- Nov 21, 2009
- 9,523
- 3,002
- Category........
- FSW
- Visa Office......
- London
- LANDED..........
- May-2010
Driving your Car - from the U.S. to Canada - for 'landing'
OVERVIEW:
It has been opined by many on the forum/s that if u r 'landing' with [driving] your own car - there had been issues/delays at the Border Posts, mainly in the Canadian side. 'Coz, invariably the BSOs expect u to 'import' the car [as u r going to reside here for good]. It's another matter if u r just visiting, or stating that u r 'landing' but returning back into the US imdtly... but remember, then u'd be 'denied' the PR card's application [mostly]... and even then some members notified that they had trouble/s.
However, if u r 'actually' entering Canada for good - it'd be wise that u perform the "Export/Import documentation", which could ease-up the 'landing' process. Here's how it goes - a brief list of the steps that u'd need to undertake for the process:
NOTE:
Exporting cars from the U.S. into Canada is not a simple task, but that does not deter thousands of people carrying out this job every year. The reason could be many -- mainly the price-variance between the two nations... also that, we have this new car & would definitely like to continue with it in Canada as well. The same process also applies if we contemplate importing a car to Canada from the U.S. subsequently.
1. The first thing that you will need to do is find out if your car is 'admissible' into Canada. You can find this information at...
http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx
2. Get your car 'insured' by a Canadian insurance company so that you are covered by insurance right from the time that you drive/transport the car from U.S. into Canada.
3. Now, get a 'temporary license plate' with which you can drive around for a month in both U.S. and Canada. You can do that from the MTO, as well as thru most of the U.S. dealers.
4. In order to cross into Canada, you will have to fax your car's 'Certificate of Title' to the US Border Post from where you plan to enter Canada. The customs office will need at least three [3] days to process your title and allow for exporting the car to Canada, so make sure that this process gets completed at least three to four [3-4] days before you reach the border. You will only be allowed to take your car through the customs post to which you have sent your documents. When leaving, you will have to get your Certificate of Title "stamped for export" by U.S. Customs.
5. Before leaving the U.S., ask your car manufacturer to provide a "Proof of Recall-Clearance" document, since this will be required to register your car in Canada.
6. Once you enter Canada, you will have to pass through the CBSA office, where you will be required to produce your car's 'Certificate of Title' and 'Bill of Sale', duly 'stamped for export', by the U.S. Customs Office. You will also be required to pay certain taxes [HST-13%, Excise Tax-$100] and other fees - if applicable (read footnote). Either have cash ready or enough money on your credit card to pay at least $300 or so apart from the HST. You will be given "Form-1" [the 'Vehicle Import Form'], which you will need to get your car registered in Canada.
7. Once in Canada, you will have to get your vehicle undergo both a 'safety' as well as a 'vehicle emission inspection'. And a 'tyre inspection/fitment', if not done so in the U.S.
8. You will be sent "Form-2" ['Vehicle Import Form'] in the mail after about 15 days of entering Canada. You will be required to take the 'Form-1' + 'Form-2' AND the "Proof of Recall-Clearance" document to a 'Federal Inspection Center' that will check whether your vehicle confirms to Canadian vehicle standards and will be recommended changes or additions, if required, or 'passed'.
9. In order to get a Canadian license for your vehicle, you will have to report to your local 'vehicle licensing office' [a Service Canada office dealing with the MTO] with your vehicle's Form-1, Bill of Sale, Original Title, Safety Inspection Certificate, Insurance Certificate and Emission Inspection Certificate; and pay for your license plate & sticker.
10. U'd then receive your car's "Green-Slip" [the Canadian Vehicle License Certificate]... sometimes on-the-spot, while at times sent to you by mail.
Hope that helped.
Qorax
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Footnote:
1. For PR's while 'landing' - these duties/levies/fees r waived off. But, ensure that the same is listed in your form-B4 [either Goods to Follow, or Goods Accompanying, as the case may be].
2. At times, the BSOs at the Border Post might just not budge from taking the charges - in such a scenario, we should pay-up & 'reclaim' it at the Service Canada office - when u go for collecting your Vehicle License Cert. It's known that the amount is refunded, but thru a cheque - recd. later in the post.
OVERVIEW:
It has been opined by many on the forum/s that if u r 'landing' with [driving] your own car - there had been issues/delays at the Border Posts, mainly in the Canadian side. 'Coz, invariably the BSOs expect u to 'import' the car [as u r going to reside here for good]. It's another matter if u r just visiting, or stating that u r 'landing' but returning back into the US imdtly... but remember, then u'd be 'denied' the PR card's application [mostly]... and even then some members notified that they had trouble/s.
However, if u r 'actually' entering Canada for good - it'd be wise that u perform the "Export/Import documentation", which could ease-up the 'landing' process. Here's how it goes - a brief list of the steps that u'd need to undertake for the process:
NOTE:
Exporting cars from the U.S. into Canada is not a simple task, but that does not deter thousands of people carrying out this job every year. The reason could be many -- mainly the price-variance between the two nations... also that, we have this new car & would definitely like to continue with it in Canada as well. The same process also applies if we contemplate importing a car to Canada from the U.S. subsequently.
1. The first thing that you will need to do is find out if your car is 'admissible' into Canada. You can find this information at...
http://www.riv.ca/ImportingAVehicle.aspx
2. Get your car 'insured' by a Canadian insurance company so that you are covered by insurance right from the time that you drive/transport the car from U.S. into Canada.
3. Now, get a 'temporary license plate' with which you can drive around for a month in both U.S. and Canada. You can do that from the MTO, as well as thru most of the U.S. dealers.
4. In order to cross into Canada, you will have to fax your car's 'Certificate of Title' to the US Border Post from where you plan to enter Canada. The customs office will need at least three [3] days to process your title and allow for exporting the car to Canada, so make sure that this process gets completed at least three to four [3-4] days before you reach the border. You will only be allowed to take your car through the customs post to which you have sent your documents. When leaving, you will have to get your Certificate of Title "stamped for export" by U.S. Customs.
5. Before leaving the U.S., ask your car manufacturer to provide a "Proof of Recall-Clearance" document, since this will be required to register your car in Canada.
6. Once you enter Canada, you will have to pass through the CBSA office, where you will be required to produce your car's 'Certificate of Title' and 'Bill of Sale', duly 'stamped for export', by the U.S. Customs Office. You will also be required to pay certain taxes [HST-13%, Excise Tax-$100] and other fees - if applicable (read footnote). Either have cash ready or enough money on your credit card to pay at least $300 or so apart from the HST. You will be given "Form-1" [the 'Vehicle Import Form'], which you will need to get your car registered in Canada.
7. Once in Canada, you will have to get your vehicle undergo both a 'safety' as well as a 'vehicle emission inspection'. And a 'tyre inspection/fitment', if not done so in the U.S.
8. You will be sent "Form-2" ['Vehicle Import Form'] in the mail after about 15 days of entering Canada. You will be required to take the 'Form-1' + 'Form-2' AND the "Proof of Recall-Clearance" document to a 'Federal Inspection Center' that will check whether your vehicle confirms to Canadian vehicle standards and will be recommended changes or additions, if required, or 'passed'.
9. In order to get a Canadian license for your vehicle, you will have to report to your local 'vehicle licensing office' [a Service Canada office dealing with the MTO] with your vehicle's Form-1, Bill of Sale, Original Title, Safety Inspection Certificate, Insurance Certificate and Emission Inspection Certificate; and pay for your license plate & sticker.
10. U'd then receive your car's "Green-Slip" [the Canadian Vehicle License Certificate]... sometimes on-the-spot, while at times sent to you by mail.
Hope that helped.
Qorax
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Footnote:
1. For PR's while 'landing' - these duties/levies/fees r waived off. But, ensure that the same is listed in your form-B4 [either Goods to Follow, or Goods Accompanying, as the case may be].
2. At times, the BSOs at the Border Post might just not budge from taking the charges - in such a scenario, we should pay-up & 'reclaim' it at the Service Canada office - when u go for collecting your Vehicle License Cert. It's known that the amount is refunded, but thru a cheque - recd. later in the post.
