I can' believe how hard it is to buy a car North of the border.
Question: Is it difficult to buy a car South of the border?
Question: Is it difficult to buy a car South of the border?
Bringing a car back from Canada
- Thread starter Carmine
- Start date
300rag
It's Not Going to Shift Itself
South of the border for you, or me?
livininharrow
Senior Member
very easy. have a copy of the title faxed to u.s. customs 72 hours prior to importing it to Canada. the original title and bill of sale or a copy of sale on ebay will be sufficient. it is now required to have a u.s. broker . never was till about a year ago. still a no brainer with proper paperwork. I have bought 5 cars from the u.s. over the years. one word of advice, don't try to scam them on the purchace price. pay the taxes and be on your way.
300rag
It's Not Going to Shift Itself
The problem has never been getting a car into or out of Canada. The sticking point is bringing it into, or out of the US.
@Tobias74 has moved cars in both directions and should chime in now that he is back from Mehico...
Carmine
Old Man with a Hat
I just received an email from a friend on the subject and I'm inclined to trust it. Essentially all of these DOT and EPA issues go away after 25 years. Given that the car was built in Detroit there is no duty (nor would there be if it was built in Canada, like all Cordobas for example). Will call our local customs office tomorrow.
I expect (hope) for better results there than dealing with state bureaucrats. I have an elderly friend who was born in Canada back when people pretty much walked across our frozen river. She became a US citizen in the 50s and consequently her papers didnt have a bar code, so our state robots couldn't figure out what to do. Customs said "as long as Canada lets her in; she's a citizen, we'll let her back in" We've gone twice now. (she has a bit of Demensia and wants to see her old family farm in Windsor, which amazingly still exists among a bunch of new development)
I expect (hope) for better results there than dealing with state bureaucrats. I have an elderly friend who was born in Canada back when people pretty much walked across our frozen river. She became a US citizen in the 50s and consequently her papers didnt have a bar code, so our state robots couldn't figure out what to do. Customs said "as long as Canada lets her in; she's a citizen, we'll let her back in" We've gone twice now. (she has a bit of Demensia and wants to see her old family farm in Windsor, which amazingly still exists among a bunch of new development)
You're perfectly competent to decide what to do if she gives you trouble...
IDK much about the importing thing, I looked into it in the past and there are so many different experiences. I will relate what I did when I purchased my NYB in Indiana a couple years ago. Florida's titling and registration system is controlled by the local tax collector's office. There is one title agency who stayed in constant business through the years when most were shutting down (washed titles were once the mainstay of the open to the public businesses). Watching them survive and a prior consultation on another car convinced me to use them.
Made the decision Sunday, Monday red eye flight to IN, contacted the title agency while changing planes (first chance I had during their business hours), I had brought several copies of all the state forms I could find online, we figured out which forms I needed to get signed. When I arrived at the seller's property, he called a local LEO friend of his to come fill out the VIN verification forms... which I faxed and overnighted to the tile agency... too late for them to go get processed that day.
I had put the car on my insurance prior to leaving FL, and had to have them send proof to the agency as well... they were slow... but I figured I had a plate somewhere and a bill of sale... the seller is a great guy and left his plate so I could start my trip Monday evening. Tuesday at an office store in Pittsburgh, I faxed and overnighted additional paperwork they needed and received my plate at my mother's house in Pittsburgh Wednesday. Thursday morning, completely legal, I continued on to Carlisle...
IDK if any of my experience will help your situation, but perhaps something in mine will help you with yours... good luck.
70bigblockdodge
Old Man with a Hat
I have no experience with this. Driving a truck across the border I can agree with using a customs broker (of course I was not paying for this). You will have more trouble with your state, and it shares a border with Canada. In my case dealing with PA DOT is a lesson in patience. Unbelievable how many hoops I had to jump through to put a plate on a car I have owed in my name for 14 years.
Thank you. It is my understanding that Saskatchewan and Alberta do not title vehicles. In that case, would one need a copy of the seller's registration and of the signed bill of sale?
That’s correct
livininharrow
Senior Member
Tobias looks like the guy to go to for current info. cheers and good luck.
In my dealings with the multitude of American buyers who frequent the Canadian auction markets it is definitely the way to go using a broker. Best $250 spent etc. That said as some others will attest to there are ways to get cars across without using a broker but this can lead to titling issues and possible fines for illegal importation. You know what needs tobe done Michel and we are here to help should you need it.
bluefury361
Old Man with a Hat
I attempted to buy a car from one of our Canadian members a couple of years ago. It was the right car and the right deal. Bringing it into the US is what killed the deal. All inquires resulted in sketchy information at best. Never did find out export/import costs. Hind sight..... Hire a broker.
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