ErinD

It went really well for myself. We were approved, pending medical report submission. They did receive it 2 days after my interview, so we are hoping it’s processed very soon. 

The following details an epic journey through snowy mountains, sunbaked deserts, and dense angular forests in 3 different nations. All with a Toyota Corolla, a compliance letter and a dream of one day saying, "why yes, our car does meet the required specifications to register in the United States."  
 
This story begins on a sad note. In January, 2021 my mother-in-law suddenly passed away. My partner and I are both Canadians living in California, and Canada was still very much in high restriction mode due to the pandemic. This made crossing the border to attend a funeral and settle an estate far more challenging than normal. Eventually, my partner was able to go. After several weeks - over two of which were spent in quarantine - my partner and her sibling settled the estate. This included a well-maintained 2015 Toyota Corolla. My partner decided to keep the car. A reliable vehicle with low mileage is something we would definitely make good use of. She does all the paperwork to change ownership, takes the car to a trusted mechanic for an oil change and inspection, and she's all set to return to California and carry on with life.
 
At this point, neither of us are aware that importing the vehicle at the border is something we need to do. I fly to Chicago to meet her because flying to Toronto would require a lengthy quarantine. She drives across the border as one normally would; present your passport and green card, answer a couple of questions, and on you go. We meet at O'Hare Airport, delighted to see one another after several difficult weeks apart, and settle into our hotel for some much needed rest before our cross-continental journey back to California. The trip was melancholy for obvious reasons, but also meditative and beautiful as we traversed through the ornate landscapes of Wyoming and Utah. 
 
This brings us to the first great hero in our story. At first glance, Yvonne appears to be a DMV employee like any other; a person trying to get through her day as she deals with an endless stream of people who would much rather be somewhere else. However, unbeknownst to her, Yvonne's elevated grace and professionalism allowed this experience to simply be frustrating, as opposed to the downward spiral into madness it otherwise could have been. It is through Yvonne that we learn the vehicle must first be imported before it can be registered in California. She tells us what we need to do - request a letter of compliance, drive to a port of entry, etc - and with much poise and empathy, issues us a temporary registration. 
 
Slightly perturbed at the inconvenience of having to drive all the way to a port of entry, my partner and I are otherwise optimistic that we can successfully complete this task. We decided to take advantage of the long American Thanksgiving weekend. We drive up the forested and mountainous section of I-5 through Oregon and Washington to Seattle, where we have friends with whom we stay with for Thanksgiving dinner. On Black Friday, negative PCR tests and a 60 second wait are all that's required to cross the border into Canada where we make our way to Vancouver and two delightful days with an old friend. 
 
Refreshed and ebullient, we gather our paperwork and prepare to head back to the U.S. Our compliance letter does note that the vehicle has no TPMS; we tell ourselves that it probably doesn't matter. Ignorance is bliss, until the merciless fist of reality pounds itself into your gut rendering your pitiful, helpless body onto the ground with no choice but to face it and move on. This came in the form of Officer Cook. With a stoic confidence, Officer Cook informed us that without a TPMS the car could not be imported. He suggested we drive back to California, request an extension on our temporary registration, have a TPMS installed, and try again. He also recommended going to the Mexican border next time, as it's a shorter drive. We cross back into the States, and after 3 fruitless hours of trying to obtain a TPMS in the small towns of northern Washington, we follow Officer Cook's advice and begin the drive back to California.
 
Re-enter Yvonne at the DMV, who my partner now has a personal relationship with. She issues an extension with no hassle and our next mission is finding a TPMS and someone to install it. I purchased a cigarette lighter unit on Amazon for around $40. It would be incredibly easy to put this on ourselves, but of course, we need a receipt saying it's been installed; this Temporary Part Mandated by States. After being turned away by two mechanics, we find one who will install it. He charges us $20 - the minimum his system will allow - and issues us a detailed receipt. 
 
The following weekend, we drove to San Diego with plans to cross the Mexican border, turn around, and import the vehicle upon re-entering the United States. Simple enough. Upon crossing the border, we are immediately thrust into a country where the line between pedestrian and car traffic is blurred into a singularity and the copious signage does not make it abundantly clear how exactly one returns to the border. After almost two hours of ineffectual trial and error, and unsuccessfully interpreting the body language directions of local police officers and citizens alike, we began to ask ourselves, "do we live in Tijuana now?" Then, it happened. Random chance; a miracle. Call it what you will, but when we made what seemed like just another U-turn in a long line of U-turns that day, there it was, bathed in a golden halo of angelic sunlight; "To I-5."
 
Never before had we been so delighted at the opportunity to wait in a lineup. It was slow moving and hot, but with each passing hour, we were inching closer to the border - TPMS receipt and other paperwork in hand - and finally completing this import process. After a 5 hour wait spent observing the many vendors for whom this was a typical day, and thinking to myself, "I wonder how that 6 foot golden portrait of the Virgin Mary would look in my living room", we finally reached the border. We present our passports and green cards, and my partner confidently says, "I'd like to import this vehicle please." 
 
"Oh, we don't do that here", the officer replied. Deflated does not even begin to describe how we felt. If the U.S. Customs and Border Protection had a derisive sense of humour, each officer would be issued an official turntable so as to inflict a record scratch sound effect for such moments. It now felt like we were never going to get this done. We began considering what we would do should the car not be importable, but resolved to try again at the same Canadian border port of entry we were at weeks previously.
 
At the beginning of January, 2022 we'd planned a trip back to Toronto to visit our families. We decided to postpone that trip because of the recent restrictions imposed in Ontario. This decision had a silver lining though. It was our opportunity to use the time off we'd booked to drive to the border and finally import this vehicle. We booked a few nights at a nice hotel in Portland, Oregon. This being the 1-year anniversary of my mother-in-law's passing, we resolved to spend our time off celebrating life, and hopefully, the successful import of her car and finally closing out the last piece of her estate.
 
We took one day out of our Portland trip to make the 4 and half hour drive to the border in Blaine, Washington. With little fanfare, we crossed into Canada and immediately turned around to cross back. If there were a humourous adventure for me to outline here, I would. But, to be honest, it all went quite smoothly with no issues whatsoever. The only outlier in this part of the story is its second great hero; Officer Holt. We only spent about 20 minutes with him, but Officer Holt's kindness, professionalism, and sincerity were a massive breath of fresh air and appreciated to a level he will never know. We left Blaine, due south for Portland in our legally imported Toyota Corolla.
 
As I sit here in our California home having a restful Sunday and writing this story with my partner beside me, I can see she's quite relieved and eagerly looking forward to walking into the DMV this week and saying, "Yvonne, I'd like to register my vehicle please."  

Hi all,
 
This thread has been tremendously helpful  for me getting my vehicle imported to the States and so I wanted to share my story that is pretty fresh from two days ago.
 
I have TN visa and I am working in the US already and I went up to Canada last month to see my parents (yes, in the midst of pandemic - as soon as I got my vaccines).
My parents recently bought a new car so they were willing to give me their old one which was 2013 Honda Civic.
I requested the compliance letter from Honda America and of course no TPMS, and the letter also says it has to be installed with genuine Honda parts, etc. etc.
My mom and I went to Service Ontario to transfer the ownership. I had all the documents so it was done right on the spot.
I also got an aftermarket TPMS system and went to a local autoshop who helped me install and also provide me with an invoice. I got this advice from this thread, so thank you.
As my time to return approached, I was worried I would get denied because of the aftermarket TPMS. I called multiple Honda dealerships and asked if I can get any TPMS system or even a simple letter saying my car has TPMS system and they all refused because they do not have any Honda genuine part for TPMS and did not want to risk anything. 
 
I also called Detroit border CBP office for vehicle import and explained my situation. The officer couldn't give me a clear answer because he said the approval / denial would really depend on the officer I will see.
 
On the day of, I first encountered the border officer to pass the border. I told him I wanted to import my car and he initially said why do you want to import if you only have a temporary visa. He said I would simply need to come back once a year to renew the Ontario license plate. He didn't want to take me to the office for vehicle import and so I almost gave up there, but I insisted. He finally gave me a yellow ticket a0nd I could then head to the office for import.
 
The other officer who helped me with the importing process was very nice. She simply asked all the information I needed. I filled out a form she gave me and I waited for about 15 minutes and that was it.
While I was in the office, my car was inspected by other officers, but mainly for items I'm bringing in, not the car compliance or functioning of the TPMS system. They didn't seem to care much about it. 
 
In the end I would also have to say I was lucky, but I just wanted to share that an aftermarket TPMS still worked for me on June of 2021.
 
Thanks.
 
 

I bought a TPMS kit on amazon and had it installed by OK Tire. I successfully imported my car on July 1st 2020.

Okay, I'd like to share my experience. This might help someone in the same boat as me. So, as you can see in my last post, Honda said in the letter that I have TPMS and Anti-theft Device but they couldn't confirm if those meet US standards and I need to update those systems. Upon finding this thread, I ordered one TPMS system and one anti theft alarm from Amazon. Went to discount tire to get the TPMS installed (surprisingly they didn't charge me anything) and asked another non-brand shop to install the alarm. Got invoices for both and went to the CBP office in Denver. The officer first asked for the Honda letter and after looking at it he said I needed to update the systems. I showed him the invoices, he went inside and grabbed another officer. The officer told me I needed original parts and the work had to be done by Honda dealer. The officer was understanding. He told me that he was surprised to see such a letter where it said I have those systems but couldn't be confirmed for US standards. Then he gave me a friendly advice, he told me to go to any Honda dealer and get something in writing mentioning that the TPMS and Anti Theft Device that are originally installed meet US standards. So, I left the office, google for nearest Honda dealer and went there. I told the lady at the service desk that I need to register my vehicle and I need something in writing that shows my TPMS and Anti Theft Device meet the US standards. The lady was super nice and gave me an work order like document where she simply wrote that the TPMS and Anti Theft Device meet the US standards. I took the letter to the CBP office on the same day, found the same officer, he gave me a form to fill out, and boom, I got the import paper I needed. I lost so many nights of sleeps over this, and I guess at the end I was lucky. 

Yes, I paid off entirely.

Hey there, I created an account just to reply to this post because I was also able to successfully import my car without an OEM TPMS, using the steps provided by the OP.  Here are the details:
 
I have a Canadian 2016 Mercedes-Benz C300 4-Matic Sedan that has the "passive" TPLS system and my compliance letter indicated that my car was not compliant with the following:
 
#101, namely:    Instrument Cluster
#138, namely:    Tire Pressure Monitoring System

 
I also called a bunch of registered importers as well as Mercedes-Benz in both Canada and the USA and was told that there was nothing that they could do, it would cost too much, just sell it, etc.  I bought an after-market TPMS system from Amazon for like 89 dollars CDN (Vesafe TPMS CL-201) with 4 Bluetooth sensors that screw on to the stems tips and a small, flat unit that goes into the cigarette lighter and shows the PSI for each of the tires. 
 
I took the Vesafe TPMS system to a tire place (I went to "OK Tire" in Etobicoke) and they "installed it" for me, basically just screwing the sensors into the stems, and gave me an invoice indicating that they "Installed customer-provided after-market TPMS system", which I signed.
 
I took the OK Tire  invoice, along with my ownership, the compliance letter from Mercedes, my bill of sale, my proof that I paid off my financing, and semi-completed forms HS799-Short and EPA 3520-1 to the rainbow bridge at like 8am on a Wednesday.  I was the only one there and I'm not sure if that made a difference or not.  The officer asked me to turn on my car and show him my speedometer in MPH, which I can configure for the center LCD display in my car but my physical speedometer and other dials still showed KMs.  I also showed him the working TPMS receiver in the cigarette lighter and showed him the sensors plugged into the tire stems and then we went back inside to fill out forms.  I had already downloaded the forms and filled out the easy stuff like my name, manufacturer, model and VIN number wherever I could, to show initiative and make his life easier I guess...
 
On the EPA form, I did not have to fill out fields 3, 8, 9, 10, 12 or 15 and I put my name and address in field 11.  They told me to select code EE in the box below.  This will likely be specific to your car.
 
On the HS799 form, I just put in the make/model, year and VIN.  The officer put my name in the "registered importer" field and put in the port of entry (0901), customs port code (0901) and entry date (today's date).  The customs entry and vehicle eligibility numbers were left blank, so was the "description of merchandise" box.  The officer then selected "2A" for my car, saying that it conformed to FMVSS.  He stamped each with a seal from homeland security and I signed in a few places and he photocopied the above forms and some of my stuff, including my TPMS invoice from OK Tire, for their records and gave me back all of the originals.  He said that I would need these forms to register the car at the DMV, so make sure to keep them safe.
 
I was also given a form called Resident Personal Vehicle Importation - Informal CBP 7501 "Entry Summary" which has some of my information on it, which I also signed and kept the original.  I think this form helps the officers to make sure they get all the required information that they need but I am going to bring this to the DMV too, just in case.  
 
I was at the CBP for about 20 minutes total and I head back to Canada as soon as I was done.  I have been researching this importing process for more than 3 months and this is the only post on the entire internet that I was able to find that had anyone saying they were successful.  I am so glad that I found it, as I would not have been able to import the car successfully otherwise.  The key to this is having a professional tire place install the TPMS and getting an invoice, then showing the officer the TPMS working on your vehicle and having all the documentation that you need.
 
Thanks again to the original poster - I will follow up once I go to register the car in Seattle.
 
 

I’m suppose to receive my passport tomorrow (Monday) to my house via Purlator. I have a tracking number. It’s hasn’t been updated since Thursday and still says it’s in Montreal….. 
 
wondering is the weekend has anything to do with it? 

Hey everyone, my medical was officially sent on Tuesday and I am (hopefully) thinking that they'll be issuing and shipping my passport soon. I see that I Visa Document Courier Services that there is an option for premium delivery. I had previously chosen a pickup location in Toronto. I am wondering if that extra $$ for a pickup location is worth it and will it mess up delivery if I upgrade right now?

Recieved mine today too! DQ'd Jan 4. Interview March 14

Probably, but no one can really say. If you can get an earlier date, take it.

Congratulations! Glad MTL sent the letters much earlier this month.
 
Please book your medicals ASAP as many have been experiencing delays recently in getting results. 

Interview letter received this morning! DQ December 1, 2021. Interview is on March 2nd! 😃

Hello all!
 
I'm new to the posting here, but have been a long-time lurker as I've been going through the process and preparing for my interview. I can't thank everyone in this community enough for all of their positivity, support and guidance; on behalf any lurkers, you're all amazing 🙂
 
I had my interview this morning (January 26, 2022) at 9:00am and was APPROVED! It really is the waiting which builds up the nerves (at least for myself), but overall it's a simple and straightforward process. I'll be open and honest by saying that I definitely got in my own head, stressing myself out in the weeks leading up to the interview for no good reason. Don't stress! My advice for anyone feeling anxious, is to take a few deep breaths, stay positive, and just be yourself. Remember that life happens for us, and not to us.
 
As for my interview, I was asked the standard questions that we all typically see. Who my petitioner was, what her and I do for work, where we'll be living, when we got married, if this was our first marriage, if we have any children, and how we met (I was on an F1 at the time, so we discussed that...what school, how long I was a student, etc.) I had a previous TN denial, so we spoke briefly about that as well. It's a simple conversation, nothing more and nothing less; I was even comfortable enough to crack a few jokes. Just be you!
 
P.S. While waiting for the interview, I was able to have a really nice conversation with another young woman who was from Yellowknife, and en route to Nashville. We froze outside together, and you had gone for your interview only moments before mine. I didn't get the chance to grab your name, or see how your interview went...but if by chance you're seeing this, I hope you absolutely SMASHED IT!! I'm confident that you did, and I sincerely wish you all the best. Feel free to shoot me a message, I'd love to connect and hear about your experience 😀
 
Now the waiting game begins for tracking, and then the logistics of moving. Good luck to everyone on their journey!

I did my medical in Montreal and they office emailed me today and said the medical report was sent it he consulate electronically. 

Looks like mid Feb is going to be your second anniversary. You should try to enter US only after this date, because then you would get a 10 year green card and not have to file for removal of conditions.
 
It would save you a lot of time and money.
 
Congratulations on your anniversary 😊

I have been reading about this being the case for almost everyone sadly. It's very misleading how they say 2-3 weeks but the actual processing time is much longer.
Hoping for a miracle to happen so we can finally be together before our anniversary mid-Feb lol

Medical was sent to the consulate today! Interview was Jan 21.
Date was updated on CEAC, status is still refused. I'm assuming this just means my medical has been submitted to the consulate but the CO hasn't reviewed it.

We are in the same boat! This happened to me at my 8am interview this morning. Keep me updated. Mine was only late because I only had my medical on Wednesday past.

Hi All, 
 
Had my interview this morning (8am) and was approved. Quick recap below if it will help but very similar to others:
 
Arrived about 15-20 min early. There were already ~5 people in line. Was cold -21, so as others have said ensure you're prepared. Security guard would come out to ask for people who had the time slot and then bring them in one by one. Once inside it moved quick. Waited about 5 min until called t the window the first time. Asked to give my originals (Birth cert, marriage, passport, police) and confirming info was correct (address/phone #) and then told to go back and wait. About 15-20 min later called to second window. Asked the standard questions Ive seen here:
 
- Who my petitioner was
- How/when did i meet my wife
- How did our relationship work (travel or did she live in canada for periods)
- Her job
- My job
-Where we intended to live
- any travel outside of canada/usa in the last 5 years ( i forgot one location that was on the form already submitted so the just gave me a hint and had to hear my say it. With COVID travel seems like ages ago
 
Was told I was approved and would get my passport in 1-2 weeks. 
 
Thanks everyone for all the help (mostly just reading all the posts). I had lawyers when we originally started this process but the community here as been 10x more helpful and 1000x care more. 
 
 

That's honestly alarming. By any chance, have you tried to contact your state rep? I've read some people get approved few days later when they did this. Hopefully things will start looking up for you soon! Sending out all the best wishes.

Montreal medical rebooked me for Wednesday. Interview is Monday. 
 
i know it won’t be there on time but at this point I’m just thankful I’m able to do the medical before my interview so I can show the CO the receipt. 
 
 

I picked up my passport today with the visa 😁

Approval will be delayed until they receive the medical. 
From what I've seen around the forum, that's not a big issue in itself. 
 
Let's wait for what other members can add.