Importing a car from Canada

Dave Handa imported his BMW 540M from Canada years ago. I'm sure he could give you some basic pointers, although some laws and regs may have changed since then.

 

What would you like to know? I imported a factory Porsche race car from Canada and proceeded to get it titled and street-registered in King County.

 

It is all spelled out in great detail courtesy of U.S. Customs and Border Protection:

Importing a Motor Vehicle | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

 

I believe customs does keep computer records of vehicles exported to Canada. I've imported several cars from the U.S. into Canada. You must stop at U.S. customs, they do a title search and issue an export document. If the car originally was in the U.S. and properly exported customs would have a record of it.

Second. Canada and the United States share database information, from criminal to motor vehicle registration information. When you cross the border, they scan and run the license plate information. This gives the full registration history of the vehicle. If you didn't properly export for example, customs can tell. They can fine and seize the vehicle.

Net is they can tell all. Computer's and database information is out there. Customs has more access then anyone. long way of saying yes they can tell if the vehicle was imported into the U.S and duties have been paid.

 

I only know for exporting. I had to make an appointment at the border crossing. Its easier to phone a border crossing direct over asking the 800 line. If the car is in Vancouver, Id use the Blaine truck crossing. They import/export more goods then the non commercial crossing at Peace Arch. Despite being "commercial" anyone can cross there.

Blaine | U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Even if not Vancouver, Blaine should be able to answer all questions.

 

I paid use tax in WA when I registered it. I imported it through Ontario/New York border.

Mine was a Canadian model and US Customs didn't have records of it and it was over 20 years old though.

No financing. This one might take more creativity i.e. seller cooperation to pull off US financing.

 

A Canadian model would not have been imported into the U.S. So no they wouldn't have records. If it was originally an American market car and exported to Canada, then U.S customs would have a record.

 

Most cars sold in Canada are U.S. spec. Besides daytime running lights and stricter bumper crash standards. Our emissions and standards are the same as the U.S.

 

Go through Doug De Muro's articles on importing a car.

Doug DeMuro

He's importing an R32 skyline and goes over this exact process. (among others) You have great timing btw.

 

If it was registered first in Ontario, suspect it was never imported to the U.S. officially. The duty in that case wouldn't have been paid.

 

I believe its like the DMV, they go by sale price.

 

I've imported two cars from Canada.

First one my 1975 Ferrari. It was really simple due to the age of the car. They basically looked at the data plate to confirm the age and country of origin. Italian cars are taxed at 2.5% so I showed them the bill of sale and they calculated the tax, I paid it by credit card. They then took the Canadian documents and gave me American documents I took to the DMV to get my plates. I did this at Port Huron MI. The interesting point is I got there at 2215 and they had a shift change at 2300 so when the new guy came on shift (paper work wasn't complete by 2300) he had to start the entire process over. Over all it was a good experience and the customs guys were ok to work with.

Second one was a brand new car. I imported this one thru Blaine. Once again I showed them the paper work and they inspected the car. Since this was a new car they looked for a 50 states emission placard (even though it was a Canadian car it said it was 50 state legal). The next thing they looked for a Canadian crash worthiness plackard. After they did that they calculated the duty and I paid it. The big difference is the guy in Blaine was a complete *****. The phrase jack booted thug described him to a T. Not only this but he filled out the wrong form. When I took it to the DMV I was out of luck, they couldn't register the car. I called the supervisor of the Blaine office, since I live in AK it wasn't practicle to go back to the office. I faxed the wrong form to them and they sent me the correct paper work to get my plates.

 

Does anyone know if there is a requirement to change the speedo from kilometres to miles when importing a Canadian car to the U.S?

 

No requirement if the car is over 25 years old for sure.

 

I want to import an F430. Im pretty sure that you have to change the odometer and speedo readings from kilometres to miles. I don't know though if there is a grace period to this in, so that it can be done in the U.S. Rather than Canada?

 

No grace period, it will be inspected at port of entry for proper speedo. Understand that for private importation for personal use, you only need the speedo reading MPH, even lower case is fine. They don't care about the odo...but if the speedo only reads in KPH, then it will need to be switched. I have heard some have gotten in with having the die cut stick on numbers...never tried it. I imported a BMW several years ago, and just took it to the BMW Store on Burrard for the gauge cluster swap. About $900 and they converted the kms to miles on the new odo as well.

You also need a letter from FNA stating the car meets DOT and EPA regs at time of manufacture. I hear they charge a pretty penny for that.
Going by memory, but I think I also needed a document from ICBC stating the car had no liens and title was clear. Just google search, there is a lot of info on the US Customs website as well as on various forums.

 

Thanks for the reply. I've discovered a company out of California, Francorchamps America that will recalibrate and put new dial on the speedo. It takes 2 days and is about $800. I need to remove the cluster and send it to them.
I'm hoping that I don't need the letter from FNA, provided I use an RI. I've heard that FNA letters can be pricey, and take time to get, if they will even cooperate.
Any further insights are appreciated!

 

Vehicle compliance letter from FNA is $550