Exporting/Importing a car from the US

[210045803]

So once you give notice 72 hours ahead of time at the POE by faxing car title you show up there with recall letter and fill out the required paperwork? My question is once that is done you drive through with US plates and arrive in canada and insure it with a canadian company then mail the plates back to the usa and call your usa insurance agency to cancel insurance?

You see I have an old car now and debating if I should buy a new one here to land with (along with using it to bring my stuff)

I haven't received PPR yet but trying to plan

 

[can_usa_97]

Is your state a state that requires that?
http://dmvanswers.com/questions/394/Must-I-return-license-plates-and-cancel-registration-when-I-move-out-of-state

We dont' need to return our plates, and I will call when he is insured there to remove that vehicle. We have two to export/import, hubby did one this past week.

 

[210045803]

Is your state a state that requires that?
http://dmvanswers.com/questions/394/Must-I-return-license-plates-and-cancel-registration-when-I-move-out-of-state

We dont' need to return our plates, and I will call when he is insured there to remove that vehicle. We have two to export/import, hubby did one this past week.

From MA so according to that site then yes. Also have to cancel registration...so I'm guessing I mail the plates back when I get to Canada and land

Do you recommend I buy a car here before I move or just get one there? I hear it is much more expensive in Canada for cars and insurance so that is why I'm considering buying a car here before I land

 

[can_usa_97]

I think it's really a personal choice, we had two cars we enjoyed but also even considered buying a new one before moving in the end we just didn't have the extra money to pay upfront to have it paid in full before we left and they are good cars. In general in this situation where you can bring it duty free, it is cheaper.

 

[Stumpedmom]

So once you give notice 72 hours ahead of time at the POE by faxing car title you show up there with recall letter and fill out the required paperwork? My question is once that is done you drive through with US plates and arrive in canada and insure it with a canadian company then mail the plates back to the usa and call your usa insurance agency to cancel insurance?

You see I have an old car now and debating if I should buy a new one here to land with (along with using it to bring my stuff)

I haven't received PPR yet but trying to plan

You CAN NOT purchase a new car within 6 months of landing. If you do, the vehicle is not tax and duty exempt...

We just landed and that was one of the questions they did ask, was how long hubs owned his car, and verified it with the title. We had all the recall stuff too, and guess what....they didn't even ask for it...

I would get it just in case...and also another thing we didn't know but found out when we imported it....you can't pay the RIV fees at the border AND there is an excise fee of $100 plus tax if your vehicle has AC on it...whether it works or not...just thought you all should know!!!

 

[210045803]

You CAN NOT purchase a new car within 6 months of landing. If you do, the vehicle is not tax and duty exempt...

We just landed and that was one of the questions they did ask, was how long hubs owned his car, and verified it with the title. We had all the recall stuff too, and guess what....they didn't even ask for it...

I would get it just in case...and also another thing we didn't know but found out when we imported it....you can't pay the RIV fees at the border AND there is an excise fee of $100 plus tax if your vehicle has AC on it...whether it works or not...just thought you all should know!!!

Thanks for the useful information...I guess I won't trade my car in then

 

[can_usa_97]

You CAN NOT purchase a new car within 6 months of landing. If you do, the vehicle is not tax and duty exempt...

We just landed and that was one of the questions they did ask, was how long hubs owned his car, and verified it with the title. We had all the recall stuff too, and guess what....they didn't even ask for it...

I would get it just in case...and also another thing we didn't know but found out when we imported it....you can't pay the RIV fees at the border AND there is an excise fee of $100 plus tax if your vehicle has AC on it...whether it works or not...just thought you all should know!!!

How long have you been out of Canada Huron, the original poster is a returning Canadian.
There is an exemption if you have been out for 5+ years.

Ownership, possession and use requirements

To qualify for duty- and tax-free importation, you must have owned, possessed and used the goods for at least six months prior to your return to live in Canada. The six-month stipulation is waived if you have been away from Canada for five years or more.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5048-eng.html

And for settlers it says this;

Ownership, possession and use requirements

To qualify for duty- and tax-free importation you must have owned, possessed, and used the goods before your arrival in Canada.

http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/pub/bsf5087-eng.html#s6


I know I have seen many senior members post this recently as well, owned and possessed before arrival. I think meaning you have to own it and have used it versus say have it shipped directly from the dealer... at least that is my understanding of the terms.

I was fully expecting to have to pay the excise fee for the car hubby just took, nope, his total was like $220.

 

[AllisonVSC]

We just landed and that was one of the questions they did ask, was how long hubs owned his car, and verified it with the title. We had all the recall stuff too, and guess what....they didn't even ask for it...

You don't need the recall letter at the border, but you do have to submit it to RIV (along with the inspections I think) in order to get your importation sticker.

 

[dodan]

I received the car import form from CBSA wrongly while landing, since I listed the car on goods to follow list. However, the officer made on the day I landed. To answer my question, he said, "doesn't matter as the car is with you now".

I have not imported it yet and planning to import it in January, 2012 when I move permanently.

Does anyone have any idea what I should do? I am worried about the 45-day timeline. Once I called and they said they won't impose any penalty as the car is outside Canada now. Thanks.

 

[210045803]

So I need to own the car for 6 months is that correct to be exempt from duties?

So I can't trade in my used car for a newer used car without being taxed?

 

[Stumpedmom]

The way that CBSA and the immigration officer explained it to me on the phone and in person is....any of the big possessions...ie TV, laptop, vehicles...have to be owned/in your possession for 6 months or more in order for it to be exempt...

Can_USA_97 - I was expecting the RIV Fee of $220 but not the additional fee of $100 because of the air conditioning in the vehicle...it's 2 different fees that I am talking about...one is the RIV to import it and have the inspection done, and the other is an excise tax for the air conditioning...

 

[can_usa_97]

So when do you pay the excise, because he was not told to pay that yet.

 

[can_usa_97]

So I need to own the car for 6 months is that correct to be exempt from duties?

So I can't trade in my used car for a newer used car without being taxed?

You are a new settler, no? According to the CIC website, it says ;

Ownership, possession and use requirements

To import goods duty- and tax-free, Settlers must have owned, possessed and used the goods prior to their arrival in Canada and Former Residents must have owned, possessed and used the goods for at least six months before returning to resume residence.

It is important that you meet these three requirements. For example, if you owned and possessed the goods without using them, the goods will be subject to duty and taxes. Please note that leased goods are subject to duty and taxes because the CBSA does not consider that you own them. If you have bills of sale and registration documents, they can help you prove that you meet these requirements.

To me, that implies you must just have owned the item before you bring it. I know others have had otherwise happen, so I am not sure. I think that if I was questioned I'd bring the webiste print off with me!

 

[Stumpedmom]

We had to pay the Excise tax at the border when we imported it at the border...they told us that they could not take the RIV fee as they are CBSA not RIV????

All because of the Air Conditioning....oh well

 

[KazInAz]

You CAN NOT purchase a new car within 6 months of landing. If you do, the vehicle is not tax and duty exempt...

We just landed and that was one of the questions they did ask, was how long hubs owned his car, and verified it with the title. We had all the recall stuff too, and guess what....they didn't even ask for it...

I would get it just in case...and also another thing we didn't know but found out when we imported it....you can't pay the RIV fees at the border AND there is an excise fee of $100 plus tax if your vehicle has AC on it...whether it works or not...just thought you all should know!!!

We never had to pay 100$ excise tax on the a/c. we imported 2 cars and it was never asked about. We were also told we could not sell the vehicles for ONE YEAR after importing or we were have to pay tax and duty on them.
We crossed at Lewiston bridge in Ontario.

Kaz