Anyone bought from Canada to U.S?

Does anybody have real world experience buying a car in Canada and bringing it to the US? I'm really close to the Canadian border and there sure seems to be a lot of deals. I'd like to know if it's a bigger pain than it's worth for next time I'm in a position to buy.

Tom

 

This has come up before, member 90Merc did it, from my island of all places...maybe PM him for better/more info

http://www.stationwagonforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14534

 

Judging from the great wagon deals you Canadians have been posting, we all better learn the details real quick!

 

Just so's you know, most of these wagons will NOT come with free Poutine. Might as well leave 'em up here.

 

I did a thread on this awhile back. Don't know where it went. Someone laid out everything in that thread....I think it was 90merc.

 

I've done more importing into Canada than the other way around but if memory serves, it's pretty much all the same. You need to contact your port of entry with all the vehicle info so they can confirm that it's not stolen etc. This has to be done 72 hours in advance of bringing it across. The usual stuff like proper transfer papers and signed receipts by the same person is a big one. As far as cars coming into Canada you have to get the all important "form 1" at the border otherwise you will never be able to insure it. Pretty normal procedure besides the mandatory cavity search.

 

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Wecome to customs......

 

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml

Doesn't look too hard as long as you jump through all the right hoops.
The car has to meet U.S. federal standards, probably couldn't import a Trabant.

"Cleaning the Undercarriage
To safeguard against importation of dangerous pests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free of foreign soil. Have your car steam-sprayed or cleaned thoroughly before shipment."

Tel that to the cop in Florida I saw recently on Cops.
He said all the imported Boa Constrictors on the loose down there he can handle, all the Canadians moving in are the bigger foreign problem.

He said it.

 

Bringing a car into the US from Canada is easy. No need to call 72 hours in advance. You download the EPA form and the DOT form. Have the title and bill of sale ready.

It took me less than half an hour to clear the border. Cursory drug dog sniff, stamp the paper work, and let the border agents look at the car.

No duty on the car, either.

 

Thanks for all your input! Guess I shouldn't be scared

 

Do you know if Canuck cars are US emissions & crash legal?
Does anybody check?
There are lots of Japan spec. import up north I hear, some that I covet. I'm wondering if they are on Canadians documents I might sneak one in. ?

 

There is a boatload of info available all over the web.

Not all vehicles sold in Canada are eligible to be imported to the US. You have to do your homework.

A word of caution... If you really think you are going to BS a customs agent about the importation of a car, you are seriously wrong. Those guys do know what can and can't be brought in.

I had all my paperwork filled out and ready to go. It was all computer prepared and printed. The better prepared you are and the better you look and act will go a long way to how hassle you will go through.

I was quiet, waited in the office until I was called up to the counter, answered with straightforward answers, and kept calm. If you look and act professional, then, most of the time, you will treated like a professional.

 

I just had a 1976 Mercury Montego MX Villager imported from Canada to the U.S. (B.C. to MD.). Since I was unable to transport it myself, I had it shipped by a company that arranged both the border crossing and the trucking. There are a couple of companies (but not many) that do this. There are also trucking companies and shipping brokers that will put you in touch with a customs broker. You provide the info, they fill out the paperwork, you sign (and pay), and they take care of everything else.

The customs broker part of the fee was $150, which would include any duties.

For me, the whole process was actually quite easy. Of course, because of the age of the vehicle, it was exempt from emission and safety regs. Also, it was originally manufactured in the U.S., although it was built for the Canadian market -- no catalytic converter. The disadvantage of importing an older car, as I understand it, is that it can sometimes be difficult proving its country of manufacture to the satisfaction of the Customs agents. It seems many of them are only familiar with the younger vehicles whose VINs indicate the country of origin.

Of course, if you're practically right on the border, you'll probably want to bring the car across yourself. Even so, I'd still advise at least looking into using a customs broker. Their fees don't seem outrageous to me (depending on the value of the vehicle), and the one I used made the crossing go as smooth as silk.

Titling and registering the car in your state can be another matter. Again, I was lucky in that I was able to get through that process quite easily, but I've heard some horror stories about PA and NY.

 

Good ... I'd hate it if one of those drug dogs crapped all over my car!! LOL