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Buying and importing a car from the US

Buying and importing a car from the US

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Old May 11th 2007, 12:17 pm
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Default 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
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Old May 11th 2007, 12:29 pm
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Default Re: Buying and importing a car from the US

Originally Posted by torticat
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
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.
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Old May 11th 2007, 4:14 pm
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Default Re: Buying and importing a car from the US

Originally Posted by torticat
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
What are you up to now?

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

Hope you are having a fantastic time?
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Old May 11th 2007, 5:43 pm
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Default Re: Buying and importing a car from the US

Originally Posted by torticat
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
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.
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Old May 11th 2007, 6:29 pm
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Default 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?



Originally Posted by Tuppence
What are you up to now?

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

Hope you are having a fantastic time?
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Old May 11th 2007, 8:02 pm
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Default Re: Buying and importing a car from the US

Originally Posted by torticat
Seems to be very little info on the net regarding the importation of cars form the US.
http://www.riv.ca

This site will get you started.
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Old May 11th 2007, 10:34 pm
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Default Re: Buying and importing a car from the US

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

Originally Posted by torticat
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
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Old May 11th 2007, 10:51 pm
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Default Re: Buying and importing a car from the US

Originally Posted by Bill_S
http://www.riv.ca

This site will get you started.
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
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Old May 12th 2007, 6:58 pm
  #9  
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Default 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

Originally Posted by Steve_P
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
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