Buying and importing a car from the US
 

Any tips, hints and suggestions welcome....

Seems to be very little info on the net regarding the importation of cars form the US.

Are there any duty and tax implications and what about the border crossing formalities?

All info appreciated

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

If it's less than fifteen years old it needs to be Canadianized; they switch the speedo and remove the light switch. That costs about $1500 at Canadian Tire. If you're a permanent resident it then needs to be registered which, no doubt, costs money.

If you're not a PR but long term temporary, you can drive on US plates. The border people will write you a form (E99 I think) explaining the status of the vehicle so you can go back and forth to the US without a big bother each time you cross.

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

What are you up to now? :D

You are supposed to be on vacation, not getting carried away with shopping :p

Hope you are having a fantastic time?

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

pretty much everything I've heard and read on this subject concludes that it's not worth the hassle. Import duties, GST/PST, costs of conversion (km/h speedo, running lights etc) plus the time and effort for all the paperwork involved, easily outweigh the cost advantages of buying in the US.

Unless it's old (>15 years) or has particularly sentimental attachment for you - or you've owned it for long enough to satisfy Revenue Canada that you'll not be liable for tax - then I'd be inclined not to bother.

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

Having a whale of a time (old Shamu joke)

Its just weeks like this that you realise just how expensive Canada can be some times!!

Thanks to all the others for the info, I was aware that there would be HST to pay on the import but them you would pay that on a Canadian purchase too.

Can anyone shed any light on the any duty due? i have a feeling its all but non existent if its a North American built vehicle?

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

http://www.riv.ca

This site will get you started.

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

Forget the US, come see me about a Porsche when you get back!

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

Along with the above link here's one you can browse through.

If you feel like wading through 127 pages of differing opinions on how to do it.

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/s...d.php?t=307601

Cheers
Steve

Re: Buying and importing a car from the US
 

Thanks Steve that was exactly the type of info i was looking for.

Seems that for a little leg work their are savings to be made!!

Cheers