Importing a Canadian car to the US

[thetreble 19]

Hey guys..any Canadian import their car before or can any one give me a link to a place where I can find out how bringing a car into the US (on PR status)? I would really appreciate it. How does the US border deal with it? What are the taxes or duties I have to pay on the car? etc.

[lynamon 0]

Hey guys..any Canadian import their car before or can any one give me a link to a place where I can find out how bringing a car into the US (on PR status)? I would really appreciate it. How does the US border deal with it? What are the taxes or duties I have to pay on the car? etc.

I brought with me my 2004 Honda Civic which I had since new ... had a letter of compliance that they barely looked at and was not charged any duty. (K1)

[Colin Wilson 0]

Hey guys..any Canadian import their car before or can any one give me a link to a place where I can find out how bringing a car into the US (on PR status)? I would really appreciate it. How does the US border deal with it? What are the taxes or duties I have to pay on the car? etc.

I brought with me my 2004 Honda Civic which I had since new ... had a letter of compliance that they barely looked at and was not charged any duty. (K1)

Have a Look at this..

http://www.lbl.gov/LBL-Work/HR/irss/VehicleImport.html

Importing Vehicles From Canada:

Following is a brief summary of steps that must be taken to import a vehicle for personal use from Canada. This is not a legal document; please refer to the

NHTSA and California Smog web sites for the latest information, regulations, and forms before attempting to import a vehicle.

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Note: All Canadian motor vehicles imported into the U.S. for resale must be imported through a registered importer.The following guidelines apply only to vehicles for personal use.

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For Nonresidents of the U.S. importing a vehicle for no more than one year:

As a general rule all motor vehicles imported into the United States that are less than 25 years old must comply with Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS), or be brought into compliance with the FMVSS by a Registered Importer. However, temporary importations (up to one year) by Nonresidents of the United States are exempt from this requirement and do not have to be modified to conform to the FMVSS.

Nonresidents of the United States may import a vehicle registered in another country for personal use for a period not to exceed one year (for imports of longer than one year, see below). The vehicle cannot be sold and it must be exported within one year from the date of entry. A form HS-7 (available at ports of entry or in PDF format from NHSTA) must be completed and presented to U.S. Customs. Your passport number and country of issue are required on the HS-7 form. Use Box 5 on HS-7 form. For imports of more than one year, by Residents or Nonresidents of the U.S.:

1: Obtain a letter of pre-approval from the vehicle manufacturer.

Contact the Canadian auo dealer and have the dealer request a pre-approval letter from the vehicle manufacturer that identifies your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). This letter will determine if your vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

2: Read the letter carefully.

If the manufacturer's letter states that the vehicle complies with U.S. standards, except for minor labeling requirements, you have an acceptable letter. This letter along with your vehicle registration should be presented to U.S. Customs at the border. U.S. Customs will review the manufacturer letter to assure that the vehicle complies. (DOT approval of the manufacturer letter was discontinued as of April 8, 1997.)

.If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS, except for the speedometer, or headlights, you may have these components replaced at a dealer authorized by the factory to repair your vehicle. In addition to the documents cited above, you must present the invoice for the speedometer or headlight replacement to obtain U.S. Customs approval.

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS except for FMVSS No. 208 (automatic or passive restraint requirements) you WILL NOT be able to bring your vehicle into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless it is modified by an Registered Importer (RI). If an RI is willing to modify the vehicle, it may be expensive and may change your desire to import the vehicle.

If the manufacturer will not issue a letter for your vehicle, the only method to import your vehicle on a permanent basis is to contract with an Registered Iimporter.

3. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approval is also required. The EPA monitors air pollution from vehicle emissions. Call the EPA information line at (202) 564-9660 to have information FAX'ed to you automatically. Documents available include lists of vehicles approved for importation from Canada, quick overviews of importation requirements, and detailed information on temporary and permanent vehicle importation from Canada and elsewhere. You may need to submit the EPA Form 3520-1 "Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines" to U.S. Customs officials; this form is available by FAX at the EPA number listed above.

[thetreble 19]

Thanks guys! I appreciate it.

[Flames9_RN 358]

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...anada07032.html

1 of the above links has the contact info for each car manufacturer to get the compliance letter! Some charge a fee, some do not!! Nissan didn't and faxed it to me within minutes. Ensure u have the VIN handy

[thetreble 19]

Thanks flames. All this stuff looks a little complicated and will probably take me awhile to get the jargon but i will try!

[Caladan 19]

It's not hard, treble, and you can trust flames' links. We imported C.'s car with no trouble at all with proof of ownership plus the compliance letter from the manufacturer. The border people hadn't done one in a while, but they were happy we were well prepared (normally they just give people the forms and tell them to go to the DMV.)

[thetreble 19]

Okay..but this might be a dumb question. What exactly is a "compliance letter"?

[Caladan 19]

Basically, it's a form from the manufacturer of your car that specifies whether it's up to EPA standards and vehicle safety standards for the U.S. You get it by contacting the dealer or the manufacturer and giving them your VIN, and they look it up in the system and send you the letter.

[thetreble 19]

ahhhh okay. Makes much more sense now. I appreciate it fellow canuckksss.

[sapa_uscan 0]

I just got mine a few days ago..... Honda asks for the VIN # and the letter can be faxed and mailed to you... If you call ask them to provide a "Compliance Letter". Pretty much all makers know of this and it usually is free except for some makers.

Was a nice experience and was not troubled at all.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Cant recall the make of 1 automobile, but the person had a real bad time trying to get the letter!! I do recall some ford owners having to pay a fee, believe one was quoted over a $100!!

[Caladan 19]

I think we had to pay around $80 for ours, but I'll check with C. later. He has a Chevy Venture.

[thetreble 19]

My baby is 1996 Toyota Corolla....oh yeah..it is hot. haha

[Krikit 1,163]

I imported my car. No duty at the border but I had to pay Florida sales tax to register the title and get my plates.