Needing Some Advice!!

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Hello VJ-ers!!

I have a really important question to ask. Here's my situation.

I just received my EAD/AP ( Thank God!!), it's in great timing because I need to go back home to visit family for a very important event. I am planning to drive up but problem is that I have not imported my vehicle yet. I don't even plan to until I have a job, I barely use my car for anything but going to the grocery store. Will I have a problem at the border going into Canada and coming back into the US because of my vehicle?

I should also mention I've been living in the US for 6 and 1/2 months. I know I should have imported my car a long time ago but I don't think I even want to keep this car, it does not have miles on it, it has kilometers. I need figure out what I'm gonna do but not until I have a good job. ( I may not even need a car if I get a job in NYC).

I was thinking maybe I should just borrow my husbands car instead, he has NY license plates but we live in CT, although the car is registered at the family home. Is that gonna be an issue as well?

Whats the best option for me? I need to go back home next Thursday, I can't miss this special event. Please help me out.

P.S.

Both cars are insured. My car still has the canadian insurance, and his has american insurance.

Thanks in advance.

Edited June 29, 2012 by Minu Luvs Pinu

[S and P 9]

Can I ask what the reason is for not importing your car??? I know you said you weren't sure if you were going to keep it...are you going to see it back in Canada??

I'm not sure what issues you will have.... or not have.... at the border.... but I think you only have one year from time of entry to import your vehicle DUTY FREE....it doesn't cost anything to do this.. just paperwork to fill out.... do you have a border crossing close to you that you can get to before your trip???

I'd get it imported just to avoid any possible hassle, if it were me....

Edited June 29, 2012 by S and P

[Peachey 10]

Like S and P said, just import your car. Did you get the papers for it when you POE'd? If you didn't you're going to need to get a compliance letter from your car company and visit the closest border crossing to you to get the proper papers (probably an airport).

It doesn't matter that your car's in KMs, doesn't it have a little dial that says miles? My car's in KMs and I drive it 150kms/day and have never been asked about it. Sometimes the garage messes up and puts the wrong mileage on my oil change update sticker, but I just keep track of that on my own.]

Your insurance company might have a problem with you being in the States so long with Canadian insurance. Read the fine print of your policy. My Canadian insurance said that I couldn't be out of the province for more than 30 days...

Edited June 29, 2012 by Peachey

[bsd058 296]

A few things to keep in mind:

1) Insurance - Canadian insurers only give you about 3 months to change your insurance over to a new territory's insurer (US insurer of some kind). If you have US insurance, then you'll probably be okay. If you've been gone for longer than 3 months, then chances are (unless you get special permission from your insurer) your insurance is now invalid and you are driving without insurance. That means if you were in an accident, they would not pay to defend you in a lawsuit nor will they replace or repair your car. This is the case no matter what your pink cards say about the valiity of your insurance. It's called a material change in risk and it changes your policy automatically. (Source: Insurance broker for 5 years)

2) Liens - If there are liens on the vehicle, they must be paid off before importing the vehicle.

3) US Safety & Emissions Standards - You'll either need to get the vehicle inspected or else get a letter from the manufacturer stating that the vehicle meets these standards and that no recalls are outstanding.

If these are all taken care of you might be able to import your vehicle. Keep in mind that importing your vehicle may be seen as intent to immigrate. If you're going through the immigration process, you might want to wait until you actually immigrate legally to import the vehicle.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

I have immigrated I just got my EAD/AP (Employment Auth. Doc/ Advance Parole). Well I think I'm going to have to take my husbands car and should I ask them (Border Patrol) if I could get the proper documents from them to import my vehicle ?

I don't have time to do all this before I have to leave. Is taking my husbands car fine?

Edited June 29, 2012 by Minu Luvs Pinu

[bsd058 296]

I have immigrated I just got my EAD/AP (Employment Auth. Doc/ Advance Parole). Well I think I'm going to have to take my husbands car and should I ask them (Border Patrol) if I could get the proper documents from them to import my vehicle ?

I don't have time to do all this before I have to leave. Is taking my husbands car fine?

I would think so. As long as you have permission to use his vehicle, his insurance should cover him in Canada. If you've immigrated then I don't see why CBP would have a problem with you using your hubby's vehicle. Just make sure to have your license, registration, and proof of insurance.

[Inky 1,111]

I have immigrated I just got my EAD/AP (Employment Auth. Doc/ Advance Parole). Well I think I'm going to have to take my husbands car and should I ask them (Border Patrol) if I could get the proper documents from them to import my vehicle ?

I don't have time to do all this before I have to leave. Is taking my husbands car fine?

All you do is drive your Canadian car to the border where you are crossing and tell the US agents you are importing your car, you hand them your compliance letter and they do all the forms for you. You don't do anything but sign the papers when they finish.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

How do I obtain this compliance letter?

[Inky 1,111]

How do I obtain this compliance letter?

Have to contact the manufacturer of the car.

[bsd058 296]

Don't drive your vehicle until you make sure you're insured.

[Stuart and Thea 95]

If you are insured, I'd call the Canadian border and see if there's a problem bringing your Canadian vehicle back to Canada. If you aren't importing it, you'd have to either destroy it, or arrange to have it sent back to Canada anyway, as you can't legally sell it here without importing it first. Then, when you're driving it back to the US, import it then! You may even be able to stop at a dealer in Canada to ask them for a compliance letter.

I still haven't imported my motorcycle, (was hoping to do it when I got my tax return... :/) but it does cost money to import it. I was told that a percentage of its blue book value needs to be paid.

here's a couple of useful links! CBP link

bordercenter link

If you plan to keep the car in the US, then you will need to contact your nearest POE and see if they will handle it for you.

This link will help you find one near you: find a POE

[Inky 1,111]

If you are insured, I'd call the Canadian border and see if there's a problem bringing your Canadian vehicle back to Canada. If you aren't importing it, you'd have to either destroy it, or arrange to have it sent back to Canada anyway, as you can't legally sell it here without importing it first. Then, when you're driving it back to the US, import it then! You may even be able to stop at a dealer in Canada to ask them for a compliance letter.

I still haven't imported my motorcycle, (was hoping to do it when I got my tax return... :/) but it does cost money to import it. I was told that a percentage of its blue book value needs to be paid.

here's a couple of useful links! CBP link

bordercenter link

If you plan to keep the car in the US, then you will need to contact your nearest POE and see if they will handle it for you.

This link will help you find one near you: find a POE

Didn't pay a single cent to import my car. I was told by CBP that 1st car is not charged any car after is charged.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

Do you have to have the vehicle at the border to import it? I was thinking maybe I should drive up to Canada with my husbands car and pick up a compliance letter for my car and at the border import my car. But do I need to have my car with me? Excuse my french, but This is such a pain in the A$$.

[Inky 1,111]

Do you have to have the vehicle at the border to import it? I was thinking maybe I should drive up to Canada with my husbands car and pick up a compliance letter for my car and at the border import my car. But do I need to have my car with me? Excuse my french, but This is such a pain in the A$.

as far as i understand yes you have to have the car with you as they check the cars VIN number to make sure it matches your paperwork.

[Minu Luvs Pinu 2]

hmm than maybe it would be better for me to take my car back to canada. that's if I can get that compliance letter hmmm.