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

[DEEPCUR]

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....

What tax required to be paid? Do we need to pay sales tax during registration? Or some other tax?

I'm planning to buy new car this year (needed), but have plans to move to Canada only on 2019 or later. I live in a US state that has no sales tax.

 

[dks2323]

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.

I agree but if you are planning to stay downtown you don't need the car at all...if not downtown then it depends on the place...

 

[dks2323]

What tax required to be paid? Do we need to pay sales tax during registration? Or some other tax?

I'm planning to buy new car this year (needed), but have plans to move to Canada only on 2019 or later. I live in a US state that has no sales tax.

Yup, the sales tax or/and some other tax....don't remember clearly.....I literally fought with Service Ontario officials that why am I supposed to pay something that I already paid in US...this fight went on for couple of days and I told them that I am going to take the vehicle back to US and sell it there...I was basically not ready to pay 1300 CAD for a 7 years old Camry...

Then one old employee of service ontario helped me out...there is a form in which you need to fulfill 3 out of 4 conditions and tell them that you are in Canada temporarily....most of us are going to fulfill those 3 conditions.....and you pay nothing for the tax....I am trying to remember the name of that form..I'll post it here once I figure it out....

So the only thing I want to tell is that there is a loophole which can save you tax but that's not 100% sure...it worked for me....1300 CAD for a 7 years old Camry....so imagine what you might have to pay for a newer vehicle...

So save the money and hassle and buy a car here in Canada...easy !!!

 

[yodheydhara]

I agree but if you are planning to stay downtown you don't need the car at all...if not downtown then it depends on the place...

I may not be staying in downtown as places in downtown will be more costly than suburbs. Any suggestions on good neighborhoods in Ottawa?

 

[dks2323]

I may not be staying in downtown as places in downtown will be more costly than suburbs. Any suggestions on good neighborhoods in Ottawa?

Sorry buddy.,....no idea about Ottawa suburbs....been to Ottawa few times to visit and that's it....

 

[yodheydhara]

Sorry buddy.,....no idea about Ottawa suburbs....been to Ottawa few times to visit and that's it....

No worries!

 

[yodheydhara]

So if I was looking to buy a new car upon my arrival, say in Canada, two questions:
1. Is there any specific paperwork needed if I am driving a rental car or rental truck?
2. I found this website by googling - http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/on/ottawa/ - is this a good website to look for used cars?

My only concern is that if I sell my car here and buy another one over there, I will be losing money at both the ends and that loss might be larger than the taxes I end up paying.

 

[dks2323]

So if I was looking to buy a new car upon my arrival, say in Canada, two questions:
1. Is there any specific paperwork needed if I am driving a rental car or rental truck?

What do you mean ? taking a rental car in US and drive it to Canada ?

2. I found this website by googling - http://www.autotrader.ca/cars/on/ottawa/ - is this a good website to look for used cars?

This is exactly where you should look..

My only concern is that if I sell my car here and buy another one over there, I will be losing money at both the ends and that loss might be larger than the taxes I end up paying.

Check the prices on this website and see if you end up saving money or not....If you do get your car here in Canada...

 

[yodheydhara]

So if I was looking to buy a new car upon my arrival, say in Canada, two questions:
1. Is there any specific paperwork needed if I am driving a rental car or rental truck?

What do you mean ? taking a rental car in US and drive it to Canada ?

Yes. I am also looking at the option of renting a 10' truck (U-Haul) with a Two My Car option. It seems thats a cheaper moving option.
I understand that if I still choose to take my car (towed), the car import export will have to be done, but does anything need to be done for the rental truck?

 

[dks2323]

Yes. I am also looking at the option of renting a 10' truck (U-Haul) with a Two My Car option. It seems thats a cheaper moving option.
I understand that if I still choose to take my car (towed), the car import export will have to be done, but does anything need to be done for the rental truck?

I am not sure about the U haul truck...you can definitely get a rented car across the border without any issue....you just need the rental agreement...Enterprise gives you the option to even return the car across the border...

But my guess is that it should be same for the U haul truck too (as its just a rental vehicle)....You just have to tell them that the truck is going back to US...or may be U haul gives you the option to return it in Canada...

Why not call CIC or CBSA to confirm this....

 

[yodheydhara]

I am not sure about the U haul truck...you can definitely get a rented car across the border without any issue....you just need the rental agreement...Enterprise gives you the option to even return the car across the border...

But my guess is that it should be same for the U haul truck too (as its just a rental vehicle)....You just have to tell them that the truck is going back to US...or may be U haul gives you the option to return it in Canada...

Why not call CIC or CBSA to confirm this....

Yes, I intend to call them as well. I checked on UHaul website, they do give quotes for renting the truck from US to Canada. So I am presuming that they too are okay with that. However, I will call UHaul as well as CBSA to confirm this and let you guys know what I found out!

 

[harirajmohan]

So if I was looking to buy a new car upon my arrival, say in Canada, two questions:
1. Is there any specific paperwork needed if I am driving a rental car or rental truck?

What do you mean ? taking a rental car in US and drive it to Canada ?

Yes. I am also looking at the option of renting a 10' truck (U-Haul) with a Two My Car option. It seems thats a cheaper moving option.
I understand that if I still choose to take my car (towed), the car import export will have to be done, but does anything need to be done for the rental truck?

Rental truck: As long as you have the rental paper, you are good to go. They will ask you to show the papers, nothing more.
Car: Yes, if you are moving permanently then you need to complete the import process at that time.

 

[yodheydhara]

Rental truck: As long as you have the rental paper, you are good to go. They will ask you to show the papers, nothing more.
Car: Yes, if you are moving permanently then you need to complete the import process at that time.

Perfect! Thanks a lot Hariraj!

 

[yodheydhara]

I am not sure about the U haul truck...you can definitely get a rented car across the border without any issue....you just need the rental agreement...Enterprise gives you the option to even return the car across the border...

But my guess is that it should be same for the U haul truck too (as its just a rental vehicle)....You just have to tell them that the truck is going back to US...or may be U haul gives you the option to return it in Canada...

Why not call CIC or CBSA to confirm this....

Finally, I have decided to sell my car. This will increase my cash flow in the time of need. I am hoping to get a lease or loan for a car when I buy it in Canada. Do they a good credit score to give a loan? Or are there any banks or agencies that provide loans to newcomers?

 

[dks2323]

Finally, I have decided to sell my car. This will increase my cash flow in the time of need. I am hoping to get a lease or loan for a car when I buy it in Canada. Do they a good credit score to give a loan? Or are there any banks or agencies that provide loans to newcomers?

I know there are third parties which provide loan to new comers (heard their ads on FM)....they may charge 0.5 to 1% more interest rate...but I cant give you the exact answer for this as I never used that service...