Buying in Canada?

[NutmegCT]

Has any BCF member in the USA ever bought a "classic" car in Canada, then brought it back to the States?

I'm wondering what procedures have to be followed (i.e. what hoops to jump through).

Seems that you have to be in Canada in get car and the title/reg papers, but then do you just bring the car and the papers through customs? Pay some kind of export fee and/or VAT to the province and/or Ottawa? Wait many days for the title/reg/export papers to clear? Or is there even more to it than that?

I'd drive it back - not haul it back.

Just a general inquiry, you understand

Any personal experiences would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.
Tom

 

[Andrew Mace]

Tom, very short answer is that it should not be a major problem so long as all paperwork is in order and the car is certifiably a "Federal" model. There was an article in the VTR magazine about 11-12 years back on this very topic; I can find, scan and e-mail it to you if you like.

 

[Deleted member 8987]

If it's pre-68, no Federal stuff anyway.
Get you importation document and put it in a safe deposit box after you get it titled.

That way, if a question comes up, you can prove you are legal.

Read that on a Gummint site once.

 

[aeronca65t]

I brought my '58 A-35 back last Winter from Ontario to the USA.
It came in on my trailer.

There are a variety of forms on the US Customs website and I had them all (filled out).
The US Customs guy even told me I could have skipped one of the forms (but better safe than sorry).

It took about 20 minutes at the border.

They hardly looked at the car.
I'm pretty sure they didn't realize that the 948 engine for it was in the back of my tow van.

Be sure you wash the car before bringing it in.....seriously (I did, at a self service car wash). The Customs website says this is required (I think to keep out invasive plants).

 

[John_Mc]

I bought my TR6 in Vancouver in 2002 and had no trouble bringing it in. Like Aeronca65t said, I spent about 20 minutes at the border. Honestly though, I can't remember the paperwork involved. I could double check, but I think if you check with the DMV they can let you know. Again, it was very easy.

 

[NutmegCT]

Thank you gentlemen. Sounds like it's do-able after all - just in case.

So it's 95% like a domestic purchase: buy the car, have the title signed over (if there's a title), a proper bill of sale. Then drive it to the border where the rest of the paperwork is done. Sound right? Or is there some paperwork that needs to be done in advance?

Andrew - I've sent a PM.

Thanks.
Tom

 

[aeronca65t]

Check your PMs

 

[svtmikey]

I live in Point Roberts, WA, so the border is walking distance from my house. I drive into Canada a couple of times a day since my kids go to school there.
I have brought in a couple of cars, that I bought in Canada, all I had to do was prove ownership and pay any taxes required in WA....but none were classics.
If you want me to I will be happy to stop by and ask the guys at the border what is required....I know them pretty well since I see them more than my wife most days.....
Let me know

Mikey

 

[NutmegCT]

Mikey - just sent you a Private Msg.

Tom

 

[svtmikey]

OK, I when to the border and talked to them...it is pretty easy.
You will need:
Proof of purchase (Bill of Sale)
- for ownership and to calculate any duty if applicable)
Registration: temporary or permanaent

They gave me a document which outlines the rules. I have attached it to this reply (I think??). Although it says 2001 the rules have not changed and they have not updated the doc since then.

Mikey

 

[DNK]

Mikey- Can you put that in a PDF

 

[svtmikey]

Sorry this tok so long...my son had tons of math homework and I needed to learn it so I could help him learn it....I think

Attached is the 2 page .PDF file.

Thanks

Mikey

 

[NutmegCT]

Mikey - that pdf is so much easier to read. Thank you!

Tom

 

[svtmikey]

No worries!
The border guys said it is basically real simple, couple of minutes at the border and you're home free.

Good luck!