I have a 2005 Hyundai Tuscon that I was planning on selling next spring before moving to the US. However, if I don't sell it, I was going to get my cousin to drive it down for me a few weeks after I move.

The truck will be over 2 years old by then, does that mean I won't have to pay duty? Also, because it might be my cousin driving it through POE and not me, can I simply deal with all the registration and ownership stuff locally later when I get my truck. Oh ya, it will be paid off too cause I am aware you can 't bring a vehicle over with a car lien.

In Dec 05 I brought over my 2001 sunfire when I moved to the US. It was easy to do. You can call vintage vehicle Services at 1800-467-6853 give them 80$ on visa and your vin # of the car and they will fax you a report that it meets the DOT and saftey standards. They will then send you a copy in the mail. You need this copy when you cross the border. At the border they will ask you the value of the car. Tell them Low$ as this is the price that the state will claim taxes on. If you go to Georgia like me there is no tax!!! didnt pay anything but 20$ for my plates! Anyway you need to show the tag and title office a copy of the letter from the VVS in order to get your new plates and title. By the way you may need to redo your drivers test. I had to0 in Georgia, the written and the drivers exam. Good Luck

Thanks very much for the info! I'll keep note of the number. The process sounds too easy, I was under the impression that I would have to jump through hoops to do this. I'm going to Virginia so I prob won't be tax exempt. On the bright side of things, VA doesn't make you re-take the driver's test, I can simply give them my ON license in exchange for a VA one.

Does anyone know if it will be a problem if someone else drives my car down for me? As long as I have the DOT doc I should be ok, right?

Here are a couple of sites that will be helpful.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/import/infreque...nal_vehicle.xml

that one outlines what you need to do and this one

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...anada07032.html

has contact information for the manufacturers so you can contact them directly for the import eligibility letter which they will provide free (well, Subaru did at any rate). They are very helpful in advising you if your car is easily imported or what modifications will need to be made in order to allow you to register it in your new state.

this being said, I didn't need any of it at my POE crossing so I didn't have to pay any duty, but as far as taxes etc., upon registering i'm not sure yet as i've not switched it over.

take care

k

As your truck was not manufactured in the US, it is subject to duty...

Whether they choose to collect it is another matter...

The following duties are based on market value... and usually you declare the market value...

· Autos......................................2.5%

· Trucks....................................25%

· Motorcycles, mopeds
up to 700 cc..……………Free
700 to 970 cc.……………2.4%
over 970 cc……………...Free

· Trailers………………………Free

Duty rates are based on the market value of the vehicle and those rates are subject to change on an annual basis.

Hey Zyggy, Is this 25% for non NAFTA (foreign made) or for US/Canada manufacured as well?

The duty only applies to vehicles that were manufactured outside the NAFTA area (US, Canada and Mexico) Also note that some pick-up trucks are still considered an Auto...

ALso, importing a car is something you really should do yourself as there is additional paperwork that needs to be filled out for importing a vehicle. If you have someone else do it for you, you could run into problems. If I were you.. I would take the vehicle yourself, and have someone follow with your personal effects. Much easier bureaucracy wise...

Also a CBP Officer may be less likely to assess the duty if the owner is standing there than if a proxy was standing there...