US plated vehicle in Canada - Financial liability for New PR?

[jackie42]

Hello,

Does anyone know if accepting PR inland, BEFORE declaring personal goods on "landing", change your financial liability (GST/HST + Duty + other penalties)?

My expectation was to buy out a lease near term-end, which would align with the published application timelines. Then drive to the border, export it on the US side/ Import on the Canada side with a declaration of personal goods bringing into Canada as a newly landed Immigrant. This would avoid significant taxes and duty, or so is my understanding.

Good problem to have, but PR approval has come much earlier than expected. Since the car is in Canada right now and technically, I do not own it. How does confirming PR increase penalty and financial liability? It will take me 4-6 weeks to purchase and get the title required for export/import.

 

[Ponga]

Good question.

When you land as a PR, you must declare the goods that you are bringing with you, as well as provide a separate form for your Goods to Follow. Since you are planning to buy the car AFTER you land, I'm not sure how you do this. I suggest calling CBSA to find out what, if anything, they say or suggest.

Have you read through this thread:
https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/permanently-importing-car-into-canada-after-pr.648077/

 

[jackie42]

I called CBSA per your recommendation. I do need to tread carefully here, not just for tax exemption, but for legal reasons. Agent actually told me as PR, it's illegal to even be driving this US plated car without having import process started.

 

[jackie42]

Someone on this forum also mentioned "I believe you have to own and use the vehicle for 12 months prior to importing". https://www.canadavisa.com/canada-immigration-discussion-board/threads/car-import-from-usa-to-canada-goods-to-follow.671094/post-8396267

But I cannot find any information online to confirm that.