How do you pay duty on vehicle?

[Kukolka 8]

Suppose a Canadian is entering the US on a K-1 visa, and importing his car. Suppose when he gets to the border, it is determined that he needs to pay duty on his car. How do they want this paid? Cheque? Debit Card?

[Allie and Nigel 2]

Ok, here's what you do:

You need to mail a letter to the manufacturer of your vehicle and request a letter saying that your vehicle conforms to US-standards. Easy and free. Takes about a month/6weeks last time I did it, the damn border folks in Montana didnt know what to think of me but I sure showed them! Its FREE....no duty, just a letter. Have fun.

[Peachey 10]

You can also call. I got mine the same day I called, they faxed it. It's called a letter of compliance. Note most car companies require that your car be paid in full (if your financing was with them) before sending you the compliance letter. I also needed to show them my registration and my bill of sale.

If your fiance has owned his car for longer than 6 months he will not have to pay taxes or duty

[trailmix 77]

Also, depending on who manufactured your car, the letter of compliance may not be free. I know Ford and several other companies do charge a fee.

I've never heard that you had to have owned the vehicle for 6 months - basically it's just that most Canadian vehicles can be imported duty free.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml#DutiableEntry

[Inky 1,110]

You are allowed to import 1 car on a k-1 for free. Duty is slapped on any other cars afterwards. You need the letter from the manufacturor like the others stated tho to be able to import it. I would guess you pay debit/credit. They may not take checks, but it also depends on what border your crossing too.

[trailmix 77]

It actually doesn't have anything to do with having a K1, it has to do with whether or not the vehicle is made in the U.S./Canada.

[Kukolka 8]

OK, thank you for your answers.. He already does know about the letter of compliance, the exact fee for it from his vehicle's manufacturer, and plans to request it soon. I should have mentioned that.

I have read on this site that most people don't have to pay duty on their cars. A few have, and we want to be prepared. He may not have passed the six month mark by the time he POEs.

My real question is: if he has to pay duty on *anything*, *how* do they want it paid?

I don't have time to find out the POE now, will later. It's one of the ones to Buffalo, NY.

Edited July 2, 2010 by Kukolka

[lilacvioletiris 11]

If you had to pay duty on the car, my fiance' said he was told he could pay via credit card.

He was also told if the VIN starts with 5, then your car is covered under the Free Trade Agreement so you wouldn't have to pay duty at all.

[zenaxe 22]

I agree, duty has nothing to do with status crossing the border. I does have to do with whether a car was manufactured anywhere outside of North America plus time of ownership. In other words when you produce the registration and ownership papers you must have owned the vehicle more than one year or you will likely have to pay duty. NAFTA has changed things over dutry etc; also you have ten years to move your personal affects duty free when you finally import your household items etc.

You can also go to the border patrol site and in the search engine type in importing vehicles - this will give you some answers.

The letter of complaince proves the Canadian made vehicle complies with US standards; that's required. I have a two cars to import, a Canadian made Nissan which I've received the compliance letter for, and a US made Nissan - didn't need compliance on that but showed there are no recalls going on.

Good luck

[Kukolka 8]

I had to go to work and couldn't find out right then; the POE is Lewiston Bridge Complex in NY.

This page https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/238/kw/duty is... informative but bleh (don't have debit as an option)

So I called CBP today and the man I spoke to (at Vehicle Importations NY number) asked what kind of car it was, and said that kind of car would have been made in the US, Canada, or Mexico, and not be dutiable anyway. He said people entering on K visas don't need to pay duty on personal belongings, and asked if the car is in my fiance's name. He says there's no ATM at the POE. I kept badgering him with what-if's and he said if I'm that concerned about it I should be with my fiance. I thought, duh, I *want* to be with him, that's why we're getting married!! Then realised he meant be with him *when* he POEs.