How to bring a canadian car into the US?

[myke_w]

I'm trying to find the steps I need to take to bring a car originally sold in Canada, into the us..
Can someone point me to a good resource?

[745 turbogreasel]

I prefer to drive em, but pushing is an option:twisted:

Rules vary state to state, check with your DMV.

[myke_w]

is it all about the DMV?
I just don't believe I don't have to do anything on the CA side?

is that true?

Myke

[Turbinepowered]

That's apparently the way it is. It all has to do with US Customs, US DOT, US EPA, and your local DMV.

You have to check for compliance with USDOT and EPA guidelines for the year the car was sold, you'll have to pay a percentage of the price as an import duty with US Customs, and they'll have to check it out and inspect it to make sure you aren't smuggling things or bringing in nasty Canadian wildlife.

Pretty much nothing on the Canadian side, just like there isn't anything to do in another state if you buy a car from that state.

[Vincent Waldon]

inspect it to make sure you aren't smuggling things or bringing in nasty Canadian wildlife

Like our dreaded "Back Bacon Beast" or the less-well-known "Maple Syrup Magpie".


All kidding aside, what I've read is that VW won't generally issue a Certificate of Compliance for US standards at the time on a vehicle made for Canada, which evidently means that the US will then require it to be brought up to 1996 standards by default.... air bags, emission controls, yada yada yada.

At least that's what I've read...

Vince

[myke_w]

This is interesting, I called my local DMV and title office.. they said, bring the title in, we give  you an Ohio title - all done..
 :shock:

[burn_your_money]

call customs, they'll have other stipulations so that you can get the title to your DMV

[myke_w]

See, I get the impression that actually bringing it across is the tricky part, if I got someone to cross with it for me with a title in hand..

[clbanman]

I've done the reverse and it was extremely easy.  Of course that was a 20 year old car about 20 years ago, and all the Ontario government wanted was taxes and more taxes.

My understanding is that what you want to do will be more difficult.  According to the site at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/canadian/canlis95.htm, all Canadian sold 1988 to 1986 gasoline and diesel automobiles are considered to meet U.S. emissions standards.  When you go 1987 or older it changes substantially.

The most important thing you need to do is ensure that once you get it across the border, you will actually be able to license it in your state.  Some general info:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/factmtop.htm
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/publications/trade/ On the right side, click on the link to "Importing or Exporting A Car."



http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/canadian/canlis95.htm

http://hometown.aol.com/bentbtstr8/vanagoncafedmvreourcepages.html

[rabbid79]

I've done a little bit of research on the topic too, back when I wanted to import a Passat G60 Syncro.  This is what I had in my notes:

Requried by Canada:
Money converted to Canadian
Local taxes collected in Canada

Once in the U.S.:
Travel permits to travel through various states on way home

Required by my state (Utah):
Safety and emission inspections
Title
Customs papers
Port of entry information
Purchase papers
Letter from vehicle manufacturer stating that a speedometer swap (to MPH instead of KPH) had been done, and headlight replacement if necessary.
Seek EPA approval - EPA information line (202) 564-9660.

VWoA number (800) 822-8987

If the vehicle is older, then you just might get away without all of the EPA stuff.

[jtanguay]

you yanks just just change over to metric already!!!  :lol: