Vehicles

[melliemel 0]

Ok, I got a guide from this board and I can't seem to find it anymore. Anyway, I printed the guide, I have been reading it and I AM STILL CONFUSED.

Maybe someone who has brought their vehicle with them to the US can help me.

Here is my situation.

I have a 2000 Honda Accord. (special edition) It is not technically MY CAR as it is in my dad's name. He has the ownership and insurance in his name. We have all agreed that I can take the car with me to the US.

I know I have to change all of that over but I am not too sure how.

Also, will this be a problem when I am ready to cross the boarder? Seeing that the car was not always in my name?

ALSO, what EXACTLY do I have to get in order to cross? What inspection sheets etc. Or is there somewhere that I can call to get correct information?

I am just so lost as you can see.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

Mellie

[Mr&Mrs2859 0]

You will most definitely have to have the car papers put into your name you would probably have to go to the motor vehicle office and have your dad sign the car over into your name because you willl have to get a title for the car here in the states in your name. You will also have to write to Honda and tell them that you need the paper stating that the car meets US standards even if it has the daytime running lights on it thats ok same with the kilometer reading it will just make it hard to ever sell the car here in the states unless you pay to have a new meter put in the car in the future. Its been almost a year since hubby came over and I cannot recall the exact form numbers without searching thru files but someone here will surely come up with the names of the forms for you.

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

[raymaga 25]

You will first need to get the vehicle registration transferred into your name. You can do this as late as the day before you enter the U.S., but you will not be allowed to import a vehicle that is not registered to you. How would the border inspector's know that you weren't unlawfully taking your Dad's vehicle into the U.S.?

Secondly, you will need to get a letter from Honda that states that the vehicle complies with applicable US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. You can get this letter by calling 1-800-999-1009 (hopefully that number still works, I used it almost 2 years ago for my Honda).

Good luck.

[Flames9_RN 358]

when transferring the car into your name from your dads, be prepared to hand over $$$$. Even though he may give it to you for free, they may charge you the blue book value. Its some sort of tax, ca't recall exactly what it is called. My parents gave me a truck. When I went to register it into my name, even though I had a receipt stating it was a gift, they charged me a tax based on its book value. Wasn't much, but I had no idea that there was such a fee. Best of luck

[raymaga 25]

when transferring the car into your name from your dads, be prepared to hand over $$$$. Even though he may give it to you for free, they may charge you the blue book value. Its some sort of tax, ca't recall exactly what it is called. My parents gave me a truck. When I went to register it into my name, even though I had a receipt stating it was a gift, they charged me a tax based on its book value. Wasn't much, but I had no idea that there was such a fee. Best of luck

I gifted my Honda to my daughter before I left Canada and came to the U.S. and she didn't have to pay anything for it. I believe there were some "transfer" charges, but no actual cost to her for the car.

[happyimmigrant 0]

when transferring the car into your name from your dads, be prepared to hand over $$$$. Even though he may give it to you for free, they may charge you the blue book value. Its some sort of tax, ca't recall exactly what it is called. My parents gave me a truck. When I went to register it into my name, even though I had a receipt stating it was a gift, they charged me a tax based on its book value. Wasn't much, but I had no idea that there was such a fee. Best of luck

I gifted my Honda to my daughter before I left Canada and came to the U.S. and she didn't have to pay anything for it. I believe there were some "transfer" charges, but no actual cost to her for the car.

I know in Ontario you have to pay 8% sales tax on either the actual sale price of the vehicle, or the blue book value, whichever is greater, whenever a vehicle changes hands - regardless of whether it is a gift or sale.

[evilcanuck 0]

i got a car from my grandfather and they didnt charge me taxes on it. I was told from grandparent to grandchild, parent to child, sibling ot sibling or husband to wife dont have to pay tax......however from uncle/aunt, cousin etc you will have to pay tax. I would look into it more before going to an MTO office and having them charge you when they dont have to.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I was in Manitoba (parents in Sask.) when i got "taxed" on the vehicles book value.

[zyggy 9]

Agree with what everyone said above...

In order to be able to import your vehicle, it will have to be titled in your name.

You will need to get a compliance letter from the vehicles manufacturer...

If there is a lein on the vehicle, it will have to be paid off before you bring it over...

[melliemel 0]

Thanks so much for the quick responses.

So I am going to go to Motor Vehicles with my father and see what happens. After I do that then I will get the letter from Honda.

One other concern.

I am moving (activating my visa) on May 19th but I am flying therefore I am not moving with ALL of my things including the car.

My husband and I are planning on returning on the 4th of July and would like to bring the remainder of my things. Including the car this time. Is this going to be a problem?

I have read somewhere that if you do not bring your vehicle with you then I would have to have an explaination for this.

any views on this issue?

Thanks as always

[zyggy 9]

Thanks so much for the quick responses.

So I am going to go to Motor Vehicles with my father and see what happens. After I do that then I will get the letter from Honda.

One other concern.

I am moving (activating my visa) on May 19th but I am flying therefore I am not moving with ALL of my things including the car.

My husband and I are planning on returning on the 4th of July and would like to bring the remainder of my things. Including the car this time. Is this going to be a problem?

I have read somewhere that if you do not bring your vehicle with you then I would have to have an explaination for this.

any views on this issue?

Thanks as always

You can bring your own used personal goods (including your car) up to 10 years after your first entry into the US as an immigrant. Bringing your car at a later date is not a problem... Just let the CBP Officer at primary know so they'll send you to secondary.

[Jersey Girl 2]

I imported my Honda Civic from Ontario to New Jersey in Dec. 2005. I crossed at Niagara Falls, carrying a letter ON HONDA LETTERHEAD stating that the car complied with U.S. emmissions standards. I had to declare the car at Customs and fill out forms. That was the easy part.

Once you move, you'll need a driver's license in your State before you can get insurance. The identity check is thorough and includes proof of address (at least in NJ). I used my apartment lease but also needed a cable bill and electricity bill. These took a month before they started arriving. Meanwhile, my Canadian car insurance didn't cover me because I'd moved.

Once you have the driver's license, you'll need insurance, and a good driving record in Canada didn't help me. No one was interested in my Ontario driver abstract. Insurance is costing me double what I used to pay.

I also paid $350 U.S. to have my dashboard changed from metric. You have to know how fast you're going without squinting at the tiny MPH numbers on the speedometer. Also, they put a sticker on the inside door, converting the previous kilometers to miles since the odometer went back to zero. Lastly, one of the forms (customs?) states that the car is for personal use only and not intended for resale. So I'm not sure if there'd be problems later if I wanted to sell or trade it in.

My other option was to sell the Honda in Canada and buy something else in the U.S. In many respects, it would have been easier.

Edited May 12, 2006 by Jersey Girl