bring Canadian Car into US (California)
Apr 10th 2001, 3:52 am
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
My fiance' will be bringing his Honda into the Us and to California. He is
fearful that he cant do it the day he comes over to get his fiance' visa stamped.
(he has a K1)
How hard is it for him to get his car approved to go over to the US. He think he has
to put up some deposit more then the value of the car. That sounds ridiculous!
Has anyone done this recently? What does he have to do to get his card approved to
cross the border permanently?
any help is appreciated!
fearful that he cant do it the day he comes over to get his fiance' visa stamped.
(he has a K1)
How hard is it for him to get his car approved to go over to the US. He think he has
to put up some deposit more then the value of the car. That sounds ridiculous!
Has anyone done this recently? What does he have to do to get his card approved to
cross the border permanently?
any help is appreciated!
Apr 10th 2001, 10:30 am
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
In addition to the URL that Grinch provided beware of the fact that since he is
bringing it into California, it has to meet their stringent emissions standards.
Rita
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
bringing it into California, it has to meet their stringent emissions standards.
Rita
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Apr 11th 2001, 6:42 am
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
"Rete" wrote:
> In addition to the URL that Grinch provided beware of the fact that since he is
> bringing it into California, it has to meet their stringent emissions
> standards.
Not true. As long as the car meets the general, US-wide "federal" emissions specs (as
well as the DOT's FMVSS safety standards), it can be brought into any state
(including California).
Contrary to popular misconception, California law does =NOT= require out-of-state
vehicles to be modified to meet California emissions standards. In fact, any such
modification would generally be illegal, unless the new emissions parts have been
approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
At one time, non-California-emissions vehicles were subject to a one-time US$300
"smog impact fee" the first time they were registered in California. However, this
fee was struck down by the courts in late 1999 and is no longer being collected.
Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.webcom.com/richw/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.
> In addition to the URL that Grinch provided beware of the fact that since he is
> bringing it into California, it has to meet their stringent emissions
> standards.
Not true. As long as the car meets the general, US-wide "federal" emissions specs (as
well as the DOT's FMVSS safety standards), it can be brought into any state
(including California).
Contrary to popular misconception, California law does =NOT= require out-of-state
vehicles to be modified to meet California emissions standards. In fact, any such
modification would generally be illegal, unless the new emissions parts have been
approved by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).
At one time, non-California-emissions vehicles were subject to a one-time US$300
"smog impact fee" the first time they were registered in California. However, this
fee was struck down by the courts in late 1999 and is no longer being collected.
Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.webcom.com/richw/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.
Apr 11th 2001, 10:46 am
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
You are correct that the smog certification is no longer needed in CA for cars 1973
and older. However, CA does still require cars to have other types of emissions
controls. The 2001 car my husband just bought is CA ready even though it is a NY car.
The gas mileage sucks because of those added features.
Rita
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
and older. However, CA does still require cars to have other types of emissions
controls. The 2001 car my husband just bought is CA ready even though it is a NY car.
The gas mileage sucks because of those added features.
Rita
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Apr 11th 2001, 10:47 pm
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
I have been told all you have to do is contact the manufacturer of the car (Honda
Canada) and give them the VIN. They mail and fax you a letter stating that the car
meets US emmission and safety standards-I think it costs about $60 or so. You need
that letter to cross. Customs will give you a form and I believe you need that form
to register the car.
simone wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Canada) and give them the VIN. They mail and fax you a letter stating that the car
meets US emmission and safety standards-I think it costs about $60 or so. You need
that letter to cross. Customs will give you a form and I believe you need that form
to register the car.
simone wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Apr 12th 2001, 12:46 am
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Earlier, I wrote:
> > Contrary to popular misconception, California law does =NOT= require
> > out-of-state vehicles to be modified to meet California emissions standards.
"Rete" replied:
> You are correct that the smog certification is no longer needed in CA for cars
> 1973 and older. However, CA does still require cars to have other types of
> emissions controls.
Sorry if my earlier post was confusing. I was =NOT= referring to the "pre-1973"
exemption from the California smog check, and I was =NOT= trying to say that
out-of-state (or out-of-country) cars did not have to have any smog certification at
all. What I meant was that it is sufficient for an imported used car to meet the "US
federal" (EPA) emissions specs; the car does =NOT= have to be specially modified
specifically for the more stringent California standards.
The car will still have to pass a California smog check -- but a properly functioning
non-California vehicle can still pass the smog check without having to be modified
for California.
Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.webcom.com/richw/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.
> > Contrary to popular misconception, California law does =NOT= require
> > out-of-state vehicles to be modified to meet California emissions standards.
"Rete" replied:
> You are correct that the smog certification is no longer needed in CA for cars
> 1973 and older. However, CA does still require cars to have other types of
> emissions controls.
Sorry if my earlier post was confusing. I was =NOT= referring to the "pre-1973"
exemption from the California smog check, and I was =NOT= trying to say that
out-of-state (or out-of-country) cars did not have to have any smog certification at
all. What I meant was that it is sufficient for an imported used car to meet the "US
federal" (EPA) emissions specs; the car does =NOT= have to be specially modified
specifically for the more stringent California standards.
The car will still have to pass a California smog check -- but a properly functioning
non-California vehicle can still pass the smog check without having to be modified
for California.
Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.webcom.com/richw/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.
Apr 12th 2001, 11:45 am
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
>
>
>
>
Do not know where you obtained this information but I will tell you from NG and
personal experience that a vehicle most definitely has to pass EPA standards in order
to be registered in most of the 50 states. It is definitely a requirement here in NY
and we have seen people whose cars were rejected because of this problem unless
modified to meet EPA requirements in the past. There is a special number listed on
the DOT page where you can contact the EPA to determine what you can do.
Rita Not trying to argue but trying to get to the truth of the situation.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Do not know where you obtained this information but I will tell you from NG and
personal experience that a vehicle most definitely has to pass EPA standards in order
to be registered in most of the 50 states. It is definitely a requirement here in NY
and we have seen people whose cars were rejected because of this problem unless
modified to meet EPA requirements in the past. There is a special number listed on
the DOT page where you can contact the EPA to determine what you can do.
Rita Not trying to argue but trying to get to the truth of the situation.
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Apr 12th 2001, 11:47 am
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
And that information is correct. As for EPA standards that is normally included in
the manufacturer's letter when it arrives. In NY, at least, you can register the car
without the Custom's letter but DMV will NOT give you a title and without the title
you cannot sell the vehicle or even junk it. You will have to drive or tow it back to
Canada to get rid of it.
Rita
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
the manufacturer's letter when it arrives. In NY, at least, you can register the car
without the Custom's letter but DMV will NOT give you a title and without the title
you cannot sell the vehicle or even junk it. You will have to drive or tow it back to
Canada to get rid of it.
Rita
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Apr 12th 2001, 5:41 pm
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Earlier, I wrote:
> > sufficient for an imported used car to meet the "US federal" (EPA) emissions
> > specs; the car does =NOT= have to be specially modified specifically for the
> > more stringent California standards.
"Rete" replied:
> Do not know where you obtained this information but I will tell you from NG and
> personal experience that a vehicle most definitely has to pass EPA standards in
> order to be registered in most of the 50 states.
Honestly, I thought that was what I said. Let me try once more -- carefully, and
point by point -- and please let me know which (if any) of the following specific,
individual claims you disagree with.
A used car being imported from Canada (or anywhere else) into the US, for permanent
use in the US, must meet the EPA "federal" emissions specs, or else it will not be
allowed into the country by US Customs.
An imported used car, being brought by its owner into California for permanent use in
that state, must pass a California smog check, or else the California DMV will not
allow it to be registered.
A NEW car being offered for sale in California is required to meet California's own
emissions specs, which are stricter than the federal (EPA) standards.
A USED car which was originally sold outside California (and which was designed to
meet the "federal" emissions specs, but not California emissions specs) does NOT have
to be modified to meet California specs in order to pass the California smog check.
In particular: A used car being imported from Canada into the US, with the intention
that it will be registered in California, does NOT have to be specifically certified
(or modified) to meet California emissions specs. As long as the car meets the US
federal (EPA) smog specs and passes a California smog check, that is supposed to be
good enough, both for US Customs and the California DMV.
Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.webcom.com/richw/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.
> > sufficient for an imported used car to meet the "US federal" (EPA) emissions
> > specs; the car does =NOT= have to be specially modified specifically for the
> > more stringent California standards.
"Rete" replied:
> Do not know where you obtained this information but I will tell you from NG and
> personal experience that a vehicle most definitely has to pass EPA standards in
> order to be registered in most of the 50 states.
Honestly, I thought that was what I said. Let me try once more -- carefully, and
point by point -- and please let me know which (if any) of the following specific,
individual claims you disagree with.
A used car being imported from Canada (or anywhere else) into the US, for permanent
use in the US, must meet the EPA "federal" emissions specs, or else it will not be
allowed into the country by US Customs.
An imported used car, being brought by its owner into California for permanent use in
that state, must pass a California smog check, or else the California DMV will not
allow it to be registered.
A NEW car being offered for sale in California is required to meet California's own
emissions specs, which are stricter than the federal (EPA) standards.
A USED car which was originally sold outside California (and which was designed to
meet the "federal" emissions specs, but not California emissions specs) does NOT have
to be modified to meet California specs in order to pass the California smog check.
In particular: A used car being imported from Canada into the US, with the intention
that it will be registered in California, does NOT have to be specifically certified
(or modified) to meet California emissions specs. As long as the car meets the US
federal (EPA) smog specs and passes a California smog check, that is supposed to be
good enough, both for US Customs and the California DMV.
Rich Wales [email protected] http://www.webcom.com/richw/dualcit/
*DISCLAIMER: I am not a lawyer, professional immigration consultant,
or consular officer. My comments are for discussion purposes only and
are not intended to be relied upon as legal or professional advice.
Apr 13th 2001, 12:07 am
#11
Guest
Posts: n/a
Gotcha! Rita Phew ... that was a hard nut to crack LOL
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
