Can we drive our vehicle to Canada when spouse "lands"

[Lemondrop78]

I was wondering if we can drive our vehicle into Canada when he lands or does that have to be imported to Canada after? 

[steaky]

Check with www.riv.ca

[AllisonVSC]

Yes you can drive your vehicle into Canada when you land. If you are staying/residing in Canada after landing I recommend doing the import/export thing when you land (after importing you have 45 days to complete the process).

If your plan is to land and then return back to the US for a few weeks or months, then I would suggest that you list your vehicle as goods to follow and import later. If you are not planning to reside in Canada after landing they *should* still allow you to drive it in (just like any other visitor) though I read on the forum of one person who was not permitted to do that. So be clear with the agent that you are not planning to reside in Canada just yet.

Check Steaky's link for the list of importable cars and a sense of what the process requires. Also PM me if you'd like and I can send you a post about my RIV journey and the costs incurred in importing my vehicle back in early 2010.

[Lemondrop78]

Thanks to you guys.  I haven't checked the link yet but I will.  Do you have to pay  to drive your car to Canada when you land and planning to stay?  like is there an import fee?  thanks.

[AllisonVSC]

only the RIV fee $195 plus tax which you can pay online (though some have reported having to pay a fee for having air conditioning).

[Lemondrop78]

What does RIV stand for?  thanks.

[AllisonVSC]

Registry of Imported Vehicles

[Lemondrop78]

Thanks, I checked the site out.  It seems not to hard to import our cars or car at the time and not too expensive.