Entering US for firs time - Can i bring my car

[Canadiancubicle 6]

I was planning on driving my car across the border when i enter for the first time. Is there any type of documentation that i need to present. I have my ownership and insurance docs. 

[Yan_Inna 32]

Your registration and insurance. You can drive here on US if you’re from Canada

[aaron2020 11,651]

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1704/~/how-to-import-your-automobile-into-the-u.s.

[geowrian 22,335]

5 minutes ago, Yan_Inna said:

Your registration and insurance. You can drive here on US if you’re from Canada

The issue is the car would need to be imported since they are immigrating.

One can only drive in the US on a foreign driver's license in accordance with state laws. Usually, once establishes residency (which is different from permanent resident as an immigration status), they must obtain a state driver's license.

Edited December 11, 2018 by geowrian

[Ontarkie 13,912]

~~Moved to the Canada forum, form K1 P&P - As the OP's question is similar to many other Canadians wanting to bring their car.~~

[d24v 200]

In order to immigrate with your car you’re going to need a compliance letter (and your car will need to be in compliance with US regulations). There’s some other steps but tbh my car wasn’t compliant so I stopped at this step.

 

There’s a couple posts dedicated to this in here; I would do a search and read up. 

[Canadiancubicle 6]

Is it possible to NOT import my vehicle. For example,  Im moving in 5 days. My fiance is coming to get me , we were going to load up both of our vehicles and be on our way. Is it possible for me to NOT import my car, and instead return to Canada after i get my green card and sell it in Canada. I will be back here visiting lots because I`m only 8 hours away (MIchigan to Ontario)

[NikLR 13,220]

18 hours ago, Canadiancubicle said:

Is it possible to NOT import my vehicle. For example,  Im moving in 5 days. My fiance is coming to get me , we were going to load up both of our vehicles and be on our way. Is it possible for me to NOT import my car, and instead return to Canada after i get my green card and sell it in Canada. I will be back here visiting lots because I`m only 8 hours away (MIchigan to Ontario)

Sure but check your insurance as you may not be eligible, your premiums may change, etc, if you want to drive this car while not being a Canadian resident.  Also if you have a lien on the car, you may be violating the terms of the loan if you drive to the USA and are no longer a Canadian resident. 

[Mevora 11]

I am in a similar situation. I want to keep my car for few months . It's a US car that was imported back into Canada. I think I can keep it for 12 months without properly importing it

[NikLR 13,220]

2 hours ago, Mevora said:

I am in a similar situation. I want to keep my car for few months . It's a US car that was imported back into Canada. I think I can keep it for 12 months without properly importing it

Yeah you have a year to import it BUT you cant register or insure it in the USA without importing it. 

[Mevora 11]

On 12/25/2018 at 6:26 PM, NikLR said:

Yeah you have a year to import it BUT you cant register or insure it in the USA without importing it. 

Will keep it for a year and then will figure it out

 

[NikLR 13,220]

1 hour ago, Mevora said:

Will keep it for a year and then will figure it out

 

So without driving it?

[Mevora 11]

3 minutes ago, NikLR said:

So without driving it?

I mean I'll take my car with myself and then after a year will see if I need to import it to US formally or sell it as it is 

[NikLR 13,220]

Just now, Mevora said:

I mean I'll take my car with myself and then after a year will see if I need to import it to US formally or sell it as it is 

That's what I mean... you won't be able to drive it? You can't register it  or insure it in the USA without importing it, and as a non-Canadian resident you can't keep it registered or insured in Canada. 

[aaron2020 11,651]

11 minutes ago, Mevora said:

I mean I'll take my car with myself and then after a year will see if I need to import it to US formally or sell it as it is 

How do you plan to insure it?  You will not be a resident of Canada, so your Canadian insurer will not cover someone living and driving in the US.  Your Canadian insurance will become invalid once you immigrate to the US.  You will need new insurance in the US and you can not get it without importing the car.  

You can't have your cake and eat it too.  Pick between 1) importing and US insurance or 2) not importing and driving with invalid insurance.  

Edited December 27, 2018 by aaron2020