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importing from Canada

Discussion in '348/355' started by TomPDX, Sep 11, 2012.

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  1. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2008
    558
    Oregon
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #1 TomPDX, Sep 11, 2012
    Has anyone imported a classic car (over 25 years old) to the US from Canada? Any references, resources, and insights appreciated. Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Shaide

    Shaide Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 8, 2008
    613
    Las Colinas, DFW TX
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    Jason
    #2 Shaide, Sep 11, 2012
    I have. Well, kind of...

    That is, my 348 was 18 years old when i imported it from Canada and moved it down to Texas from Edmonton. I'm at work at the moment, but once I get home later tonight i can post up the full list of everything that was required, although i'm sure it varies a little from state to state.

    That said, I do remember a number of requirements that only had to be met if the car was under a certain age, so 25+ years should make you exempt on a number of things. Also, I was able to side-step some issues because my car was originally a US market car that went to CA and I just brought it back... so it was already tagged with all the D.O.T and E.P.A IDs and badges it needed. Again, probably something that is less of a concern for a classic/antique car.

    The quick equation, at least for my situation back then was this:
    Shipping, taxes, tariffs, etc., came out to about $5k if I remember correctly. So if you can find a car in Canada for $5k less (or more), then it should work out in your favor... except there are some red-tape hoops to jump through.
     
  3. CANDREAM

    CANDREAM Canada

    Nov 13, 2009
    407
    Burlington, Ontario
    Full Name:
    Sadi
    #3 CANDREAM, Sep 11, 2012
    Greetings...i would post on the canada section.....i know we have imported many cars the other way (US to canada) :)

    I am sure the guys who did that have also info. to import the other way.....

    Good luck.
     
  4. Rock

    Rock Formula 3

    Nov 9, 2003
    1,652
    Toronto, Canada
    Full Name:
    Rocco
    #4 Rock, Sep 11, 2012
    call tfx international in toronto and they can handle the whole transaction
     
  5. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #5 f355spider, Sep 11, 2012
    Tom,
    I have imported a newer car (BMW) while still under warranty. But there are a few guys in the BMW club that have imported BMWs over 25 years old in the Seattle area.
    Register here, and ask away, or simply search the forum for threads on the subject.

    http://www.bmwpugetsound.com/vbb/index.php
     
  6. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2008
    558
    Oregon
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    Tom
    #6 TomPDX, Sep 13, 2012
    Thanks guys. I understand that if it is over 25 years old, all of the EPA stuff is N/A. I also read that if it was ever a US car, that will eliminate the import duty. But I will look at the Seattle BMW site - thanks for the tip!
     
  7. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2008
    558
    Oregon
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    Tom
    #7 TomPDX, Sep 26, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Completed the import and other than the epic road trip, I'm pleased to report it was very simple. Left from Oregon Sunday and spent the night near the Canada border in Idaho. Arrived in Calgary about 12:30 Monday. Loaded the Rover up with spares, and the car on the trailer. Left Calgary about 3:00, and arrived at the boarder crossing at 8pm.

    I had downloaded and filled out an HS 7 Declaration, but they didn't want it. They filled out their own CBP Form 7501, and just needed a Bill of Sale to complete it. They charged a 2.5% duty - not bad. It took about 30 minutes, and I was back on the road. I stayed at the same hotel again, and arrived home about 2:30 Tuesday. By the way, if you don't own a Range Rover, buy one. What an amazing vehicle....

    Here is the new acquisition, taken about 30 miles from Calgary, where I pulled over to check the straps, etc. She's a 1958 Jaguar XK150 roadster, and needs a full restoration (my retirement project a few years hence). Isn't she a beaut!
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  8. SoCal1

    SoCal1 F1 Veteran
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    Jun 14, 2011
    8,636
    SoCal LA/OC/New Mexico
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    Tim Dee
    #8 SoCal1, Sep 26, 2012
    WOW love it!!!!
     
  9. captglen

    captglen Formula 3
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    Nov 25, 2007
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    West Palm Beach, Fl
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    Glenn L.
    #9 captglen, Sep 26, 2012
    It looks very nice and good luck on the retirement, great way to plan ahead
     
  10. jm3

    jm3 F1 Rookie

    Oct 3, 2002
    4,364
    United States
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    #10 jm3, Sep 26, 2012
    I imported a 1969 Buick (Made in Canada) and I had to get a letter from GM of Canada confirming the car met US smog standards in 1969. I also had to install a US FED smog sticker on the radiator shroud. The car does not pass smog, will never be checked, but it needed to have complied at the time.

    I used Curt at Turbo Auto Transport, and they did a good job. I paid them to handle all the paperwork, which was worth it. It was not very expensive.
     
  11. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2008
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    #11 TomPDX, Sep 27, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Thanks! She doesn't look like much now, but in about 10-15 years she'll be gorgeous. Here she is at her new home. It's a complete car with a remarkably nice interior, but desperately needs paint.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  12. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

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    #12 TomPDX, Sep 27, 2012
    Thanks Glenn! By the way, I am enjoying my 355 Sport Exhaust immensely!
     
  13. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #13 f355spider, Sep 27, 2012
    Tom, congratulations! Well done, and should be an awesome project. Cheers! Dave
     
  14. gus355

    gus355 Formula Junior

    Aug 3, 2011
    569
    B.C. and WA
    #14 gus355, Sep 27, 2012
    I was going to post earlier on this, importing cars into USA from Canada is ridiculously easy, compared to bringing a car into Canada it is a cake walk. I have sold several cars to people from the USA and literally given them nothing but a bill of sale.
     
  15. infromix

    infromix Rookie

    Jan 4, 2013
    1
    #15 infromix, Jan 4, 2013
    Hi Tom, I live in Seattle and want to purchase a 1973 Triumph Stag from Vancouver BC. Can you tell me the procedure you used to get your Jag through customs into the US?

    Thanks,
    Steve
     
  16. TomPDX

    TomPDX Formula Junior

    Mar 28, 2008
    558
    Oregon
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    Tom
    #16 TomPDX, Jan 7, 2013
    Super easy. I just showed up at about 10pm at the border crossing. I had the title and bill of sale, which is all I needed. (I also had a US Customs form that I was told I needed, but they didn't want it). They need the bill of sale to determine how much import duty to charge me, which was about $750 USD, not bad (put it on a Visa debit card). They tried to find the vin #, but gave up after a few minutes and waived me on. I was out of there in about 20 minutes.

    Good luck! Always loved the Stag, I have a '68 TR 250 (that I've had for 35 years!)
     

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