- Joined
- May 29, 2005
- Threads
- 40
- Messages
- 144
- Location
- Nova Scotia, Canada
- Website
- www.archeophotography.com
I just bought a LC in the States and drove it back to Canada.
This info is hard to get and should be useful for all Canadians that want to import a truck from the States to Canada.
I bought mine in Florida, so here is what I learned:
Registration: Nobody was able to tell me before I went how I can drive it back legally in terms of Registration. A knowledgable duty officer told me how it works: If you buy the vehicle in a State where people leave their license plate with the truck, you can drive it back with this plate.
If the plate stays with the owner it's more difficult. You (or the previous owner) have to get a temporary permit in the State you buy the truck. I didn't know that and just brought my own plate, slapped it on and drove it back. They gave me a hard time at the border, since this is not quite right. They didn't charge me anything, though, they just told me it's illegal. I have the feeling the whole thing is a "grey" zone in terms of legal issues.
Insurance: Your Canadian insurance company will insure the truck. Just get the VIN# and the vehicles data and tell your insurer. They will insure the truck even if it is still in the USA and you can drive it back with valid insurance. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING WITHOUT INSURANCE!
Waiting time at the border: This is most annoying! US law requires a 72 hour notice before a vehicle can be exported. That means that - in theory - you have to contact the US authorities and then wait 72 hours before you can export your truck. BUT: Canadian authorities don't care about the Export papers, so you can import the truck without the US Export papers. Be adviced, though, that there will be a US$5000 fine if you want to re-import the truck to the USA at a later time. That can be an issue if you plan to sell the truck to the USA again. Also they told me, that the US side makes export checks on vehicles sometimes.
Duty: You HAVE to declare your newly bought truck at the border. You will pay duty and GST on the border. Duty is 7.5% of the purchase price. If your vehicle has Air condition you will pay a flat fee of Can$100 on top of everything. It's some form of luxury tax. You are allowed to bring CAN$200 worth of goods from the US, though. This amount should be deducted. Example: I bought the truck for US$2500. After all the conversions, deductions, taxes (inluding air-condition tax) and duties I paid CAN$480 at the border.
Other observations: Don't try to cheat with the purchase price (like writing down a different price then you actually paid). The officers at the border know their stuff. Make a written contract with the previous owner and state clearly your names, date of purchase, the VIN# of the vehicle and the purchase price. Again, make sure that you state the VIN# of the vehicle on every paperwork you have.
Keep a record of the method of payment and the price. If you paid with cheque, make a copy of the cheque. If you paid with Paypal (like I did), make a print of your Paypal receipt. That helps greatly, shows that you are honest and the duty officers appreciate it.
If you bought your truck on a mailing list or forum like the one here on the list, print the ad. If you have email correspondence with the PO print it and take it with you.
Make sure the US title is properly signed and DOUBLE CHECK that the VIN# is the same on the title and the truck.
You don't have to convert a truck to Canadian standards (daylight running lights etc.), especially not if they are older then 15 years. Basically all SUVs from the States can be imported to Canada as long as they have a sticker that says something like "This vehicle complies with all US laws etc." Ask the seller before buying if the truck has it.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about something or ad to the list.
This info is hard to get and should be useful for all Canadians that want to import a truck from the States to Canada.
I bought mine in Florida, so here is what I learned:
Registration: Nobody was able to tell me before I went how I can drive it back legally in terms of Registration. A knowledgable duty officer told me how it works: If you buy the vehicle in a State where people leave their license plate with the truck, you can drive it back with this plate.
If the plate stays with the owner it's more difficult. You (or the previous owner) have to get a temporary permit in the State you buy the truck. I didn't know that and just brought my own plate, slapped it on and drove it back. They gave me a hard time at the border, since this is not quite right. They didn't charge me anything, though, they just told me it's illegal. I have the feeling the whole thing is a "grey" zone in terms of legal issues.
Insurance: Your Canadian insurance company will insure the truck. Just get the VIN# and the vehicles data and tell your insurer. They will insure the truck even if it is still in the USA and you can drive it back with valid insurance. DON'T EVEN THINK ABOUT GOING WITHOUT INSURANCE!
Waiting time at the border: This is most annoying! US law requires a 72 hour notice before a vehicle can be exported. That means that - in theory - you have to contact the US authorities and then wait 72 hours before you can export your truck. BUT: Canadian authorities don't care about the Export papers, so you can import the truck without the US Export papers. Be adviced, though, that there will be a US$5000 fine if you want to re-import the truck to the USA at a later time. That can be an issue if you plan to sell the truck to the USA again. Also they told me, that the US side makes export checks on vehicles sometimes.
Duty: You HAVE to declare your newly bought truck at the border. You will pay duty and GST on the border. Duty is 7.5% of the purchase price. If your vehicle has Air condition you will pay a flat fee of Can$100 on top of everything. It's some form of luxury tax. You are allowed to bring CAN$200 worth of goods from the US, though. This amount should be deducted. Example: I bought the truck for US$2500. After all the conversions, deductions, taxes (inluding air-condition tax) and duties I paid CAN$480 at the border.
Other observations: Don't try to cheat with the purchase price (like writing down a different price then you actually paid). The officers at the border know their stuff. Make a written contract with the previous owner and state clearly your names, date of purchase, the VIN# of the vehicle and the purchase price. Again, make sure that you state the VIN# of the vehicle on every paperwork you have.
Keep a record of the method of payment and the price. If you paid with cheque, make a copy of the cheque. If you paid with Paypal (like I did), make a print of your Paypal receipt. That helps greatly, shows that you are honest and the duty officers appreciate it.
If you bought your truck on a mailing list or forum like the one here on the list, print the ad. If you have email correspondence with the PO print it and take it with you.
Make sure the US title is properly signed and DOUBLE CHECK that the VIN# is the same on the title and the truck.
You don't have to convert a truck to Canadian standards (daylight running lights etc.), especially not if they are older then 15 years. Basically all SUVs from the States can be imported to Canada as long as they have a sticker that says something like "This vehicle complies with all US laws etc." Ask the seller before buying if the truck has it.
Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong about something or ad to the list.
