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climb101

Newbie
May 29, 2010
6
0
My spouse owns a car from US that still has registration and insurance from US. It is currently here in Canada, and the border officer allowed admittance as visitor while we are in process for permanent residency (but indicated we need to get BC insurance eventually). We will soon be completing landing by entering into US and returning to Canada.

I have read all the information on importing cars, and requirements for US export, etc. But since the car is in Canada already:

1) can we just declare as good imported at border and complete the necessary export forms for US, and import forms for Canada without driving car back into US... and purchase BC temporary insurance if needed, provincial inspections, etc.

2) or should we bring car back to US before landing, and leave it there for the 72 hours to process export by US, etc. Land into Canada and indicate good to follow, and drive back later in the week to pick-up car. We are only 45 minutes to the border.

Preference is to leave the car parked here at home in Canada, and figure a way to complete forms without needing to drive back across border. Thoughts, and many thanks!
 
:-X the following just my experience, please don't rely on it!!!
I have two cars. One of them I brought to Canada following all the rules (72 hrs... export/import).
The second one due to various reasons (couldn't find fast enough Canadian financial institution which would give me the loan to payoff US car loan) i brought to Canada without exporting. I couldn't go to US at that time (my student visa expired). I called various companies asking for help, but the $$ asked were ridiculous. So I just went to the customs in the downtown Toronto at my own risk - I knew the car should be exported first (it was in my list goods to follow). The officer didn't ask me for the stamp "exported", luckily. Soon after i got all other documents.
Not sure - I may have the problems if I drive this car to US now, not sure...
Maybe some experts will comment this.
 
Hey kolibri, thanks for the info.

I did some more reading, and it covered mostly people importing new and used cars to Canada. Regardless, it seems complex on both US and Cdn side, and the 72 hr. rule seemed a requirement.

To avoid any problems, we will drive two cars into US during the day of landing, and will park car to be imported in US for 72 hrs, and return and pickup later in week.
 
You are welcome! ;)
Thats sounds right! ;) Follow the rules to ease your life, we have enough stress in our lives, right?
 
The requirement for exporting from the US is only that you provide copies (2) of the title in advance. The car does not have to be there when you drop the title. I dropped mine off at the export office when I landed several months before I actually exported the car, but I suspect they would accept it if not delivered in person. Try calling the export office and see if you can fax or mail the copies to them. When you actually arrive to export, they match your identity documents to the title and the VIN on the title to the VIN on the vehicle. It takes like 5 minutes IF there is no line.
 
I'm not familiar with the 72 hour 'hold' ?

I thought we just needed to let them know 72 hours/3 days ahead of time - and fax the information.
 
:-X the following just my experience, please don't rely on it!!!
I have two cars. One of them I brought to Canada following all the rules (72 hrs... export/import).
The second one due to various reasons (couldn't find fast enough Canadian financial institution which would give me the loan to payoff US car loan) i brought to Canada without exporting. I couldn't go to US at that time (my student visa expired). I called various companies asking for help, but the $$ asked were ridiculous. So I just went to the customs in the downtown Toronto at my own risk - I knew the car should be exported first (it was in my list goods to follow). The officer didn't ask me for the stamp "exported", luckily. Soon after i got all other documents.
Not sure - I may have the problems if I drive this car to US now, not sure...
Maybe some experts will comment this.
Hello,

Did you have problem registering the car in canada? Have you still not exported? I am in same situation.