Importing into Canada, Anyone done it, was it easy? Options

[6gsillyca]

So ive been looking into importing a vehicle from the states, into canada, and was wondering if anyone has done it before, and if it was easy or not. This may also be helpful for anyone else looking to import a vehicle from the states.


So far ive contacted registrar, and they said that on a 94-99 celica, all i need is a recall clearance letter, from the manufacturer, stating that there are no outstanding recalls on the vehicle. i do not believe that there are any recalls for the 6gc. Can anyone confirm this? The only other thing i need to do, within 45 days is a modified out of province inspection, including having DRL's installed.

Need to give US customs 72 hours notice of exportation, fee of $209 at the border, $100 if vehicle has a/c, and any additional duties, which should be none if the car was manufactured in the US.


To anyone whos done this; does it sound like the right steps?

Thanks,
Corey

[WALKER]

I have never imported myself, but have always been interested.

Have you read the thread on beyond.ca?

[elvasoshexai]

i imported mine from florida...

are you planning on driving it urself or getting it shipped here?

mine was shipped here... and that was an extra $1000 or so

anyway... if u drive it back.. u will need temp insurance for all states u drive thro...

if u use a shipping company.. they will tell u all documents they need to get into canada... then you go inspect it at their bond shed... then u have to go to a place to sign some papers and pay taxes and fees and stuff... then u gotta fax something to RIV... at this point get temp insurance and temp permit for ur province so u can drive to get inspections and stuff done... so best to get it all done within 15days (before ur temp permit expires)...

after that... u need DRL... make sure it has a sign to show if passenger/driver side has airbags.. u also need child restraint thing (it's like <$10 at dealership.. it's a bolt thing. just throw it into ur glove compartment)

need emissions and safety... then take to CDN TIRE to do federal inspection... once they pass u, get actual insurance... then get it registered and then ur basically set...

some time later riv will send u a sticker to put on ur car.. but i never actually put it on...

simple =)

[sugarfree]

So you guys are wanting to import something like a GT4? Does that mean you guys can acutally import the motor in the car? Or is that going to be a seperate shippment? Sounds interesting, if its under like 15grand, Id probably consider doing it instead of buying a new car in the states.

[WALKER]

So you guys are wanting to import something like a GT4? Does that mean you guys can acutally import the motor in the car? Or is that going to be a seperate shippment? Sounds interesting, if its under like 15grand, Id probably consider doing it instead of buying a new car in the states.

No not importing a GT4, that isn't allowed. We are just talking about a US car, regular 6GC.

Cars are just way more money up here, especially since our dollar has strengthened so much lately.

A new G35 for example is about 15k cheaper in the states brand new, therefore even with exchange and taxes, it still is over 5k cheaper to buy in the US.

[sugarfree]

15K more? Man thats a lot!

[Valo666]

my buddy imported his first 240sx into canada from florida. he found the car, bought it, shipped it, had to pay an a$$load of duty on it, and had to install a daytime running light kit on it. kit its self was like $50 from crappy tire and just turns on his running lights in the front when he shifts into gear. From what he told me, its gonna cost like $2500 more to import it from the US. my suggestion...buy my car

[celicurr]

^^ adlfkjadf ahahaha $2500 more to import from the states? can we get a breakdown of the $2500 ?? lol

also, 6gsillyca, PM CrasMack on the board, he imported his car recently and can probably just forward you the same pms he's been sending me, as I'm looking to import as well...

[WALKER]

its gonna cost like $2500 more to import it from the US.

On a celica it would probably be between about $1k-2k. You have to pay a whole bunch of little fees that probably add up to about $500+ and then you have to pay any fees to get the car to meet Canada Transportation Standards (ie. running lights, air bags, bumpers, etc.), and then you have to pay GST (6%) of the purchase price of the car.

[elvasoshexai]

its gonna cost like $2500 more to import it from the US.

On a celica it would probably be between about $1k-2k. You have to pay a whole bunch of little fees that probably add up to about $500+ and then you have to pay any fees to get the car to meet Canada Transportation Standards (ie. running lights, air bags, bumpers, etc.), and then you have to pay GST (6%) of the purchase price of the car.

celicas are made in japan.. +6.1% for duties

[ScoobyDooCruiser]

Wait till 2009, and then you could import a 1994 gt-4!

[WALKER]

Wait till 2009, and then you could import a 1994 gt-4!

Oh you better believe I am awaiting anxiously!

[6gsillyca]

I just finished reading the beyond thread for the second time (lots of crap in it) but most if the posts deal with driving yourself down to pick it up. I am trying to get some more info on shipping/importing it. I called searail today about a quote and they said $1725 CDN to ship to a terminal or $1800 to door/bonded location for clearance. This does not include customs broker. This seems a tad high...

Input please, and for those who have done it, was it worth the hassle?

[elvasoshexai]

I just finished reading the beyond thread for the second time (lots of crap in it) but most if the posts deal with driving yourself down to pick it up. I am trying to get some more info on shipping/importing it. I called searail today about a quote and they said $1725 CDN to ship to a terminal or $1800 to door/bonded location for clearance. This does not include customs broker. This seems a tad high...

Input please, and for those who have done it, was it worth the hassle?

where are you getting it from?

you can also try these for shipping:
http://www.lhf.com/hansens/background/background.html

not sure why ur quote is so high... mine was 1072.50 and no extra broker charges... and it was to the bonded location for clearance

as for if it was worth it? it was 100% worth it for me... i looked in province and across canada and there were very few 98-99 celicas for as cheap or in as good condition as i got mine

are you getting one of jgreening, nik, dg_performance or celica3sgte's cars?

This post has been edited by elvasoshexai: Aug 5, 2006 - 2:14 AM

[6gsillyca]

From Il. to calgary. can anyone please clarify what "bonded" means? Does this mean all the "importing" is done, and all i need to do is go to the warehouse, pay fees/taxes and the car is mine? all i need to do is get OOP and Federal insp. and i can register/get insurance?

[elvasoshexai]

From Il. to calgary. can anyone please clarify what "bonded" means? Does this mean all the "importing" is done, and all i need to do is go to the warehouse, pay fees/taxes and the car is mine? all i need to do is get OOP and Federal insp. and i can register/get insurance?

bonded means it hasn't cleared customs... so you can't take it home...
you have to go to this place, sign some papers and pay duties/taxes/riv fee etc to clear it... then it's... um... 'unbonded'... then u can basically do whatever... wait for riv letter and do whatever is needed to get ur plates

[6gsillyca]

But after I go to the customs holding warehouse where it is bonded I just have to fill out some forms, and pay some taxes/duties/fees? I do not have to deal with a customs broker myself, or send any papers to the US/Can border do I? That is all done by becoming bonded and to unbond it I just have to pay the fees and what not?

[elvasoshexai]

But after I go to the customs holding warehouse where it is bonded I just have to fill out some forms, and pay some taxes/duties/fees? I do not have to deal with a customs broker myself, or send any papers to the US/Can border do I? That is all done by becoming bonded and to unbond it I just have to pay the fees and what not?

the people working there are customs people... so u don't deal wif a broker.. u deal wif customs people directly... just bring all the papers with you incase... ownership... clearance letter... bill of sale... anything else i mite have forgotten...

as for @ the border.. shipping company should tell you all documents they need a few days prior to picking up the car for shipment. so you don't need to worry about that

yea u just fill in a few forms and pay a bunch of fees to get it unbonded

[CrasMack]

as for if it was worth it? it was 100% worth it for me... i looked in province and across canada and there were very few 98-99 celicas for as cheap or in as good condition as i got mine

This is quite true. I found a great 99 with low mileage. I wouldn't have been able to find anything close to the quality and condition of my celica in Canada.