Buying a vehicle in Canada that will be importable

[Kukolka 8]

A question from my fiance:

There may prove to be problems with the import of a vehicle through US customs from Canada, as I will need a letter from the manufacturer stating that my vehicle is up to US standards.

Are there any key areas I should watch out for, or any locations / people I can contact within the province of Ontario to have my vehicle regulated for the US standards to make this task more simple?

I have not purchased the car quite yet, however I am debating on the budget because if it costs too much to import, or I am simply unable to import the vehicle, that I don't want to be stuck trying to sell a car I bought in Canada for far less than I paid, have no income, and be stuck trying to get a new car for cheap in the US, or just having no car.

Can anyone refer me to a website with a list of requirements for imported vehicles to send on to the dealer?

I'd like to add to this, that one reason he doesn't want to wait until moving here to get a car, is so we'll be able to get around if I get a chance to fly up to visit him in Ontario; and so we can both drive out to meet halfway for weekend visits.

Edited March 4, 2010 by Kukolka

[ZansGirl 0]

A question from my fiance:

I'd like to add to this, that one reason he doesn't want to wait until moving here to get a car, is so we'll be able to get around if I get a chance to fly up to visit him in Ontario; and so we can both drive out to meet halfway for weekend visits.

depending on the make of the car....the letters are easy to get, or take a bit of time.... if he is worried that the car will not pass emissions test...perhaps he can request a compliance letter before purchase. It also depends on what state he is moving to as well as what the cost of import will be. Do a bit a research on VJ and on Google...

[Kukolka 8]

depending on the make of the car....the letters are easy to get, or take a bit of time.... if he is worried that the car will not pass emissions test...perhaps he can request a compliance letter before purchase. It also depends on what state he is moving to as well as what the cost of import will be. Do a bit a research on VJ and on Google...

Thank you.. we have done a bit of research, and found this http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/fmvss/index.html but it's very long, we're looking for a more straightforward list that the dealer could check through quickly, if there is such a thing. We don't know the make of car yet... that's part of what we're trying to figure out, which ones would be good.

The state is Connecticut.

Regarding requesting a compliance letter before purchase.. again in VJ research, I don't know about other brands but Toyota at least requires the date of departure from Canada, which he wouldn't be able to provide were he to buy the car now.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.ph...t&p=2742916

[Kathryn41 3,205]

The other thing you should take a look at - if the purchase is made less than 12 months prior to immigrating then you may be charged duty on the car even though it is personal property. That can add up to a pretty expensive addition.

[zenaxe 22]

A question from my fiance:

I'd like to add to this, that one reason he doesn't want to wait until moving here to get a car, is so we'll be able to get around if I get a chance to fly up to visit him in Ontario; and so we can both drive out to meet halfway for weekend visits.

Here's some information:

Requirements for importing a vehicle or vehicle parts

Question

Requirements for importing a vehicle or vehicle parts

Answer

Before you decide to import a vehicle or vehicle parts into the United States, you should ensure that they conform to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Transportation (DOT) regulations. These agencies have very detailed requirements that can make importing a vehicle difficult, if not impossible, for some vehicles that were not originally manufactured for the U.S. market.

Nonconforming vehicles less than 25 years old entering the United States must be brought into compliance, exported, or destroyed.

Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from EPA and DOT requirements, although you will still need to obtain and prepare EPA and DOT paperwork to provide to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer in order to clear your vehicle through CBP.

From a CBP standpoint, you must file an entry on the vehicle to receive the entry summary document CBP Form 7501. Filing an entry is initiated by declaring the car to a CBP officer when you enter the U.S. If your paperwork is in order, the officer will help you file the entry at the border. If you are not prepared, the officer may advise you to file the entry at a CBP port near your residence - however, in many cases the closest port could be 1-3 hours from your home, so it is in your best interest to be prepared to file the entry when you initially bring the vehicle into the U.S.

Without a copy of the CBP entry form, you will not be able to register the vehicle in the U.S.

Prior to filing your entry with CBP:

•Ensure you have valid proof of ownership, which is an original certificate of title, or a certified copy of the original

•Manufacturer's letter, stating that the vehicle conforms to EPA and DOT standards

•Completed EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7. (If the vehicle has stickers on the engine (EPA) and inside the drivers-side door (DOT) stating that the car was manufactured to U.S. standards, you will not need a manufacturers letter. Some vehicles are listed by make, model, and year on the DOT and EPA web sites as conforming. If your vehicle is one of those, that would also negate the need for a manufacturers letter

If the vehicle has not been in your household for at least one year, you will be required to pay 2.5% duty, which is assessed based on the purchase price or blue book value.

It is illegal to bring a car into the U.S. and sell it without first entering it through CBP. If you purchase a vehicle that was brought into the U.S. and sold without being properly entered through CBP, that vehicle is subject to seizure.

NEVER purchase a used vehicle in the U.S. if the owner cannot show that it is currently registered in the U.S. and demonstrate that it conforms to DOT and EPA standards.

If purchasing a vehicle from a dealer, they should handle registration for you, if they don't, the purchase should be contingent on your successful registration of the vehicle. (We get many calls from people who unwittingly purchased a vehicle that had been brought into the U.S. and then illegally sold. Buyer beware.)

The EPA has a detailed automotive facts manual describing emission requirements for imported vehicles. You can get a copy of the manual, entitled "The Automotive Imports Facts Manual" (order #EPA420B94006) or other information about importing motor vehicles by calling the EPA import hotline at (734) 214-4100 or in writing to:

Environmental Protection Agency

Box -J Investigation/Imports Section

Washington, D.C. 20460

You will need a copy of EPA form 3520-1, to enter the vehicle.

DOT enforces safety standards for vehicles. Nonconforming vehicles must be brought into conformance before they are eligible for entry. This process can be extremely expensive. Contact them for more information at 1-800-424-9393. You will need to obtain form HS-7.

For additional information on how to bring a vehicle or vehicle parts into the U.S. for personal use, please reference our brochure, "Importing a Vehicle."

If you intend to import for resale, you should read our publication entitled "Importing Into the United States".

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

The other thing you should take a look at - if the purchase is made less than 12 months prior to immigrating then you may be charged duty on the car even though it is personal property. That can add up to a pretty expensive addition.

I thought this was waived for spousal visas...

If not, then I'm now VERY concerned about this...

[BriCar 0]

A question from my fiance:

I'd like to add to this, that one reason he doesn't want to wait until moving here to get a car, is so we'll be able to get around if I get a chance to fly up to visit him in Ontario; and so we can both drive out to meet halfway for weekend visits.

You might consider renting a car for the duration of the visits and meetings.

That way you got wheels and can just return them when your done.

Save the hassle of buying, importing, registering, smogging a Canadian car in the US.

And if you wait and buy one down there it will have less RUST!

[trailmix 77]

I thought this was waived for spousal visas...

If not, then I'm now VERY concerned about this...

You are supposed to have owned your 'personal possessions' for a year or more to not attract duty.

However! I think, once again, it's up to the border personnel on the day.

There was someone here who had a new vehicle and she was worried about it...hmm what was her name - the person had a child that immigrated with her - and had a stripper story and has a picture of her and her husband on the beach for her VJ pic. Those are the clues lol

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

You are supposed to have owned your 'personal possessions' for a year or more to not attract duty.

However! I think, once again, it's up to the border personnel on the day.

There was someone here who had a new vehicle and she was worried about it...hmm what was her name - the person had a child that immigrated with her - and had a stripper story and has a picture of her and her husband on the beach for her VJ pic. Those are the clues lol

Meh...hopefully I get a good border guard then. I bought a car (a 2007 model) in July. Book value is still definitely in the five digits, so 2.5% is a rather large chunk of change. Probably more than $300.

[Kukolka 8]

The other thing you should take a look at - if the purchase is made less than 12 months prior to immigrating then you may be charged duty on the car even though it is personal property. That can add up to a pretty expensive addition.

If this is so, then it's probably not worth it for him to import the car if he does get one. :/

[Kukolka 8]

You might consider renting a car for the duration of the visits and meetings.

That way you got wheels and can just return them when your done.

This was something I had suggested, and we'd decided against because it has some problems for us... but I guess we can still consider it since it may be the best available option...

It seems like weekend midpoint meetings are out, then... and us being able to visit again before he moves here is looking less and less possible.

[trailmix 77]

You are supposed to have owned your 'personal possessions' for a year or more to not attract duty.

However! I think, once again, it's up to the border personnel on the day.

There was someone here who had a new vehicle and she was worried about it...hmm what was her name - the person had a child that immigrated with her - and had a stripper story and has a picture of her and her husband on the beach for her VJ pic. Those are the clues lol

Ok I remember who it was now - Poprocks!

[Hugglebuggles 60]

There was someone here who had a new vehicle and she was worried about it...hmm what was her name - the person had a child that immigrated with her - and had a stripper story and has a picture of her and her husband on the beach for her VJ pic. Those are the clues lol

Ok I remember who it was now - Poprocks!

Omg trailmix!! That made me laugh so hard.

Yes, Poprocks. I wonder what happened to her! She disappeared.

But, I do remember that after arguing with the CBP they let her bring the car through without paying duty on it.

[Kukolka 8]

Please disregard my pessimism earlier today, I didn't know he already knew he'd have to pay duty on it. x)

Ok I remember who it was now - Poprocks!

LOOOOOOOOOL nice sleuthing! Here's the post, thanks! :} http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=199675

[Kukolka 8]

(If the vehicle has stickers on the engine (EPA) and inside the drivers-side door (DOT) stating that the car was manufactured to U.S. standards, you will not need a manufacturers letter. Some vehicles are listed by make, model, and year on the DOT and EPA web sites as conforming. If your vehicle is one of those, that would also negate the need for a manufacturers letter

Wow. I've seen this document before, but somehow missed these important points. Thank you, zenaxe! This is something the dealer can look into easily! =D