Do I need to Import Car in this situation?

[max101]

I have Canadian PR and my wife has Visitor Visa to Canada. We will change the Title of our vehicle so that both of us are Joint Title holder.

When we cross the border by Car, we will both be inside the car, but my wife (visitor) will be driving the car. She plans to drive back to US after few months. Also Only she shall drive inside Canada. I found that it is illegal for Canadian PR to drive US plate car inside Canada, which is fine with me.

1. In such case will I be required to import the car to Canada?

2. Do we need modifications such as Daytime Running lights? The vehicle is a US model.

3. Do we need to deal with Customs or RIV? pay any Tax or Duties on the Vehicle?

4. Is there any way for me to legally drive the car in Canada? if it is not imported.

[GK]

As you are a returning PR and will not "land" you will have to pay both duty and taxes on the car if you import the car.  The car has to pass federal and provincial safety and standard checks.  Make sure you get a recall clearance letter from the dealer.  Once exported and improted in Canada you will contact RIV for further instructions. 

It doesn't matter who drives the car cross the border.  If you wife (as a visitor in Canada) takes the car with her you can still drive the car in Canada. If you will import the car at this time the title should be in your name, if you plan on taking it back to the US you should have the title in your wife's name.  Once she gets a PR (if that is your plan) she can then import the car as goods to follow and you will avoid duty and taxes.

[max101]

Thanks for answer.

what if the car is in Joint title, will they force me to import that car? My wife plans to drive back to US after few months. she does not have canadian PR. We plan to apply her PR from Buffalo NY.

Am I even allowed to import the car, if the title of the car is joint title? Basically we want to avoid Importing the car at this time. For that does the title has to be solely in my wife's name?

Please advise.

[GK]

I believe both your names can be on the title as you are married, but you should probably check that with Canadian Customs.  Personally I would transfer the title in her name to avoid any issues.  It will be easier to convince Customs that the car in fact will return (with your wife) to the US once she return.  Also, as it is your wife's car and she will be visiting Canada as a non-resident you can drive the car temporarly.  You should (as you are saying) import the car once your wife gets PR as you will avoid paying duty and taxes. 

[max101]

Thank you so much for replies.

I called the Customs and they say that even if my wife is sole owner, they may be reluctant to let the car go in. Or atleast they may ask for deposit of tax which will be refunded when the car leaves Canada.

Also when you think about it..
From the Custom's point of view, they are seeing a Canadian PR with his wife going into the Canada in their Car. It may be difficult to convince them that my wife will take the car back to US. It will be a nightmare if we have import on the spot, 3 days wait time to clear US Customs, getting recall clearance. We will be stuck there.

Now, I am leaning towards importing the car to Canada and just drive back to US as necessary with Canadian License Plate. Any other thoughts on this? please let me know..

[GK]

Good thing you called them.  I guess when you think about it it makes sense.  I agree, do what ever it takes to avoid the hassle at the border.  I guess the only other thing I would recommend you to do is to make sure you have an auto insurnace that gives you good coverage in both US and Canada.  I used to have Allstate in US and kept my US policy until the import process was completed.  I could drive on my US policy for 30 days in Canada.  When it was time to register the car in Canada they need your Canadian auto policy so I simply switched to Allstate Canada same day I registered the car.  The good thing is they can transfer you history from US.  Also, the Canadian policy also gives me good coverage when I drive in the US which I do very often.   

[links18]

What province are you moving to? Some will let you drive on the old U.S. plates for up to 3 months. If you are a returning resident and you have been out of Canada for more than 1 year, you may not have to pay any taxes on your car. It might make sense to just import it, in that circumstance. Look into it.

[max101]

I am going to British Columbia by Peace Arch border crossing.