Car import questions (split)

[alphabetagamma 102]

This question may have been asked previously but does anyone have had any experience of taking a Canada plated car to US and converting to a US license plate? Is it a complicated process? And what are the fees involved. Thanks

[HRQX 4,145]

58 minutes ago, alphabetagamma said:

This question may have been asked previously but does anyone have had any experience of taking a Canada plated car to US and converting to a US license plate? Is it a complicated process? And what are the fees involved. Thanks

The import process would have to be completed before registering it at the state DMV. That being said, CBP may allow the vehicle to enter for up to 1 year with the option of either completing the importation within that timeframe or export it. https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

 

[alphabetagamma 102]

1 hour ago, HRQX said:

The import process would have to be completed before registering it at the state DMV. That being said, CBP may allow the vehicle to enter for up to 1 year with the option of either completing the importation within that timeframe or export it. https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

 

Thanks for sharing this. 

[Ontarkie 13,915]

~~Post split off to its own thread along with related replies.~~

[Kai G. Llewellyn 821]

On 8/3/2021 at 9:41 AM, alphabetagamma said:

This question may have been asked previously but does anyone have had any experience of taking a Canada plated car to US and converting to a US license plate? Is it a complicated process? And what are the fees involved. Thanks

You need to fill out EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 and have a letter of compliance for your specific vehicle (VIN) confirming that it complies with all FMVSS and EPA emissions, you will need to contact the US division of your vehicle's manufacturer for that.

 

If your vehicle is not-compliant, i.e. is missing TPMS, or the manufacturer refuses to issue a LoC, then things get a lot more challenging. I'm trying to import my BMW motorcycle, and BMW Motorrad USA refuses to issue the letter. I have a query open with CBP regarding the Code M EPA exemption for non-compliant Canadian vehicles. I'm going to post a full writeup of how that goes so others can hopefully make use of it down the line.

Edited August 11, 2021 by Kai G. Llewellyn

[alphabetagamma 102]

1 hour ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

You need to fill out EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7 and have a letter of compliance for your specific vehicle (VIN) confirming that it complies with all FMVSS and EPA emissions, you will need to contact the US division of your vehicle's manufacturer for that.

 

If your vehicle is not-compliant, i.e. is missing TPMS, or the manufacturer refuses to issue a LoC, then things get a lot more challenging. I'm trying to import my BMW motorcycle, and BMW Motorrad USA refuses to issue the letter. I have a query open with CBP regarding the Code M EPA exemption for non-compliant Canadian vehicles. I'm going to post a full writeup of how that goes so others can hopefully make use of it down the line.

Thanks for the insight. I'm actually planning to purchase a used vehicle. Do you think I can get this letter of compliance while purchasing?

[Kai G. Llewellyn 821]

15 hours ago, alphabetagamma said:

Thanks for the insight. I'm actually planning to purchase a used vehicle. Do you think I can get this letter of compliance while purchasing?

A used vehicle in Canada? I mean you can try, you'll need the VIN of it at least to request the letter, but the manufacturer may want proof of ownership. The older the vehicle the easier time you're gonna have importing it by the way. Pre-2008 (or is it 2007?) vehicles aren't subject to the TPMS requirement which catches out a lot of Canadian vehicles. Also make sure the speedo reads in MPH too.

 

My 2003 VW Jetta was a breeze, it's fully compliant with FMVSS that its US version was subject to, so it's just going to be a matter of a few forms to give to CBP and a trip to the DMV to get US plates on it.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Kai G. Llewellyn

[alphabetagamma 102]

11 minutes ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

A used vehicle in Canada? I mean you can try, you'll need the VIN of it at least to request the letter, but the manufacturer may want proof of ownership. The older the vehicle the easier time you're gonna have importing it by the way. Pre-2008 (or is it 2007?) vehicles aren't subject to the TPMS requirement which catches out a lot of Canadian vehicles. Also make sure the speedo reads in MPH too.

 

My 2003 VW Jetta was a breeze, it's fully compliant with FMVSS that its US version was subject to, so it's just going to be a matter of a few forms to give to CBP and a trip to the DMV to get US plates on it.

I'm still looking for one, yes in Ontario. I'm actually in a very weird spot. My interview might happen in May or June next year so I have around 10 months and I really need a car now. So what I was hoping for was to buy a reasonable used car in the range of 8-10k, make the down-payment and have the ownership with me. And later import to US. 

Your advice is valuable. Do you think I can do all this?

[Kai G. Llewellyn 821]

1 hour ago, alphabetagamma said:

I'm still looking for one, yes in Ontario. I'm actually in a very weird spot. My interview might happen in May or June next year so I have around 10 months and I really need a car now. So what I was hoping for was to buy a reasonable used car in the range of 8-10k, make the down-payment and have the ownership with me. And later import to US. 

Your advice is valuable. Do you think I can do all this?

 

I definitely think you can do that, the ease of the importation process will depend greatly on the manufacturer and the specific model. Older pre-2007 models will be easier to import. Additionally, some Canadian spec cars have both the EPA and FMVSS labels in addition to the Canadian ones...if they have them then you don't even need the letter of conformity. However, I think Canadian cars with the US reg. stickers on them too are not hugely common.

 

I can attest to Volkswagen, they were very helpful in getting me a Letter of Conformity out to me in a few days.

 

By the you'll be better off owning the vehicle outright rather than getting one on finance, as you need to transfer the loan out to a US finance co if you do, and they don't have to do that.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Kai G. Llewellyn

[alphabetagamma 102]

8 minutes ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

 

I definitely think you can do that, the ease of the importation process will depend greatly on the manufacturer and the specific model. Older pre-2007 models will be easier to import. Additionally, some Canadian spec cars have both the EPA and FMVSS labels in addition to the Canadian ones...if they have them then you don't even need the letter of conformity. However, I think Canadian cars with the US reg. stickers on them too are not hugely common.

 

I can attest to Volkswagen, they were very helpful in getting me a Letter of Conformity out to me in a few days.

 

By the you'll be better off owning the vehicle outright rather than getting one on finance, as you need to transfer the loan out to a US finance co if you do, and they don't have to do that.

Thanks. I'll try to purchase a car with both EPA and FMVSS labels. I anyways have to buy one in US so its better if I spend that money now and get it on down payment.  One more question. Is there an import fees/taxes to the US or just DMV? And any idea how much at DMV?

 

I know for sure that in Canada there is a fees that varies from 13-19% depending on province and the make of the car. 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 821]

22 minutes ago, alphabetagamma said:

Thanks. I'll try to purchase a car with both EPA and FMVSS labels. I anyways have to buy one in US so its better if I spend that money now and get it on down payment.  One more question. Is there an import fees/taxes to the US or just DMV? And any idea how much at DMV?

 

I know for sure that in Canada there is a fees that varies from 13-19% depending on province and the make of the car. 

I think if you have owned the car over 1 year there's no import duties as it's imported under the general exemption of a new resident bringing over their personal possessions exemption...but your ultimate state of residence would determine any sales tax payable if they choose or by policy levy it.

 

If you buy a car that's manufactured in the US/Canada/Mexico, then there's no duty regardless of length of ownership per the USMCA.

Edited August 12, 2021 by Kai G. Llewellyn

[alphabetagamma 102]

13 minutes ago, Kai G. Llewellyn said:

I think if you have owned the car over 1 year there's no import duties as it's imported under the general exemption of a new resident bringing over their personal possessions exemption...but your ultimate state of residence would determine any sales tax payable if they choose or by policy levy it.

 

If you buy a car that's manufactured in the US/Canada/Mexico, then there's no duty regardless of length of ownership per the USMCA.

Awesome. Thank you once again. This whole conversation was very useful.