Anyone know the ins and outs of bringing a car in from Canadia? Yes, I've read the customs department website, but I'd like the actual story. Based on my reading of that site, we aren't even allowed to travel to Canada, let alone bring stuff back.
The vehicle in question is a 1970 Volvo 142. It would be a family gift, so there'd be no "sale" involved.
Anyone have experience with this?
jg
I'm Canadian, so here's my scoop. You'll need to certify it first (in Canada). That's all I really know. The best thing is, you can get a 90s JDM GTR in Canada, certify it, and import it to evade rules. Sneaky.
You need to avoid paved roads and checkpoints and use lots of sled dogs.
Just sayin. 
beaterworld wrote: I'm Canadian, so here's my scoop. You'll need to certify it first (in Canada). That's all I really know. The best thing is, you can get a 90s JDM GTR in Canada, certify it, and import it to evade rules. Sneaky.
You actually can't.
JG, can't help you, sorry. 
To go to Canada and back,you need a passport or an "Enchanced" drivers license, if your state has it. Don't know about the car.
You could try contacting this guy. I have no experience with him, but know of him from some of the cool e30 cars he has offered for sale over the years.
http://www.willz.ca/importusatocanada.htm
Keith brought Basil from Canada to Colorado, he would probably be the "go-to" guy.
It's easy. Get the car into the US. Drive it, tow it, whatever. Take the papers (some Canadian provinces don't have titles, you use the registration instead) to your local DMV and tell them it's a Canadian car. Since the car is over 25, much of the paperwork will evaporate. In Colorado, I had to get the State Patrol to check the VIN to make sure it matched the documents, but that's it. Not much harder than an out-of-state purchase.
In terms of what has to be done at Customs, I'm actually not sure. I had a broker take care of that after the cars (I've brought in two) had already crossed the border. Didn't cost me much at all (like $25 or so) so it obviously wasn't much paperwork. In both cases, I already owned the car when it came in.
Ignore beaterworld, Canada does not work as a magic trick to get 15-25 year old JDM magic beans into the US.
In NYS it seemed more trouble than it was worth. Then again, I asked downstate; maybe the DMV closer to the border would have a better idea of what's what?
It really shouldn't be any trouble. The DMV in our small Colorado mountain town was able to deal with it.
if the car is legal to drive in canada.. have the owner drive it down to the states and "sell" it to you there... avoids a lot of customs hassles..
as for the legality.. a car that old should be fairly easy to import
"Ignore beaterworld" We do a LOT of that here.
What does your state say?
We bought my wife's bike (new) in Canada and brought it back. I would not recommend that to others. She did put over 6K miles on before we got home.
In Arkansas, a vehicle that old qualifies for an antique plate with nothing more than a bill of sale and proof of insurance. Registering that vehicle here would be relatively easy. I bet that if you left off "Canada" from the bill of sale, they wouldn't care. For that matter, you could probably register it, get your plate, go up there, put plate on vehicle and drive or drag it home. At the border, yeah, here's my registration on my 1970 Volvo. Here's my insurance card.
The above statements are not to be construed as legal advice, title advice, rational statements or mad ramblings and are provided strictly for entertainment purposes and without warranty of any type or implication including suitability of purpose.
beaterworld wrote: I'm Canadian, so here's my scoop. You'll need to certify it first (in Canada). That's all I really know. The best thing is, you can get a 90s JDM GTR in Canada, certify it, and import it to evade rules. Sneaky.
Honestly, it's so easy to do it legally it's not worth the trouble of trying to do it any other way. I'd get the ownership in your name in Canada first, even if it's not registered. Physically getting it into the country isn't hard, and the VIN will identify it as a non-US car to the DMV. At least, it would with a newer car. Don't know about 1970.
Customs or nhtsa?
Nhtsa has all the details as far as what's req'd for importation. The car is over 25yrs old, so the import will be pretty easy.
The transfer of ownership may actually be more eventful than the import. Which province?
I imported my zx2 s/r from Michigan to Ontario back in 2002. I could have done a better job with my homework.
It's Ontario. It's family, and there's not going to be a "selling price" as such, so I can't imagine that part being too big of a hassle, but I guess it's worth some phone calls.
Although, I guess now is probably not the best time of year to drive a 40-year-old car back from Canada, so I probably have a little time.
jg
What do you mean? There was just a big snowstorm and the temps are going below zero tonight. It's a PERFECT time to do it.
stuart in mn wrote: What do you mean? There was just a big snowstorm and the temps are going below zero tonight. It's a PERFECT time to do it.
Especially if you were using sled dogs and bypassing the checkpoints.
only tangentially helpful at best, but my '86 944 was a canadian-market car that was brought into the US in '95 or so. i had no problem registering it in MI in 2006.
My first fiat was also a canadian market car.
If only beaterworld was right, I could have my GT-R and rule the mountain roads...
@Jay, I started loading that, forgot about it, and then couldn't figure out where the music was coming from.
Keith wrote: Honestly, it's so easy to do it legally it's not worth the trouble of trying to do it any other way. I'd get the ownership in your name in Canada first, even if it's not registered. Physically getting it into the country isn't hard, and the VIN will identify it as a non-US car to the DMV. At least, it would with a newer car. Don't know about 1970.
You underestimate NYS DMV
JG Pasterjak wrote: It's Ontario. It's family, and there's not going to be a "selling price" as such, so I can't imagine that part being too big of a hassle, but I guess it's worth some phone calls. Although, I guess now is probably not the best time of year to drive a 40-year-old car back from Canada, so I probably have a little time. jg
You're driving it? All the better.
MTO may still want to tax you for ownership transfer because it's out of country. Don't quote me on that because it is a family transfer and normally those aren't taxed. One never knows though...
"Seller" will need a used car kit - $20 from MTO. That gets filled out and brought to MTO with your proof of insurance on the car.
You don't need a safety inspection to get a 5 day trip permit, but it may be worth it for peace of mind.
Make sure Canadian customs knows the car is coming through well in advance. They'll need copies of your paperwork in advance too. That's where I blew it with my car. I called U.S. Customs and asked what they needed and when/how I should send it. The guy said "just bring it with the car - it's ok." NOT TRUE. The car had to sit for 72 hours while they "processed" the paperwork. 
Unless you're driving it from somewhere cold in Ontario, it won't be a bad drive if the heater works. The roads are clean and clear 99% of the time.
Drewsifer wrote: If only beaterworld was right, I could have my GT-R and rule the mountain roads...
Until that kid in the Eight Six blasts by you on the Downhill.
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