[size=10pt][size=10pt]Landing in Canada - Land Crossing from US with Car (exporting)[/size][/size]
I didnt find a detailed topic on crossing from US with a car and exporting the car. so here is my experience from yesterday (Nov 6 2015). You might benefit from what I learned the hard way.
Exporting car from USA
1. 72 hours notice
you need to inform the US border crossing port (where YOU intend to cross into Canada)
at least 72 hours in advance.
Most offices allow you to inform using email. 72 hours start from the time they respond back (usually between 8am-5 pm on business days. they will not respond after business hours, weekends or federal holidays. so consider that as well. You can expect them to respond back the next business day though.
I am not completely sure, but at the export office, my paperwork was getting done, when another couple came in seeking to export. the officer told them at least 3 hours wait. They were not american citizens but might be from one of the visa exempt countries (red passport). But inquire and make sure if there is really that option of 3 hours. Again, I overheard and could be out of context about it.
2. Information needed by them
Things needed in your email (also listed when you call the border crossing's export office and you have to call them to get clear details). the list below is for a preparation purpose only and can be considered complete only for Buffalo Vehicle Export office (where I crossed in 2015). But you need to verify. All info in this post is for informational purposes only.
- VIN
- AES ITN
- US Citizens can file online on AES Direct, but non citizens must file using a freight forwarder or broker
- You can file for $45 USD with an online freight forwarder
I used aesforvehicles.com. They filed my AES ITN in about 3 hours. Call them after you fill out the online form.
- EIN Field - Use your foreign passport number if you are not a citizen. Citizens can apply and get it for free.
- It is extremely important to have the Title Document number and the VIN number correct to the letter/digit.
- Date of Crossing
- MUST match the date in ITN
- remember that you can only cross between 8 am-5 pm on a business day after the 72 hours are over
- If, for any reason, you cannot cross on the date, you must change the date on AES at least 24 hours before your new crossing time. The freight forwarder typically allows two free date changes and will charge additional for 3 or more changes
3.
After you send email to them, wait for a response from them. I had sent mail Tuesday night, and they responded back Wednesday early morning (since November is a low season for Buffalo). The 72 hours start from their email reply, not from your email sent time.
4. Day of crossing
On day of crossing, you will need
- VIN
- AES ITN
- original title,
- release of lien on bank letterhead
(if your title shows a lien that has been paid off), and the print out of the mail from the customs.
- Printout of the email sent by them (including your original email)
It takes roughly 10 mins for them to do the paperwork (not including any wait times because of people in queue. I didnt find any though. Try crossing before noon to avoid the afternoon crowds)
The export office is located right before the crossing. Put the address of the export office on your GPS. it is typically on the side of the entry from Canada (not on the side where exiting US). DO NOT drive past the export office into Canada. There are no signs for export office when you are exiting from USA. so you will miss it unless you put it in GPS
I made the mistake and was looking for a US border post for vehicle export. there is none. We are talking about just opposite lanes, but trust me it is a big difference. You cannot turn back once you cross a certain point, and it is some additional inconvenience to do that mistake.
If you do end up missing the export office, it is ok. inform the official at Canadian border that you are making your landing as PR but missed the vehicle export office.
- He will ask you to go inside the Canadian immigration building and do the paperwork for permanent residency with Canadian Immigration first (including importing your vehicle).
- inform the officer about your problem once you get inside the immigration building. once you complete the landing, you will take your car, turn around and drive back to the US side.
- at US border, irrespective of your visa status, DO NOT SEEK ENTRY into USA. Instead, you will be doing what they call a "flagpole". This is important because without your PR card, you are not supposed to exit Canada. If you must, then you have to carry some kind of document from Canadian immigrations. Google to find more info on that.
- Continuing above bullet, at the US border, inform the officer that you are not seeking entry into the US. you only want to export your Car since you missed it. Your PR in Canada is already approved, and after export, you will turn back and go into Canada. He will probably retain your passport, and let you drive to a side, park your car, finish export procedure at the export office at the border. After you are done, you will go to the US immigration building where an officer will give you your passport back with a white paper mentioning that you have not entered US.
- Turn around again, drive into Canada, mention to the immigration official at Canada booth that you are importing your Car. He will give you a yellow paper, which you will then show inside the Canadian immigration building to get the import completed. you will get a receipt and more papers.
Now you know, why you should avoid missing the export office ;D
check these two links for more details. when it comes to immigration, reading as many info pages you can find does make life easier.
help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/307/~/requirements-for-exporting-a-vehicle-(including%3A-snowmobile,-atv-and-motorcycle)
cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/Exporting%20Vehicles%20To%20Canada%20%28Census%20Bureau%29.pdf
