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Driving car from US to Canada, and back to US without importing.

supreets2

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Aug 16, 2016
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I plan to drive my Car from the US to Canada, drop my stuff, do a short landing of about a week, and then drive back to the US.
So I only want to use my car as a mode of transportation.

Will I still need to fill out any paperwork for the car?
 
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HamiltonApplicant

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I plan to drive my Car from the US to Canada, drop my stuff, do a short landing of about a week, and then drive back to the US.
So I only want to use my car as a mode of transportation.

Will I still need to fill out any paperwork for the car?
If you indicate car in the "good to follow" list, there is not need of paperwork. Anyway, carry the title of the car apart from registration. One important thing, US insurance is valid in Canada, but some companies provide a slip stating the fact free of cost, get it...
 

DEEPCUR

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Apr 12, 2016
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If your car has a loan, then you won't be having the title. Crossing border without in a car without the title is not possible.
So if someone has a car with loan, and if they do the landing via walk (parking on US side) or air, then is it acceptable to list that car as goods to follow? Or it cannot be declared as well?
 

dks2323

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Aug 13, 2013
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I have travelled a lot of times from US to Canada in a rented car...never had any problem....
I have travelled few times using my own car....nobody asked me for the title at the border....

So I am pretty sure, you can travel from either side of the border in a car. It does not matter if you own it, lease it, finance it or rent it.
If the border agent asks then tell them the correct thing and that the car is going to go back.

By the way, thousands of people travel everyday in rented cars and cross borders.
 

dks2323

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So if someone has a car with loan, and if they do the landing via walk (parking on US side) or air, then is it acceptable to list that car as goods to follow? Or it cannot be declared as well?
Yes, you can declare it as goods to follow but you need the title when you are actually bringing it in. I brought my car in Canada but I owned the car.
I am not sure what all papers you need if you have a financed/leased vehicle.
 

DEEPCUR

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Yes, you can declare it as goods to follow but you need the title when you are actually bringing it in. I brought my car in Canada but I owned the car.
I am not sure what all papers you need if you have a financed/leased vehicle.
Thanks. I have seen many people being given hard time by CBSA asking them to export/import during first landing itself (or soft landing) after declaring the car and if not pay duty later to bring it in. How does one tackle that and convince them export/import can be done later, and just the car could be mentioned as goods to follow for now?
 

dks2323

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Thanks. I have seen many people being given hard time by CBSA asking them to export/import during first landing itself (or soft landing) after declaring the car and if not pay duty later to bring it in. How does one tackle that and convince them export/import can be done later, and just the car could be mentioned as goods to follow for now?
I declared the car when I entered Canada. So not sure if the border agents give you any hard time if you declare it as goods to follow.
I don't think one can convince them for anything...it all depends on the officer if he/she lets you do that....And I am pretty sure they all follow the book and the rules....
 

DEEPCUR

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I declared the car when I entered Canada. So not sure if the border agents give you any hard time if you declare it as goods to follow.
I don't think one can convince them for anything...it all depends on the officer if he/she lets you do that....And I am pretty sure they all follow the book and the rules....
Thanks. So is it okay if you declare it as goods to follow and not 'export-import' immediately?
 

yodheydhara

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So if someone has a car with loan, and if they do the landing via walk (parking on US side) or air, then is it acceptable to list that car as goods to follow? Or it cannot be declared as well?
You can declare it as "to follow". I did the same thing when I did the landing and my car was still on loan at that time. Although I did come back to the US and now I am planning to go to Canada. At this time my car is loan free and I have the title as well.
 

yodheydhara

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I declared the car when I entered Canada. So not sure if the border agents give you any hard time if you declare it as goods to follow.
I don't think one can convince them for anything...it all depends on the officer if he/she lets you do that....And I am pretty sure they all follow the book and the rules....
So if I am now moving to Canada for good, and by road, will the car import / export be a pre-requisite or I will be able to take the car but do the process later?
 

dks2323

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Thanks. So is it okay if you declare it as goods to follow and not 'export-import' immediately?
I think so...it should not be a problem....just let them know that you might be going back to finish some last minute business only if they ask....
 

dks2323

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So if I am now moving to Canada for good, and by road, will the car import / export be a pre-requisite or I will be able to take the car but do the process later?
Yes, you can do that later. Tell the officers that the vehicle is not going to stay in Canada. And if you want to complete the process during your first landing then also its fine....you can still travel to US with that vehicle....There is really no need to worry....

But why you guys want to get your cars here and pay the taxes again which you have already paid in US....and your car's worth might be a little lesser than the similar Canadian car as it is a US car (just my thought)....it might hurt when you'll sell it here...so sell your car there and get a new one here....check the prices on autotrader.ca to get an idea about the price....You may end up paying a little more than US (or may be not) but that'll save you some hassle....
 

yodheydhara

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Yes, you can do that later. Tell the officers that the vehicle is not going to stay in Canada. And if you want to complete the process during your first landing then also its fine....you can still travel to US with that vehicle....There is really no need to worry....

But why you guys want to get your cars here and pay the taxes again which you have already paid in US....and your car's worth might be a little lesser than the similar Canadian car as it is a US car (just my thought)....it might hurt when you'll sell it here...so sell your car there and get a new one here....check the prices on autotrader.ca to get an idea about the price....You may end up paying a little more than US (or may be not) but that'll save you some hassle....
The point is that my car is just 3 years old, so quite new. I understand the value depreciation, but I think having a car right when you are in Canada from the first day itself might be a good advantage.