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Exporting a Vehicle from the U.S. and Importing into Canada: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

KBH

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Sep 13, 2017
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August 2nd, 2017
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October 7th, 2017
Passport Req..
December 29th, 2017
VISA ISSUED...
January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
what were all the fees you had to pay associated with everything? my car, unfortunately, wasn't manufactured in the US so I'm worried about how much all of this is going to cost me. why can't they just give clear instructions & a calculator to help us figure this out lol
It's going to vary significantly depending on your car. For me personally, my vehicle didn't require any modifications, and I didn't require any repairs to pass my provincial safety inspection, so the only fees I paid were $75 to the customs broker, the $300 RIV fee, and of course the provincial fees to register and tag the car etc. However, if your car requires significant modifications or significant repairs to pass the safety, it can get very expensive very fast
 

jmcaleer

Newbie
Apr 3, 2018
3
0
It's going to vary significantly depending on your car. For me personally, my vehicle didn't require any modifications, and I didn't require any repairs to pass my provincial safety inspection, so the only fees I paid were $75 to the customs broker, the $300 RIV fee, and of course the provincial fees to register and tag the car etc. However, if your car requires significant modifications or significant repairs to pass the safety, it can get very expensive very fast
My car was made in Japan (Lexus) and I'm just worried the taxes I have to pay are going to be more than it's worth to keep it - because I'll have to pay the 6.1% non-nafta fee & PST & HST -
 

KBH

Champion Member
Sep 13, 2017
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Mississauga
App. Filed.......
August 2nd, 2017
AOR Received.
September 22nd, 2017
File Transfer...
October 7th, 2017
Passport Req..
December 29th, 2017
VISA ISSUED...
January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
My car was made in Japan (Lexus) and I'm just worried the taxes I have to pay are going to be more than it's worth to keep it - because I'll have to pay the 6.1% non-nafta fee & PST & HST -
Are you certain? You don't have to pay anything on it if you're landing as a PR.
 

MSPEED3

Newbie
Mar 19, 2018
2
0
BC
App. Filed.......
01-11-2017
Doc's Request.
22-12-2017
KBH, Great Post!

You mentioned "as importing it as part of your landing ensures you are exempt from paying duty or taxes on the car."
Are you sure about this? Did you import your car with Goods Accompanying List? and paid no duties and Taxes (GST)? What about provincial taxes (PST) when licensing your car?

I am planning to import 2 of my used personal cars in the US and not wanting to pay duties and taxes. :D

What I read from below link mentioned:"Divide the list into two sections. In the first section, list the goods you are bringing with you; in the second, list the goods to follow. Goods that arrive later will only qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your entitlement if they are on your original list."
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html?wbdisable=true


Hey guys,

I am getting ready to import my car and I was really struggling to find comprehensive, up-to-date info on the complete process. It was really stressing me out, so I decided to put together a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that was up to date. There are some helpful posts on this forum, but it seems like the process has changed a little bit since those were published, so I figured something up-to-date might be helpful for everyone.

I will note that you can import your vehicle either at the time of landing, or AFTER your landing (if you mark your car as "goods to follow" on your B4 form), but you should not import your car BEFORE you land, as importing it as part of your landing ensures you are exempt from paying duty or taxes on the car.

Chapter 1 - Before You Export

STEP 1
The first thing you need to do is make sure your vehicle is admissible to Canada. You can check that here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section3_0.htm

STEP 2
If you are currently financing your vehicle, you need to obtain a clearance letter from the lender stating that you have their permission to export the vehicle. Note that the majority of lenders are NOT likely to give this permission, so if that is the case, you will need to pay off your vehicle in order to obtain the title clear of liens so that you can export the car. If this is not an option, selling the car in the US and buying a new car in Canada will be the best option for you.

STEP 3
Research the port of entry where you plan to export your vehicle from the US. Note that not all border crossings process vehicle exports and you will need to confirm the location and hours of operation and general procedures for the port of your choice. For example, we were planning to do my landing at the Peace Bridge crossing, but discovered that the Queenston-Lewiston crossing is the only place you can export a vehicle in Western New York.

Reach out by phone or email so you can confirm the days/times they are open to process vehicle exports and the email or fax information you will need to submit your 72 hour export notice to.

STEP 4
You will need to enlist the services of a customs broker to complete an AES filing for you. This filing will result in the issuance of an ITN number, which is needed to export the car. The AES is basically an electronic system where everything exported out of the US gets "logged" into, and we as average everyday citizens do not have easy access to it, which is why a customs broker has to do it. You should be able to find a broker to do this for around $50-$75. Google "AES vehicle export customs broker" and you will find lots of options. They will have you fill out some mildly confusing forms and when the filing is complete, they will issue the ITN number. Note you need this process to be completed PRIOR to giving your 72 hours export notice.

STEP 5
72 hours prior to export, your vehicle needs to be INSIDE the United States (and needs to stay in the U.S. from that point on until you export it). At 72 hours prior to export, submit (via email or fax depending on the instructions you got from the port of entry) your notice of intent to export. This generally will just include your VIN, the ITN number, and a note stating the day and approximate time you plan to export your vehicle.

STEP 6
To save time, you should complete the "Vehicle Export Form" (this is used for the Canadian part of the process) online in advance, print and bring with you to your landing. http://www.riv.ca/OnlineForms/Home/Landing

CHAPTER 2 - AT THE BORDER

STEP 7
Immediately before you report to the Canadian border crossing to complete your landing and import your car, you need to complete the export at the U.S. side. (When you contact the export office in Step 3, ask them where you need to physically bring the car at the time of export).

You will need to bring the following items:
-Your ITN number
-Your VIN number
-Copy of the 72 hour notice you submitted
-Original vehicle title showing there are no liens/loans, OR a certified copy of the title along with a letter from the lender stating it is OK for you to export the car
-Your passport
-Bill of sale

Once they process the export you can report immediately to the Canadian border crossing to import your car and complete your landing.

STEP 8
At the Canadian border. You should have your vehicle and its VIN listed on your B4 form with all the goods you are importing, but you also need to have the Vehicle Import form mentioned in Step 6. You also need to have:

-Any documents/receipts given to you by the US export office
-Original vehicle title showing there are no liens/loans, OR a certified copy of the title along with a letter from the lender stating it is OK for you to export the car
-Bill of sale

CBSA will electronically submit your Vehicle Import form to RIV (the organization in Canada responsible for completing the process of importing your vehicle).

Chapter 3 - IN CANADA

STEP 9
You have 45 days to complete the RIV process once the vehicle is in Canada. To begin this process, you need to submit a few things to RIV in order for them to release your inspection letter. Check their website for the contact information/email addresses as to where to submit this information.

1. To speed things up you can re-submit a copy of your Vehicle Import form to RIV, even though CBSA does submit it to them also.
2. You also need to submit a manufacturer recall clearance letter (this can be done up to 30 days in advance). http://www.riv.ca/RecallClearance.aspx
3. Lastly, you need to pay the import fees: https://www.riv.ca/MakeAnRIVPayment.aspx

STEP 10
RIV will send you an inspection letter specific to your vehicle which you can use to get your vehicle inspected. The letter will list the specific modifications applicable to your vehicle that you need to make sure are completed PRIOR to your inspection. These are typically completed at the dealership. You also need to ensure your car has a US compliance label on it somewhere (it should already have this).

STEP 11

Once your modifications are completed, locate the RIV inspection location nearest you and bring in your car to be inspected. When the inspection is successfully complete, they will stamp your Vehicle Import Form indicating this, which is what you will bring to get your car registered and tagged. They will also send you a Canadian compliance label in the mail which you will affix to your vehicle to replace the US one.

STEP 12
Bring your stamped form to wherever vehicles are registered in your province (ex, Service Ontario) along with whatever other proof is required in your province (for example, drivers license, proof of insurance, bill of sale, and original title). Get your tags and you are done!

--

A NOTE ON DRIVERS LICENSE AND CAR INSURANCE
Before you complete the final step of getting your car registered and tagged, you will need a provincial drivers license. You will need Canadian insurance policy on the car in order to get it tagged, and you will need a Canadian drivers license in order to obtain that policy, so the order should be as follows - 1) Get Canadian drivers license first (try to do this immediately after landing, for most US residents you should be able to do an instantaneous trade in of your existing US license); 2) Then get Canadian insurance policy on the car (try to set this up prior to landing so that all you have to do is submit your new Canadian drivers license info to them in order to finalize and activate the policy). Once you have the proof of insurance, you can proceed with Step 12 above.

--

I really hope this is helpful and please let me know if there is anything I am missing or forgetting!
 

KBH

Champion Member
Sep 13, 2017
1,454
763
Toronto, ON
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga
App. Filed.......
August 2nd, 2017
AOR Received.
September 22nd, 2017
File Transfer...
October 7th, 2017
Passport Req..
December 29th, 2017
VISA ISSUED...
January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
KBH, Great Post!

You mentioned "as importing it as part of your landing ensures you are exempt from paying duty or taxes on the car."
Are you sure about this? Did you import your car with Goods Accompanying List? and paid no duties and Taxes (GST)? What about provincial taxes (PST) when licensing your car?

I am planning to import 2 of my used personal cars in the US and not wanting to pay duties and taxes. :D

What I read from below link mentioned:"Divide the list into two sections. In the first section, list the goods you are bringing with you; in the second, list the goods to follow. Goods that arrive later will only qualify for duty- and tax-free importation under your entitlement if they are on your original list."
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html?wbdisable=true
Yes, I am certain. All goods that were previously owned by you, prior to landing as a PR, are duty and tax exempt - and this includes vehicles. I did not pay any tax on my car. However, as is mentioned in the quote, the vehicles need to be declared on your form, even if they are not coming in with you at your time of landing, but at a later date. If you didn't list them and just tried to bring them later without putting them on your list of goods that you presented at your landing, you would be charged duty/tax.
 

jeff198901

Champion Member
May 7, 2016
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@KBH did you have to change your gauge cluster to a KMH set up? Or was the MPH set up fine?

Who did you use to get your ITN number?
 

KBH

Champion Member
Sep 13, 2017
1,454
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Toronto, ON
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App. Filed.......
August 2nd, 2017
AOR Received.
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December 29th, 2017
VISA ISSUED...
January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
@KBH did you have to change your gauge cluster to a KMH set up? Or was the MPH set up fine?
It's fine as long as it has both. It can't just have MPH. Mine isn't digital, it's a traditional one so it has the MPH in big numbers and the KMH in smaller numbers.
For the odometer, obviously that will only be in miles but when you take it in for the RIV inspection they have little stickers there that say "odometer reads in miles" they are supposed to give you to stick on there.
 
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jeff198901

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It's fine as long as it has both. It can't just have MPH. Mine isn't digital, it's a traditional one so it has the MPH in big numbers and the KMH in smaller numbers.
For the odometer, obviously that will only be in miles but when you take it in for the RIV inspection they have little stickers there that say "odometer reads in miles" they are supposed to give you to stick on there.
Cool! so odometer doesnt have to be changed?

Who did you use to get your ITN number?
 

KBH

Champion Member
Sep 13, 2017
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Toronto, ON
Category........
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Visa Office......
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App. Filed.......
August 2nd, 2017
AOR Received.
September 22nd, 2017
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Passport Req..
December 29th, 2017
VISA ISSUED...
January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
Cool! so odometer doesnt have to be changed?

Who did you use to get your ITN number?
Nope, you just gotta slap the sticker on.

Nobody you want to use. We ended up getting our money back because they got us our number too late to do the export on the day we had planned, had to be pushed to the next day. We had to stay in Delaware an extra day and we had already had enough of my family lol.
 
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jeff198901

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May 7, 2016
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Nope, you just gotta slap the sticker on.

Nobody you want to use. We ended up getting our money back because they got us our number too late to do the export on the day we had planned, had to be pushed to the next day. We had to stay in Delaware an extra day and we had already had enough of my family lol.
Nice! Where in Delaware? That is where my wife is from!
 

jeff198901

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May 7, 2016
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Job Offer........
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Nope, you just gotta slap the sticker on.

Nobody you want to use. We ended up getting our money back because they got us our number too late to do the export on the day we had planned, had to be pushed to the next day. We had to stay in Delaware an extra day and we had already had enough of my family lol.
Do you know how long an ITN is valid for? Wondering if I could get one like a month before we move the car up
 

Alex54321

Hero Member
Jul 28, 2017
513
127
USA
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Yes, I am certain. All goods that were previously owned by you, prior to landing as a PR, are duty and tax exempt - and this includes vehicles. I did not pay any tax on my car. However, as is mentioned in the quote, the vehicles need to be declared on your form, even if they are not coming in with you at your time of landing, but at a later date. If you didn't list them and just tried to bring them later without putting them on your list of goods that you presented at your landing, you would be charged duty/tax.
So, how many cars to follow could be on the list?
If they will be imported at a later date, should the vehicles be titled to the landing PR person at the time of landing and presenting the list or title(s) could be transferred later before export/import ?
 

trojan06

Newbie
Apr 12, 2018
3
0
On this topic I am hoping someone can help in my situation. I am a US citizen who became a permanent resident of Canada in 2016. I am living in Canada but am driving my US vehicle I leased on California. I now will be going back and forth for work quite a bit and technically living in both US and Canada. Will they give me a hard time at the border when I try to bring my car back to Canada after I leave? They asked a bunch of questions last time and I basically said I was still living in the US even though I had my PR. The issue is to keep my PR I have to live in Canada I believe its 3 of 5 years otherwise I lose it. I am thinking of just telling them I have lived in Canada the past 2 years but now am living in the US. I would export the car to Canada and pay the taxes if I could but I cant since its a US lease.
 

KBH

Champion Member
Sep 13, 2017
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App. Filed.......
August 2nd, 2017
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September 22nd, 2017
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December 29th, 2017
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January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
So, how many cars to follow could be on the list?
If they will be imported at a later date, should the vehicles be titled to the landing PR person at the time of landing and presenting the list or title(s) could be transferred later before export/import ?
Unlimited cars, as long as they all belonged to you.
They should be titled to you - part of the requirements to import anything tax/duty free is that it was already owned by you prior to your landing. The title proves that. I declared my car as goods to follow but they still needed to see the title in order to properly process it as such. I think if you showed them a title with a different name they might not let you do it.
 

KBH

Champion Member
Sep 13, 2017
1,454
763
Toronto, ON
Category........
FAM
Visa Office......
Mississauga
App. Filed.......
August 2nd, 2017
AOR Received.
September 22nd, 2017
File Transfer...
October 7th, 2017
Passport Req..
December 29th, 2017
VISA ISSUED...
January 23rd, 2018
LANDED..........
Feb 1st, 2018
On this topic I am hoping someone can help in my situation. I am a US citizen who became a permanent resident of Canada in 2016. I am living in Canada but am driving my US vehicle I leased on California. I now will be going back and forth for work quite a bit and technically living in both US and Canada. Will they give me a hard time at the border when I try to bring my car back to Canada after I leave? They asked a bunch of questions last time and I basically said I was still living in the US even though I had my PR. The issue is to keep my PR I have to live in Canada I believe its 3 of 5 years otherwise I lose it. I am thinking of just telling them I have lived in Canada the past 2 years but now am living in the US. I would export the car to Canada and pay the taxes if I could but I cant since its a US lease.
I believe technically it's not legal for a Canadian PR to drive a US plated car if you are living in Canada. Basically the answer is yes, any time you enter Canada as a Canadian PR they are going to give you a hard time if your car has US plates.