Car importing or sell it?

[US2197 9]

Which is better when dealing with a car. We are debating whether it’s best to just sell the car? Has anyone gone thru the process and know if it’s cheaper to just sell and buy a used car when he moves?

 

from us to Canada

[Ontarkie 13,917]

Most that sell their cars do it before moving. Importing it and then selling it is just not cost effective. 

[MovingToFlorida 71]

On 7/30/2021 at 5:52 PM, harneetvirk864@gm said:

Which is better when dealing with a car. We are debating whether it’s best to just sell the car? Has anyone gone thru the process and know if it’s cheaper to just sell and buy a used car when he moves?

 

from us to Canada

We just moved to Florida from Canada 2 weeks ago. We have a 2016 mazda and we imported it. Paid about $350 for import fees when we entered. Our car had a sticker showing it was emissions approved in the US. If the car is financed you just need a letter from the loan company saying they give you permission to take it to the US. If your car isn't emissions approved and you have to have work done on it to be approved it might be better to sell it. 

[US2197 9]

Where do you go to get the emissions approved? 

[alphabetagamma 102]

It seems like importing a car from Canada to US is easier and cheaper compared to the other way around.

Canada charge a lot of taxes (for my spouse car to import from US to Canada the CBSA officer said almost 20% of the price of car).

So I'm now actively looking to buy a used car here in Ontario and then import it to US when I move next mid year.

[alphabetagamma 102]

On 8/2/2021 at 5:29 AM, MovingToFlorida said:

We just moved to Florida from Canada 2 weeks ago. We have a 2016 mazda and we imported it. Paid about $350 for import fees when we entered. Our car had a sticker showing it was emissions approved in the US. If the car is financed you just need a letter from the loan company saying they give you permission to take it to the US. If your car isn't emissions approved and you have to have work done on it to be approved it might be better to sell it. 

I actually called a couple of my banks to ask about financing and if they can provide me a letter when I move to US from Canada. They said they can't do it as their would be a lien on it. 

[mam521 1,725]

Info here: https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

 

Depending on the circumstances and whether the vehicle is owned outright and meets all US requirements (TPMS is usually the kicker), it's often easier just to sell it.  If it is imported, you'll take a hit when you try to sell it because it will have a non-US VIN (yes, this is silly, but it's true).