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General Information => General => Topic started by: Turbinepowered on July 23, 2007, 01:12:06 pm
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So, if you've seen my ad in the classifieds section, you know I'm looking at importing an '88 Fox wagon from Canada to the US. Mostly because it's cheap, not rusty, and quite close in the grand scheme of the world.
I went and talked to the customs office up here in Ely, but I'd like to get some opinions from people who have "been there, done that" with bringing Canadian cars into the US.
Any tips, tricks, things to watch out for? She's getting a diesel if she comes in the country... :twisted:
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You need to check out this:
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm
Yep you can bring 'er in. The the missus she's getting a diesel :shock:
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i think canadian imports are pretty easy?
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You need to check out this:
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm
Yep you can bring 'er in. The the missus she's getting a diesel :shock:
Hmmm... so really it seems like the certifications are what are going to be the hangup. If I'm reading it correctly, it's not likely the stickers are going to be on a Canadian market car... meaning I have to go the route of manufacturer verification, yes?
Or am I wrong, and Canadian market cars also have the US certification stickers?
And yes, she will go home a Diesel Fox if I end up being able to pull this off.
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AFAIK our DOT standards are the same as US. You can always get a letter from VWofCanada stating the car was built to US DOT standards.
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AFAIK our DOT standards are the same as US. You can always get a letter from VWofCanada stating the car was built to US DOT standards.
That would be cool, but any idea how long that would take to get through?
The big one I worry about these days, though, is the EPA standards. Granted, they're for '88, which weren't nearly as strict as today, but... weren't they different across the border?
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i want a derby soooo bad,with fat lil ats classics
thats my .02c :!: :!: :wink: :wink:
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This help??
http://volksweb.relitech.com/crewimp.htm
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Have you seen the car? I just can't imagine how someone from SC could be anything but disappointed with a canadian car. We usually go to SC to buy decent cars...
Even though it may not look outwardly rusty, an '88 fox is going to be pretty tough... Maybe I'm wrong and it has been stored in a climate controlled container since new. Even then, they use so much salt here some would have probably made it in and rotted the floor out... :D
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Well, on recommendations from several people, including the seller, I'm going to let the Canadian Fox go. I think I've found one closer to home anyway, a bright orange Florida car.
Thanks for the help and hints, and I may still use them in the future!
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The `88 Canadian spec Fox doesn`t have a cat so how would you get past the tail pipe test?? :?
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Don't they test vehicles to the standard that they were created to/by? Eg my dad had a 1963 volvo...no cat no nothing, dual SU carbs...smelled like a lawnmower while cold. Passed Etests just fine since there was basically no emmissions (two ss or mm's? I;m too druink to right clik) standars at the time of manufacture for th ecar. somoen, tis must be sigfnature worthy,,,
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well for the record 1968 was the first year that i know of manufactures starting to implament polution controll! well that's when california started because anything older then 1968 there was exempt from smog checks!for '68 and up they had to comply each new year with less N.O.X. to where they are today those # were shared between automanufacture's and gasoline manufacture's to make the engines burn cleaner and also they had to change the fuel so it would burn cleaner! remember when they reformulated gasoline they took the lead out? now they are doing the same with diesel taking the sulfer out! so for that 63 volvo i don't balieve there was any smog equipment on at all! and if the Fox was originally a diesel it would be no problem bringing it over the border!but since it sounds like it's a gas model that will be more difficult because it don't meet E.P.A. standards! well i hope i'm correct in my info on that? because thats what i remember from growing up in california! so please correct me if im wrong!!
thanks Duane
P.S. not sure if it's '66 or '68 it's been along time
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You can always get a letter from VWofCanada stating the car was built to US DOT standards.
From what I recall in a similar thread VWoC won't write any letters due to legalities or some BS like that
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Peter aka vw4motion on the TDI club wants to start importing cars... 15 years or older of course. so anyone want a '94 whatever? :lol:
i was thinking of importing a golf country... hmmmmmmm
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well for the record 1968 was the first year that i know of manufactures starting to implament polution controll! well that's when california started because anything older then 1968 there was exempt from smog checks!for '68 and up they had to comply each new year with less N.O.X. to where they are today those # were shared between automanufacture's and gasoline manufacture's to make the engines burn cleaner and also they had to change the fuel so it would burn cleaner! remember when they reformulated gasoline they took the lead out? now they are doing the same with diesel taking the sulfer out! so for that 63 volvo i don't balieve there was any smog equipment on at all! and if the Fox was originally a diesel it would be no problem bringing it over the border!but since it sounds like it's a gas model that will be more difficult because it don't meet E.P.A. standards! well i hope i'm correct in my info on that? because thats what i remember from growing up in california! so please correct me if im wrong!!
thanks Duane
P.S. not sure if it's '66 or '68 it's been along time
GM actually started using Thermactors(air pumps) on certain models as early as `65 as I recall,...
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I guess I should tell my tale of trying to import a Canadian car.
Started in Jan. '06. I have a '90 NA Jetta and wanted a TD. Everywhere I asked (except US Customs) said that a Canadian car was easy. VW, when asked would provide the appropriate letter of conformance.
So I bought a car in Toronto, took the pickup and a car hauler (from NC) and picked it up in May '06.
Getting the car into the states was easy. Now trying to get a title was something different.
When I called VW North America (I called several times trying to get a different answer, tried a letter as well(no response to that)) they responded that they had a policy change. They no longer provide statements of conformance to import Canadian cars into the US as of March 2006.
The US importation website says that without a statement of conformance all imported cars must be upgraded to the 1996 standard if manufactured before 1996. This means: drivers side airbags, CAT (even on diesels), that terrible passive restraint system that VW US cars have during that time frame, US spec. bumpers and do an Emissions test (yes even diesels) on the engine. And all the work must be done by a Registered Importer. I contacted two RI's and they wanted $6000 for that work.
Bottom line, my Canadian car is a parts car now.
You may be able to find a way around the red tape, but I never did.
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Do you think if you had gone through a Importer from the beginning things may have been different? I mean maybe they know of a couple tricks..
If it were me and I already had a car that I wanted to upgrade like a NA to a TD and was close enough to Canada to find something worth bringing back I may consider swapping titles/ VIN tags and parting the old car out..
Ending up with the car I imported with my old car paper work.
YES I know that could be considered to be a bit on the illegal side of the line but you wouldn’t be cheating anyone out of anything just loosing your old car..
dan
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I guess I should tell my tale of trying to import a Canadian car.
Started in Jan. '06. I have a '90 NA Jetta and wanted a TD. Everywhere I asked (except US Customs) said that a Canadian car was easy. VW, when asked would provide the appropriate letter of conformance.
So I bought a car in Toronto, took the pickup and a car hauler (from NC) and picked it up in May '06.
Getting the car into the states was easy. Now trying to get a title was something different.
When I called VW North America (I called several times trying to get a different answer, tried a letter as well(no response to that)) they responded that they had a policy change. They no longer provide statements of conformance to import Canadian cars into the US as of March 2006.
The US importation website says that without a statement of conformance all imported cars must be upgraded to the 1996 standard if manufactured before 1996. This means: drivers side airbags, CAT (even on diesels), that terrible passive restraint system that VW US cars have during that time frame, US spec. bumpers and do an Emissions test (yes even diesels) on the engine. And all the work must be done by a Registered Importer. I contacted two RI's and they wanted $6000 for that work.
Bottom line, my Canadian car is a parts car now.
You may be able to find a way around the red tape, but I never did.
hmmm just need to find a rust free body and transplant :)