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Importing Car into Canada from US

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Comments

  • mrzamomrzamo Member Posts: 1
    Dear,

    I hope someone can answer me:

    I am moving from US into Canada (newcomer) driving my SUV Honda Pilot 2009.

    I am very concern about the RIV requirement about Electronic Immobilizer System according CMVSS 114.

    Someone knows if it would be acceptable the "Immobilizer Theft-Deterrent System" device that come on the Honda Pilot ? or Not ?

    In case NOT, then
    Can I install an Electronic Immobilizer System in Toronto ? Is this acceptable and RIV regulation (aftermarket EIS)

    Best regards

    MZ
  • fluviofluvio Member Posts: 2
    Hi,

    I just got a quote for a toyota 09 sienna CE 7-seat (all basic+freight) for 27700+GST and wonder if any1 has recently negotiated a deal on this vehicle in Canada and could share their purchase prices and experiences? It was very naive of me that we didn't even talk about mats, security, DRL and block heater at the time, I just foolishly thought they would come with the car in Canada. Any thoughts??Tnx

    Ron
  • tcp2tcp2 Member Posts: 66
    If this is a Canadian CE, DRL are standard. Even if not, you put a fuse into the fuse panel to "activate" the DRL. That's it.

    Pretty sure the Block heater comes installed anyway from the import. Mats are available at Canadian Tire a lot cheaper than toyota and you have key chip security (RFID stuff) already. There is a dealer programmable "security" system that is just software based that can be turned on if you find a capable dealer. You can also add a Glass break sensor to the system, but that isn't manditory.

    You got a very good price, run with it. Canadian CE's are equipped differently than US CEs. You have heated mirrors, tow package and several other items included as standard. Not so in the US.
  • jlinsaudijlinsaudi Member Posts: 1
    My husband is American and I am Canadian. We bought our car in US ( 2004 Chevrolet Taho) but are leaving for work in Saudi Arabia for at least a year long. We would like to leave the car to my parents in Canada so they can use it but without changing the immatriculation as we might (or might not) return next year. If we put my father's name as part owner of the car , is there any complication in leaving the car in Canada at all ???
  • rjmbcrjmbc Member Posts: 51
    I bought a new 2008 Highlander Hybrid in the US. Since that time I have been attempting to get the MFD to indicate L/100KM rather than MPG. Every Toyota dealer I contacted said "can't be done". Well I was able to have mine changed and it now reads L/100KM. My next task is to get the outside temperature to read C rather than F.
    If anyone is interested in knowing how to get it done (Toyota has to do it) send me a message with an email address and I will send you a copy of a Toyota document that explains what has to be done.
  • bill239bill239 Member Posts: 1
    We are preparing to buy a new car but are also expecting to be relocated to Canada from the US in about a year. Several of the car brands we have checked no longer have North American Warranties (ie when we move to Canada we will lose warranty coverage). The brands we have checked so far are VW, Subaru, and Volvo. Does anyone know which car companies still offer North American Warranties or if there is a way around this Warranty problem for people that are actually changing residency.

    By the way this problem would also affect anyone purchasing a new car that is simply traveling in Canada on a short visit if your car broke down in Canada! and it would also affect people who buy their car in Canada and are traveling in the US.
  • volvomaxvolvomax Member Posts: 5,238
    Warranties are guarranteed by the importer, not the manufacturer. In Volvo's case Volvo Cars North America is the US importer only. Volvo Cars Canada is a separate company. VCNA would honor the warranty for a US car that was visiting Canada and broke down. Worst case, you would be reimbursed for any warranty expense. If you are settling near the border you could drive back to the US for any service or warranty needs.
  • scrolllockscrolllock Member Posts: 126
    Toyota is the company that I was told honors the warranty. They are very smart. They don't care how they manage to convince you to buy a Toyota, but they know once you buy one you will always stick with them. www.apa.ca
  • thecannyscot1thecannyscot1 Member Posts: 2
    I have a 2008 Highlander Sport I bought in the US and wouldn't mind getting the MFD and other readings changed. Any help would be appreciated.

    Mr T
  • rjmbcrjmbc Member Posts: 51
    Give me an email address either here or email me at rmcgill dot elan at gmail dot com
  • isuzu_nprisuzu_npr Member Posts: 3
    I've bought a used truck from a dealer in Michigan and will be bringing it in to Canada in October. I'm familiar with all the RIV procedures etc, but what I've been getting conflicting info about is whether I can get a temporary trip-permit from Michigan that'll allow me to drive the truck to the border then into Ontario.

    Has anyone here bought a vehicle in Michigan and gotten a temporary permit from the dealer? Any info or suggestions greatly appreciated!

    Thanks.
    Greg.
  • raash73raash73 Member Posts: 11
    Hi Greg, I brought my Camry from Michigan, in order to get the transit permit you will have to pay Michigan state tax which I did pay because I had no other choice, just take a transit permit from Ontario or your current license plate from Ontario, as long as you have the insurance you are fine, my friend brought his truck from Texas with his Alberta plate on, border agent in Canada said its risky only if the cop pull you over in Canada, do not buy Michigan transit permit unless you want to pay 6% tax. Thanks
  • isuzu_nprisuzu_npr Member Posts: 3
    Thanks raash73, that's very helpful. So I gather the dealer had no difficulty with issuing you a transit permit with your Canadian home address? I'm less bothered by the prospect of paying MI state tax than by the fear of being stuck not being able to get the transit permit. Do you still have a copy of the permit and, if so, would you be able to tell me the actual name of it?

    I'm actually importing the truck from MI at an Ontario border crossing then driving it out to my home province of BC. I've checked on the Ontario MTO website about getting an Ontario "special permit" and according to what I found there it seems I can get one. But when I followed up with a phone call to MTO they said I couldn't. I think the MTO operator was wrong, and I'll definitely apply for a special permit once I get to Ontario and before I pick up the truck. But to be on the safe side I'd feel a whole lot better if I knew that I'll have no problem getting a Michigan permit.

    By the way, after being thoroughly confused by the Michigan state website and its descriptions of when and how a temporary permit would be issued, I spent about 45 minutes on hold with the Michigan DMV on Friday and when I finally got through to an operator they refused to tell me about what she called the "dealer's procedures" for issuing temporary permits. Truly bizarre...

    Again, thanks!
    Greg.
  • raash73raash73 Member Posts: 11
    I bought my car privately so my only option was to go to the DMV for the transit permit, my question to you is are you paying any taxes to the dealer because if you do than the dealer can easily make the permit for you, dealers don't need to go the DMV to apply for it, they already have the permit, they just need to write your name and the expiration on it, transit permits are hand written, if you can give me your email address I can send a scanned picture of it to you. I believe its called Michigan State transit permit, hope this helps. Thanks
  • isuzu_nprisuzu_npr Member Posts: 3
    raash73 that would be great. E-mail is ghansen @ islandnet.com (without the spaces). Thanks!
  • shabishabi Member Posts: 15
    I am in process of buying a used certified lexus Rx from california,
    I want to know about the warranty (certified Lexus warranty), whether it will be honoured here or not?
    secondly, is there any good transport company to transport the car from california to buffalo/ontario border at reasonable price.
  • scrolllockscrolllock Member Posts: 126
    Check out the ww.apa.ca site they have a list. But go even further call Toyota/Lexus Canada.

    Make sure the US seller can program the DRLs... or ask your local dealer how much it will cost you. ( don't let him know that you haven't purchased the car yet.)

    Make sure you get a recall letter from the seller.

    the www.naata.com or ucanimport.com sites have reference to transporters.

    good luck.

    Robert
    www.carswithoutborders.com
  • gtpd500gtpd500 Member Posts: 1
    Hi folks,

    I would appreciate any pertinent factual or actual experiences that you have to offer on the following questions.

    Since no US GM dealers will sell new to Canadians (you are extremely lucky if you found one) I have a few questions and please I would appreciate actual experiences as answers not what you think, thanks.

    1. Is an MSO/MCO (manufacturers statement/certificate of origin) sufficient to cross the border? if it is made out in my name but to a friends address in the US will that be a problem at the border? (I have been informed that the MSO is acceptable by US and CDN customs upon importation but a bill of sale is also required as well)

    2. Will I have to show the US dealer my Canadian drivers license/proof of residency in the US at purchase? this shows my Canadian address, will this allow the dealer to refuse the sale? I have been told that I could have my US friend purchase the car and sign over the MSO on the back to me without ever registering the car in his state of residence and I assume that the dealer would put a temporary 10-30 day registration on the car at purchase ........ I also have Canadian "dealer X plates" but don't know if they are legal in the US ...... can someone clear this up for me?

    3. I have several US friends, one in New Hampshire where there is no sales tax only a registration fee (around $600 to 800) he is willing to purchase the car and sign over the title once he receives it but the dealer that I was dealing with asked that the payment be made by him, I am a trusting person but not prepared to deposit $36k in a friends account hoping that he will follow through with the buy, any options here maybe a cashiers cheque drawn on a US bank? if it is drawn on a US bank and obtained from my Canadian bank is that seen on the cheque?

    4. Ideally I would want a US dealer to sell to me direct to my Canadian address but I have been trying this for 3 weeks now being honest with the US dealers and telling them that I am a Canadian and I am told they cannot go that route so now I don't want to tell them that since it will kill the deal so I need another plan, any suggestions?

    There are so many questions to ask .... and please I have read till my eyes bled on this but every instance is different, I do not want any issues at the border on either side and doing this myself is what I want to do since I know I will be doing this often down the road.

    Thanks for your time to read and possibly answer, my level of frustration is almost overwhelming at this point & the car I want is becoming more difficult to find, I do not want to buy used which would be an easy way out if the seller has title in hand. I checked ALL the dealers that are not having their franchises renewed by GM but none of them have the car I want so I have to go with the regular GM dealers. I just need a little help on how to structure the approach when talking with the dealers it has become blatantly clear that I cannot be upfront and honest by telling them I am a Canadian, thanks for any help offered.

    Regards, John.

    PS: To GM ........ to top it all off this model is not even available in Canada ...... so I will have to lie to get it here, thanks GM no wonder you're in trouble!!
  • bigdadi118bigdadi118 Member Posts: 1,207
    Hi John

    You can direct wire the fund to the car dealer account and have the car purchased under your friends name, address in NH. He just go there to fill out paperwork and drive out the car in a temporary plate. Do all the necessary paperwork for cross the border, like recall letter, certificate to prove car made, fax docs to border customs ahead of time. You should know the procedure ahead of purchase. NH title is issued in your friend name but NH has no sales tax. Check insurance and temp plate re driving in USA and Canadian parts after the border. You can take the Motor Vehicle Inspection Form to Canadian Tires to have car inspection pass before going to Motor Vehicle Dept to have the Canadian plate and registration issued. Canadian Tires can install the DRL and immobilizer for a reasonable small fee.
  • gpardgpard Member Posts: 1
    I am importing an 06 Astin Martin Vantage from US tO Canada. Anyone know the required modifications?
  • tri_bikertri_biker Member Posts: 35
    Aston -- nice choice. Love the Vantage.

    Don't know the requirements, but here are some thoughts on how to potentially best go about it:

    - Call Aston Canada / US and tell them that you're an existing owner and are meticulous about the care of your pride and joy. You want to find out if any work needs to be done, and if so, does it need to be done by a dealer. Get the list of work that needs to be done in writing from Aston.
    - Ask Aston if it matters if it is done by a dealer in Canada or the US. Get that in writing
    - If Aston confirms that the work can be done by a US dealer, I'd make the purchase contingent on it being done by the seller (unless it is a private deal). There cannot be that many people stepping up to by a used Vantage. If you've got cash in hand, they should do the mods as part of the deal.

    Long story short. Get everything in writing. Get the seller to pay for the mods.

    Good luck!
  • right2right2 Member Posts: 1
    Hello Doc.
    When you say there are no modification required on the part of the odometer, are you saying that by switching the metrics on the onboard computer is suffice? since you would still have the dials in miles right? only the computer system are set to kilometers?
    Thanks
  • sloan55sloan55 Member Posts: 10
    As long as the speedometer has kph on it (on a US model it will probably be the smaller of the 2 with MPH being the dominant), then you are ok. Now some Porsche's come with ONLY MPH on it. If that is the case, then you will have to get a KPH speedometer.
  • doc911doc911 Member Posts: 56
    My 911 has an MPH speedometer, and KPH digital speed readout...self programmable with the owner's manual..And that got approved last year. Porsches are the easliest luxury car to import.
  • katzdavikatzdavi Member Posts: 2
    Hi davedee,

    Can you email the dealer info to me as well? dkatz at yopmail dot com
  • mikem17mikem17 Member Posts: 3
    Has anyone recently purchased a new or nearly new ES350 or RX350 in the US lately? If so can you recommend any dealers close to Toronto.

    I visited a dealership in Buffalo and they seemed quite knowledgeable about selling to Canadians but they have not responded to my emails of late.

    Thanks

    Mike
  • calgaryguycalgaryguy Member Posts: 1
    I live in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I'm trying to buy a new car from US. I'm considering two car: Honda CRV and Lexus Rx350. Does anyone can recommend a dealer? I contact a few dealer which close border, all decline to sell to me. I can be reached at
    ffsclyh@hotmail.com

    Thanks,
    Hank
  • mh10mh10 Member Posts: 1
    Does anyone have any advice as to how to go about this process?

    Specifics on taxes? Compliance issues?

    Any advice on companies that have expertise in this area?

    Thanks.
  • coolest35coolest35 Member Posts: 1
    Im planning on importing a 2010 Nissan Sentra, the problem was that the specific trim I was looking for was not available in the state of NY. The closest one that I found was in Wisconsin. Now I've gotten in touch with the dealer, and we've come upon a price and he's agreed to give me a temporary tag and everything. What I'm planning to do is, purchase the car from him.. with my Ontario Drivers License.

    Now the problem is actually picking the car up, I understand that I would require insurance and all that jazz and that makes everything more complicated. The dealer's offered to transport the car to NY, to a particular address I want. Would that be a better option?

    Only questions I have are:

    1) If dealers willing to ship the car to my preferred address in NY.. what strings could be attached besides COST?

    2) On arrival at the Border.. I would need a MSO from the dealership and its a pretty simple process at US Customs right? Also me being a dual national, will that matter?

    3) CBSA: My understanding is that you have to pay the $200 fee, and bring all the forms (online) with you, along with the MSO. Anything else?

    4) Once that's done, you go to your province.. get it inspected at a Canadian Tire, apply for insurance and pay MTO stuff and get plates...

    Thats it?

    IT SOUNDS TEDIOUS, can anyone clarify?
  • salty110salty110 Member Posts: 7
    Hello all
    I am in process of importing a 2010 Lexus RX350 from New York state into Quebec. Has anybody done so recently? I know the car is built in Canada but does it have daylight Running Light in US? Any help in regard to the process would be greatly appreciated.
    Thank you in Advance
    LT
  • sloan55sloan55 Member Posts: 10
    All the newer model RX 350's have daytime running lights. Car is indeed built in North America so no duty to pay which is a bonus.
  • sloan55sloan55 Member Posts: 10
    Dealer ships to border, you will still need a temp tag and insurance to drive it across the border, up to your place, to Canadian Tire etc...

    Cross at US Customs, get your MSO stamped (that you submitted 72 hours previous).

    Tell CDN Customs you are importing the car, they will send you inside. You pay your air tax, GST on the CDN value of the vehicle and RIV Form 2 payment.

    You still have to submit your recall clearance letter to RIV before they will send you your form 2. Y ou can either fax the recall letter in or scan it and email it to recall@riv.ca.

    Get your safety and etest done, take your car to Canadian Tire to get the form 2 inpection done once you get the form from RIV (you can track your case online now at riv.ca) and make sure you have your DRL's activated as that is what they will check at Canadian Tire.

    Take all your paperwork into the license bureau, pay your PST and your done.
  • lankyladlankylad Member Posts: 1
    Hi Gabe...a few years on now! Are you still bringing vehicles in from the US? If so, how does the process work? What sort of warranty does such a vehicle carry? Do you handle all the import process and any retro-fitting to CDN standards? Does one give you requirements and you find the vehicle, or, if I have a specific eBay sale in mind, can you work with that??

    Thanks!
  • mikewipfmikewipf Member Posts: 4
    have been reading and hearing all the different postings on how to buy a car from the united states. im from canada and am in the market for a new car. so much conflicting information out there. HELP. any ways im was considering getting a 2010 subaru. so whats the process of buying this vehical from the united states. does anyone have a up to date guideline on a current U-TUBE video .
    thanks
  • scrolllockscrolllock Member Posts: 126
    go to www.carswithoutborders.com, on the right side of the main page click on "learn how to import a vehicle from the USA"...
  • rolls1rolls1 Member Posts: 2
    Hi Folks,
    I'm planning on bringing a Volvo from California into Canada. I have spoken to the current owner (lives in CA) who bought the car 2 months ago from a dealer in Colorado, but the first owners had the title in Wyoming.

    I've had her fax the title (Wyoming) to me (front and back), it shows the 1st owner has all liens released and shows that the car was sold to the dealer in Colorado.

    She also faxed me her bill of sale between the Colorado dealer to herself. However, she has not gotten the car titled in California (even though she has had the car 2 months and is driving it). My question to the forum is, do I need to have a title that has her name on it to bring the car into Canada? Second part of the question, is do I risk a lien being against the car if I don't have her title the car in her name? When I do a carfax, they still think it is a 1st owner car.

    Roland
  • bav_fan07bav_fan07 Member Posts: 68
    I believe you will have issues.

    First of all, remember US customs has to declare the car ready for export. This means that they are going to verify that the car is NOT stolen and that there is nothing funny about it and that its legally being exported. Also, they are going to permanently mark the car as exported so they know its leave the country and no one in the US can make a claim for it.

    Thefore, if its not officially titled to that person, then there will be questions.

    You will risk a lien. Unless you know the history of the car with her name on the title, then you really don't have official proof if there is or not a lien on the car.

    She could owe thousands on the car or it could be held as collateral - you really don't know since there is no updated information.

    Call me paranoid and perhaps there are others on this forum that would shoot me down, but I would not take any chances with this. Get her to get the title on her name. You are buying the car from her and US and Canadian customs has to see that. Also you need to do the extra check (somehow) to make sure there is no lien on the car....

    Someone with legal certifications or legal training could correct me on this...but I say take no chances...

    my 2 cents...good luck
  • bav_fan07bav_fan07 Member Posts: 68
    Also, I would contact US customs.

    Verify what you are doing is legal and correct. You do not want to get to the border and then be refused.

    http://www.riv.ca/USCustoms.aspx

    I'm sure there are also more experienced people on this forum that could chime-in. Also there are brokers on this forum too. So I'm sure if they are friendly enough, they will add some advice.

    Again, best of luck.
  • rolls1rolls1 Member Posts: 2
    Thank-you bav_fan07! I'm paranoid as well and I see the amount of scam artists on ebay and such that I just don't trust anyone. I have brought a car up from California last summer and the process was very straight forward but it REALLY pays to do your homework up front.

    As you suggested, I have contacted US Customs. (3 times in fact and was lucky enough to speak to the same guy each time). My understanding is that there are two ways that the paperwork would be okay:

    1. Having the Wyoming Title showing the Dealer in CO is the owner + having an extension to the title showing the CA girl as being the owner + having Form 262 from California showing that CA girl sold the car to me.

    or

    2. Having the CA title signed over to me. This approach may take some time (3-4 weeks) but may be the best approach as it also would show the lien information.

    I'm not opposed to working with a broker on this. I don't feel over my head yet, but it could get that way soon...

    Roland
  • mikewipfmikewipf Member Posts: 4
    im from alberta canada. am in the market for a new vehical. got my sights on the new 2010 honda crv. dont know much about importing cars from the us. have been following the subject somewhat. my understanding is i can import most vehicals that where manufactured after 2008 with no warranty worries i could also import the new 2010 honda crv, but the warranty would not be recognized in canada and would have to take the vehical back across the USA border for warranty work

    its my understanding that its the law in the USA for car manufactures to let consumers know the real cost of the (list price) vehical

    here in canada the vehical are sold as MSRP

    so how do i compare true vehical costs (apples to apples) from the USA to Canada. after having taking into account

    what im trying to say is how do i get the final cost on both sides of the border. the prices listed on edmunds or consumer report website is it a realistic cost . or are there other costs involved at the the dealerships in the USA ?

    understand here in canada there are the different costs at the dealership , depends on which province a person lives in. like HPST, GST, frieght, airconditioning tax, and dealership paper-work,

    also am i strong beleiver the the dealerships on both sides of the border should be able to make a honest living as well, but keep hearing shopping from the USA a Canadian can save them -selfs any wheres from $15000-$5000

    so any feed back would be appreciated
    thanks
  • skiuser46skiuser46 Member Posts: 5
    Keene Subaru in New Hampshire sells to Canadians and would probably know a lot of details plus go to the RIV(Registry of Imported vehicles) site in Canada
  • skiuser46skiuser46 Member Posts: 5
    first check www.carswithoutborders.com
    If you are looking for a Subaru try Keene Subaru of New Hampshire as they are agressive about selling to Canadians, Also there is a Toyota dealer in Keene willing to sell to Canadians
  • easter3easter3 Member Posts: 2
    anyone know of middlemen to protect buyer from ca. in a private deal in us?
    thanks in advance.
  • mikewipfmikewipf Member Posts: 4
    google UCanImport, think they are based out of british-columbia. am not sure if they would qualify as a middleman. let me know how it goes.

    i started dealing with them somewhat, for the moment, just discussing general ideas

    im in the market for a new vehical for myself, just shopping around at the moment and doing some foot-work.

    guess u could say im self educating in the process of buying a vehical in a very shady enviroment. why does it have to be so difficult.

    THIS IS WHAT IT COST TO MANUFACTOR THE VEHICAL. ADD DELIVERY CHARGE+ SOME PROFIT FOR THE DEALER AND WHALLA. DONE DEAL. THANK YOU VERY MUCH
  • easter3easter3 Member Posts: 2
    will check it out .thanks alot.
  • yeboyebo Member Posts: 13
    Hello folks,

    Am in the market for importing a new cx-9 from US. Anyone out there who knows a Mazda dealer in the West who would be willing to sell to Canadians? Appreciate if you can pm any details ... am based out of Vancouver and am all set to buy the vehicle.

    Thanks !!
  • yeboyebo Member Posts: 13
    No Mazda dealers selling to Canadians at all ? C'mon folks, m sure there must be someone willing to sell.

    Cheers!
  • eye_2_eyeeye_2_eye Member Posts: 5
    hello,

    i am trying to buy a honda in the USA.

    how would that work if you do find a US dealer willing to make the sale? you would need to register in the USA to get a title?

    you do not get title until it is registered in the USA.

    Regards
    Dustin
  • bav_fan07bav_fan07 Member Posts: 68
    Have you checked www.riv.ca?

    You will need a letter from Honda indicating the car is free from any re-calls. In the past, Honda was refusing to give this letter (call it collusion against Canadian importers.)

    You have to have a clear title. I do not think there is any way to get around that. You have to show US customs that the car is clear for export. Then US customs has to record the VIN so they know the car is being permanently exported. I would personally call US customs to find out their requirements.

    If there is no proof of title, then basically the thought would be that the car is stolen. If you have to register to get the title, then you probably have to do that.

    Alas, call US customs and check with www.riv.ca

    Regards,
  • bav_fan07bav_fan07 Member Posts: 68
    Have you called US-based Mazda dealers down south? Like really down south: Louisiana, Alabama, Tennessee, etc etc?

    Maybe try to find a dealer in an area where the economy has taken a big hit. They might be desperate to sell.....
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