offices (private) which are same place you go for registration and plates. Before heading to US I went to one and told them the date I was entering AB from MT and he issued me a 3 day permit. All I needed was VIN# though he wanted to check the VIN from the Cert of Title which I had faxed to me. Bill of Sale would have been fine too. It was specific from US border crossing (Couts) into AB. At the time it was apparent I could also have rec'd one for going from AB into Sask, for eg as well or from AB to NS I suspect. If I were doing a 3-4 province jaunt like you did I think you should be able get a NS permit to drive from US border at ON to NS through the other provinces; all the Prov. recognize other Prov. registrations including temp in transit permits and it would be no different really than having a NS plate and registration driving from ON to NS through PQ, NB etc. ... it might be a special interprov permit but it happens all the time so I'm sure it is easily done ...but I would be checking that with my Prov. Registry Office. (Alternatively drive to Maine and take the CAT over to NS with your NS only in transit permit...). Was the Alabama temp tag good in all the US states you crossed???
The purpose of this short post is to solicit your help. If you have purchased a car from the U.S. either by yourself or through a broker, please go to www.carswithoutborders.com and complete the survey.
It should take you no longer than one minute and is completely anonymous.
Importtrader.com will be donating $5.00 to CWB for every completed survey.
If you know of someone that has purchased a car in the U.S. please forward them this message.
Thanks again for your support, and lets hope the “bumper” amendments go through soon so we can import those 4 dr Altimas, BMWs, Corvettes etc without being “fleeced” by the RIV, and the Car folks
Note: We have been trying to contact the Deputy Minister of Transport Marc Gregoire to find out who is holding up the approval and why. He is responsible for the entire “Safety Group” at Transport Canada. He has failed to return our calls. Maybe you can have better luck.. he can be reached at 613-990-3838 .
Thanks
Bob and Serge.
I was not able to get my title stamped at the border(US customs) on my Certified Used Honda as it the original title is mailed in a months time after being processed at the State. I had a photocopy.
However the Canadian Customs still processed my paperwork created at RIV form 1 and took my GST and Excise payment. They just looked at my Bill of sale and a copy of the title.
Should I be concerned since I did not get the export stamp on my title from US customs ? Are there any implications.
I have contacted RIV they are already processing it as they have been paid online ?
I honestly think if Canada accepts the import then it is ok..ie. once I get it plated in Ontario i will be home free. I should get form 2 on Thursday and will be heading to Cdn tire for inspection, then to MTO for licensing.
This took place at the Detroit/Windsor border " Ambassador Bridge" this past weekend.
Thanks in advance for your input.
HONDA USA is very difficult and and they will not cooperate. They will not provide the letter as they discourage HONDA cars being imported into Canada.
They are also pretty rude there on the Customer Service line and very blunt.
RIV knows all about this and is helping Honda Buyers.
HONDA USA --Does not provide Recall letter for New or Used Vehicles.
Thus RIV will do the Recall search on your behalf. I have confirmed this twice with two different RIV customer service reps in the past 7 days.
one in toronto - North American Automobile Trade Association (NAATA)
70 East Beaver Creek Road
Suite 30
Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada
L4B 3B2
Tel: 905-882-7040
Email: naata@naata.org
www.naata.org
NAATA is a not-for-profit association of vehicle dealers that import and export vehicles across international borders. Our mandate is to facilitate the purchase and sale of these cross-border vehicles.
Contact them directly.
Another third one at http://www.jruslaw.com/classactions/carprice.shtml
If you are looking to buy a Toyota in the US, we know of a dealer that sells to Canadians at MRSP .... for more info e-mail us with your name, phone number , model wanted with all options etc... ... info@carswithoutborders.com
All went well with my import. MSO was used with a Bill of Sale on a 200 mile new vehicle with no State Title ever issued. No misunderstandings with Canada Customs. We called well in advance of the purchase and they advised this would not be a problem. Upon import, still no misunderstandings or problems. No human factor involved here, again, no misunderstanding. Canada Customs officers involved knew what we were doing and had no problems with the process.
All the best.
If you can also give me details off line on who the dealer was that performed the work
However, some or most of the TT's are admissible with a BIG catch.
See below: (taken from the admissibility list.)
"(1) The two asterisks (**) indicate that the vehicle in question will require modifications to the existing bumper(s) before it can be
registered and licensed. Some vehicles can be readily modified by installing the appropriate Canadian parts. However, some vehicles
cannot be readily modified and may require comprehensive and expensive modifications."
Dealing with Porcshe is like dealing with BMW. Porsche Canada controls your import process by forcing you to get all modifications, inspections and so forth through them.
Perhaps they've changed the rules or someone else could chime in. You may not have to go through Porsche like BMW. Porsche and Audi, as you know, are the same company.
According to RIV you don't necessarily have to go through Porsche for everything. So you just need to get the modifications if you car requires them.
PORSCHE 1993 TO 1996 All models
1997 AND 1998 Boxster
1997 AND 1998 911
1999 TO 2007 All models
2008 AND 2009 Boxster, Boxster S
(see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 Cayman, Cayman S
(see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera Cabriolet
(see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera 4 (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera 4
Cabriolet (see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera S (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera S
Cabriolet (see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera 4S (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Carrera 4S
Cabriolet (see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Targa 4 (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Targa 4S (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Turbo (see
notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 Turbo Cabriolet
(see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 GT2 (see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 GT3 (see notes)**
2008 AND 2009 911 GT3 RS (see
notes)**
1997 AND 1998 All other
models are inadmissible
See explanations section.
2008 AND 2009 BUMPERS: All passenger car
U.S. models (Boxster, Cayman, 911 varients)
do not comply with CMVSS 215 (bumpers).In
order for these vehicles to be brought into
compliance with CMVSS 215, the two impact
pipes (part # 996 505 019 01) and their mating
two desk pad impact absorbers (part # 996
505 775 00) that support the rear bumper have
to be replaced with the Canadian specification
impact absorbers (part # 996 505 015 01) and
desk pad impact absorbers (part # 996 505
775 01).
2008 AND 2009 TETHER ANCHORAGES: All
911 non-Cabriolet models are equipped with
tether anchorages to accept the tether belt.
However, the anchorage is covered by a
carpet and thus not visible. The carpet will
have to be cut away to reach the anchorage.
The covering also does not have the required
new labels.
I've been reading here that you successfully purchased your Rav4 in the US. We's also like to but are concerned about the issues around the immobilizer. I know that there are people who can do it after market but does it affect the warranty? Did you have any trouble with inspection once it was done? I'm interested in the details. If you'd like to contact me personally you can send a note to toyota [at] stainsby [dot] com.
Thanks!
Eleanor
I also found the RIV, CBSA, as well as the border staff at the Sumas/Huntingdon crossing to be very helpful and efficient.
Here is a breif timeline of my experience.
I had to have a relative buy car on my behalf because dealerships would not sell to canadians. Then had to wait four weeks to recieve the title. I got this on friday, May 30.
.
Got a flight to Portland on the following Monday, June 2, and arrived at 2:30 pm.
Faxed the paperwork to the border (Sumas, washington) on tuesday morning about 9:30 am. Confirmed crossing time with them about one hour later and was advised I could cross on Friday june 6, after 9:00 am.
I did indeed cross that morning at about 10:30. Spent about 10 minutes on the American side. The customs agent simply looked at my title, and the last four digits of the VIN, then sent me on my way. The Canadian side was just as easy. It took me about 20 minutes to fill out my form one, and pay the taxes due. Staff here were quite helpful and efficient. I was on my way home!
Fifteen minutes later at Chilliwack, I managed to find a very helpful RCMP that was willing to pull me over and issue me a speeding ticket for doing 110 in a 100 km zone. I suspect it was because I had Oregon plates on the car, and he felt the need to tell me that we are metric in Canada.
I arrived home (Edmonton) on saturday afternoon, and I paid my RIV fees and recall letter online that night.
I recieved my form two on Tuesday by fax, and took the car into Canadian Tire on Wednesday, this took about 15 minutes (no appointment nessecary). Took my form into the DMV to get my out of province inspection form. I tried to get an exemption but was refused because it was registered to a previous owner. Cost of this form is about $10.00.
Had the provincial inspection done this afternoon, cost was about $171.00 after taxes, but you can get this done cheaper elsewhere.
Total savings about $12000 after expenses. Was it worth it? You bet! Would I do it agian? Yes!
I am purchasing a 1988 vehicle privately from an owner in Sunburst, Montana, I15 near the Cdn border. It is my understanding that once I arrive in Montana on July 1 I will need to get the title (ownership) transfered to myself from the original owner, show a bill of sale with a certified odometer reading, show an Ontario insurance policy for the VIN and get a temporary 30 day permit (tag) good for the lower 48 states. The new title is to be faxed to the US Border people at Buffalo, NY 3 full days before my physical exit. When I reach Buffalo, the US border people will look at the original title in my name and stamp it with an export stamp. I will identify myself with an Ontario driver's license.
At the Cdn border, they will look at the title and bill of sale and charge me the GST, 6.1% Duty (based on US sale price converted to Cdn $ at rates on date of sale in Montana) and the $100 A/C tax and guzzler tax (4cyl 6000lb vehicle) and give me a stamp or form and will send me home. No ~$300 RIV as the vehicle is 20 yrs old and no RIV inspection.
I am to get a temporary tag for travel in Ontario from Buffalo to Toronto in advance using the VIN.
I will go to the Ontario DMV office and transfer the title to Ontario paying the PST on the Montana Bill of Sale price and other regular fees, converted to Cdn dollars. I will then take the vehicle to get it certified, no pollution test as is 20 yrs old, and go back to the DMV to plate it.
Questions:
1. Do I need a valid Cdn passport at the US border to ID myself or is my driver's license sufficient?
2. Does the Bill of Sale from Montana need to be notarized in order for me not to be charged the GST and especially PST on the book price.
3. Does Montana issue new titles (ownerships) on the spot?
Any information appreciated.
Rob
Toronto
When asked whether I needed to obtain a transit permit from them to drive through their state I was told.....in every case......that the permit I obtained in the state in which I bought the vehicle would allow transit through their state. One state clarified that I had up to 5 days to transit their state with the permit I obtained from the state of purchase.
While I have no idea what shipping price you may be able to provide someone who uses your services, I was quoted $1,900 to ship a vehicle from Atlanta,GA to Edmonton, AB. A one way airline ticket was $443.00 and it was a 4 day drive of 2,400 miles. I haven't totaled the cost of fuel, accommodations, and food but I feel certain that the combined cost will fall far short of $1,900.
Just my $0.02
1. I would suggest you have your Passport with you. You may not be granted access to the US without one......I have just returned from purchasing a vehicle in Georgia and I needed my Passport to enter the US.
2. I presented the Bill of Sale to both US and Canadian Customs and there were no questions as to the book price..........however, the difference between the Sale Price and Book Price would have been minimal.
3. I would suggest you direct this question to Montana's Dept of Motor Vehicles.
Comments on an earlier portion of your query.
1. I think you will find Canadian Customs will use the exchange rate in effect the day you enter Canada. That was my experience just last week. I wish they had used the exchange rate effective the day I purchased the vehicle as I would have saved $500 in the vehicle's $CDN valuation.
2. I would recommend you check with Montana's DMV to ensure they will issue you a a temporary 30 day permit (tag). In my case the State of Georgia would not issue a transit permit to an individual but told me as long as I had the Original Certificate of Ownership, the Bill of Sale, and a Odometer Declaration I could transit the vehicle.
Hope some of this helps.
Ralph
Since American Honda requires a copy of 1) the vehicle's registration, 2) your License, and 3) valid Insurance prior to issuing the Recall Letter I had the previous owners request the Recall Letter. Having the previous owners request this Recall Letter seemed to be a logical way around what I viewed as a Catch 22. (I can't register the vehicle in Canada without having obtained and submitting the Recall Letter to RIV).
Perhaps this tactic will help others wishing to import a used Honda obtain the required Recall Letter.
my $0.02
I went to the dealer and had them print out a listing with all the recalls on it. The letter said there was not any recalls and the dealer on letter head wrote me a letter saying the vehicle was free from all defects and problems. I called RIV and they said that was fine as long as the letter was on Chrysler Letter head(Dealer). When My father made it to the border they said that was fine and 1 week later had the truck licensed. Hope this Helps
At http://www.carswithoutborders.com/ab...-contact-list/
we also have a list key Govt contacts names,email addresses and phone numbers.
We would highly recommend the use of the internet to encourage change. Thousands of Canadians, calling Cannon's office or emailing him is very effective.
At this time we are pushing to have the bumper regulations passed, so that Canadian standards are Harmonized with Europe and the U.S. We need to encourage Canadians to email, write or call the Treasury Board members and Marc Gregoire - Transport Canada Deputy Minister in charge of the regulation change. 613-990-3838 .
Transport Canada needs to change and be more receptive to the needs of normal hard working Canadians, rather than pandering to Car Companies...
Canadians need to speak up! We have all the tools you need to do so at www.carswithoutborders.com