Importing Car while Adjusting Status

[rexalite 0]

So now that I am adjusting status I am wondering about my Canadian car that is in the US. How do I go about importing it and what does it cost I have tried insuring it with Geico and Allstate and they both refused saying they couldn't insure a Canadian registered car.

Any ideas?

[July09Bride 1]

So now that I am adjusting status I am wondering about my Canadian car that is in the US. How do I go about importing it and what does it cost I have tried insuring it with Geico and Allstate and they both refused saying they couldn't insure a Canadian registered car.

Any ideas?

Hmmm... well, with us (my fiance is coming over on a K1), when he crosses the border into the US with his paperwork, he'll be "importing" his vehicle at that time. When you crossed the border into the US, did you bring it with you when you turned in your paperwork?

Also, not sure about your state, but in Michigan, once we're married (perhaps even before then - according to the lady we asked at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles), he just has to show his K1 Visa, verify his address (bank statements, other "official" pieces of mail) and he can get his Driver's License as well as register his car here.

I'd check with your individual state, as that's where you'd register your car. As an FYI, my fiance' is from Ontario, and there the license plate is registered to the person. Here, the license plate is registered to the vehicle. So, check with your state's requirements for registration!

Good luck!

[Boiler 43,720]

So now that I am adjusting status I am wondering about my Canadian car that is in the US. How do I go about importing it and what does it cost I have tried insuring it with Geico and Allstate and they both refused saying they couldn't insure a Canadian registered car.

Any ideas?

First can it be done at all at a sensible cost. Which would depend on what it is.

Registering a vehicle is a State/County issue.

[wowswift 3]

So now that I am adjusting status I am wondering about my Canadian car that is in the US. How do I go about importing it and what does it cost I have tried insuring it with Geico and Allstate and they both refused saying they couldn't insure a Canadian registered car.

Any ideas?

you can insure a canadian car, but you have 30 days to switch it over. i'm doing it now with geico. as for importing, if you didn't do it at the border, if you live near an international airport, take it to their customs and they can do it. importing was free. but if you need a compliance letter, you have to get that which usually costs something (GM in Canada is 80 bucks, dunno about the rest).

[rexalite 0]

Well I am adjusting from a tourist visa, so I didn't import it at the border. I am in Arkansas now so no POE near me. I don't think I get the benefit of the free import because I didn't immigrate on an immigrant visa. I can't figure it out. State regs are that you need to have a valid immigrant visa to register a vehicle so I won't have that for awhile yet. I seem to be really stuck in between while waiting for my AOS to process.

[trailmix 77]

Well I am adjusting from a tourist visa, so I didn't import it at the border. I am in Arkansas now so no POE near me. I don't think I get the benefit of the free import because I didn't immigrate on an immigrant visa. I can't figure it out. State regs are that you need to have a valid immigrant visa to register a vehicle so I won't have that for awhile yet. I seem to be really stuck in between while waiting for my AOS to process.

You will need to go to your nearest POE to import.

I would recommend that you give them a call:

Port Of Entry-Little Rock-North Little Rock

Port Information

Port Code: 2003

Location Address: 1100 Temple Street Air Cargo Building

Little Rock, AR 72202

General Phone: (501) 324-5289

General Fax: (501) 324-5798

Operational Hours: 8:00 AM-5:00 PM(Central)

Weekdays (Monday-Friday)

Description: A Port of Entry is any designated place at which a CBP officer is authorized to accept entries of merchandise to collect duties, and to enforce the various provisions of the customs and navigation laws (19 CFR 101.1).

or

Airport-Rogers Airport

Port Information

Port Code: 2084

Location Address: #5 Hammerschmidt Drive Rogers, AR 72756

General Phone: (479) 246-9472

General Fax: (479) 246-9786

Edited May 11, 2009 by trailmix

[JillA 2]

You'll most likely need your vehicle's compliance letter; in order to import your car wherever you do it. To get this, you have to contact the head office usually of the auto maker (GM, Mazda, etc).

Also Gieco insured my car even when I had Ontario plates on it and I still had my Ontario license/registration.