Bbrz
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Posts posted by Bbrz
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If I remember correctly, don't imports have a 1 year shelf life as well?
I don't understand what shelf life means. I was treating my car as just another piece of personal property I wanted to bring with me and use in the US. But there's no way to legally bring it across the border given the car manufacturers' refusal to issue compliance letters.
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Having read this post, I made a concerned phone call to the California DMV and I was told the following:
I will be issued a Cali DL as long as I have a SSN and a Canadian passport verifying my identification. I will be issued it in the name (unmarried) on my passport. To change my name I need only fill out the appropriate change of name forms with them.
But I do not trust this information given what I have read on this post.
I'm having trouble dealing with the logistical nightmares of this visa process. It had all been going semi-well up until this point when I tried to get the appropriate information regarding importing my 2006 Toyota Corolla into the US for my personal use.
My 5 hours of phone calls today revealed that this is not a reliable or fiscally viable option for Canadian car owners any longer given that Canadian Manufacturers' refuse to issue compliance letters. No explanation has been given to me as to why this is no longer available to Canadian customers.
Crazymaking? Youbetcha.
Very sorry to read about your DL problems in Cali. You'd never say we Canadians were neighbours, eh?
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I've only brought in classic Mini Coopers from the frozen tundras up there, and in California it was an affair that almost led me to take up drinking.
Unless the car has some sort of emotional value to you, I would just sell it there and buy something else down here eh.
I agree. I'm selling it.
I have called Toyota Canada (3X), Toyota USA, my moving company, California DMV, TWO different DOT-Registered Auto Import companies, the EPA, Customs and Border Control Headquarters, Buffalo customs office, and a Canadian import company.
THE BOTTOM LINE: Most Canadian manufactures NO LONGER ISSUE COMPLIANCE LETTERS. Without such a letter it is impossible to bring the car across the border, EVEN FOR SOME BROKERS. One that I called in Buffalo has given up offering that service to customers and now only imports heavy trucks to the US.
So CANADIANS MUST SELL THEIR CARS IF THEY PLAN ON MOVING TO THE US.
End of rant. I feel like I'm losing my mind.
I also was told by the DMV in California that I can get a Cali DL as long as I have a Canadian passport, and a SSN. But it will hardly matter now since I won't have my car (but can use my fiance's of course, but still).
This entire process is leaving very little mental energy for the act of marriage. I think when I arrive I will curl up into a little ball in the corner of our house, and rock myself while living on chocolate ice cream.
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Hi everyone,
What a confounding process this is.
I was under the impression that importing a late-model (2006) Toyota Corolla into the US for personal use would be an easy process to understand in advance. It has not been.
According to forum posts, and the NHTSA.gov website, and the EPA helpline listed on that website, I AM REQUIRED to have a "compliance letter" issued from the Canadian manufacturer that it meets all US standards. Toyota Canada maintains (3 separate call agents) that THEY DO NOT KEEP TRACK OF USA SAFETY/EPA requirements and therefore they cannot issue that letter. They simply do not know whether or not vehicles manufactured in Canada (which mine was, since the VIN begins with "2") will meet these standards.
I finally got through to a registered vehicle importer via the NHTSA website and found out that the Canadian standards sticker on the driver's door panel is enough to let the border officers give me the go ahead to let me through. Apparently both USA and Canada customs accept the emissions and safety standards of the other country as sufficient. He told me that the problem may lie in my ability to get the vehicle registered in California at the DMV. I am now calling them to get the details on this. I am so far told that I can register a vehicle without a California DL but it only needs to be smogged. They also said that they will issue a California DL with a Canadian passport and a SSN. I hope this is correct.
I am still uncertain as to this process, but will post followups as I get official word from both Customs and the California DMV.
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Very informative! Thank you for sharing! My fiance is going through Montreal too!! Thanks agaiN!
You're welcome. I thought I'd share to give people some tips. If the Cabbie hadn't told me not to bring my cell phone, I would have had to flag down another cab so I could go back to my hotel room.
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Hi All, (sorry for posting in two areas; I'm new to this and have already made a couple of mistakes).
This post is for Eastern Canadians who are required to visit the US consulate in Montreal to sit an interview. I have just been through this process and thought it would be useful to let you know what to bring (and not bring) as well as how the process unfolds once inside.
WHAT TO BRING (in addition to the stuff requested in your instruction packet)
1. Passport Photos
Although I had the right number of US passport photos as requested in Packet 3, the interview instructions stated that I needed two additional passport photos. I thought they already had enough, so I was a bit perplexed (especially since I also submitted one digitally). But I'm glad I made my last minute trip to the mall to get two extra. THERE IS, HOWEVER, a photo booth in the holding area at the US embassy. It costs 10 dollars a piece. And it's not private.
2. Loomis Confirmation Number
The number that was assigned to you after registering for Loomis must be presented before they will LET YOU IN THE DOOR. Else they cannot send your passport and visa to the right Loomis branch. You can find that information when you log into the website at which you registered for the appointment, etc.THEY WILL NOT LET YOU IN if you don't have this number. You can call to get it, of course, but see below regarding cell phones and the embassy.
3. Cash
Two ten dollar bills in case you need to use the photo booth
4. Evidence of Relationship and Support
I brought more than what was necessary, but figured it was good to have on hand in case I was questioned about it. It was a pretty easy interview for me, but others were grilled more thoroughly. BRING AS MUCH PETITIONER FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE, SINCE SOME PEOPLE WERE GRILLED ON THIS ASPECT.
5. A Friend Who Can Wait Outside with Your Stuff
You cannot bring any electronics inside, including cell phones or computers. There is no safe place for storage inside the embassy. It would be excellent if you could leave your stuff with a friend who can wait nearby for you, but if you are there alone (like I was) I would have had to go back to my hotel to put my cellphone back in my room.
6. A BOOK OR OTHER PAPER READING MATERIAL
No iPads or Kindles or Nooks.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
1. IF ALONE, DO NOT BRING CELL PHONE OR COMPUTER OR E-READER OR IPOD
no secure place to store it inside the embassy.
2. Large bags of stuff
Keep your personal effects light
MY EXPERIENCE
From outside lineup to exit, the entire process took about 1.5 hours.
THE ENTRANCE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING, NOT ON RENE LEVESQUE BLVD. There is no shelter from the elements, so bring an umbrella or coat. Keep your documents in a clear plastic folder to protect from elements.
The appointment times mean very little, as everyone is asked to show up at the same time, no matter how long you are waiting outside. I arrived about 20 mins early, and I was at the back of the lineup. Once you are permitted through the doors, you then go through airport-like security and are directed to go down the stairs to a waiting room.
In the waiting room there are no washrooms, only a passport photo booth and an elevator. When it is time to go upstairs for your interview, you will be guided by an agent to enter the elevator.
TRY TO SIT NEAR THE ELEVATOR AND GET ON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND HEAD TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE ELEVATOR.
The back elevator doors will open onto the interview waiting area AND THIS IS HOW YOU CUE FOR ORDER OF INTERVIEW. I felt bad because I was one of the last to show up, yet I was one of the first to get interviewed.
They hand out two little tickets with a letter and number on it. I was C10. There were about 20 people behind me.
They call the numbers in rough order, not strict order. I think each wicket (there were four primary and three secondary) is assigned a set of numbers and you will be called as soon as the other person ahead of you in your wicket has finished.
You are directed to a large waiting area near the primary stand-up wickets and are asked to take a seat. There is NO PRIVACY here, so be prepared for everyone in the room to hear what you have to say. There are washrooms and vending machines for snacks and coffee. There are play areas for children.
FIRST WICKET
At the first wicket, they take one of your paper numbers and ask you for the documentation that you were instructed to bring. They take your fingerprints. They verify contact information and the like, too. Once that is satisfactory, you are sent back to wait to be called into the secondary wicket area.
SECOND WICKET
The secondary set of wickets are more private as they are not in plain view of the waiting area (down a little hallway to the side of the first wickets). However the doors are not closed and everyone can still hear you. This is where the person asks more pointed questions about where you will be living, what your occupation is, what your plans will be, how you met etc. It's cordial and not strict.
AT THIS POINT YOU WILL BE TOLD WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
Your passport is kept to be issued the visa which is affixed inside, and you are given an information sheet on how to track your passport.
Then you pick it up and start the process of moving and marrying!
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Thanks, all, for your responses.
I did not post twice on purpose. Some kind of glitch, I suspect. Apologies.
Well I'm glad I got that I-95 thing straightened out...else I would have been going down the wrong road.
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Hi all,
I was looking through the K1 flow chart and there's a section in there on how to get a Social Security Number. I thought I had to wait until my adjustment of status was approved before I could get one. It also speaks of an I-95...what is that exactly?
TIP FOR BANK ACCOUNT W/O SSN.
Also, I was able to get a bank account in the US without having an SSN. I have had it for three years now, and all they required was an in person visit with a local address. So I set it up in Cali and gave my fiance's address and my local phone number. I find it useful to transfer funds using paypal into this account from my Canadian one. I used Bank of America.
I also just once had to file an IRS form about my bank account usage. Haven't had one sent since. As long as you keep the amounts low (under 12K/a, I think) there's no tax issue. At least for Canadians. But YMMV.
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Hi all,
I was looking through the K1 flow chart and there's a section in there on how to get a Social Security Number. I thought I had to wait until my adjustment of status was approved before I could get one. It also speaks of an I-95...what is that exactly?
TIP FOR BANK ACCOUNT W/O SSN.
Also, I was able to get a bank account in the US without having an SSN. I have had it for three years now, and all they required was an in person visit with a local address. So I set it up in Cali and gave my fiance's address and my local phone number. I find it useful to transfer funds using paypal into this account from my Canadian one. I used Bank of America. They knew I was a Canadian citizen (showed passport).
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Hi All,
This post is for Eastern Canadians who are required to visit the US consulate in Montreal to sit an interview. I have just been through this process and thought it would be useful to let you know what to bring (and not bring) as well as how the process unfolds once inside.
WHAT TO BRING (in addition to the stuff requested in your instruction packet)
1. Passport Photos
Although I had the right number of US passport photos as requested in Packet 3, the interview instructions stated that I needed two additional passport photos. I thought they already had enough, so I was a bit perplexed (especially since I also submitted one digitally). But I'm glad I made my last minute trip to the mall to get two extra. THERE IS, HOWEVER, a photo booth in the holding area at the US embassy. It costs 10 dollars a piece. And it's not private.
2. Loomis Confirmation Number
The number that was assigned to you after registering for Loomis must be presented before they will LET YOU IN THE DOOR. Else they cannot send your passport and visa to the right Loomis branch. You can find that information when you log into the website at which you registered for the appointment, etc.THEY WILL NOT LET YOU IN if you don't have this number. You can call to get it, of course, but see below regarding cell phones and the embassy.
3. Cash
Two ten dollar bills in case you need to use the photo booth
4. Evidence of Relationship and Support
I brought more than what was necessary, but figured it was good to have on hand in case I was questioned about it. It was a pretty easy interview for me, but others were grilled more thoroughly. BRING AS MUCH PETITIONER FINANCIAL INFORMATION AS POSSIBLE, SINCE SOME PEOPLE WERE GRILLED ON THIS ASPECT.
5. A Friend Who Can Wait Outside with Your Stuff
You cannot bring any electronics inside, including cell phones or computers. There is no safe place for storage inside the embassy. It would be excellent if you could leave your stuff with a friend who can wait nearby for you, but if you are there alone (like I was) I would have had to go back to my hotel to put my cellphone back in my room.
6. A BOOK OR OTHER PAPER READING MATERIAL
No iPads or Kindles or Nooks.
WHAT NOT TO BRING
1. IF ALONE, DO NOT BRING CELL PHONE OR COMPUTER OR E-READER OR IPOD
no secure place to store it inside the embassy.
2. Large bags of stuff
Keep your personal effects light
MY EXPERIENCE
From outside lineup to exit, the entire process took about 1.5 hours.
THE ENTRANCE IS ON THE SIDE OF THE BUILDING, NOT ON RENE LEVESQUE BLVD. There is no shelter from the elements, so bring an umbrella or coat. Keep your documents in a clear plastic folder to protect from elements.
The appointment times mean very little, as everyone is asked to show up at the same time, no matter how long you are waiting outside. I arrived about 20 mins early, and I was at the back of the lineup. Once you are permitted through the doors, you then go through airport-like security and are directed to go down the stairs to a waiting room.
In the waiting room there are no washrooms, only a passport photo booth and an elevator. When it is time to go upstairs for your interview, you will be guided by an agent to enter the elevator.
TRY TO SIT NEAR THE ELEVATOR AND GET ON AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND HEAD TOWARDS THE BACK OF THE ELEVATOR.
The back elevator doors will open onto the interview waiting area AND THIS IS HOW YOU CUE FOR ORDER OF INTERVIEW. I felt bad because I was one of the last to show up, yet I was one of the first to get interviewed.
They hand out two little tickets with a letter and number on it. I was C10. There were about 20 people behind me.
They call the numbers in rough order, not strict order. I think each wicket (there were four primary and three secondary) is assigned a set of numbers and you will be called as soon as the other person ahead of you in your wicket has finished.
You are directed to a large waiting area near the primary stand-up wickets and are asked to take a seat. There is NO PRIVACY here, so be prepared for everyone in the room to hear what you have to say. There are washrooms and vending machines for snacks and coffee. There are play areas for children.
FIRST WICKET
At the first wicket, they take one of your paper numbers and ask you for the documentation that you were instructed to bring. They take your fingerprints. They verify contact information and the like, too. Once that is satisfactory, you are sent back to wait to be called into the secondary wicket area.
SECOND WICKET
The secondary set of wickets are more private as they are not in plain view of the waiting area (down a little hallway to the side of the first wickets). However the doors are not closed and everyone can still hear you. This is where the person asks more pointed questions about where you will be living, what your occupation is, what your plans will be, how you met etc. It's cordial and not strict.
AT THIS POINT YOU WILL BE TOLD WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE BEEN APPROVED.
Your passport is kept to be issued the visa which is affixed inside, and you are given an information sheet on how to track your passport.
Then you pick it up and start the process of moving and marrying!
Importing Toyota Corolla from Canada to US
in Moving to the US and Your New Life In America
Posted
Thanks! We may end up getting a family truck so that I can "steal" my fiance's sedan.
There are many good used vehicles for sale in his area in California.