Cross border import/export is very easy. I have imported and exported cars
and boats from the USA into Canada and from Canada into the USA.
When a vehicle is exported from the USA into Canada, US Customs require that
the original title to be delivered to the US border crossing 72 hours in
advance so that they can check the title and ascertain that the vehicle is
not stolen or wanted in the USA. They are very sticky about 72 hours so I
usually courier the title about a week in advance. When you arrive at US
Customs before entering Canada with the vehicle they will stamp the title as
exported to Canada, hand it to you and away you go. Takes 2 minutes.
Canadian customs will allow the US manufactured vehicle into Canada duty
free under NAFTA. It will attract a 7% GST (good & services tax) on the
declared value plus the sales tax of the province to which it is going. To
have no problems you should have the bill of sale, preferably notarized and
vehicle title. I would advise against a piece of white paper with a hastily
written bill on it. If customs doubts the value you placed on the car they
may assess it themselves using a standard reference book, which could be way
higher than you paid.
Bringing a Canadian vehicle back into the USA is even easier as there is no
requirement to notify Canadian customs in advance when leaving Canada. It is
wise to have Canada customs stamp the paperwork so you can prove the date of
export or re-import it back into Canada at a later date. A vehicle that has
been previously registered in Canada can be re-imported as Canadian goods
returned. Same thing in the USA, if it was manufactured in the US it is
considered to be US goods returned and attracts no duties. ( I am talking
about vehicles that are 25 years old or more, as that is the group I have
experience with) Again it is wise to have proof of purchase, preferably a
notarized bill of sale and the vehicle registration. I do not think that any
of the provinces in Canada title vehicles but they issue a provincial
vehicle registration certificate. My last trip from Canada importing a
vehicle into the USA was at US Customs in Ogdensburg, NY and took a grand
total of 20 minutes. I have had equally fast service with US Customs at
Thousand Islands, NY on interstate 81. The key is having a bonafide bill of
sale with the value clearly stated and make sure the VIN number is on the
bill. I have never needed to use a broker when I have brought the vehicle
over by myself and my experiences have all been pleasant.
Happy importing,
Ron Dulmage
Duvall, WA
55 New Yorker St. Regis
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