Importing Car to US that's Financed

[Lyn & Lisa 0]

I have a 08 GM and I have my compliance letter to import in US. Unclear if we also need to have the loan paid off or just a letter from the bank saying we can import to US. Experience, direction, and I know it's bad news....

[neiks 19]

I had a GMC that was financed thru GMAC. I imported it to the US. I still had my Canadian bank account and kept making payments from it. I was never asked at anytime during importation, licensing or when getting a state title if it was paid off. I never called GMAC to see if it was alright - payments were always made on time. I would say if your bank is ok with it then that's the only place where I would see that there may be a problem with it.

Edited January 20, 2010 by neiks

[Spoom 8]

They don't ask to see the title of the car, just your registration and the compliance letter (at least, that's what they asked for at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo). You'll be fine.

Now, whether or not you'll be fine when you actually try to get plates in the state in which you arrive, that's another story, and mostly depends on the practices of the DMV in that state.

[Malrothien 6]

BTW, per GMAC, you are *not* allowed to permanently bring a car to the US if it is financed through them (I called...). It may be different per loan.

[lilacvioletiris 11]

Well, this is good news, hopefully for me too. A similar discussion was happening in the following thread today

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=185250

Seems every province in Canada has different ways of dealing with car ownership (some have titles, others it just "registration") and each state in the United States is different too. ARGH!

I am just hoping my fiance' can keep paying his car payments from his canadian bank account that he will keep open and import the car to the U.S. Thanks Neiks for the information about having a car that is still being paid for in Canada while the beneficiary is in the U.S.

[neiks 19]

BTW, per GMAC, you are *not* allowed to permanently bring a car to the US if it is financed through them (I called...). It may be different per loan.

Opps, looks like I wasn't suppose to do that. I see their point - if they say yes, not a problem, it would be nearly impossible to reposses the vehicle once it has gone to the US. Like I said, I didn't even bother to check with GMAC - payments were still be made on time via direct withdrawl from my Canadian bank account, plus I still had a residence and a job in Canada so they could always show up there to find me if they needed to get the vehicle back if I happened not to make my payments.

[Malrothien 6]

Just thought I'd post it since I did call. She did say that you can bring it here for up to 6 months, but not permanently.

[minnew 4]

Thats odd because when I called I specifically said I was moving to the USA permanently. I

updated my address for their records. A few months later living in the USA I changed my legal name on the loan document and had absolutely no problems. I still need tochange my certificate of title because my title still has maiden name, as well as registration.

[Lyn & Lisa 0]

Further info,

I have a loan for my car through TD Canada trust, "loan has to be paid off before import to the US". I also called CBP for the States and they said you can import your car whenever you want to. Just need to if you want to get plates or insurance for it in the US. I guess it's all up to what bank you have a loan with or if they will change their minds.

[sly_wolf 199]

It also depends what kind of loan it is. Personal loan versus a car loan where there is a lien against the car. I was told by the bank that you cannot import a car that has a lien against it. I needed to get a personal loan to be able to import my car.

[smurfette1971 0]

I have a 08 GM and I have my compliance letter to import in US. Unclear if we also need to have the loan paid off or just a letter from the bank saying we can import to US. Experience, direction, and I know it's bad news....

i just imported my truck i did just pay it all off but when i filled the form at border no one ever asked if it was paid for

it actually is pretty easy to import a vehicle of course i had to gift it to my husband who is us citizen but other then that pretty easy

you do need the compliance letter and must be the original not faxed one

good luck!!!

[Krikit 1,163]

i just imported my truck i did just pay it all off but when i filled the form at border no one ever asked if it was paid for

it actually is pretty easy to import a vehicle of course i had to gift it to my husband who is us citizen but other then that pretty easy

It's a different story at the DMV.

[trailmix 77]

People should stop exporting their cars to the U.S.

[Krikit 1,163]

[trailmix 77]

Well it would just be a lot easier!

Don't you think?

In fact it should be outlawed!

or not.

ok maybe not.