Importing a car from Canada

[Jrboulder]

So if I want to buy a 22 year old Porsche in Canada and bring it to the US am I looking at more trouble than it's worth?

The only thing that concerns me is that it doesn't have airbags or ABS, and it's US counterpart for 1990 did.

Also, would I have to get a canadian speedometer shop to put in a MPH speedo (for the paperwork involved) or could I do it myself?

[Dottore]

I have been told by several Americans that this isn't worth the trouble.

Don't know the details why, but this seems to be the conventional wisdom.

Someone will surely chime in.

[Mark Henry]

It's more hassle importing into the US than Canada.
You need a letter from the factory stating that the car is legal for US (safety standards and emissions). You have to have all the paperwork at your border crossing 48hours in advance, plus you may have to leave the car at the border for a few days while it clears. Last time I sold a car to a US buyer was over 10 years ago, the guy was pissed at US customs because of the hoops they made him jump through.

For an older, more collectable car it may be worth it, for a 1990 I doubt it.

[targa911S]

This is good. I have been watching a 90's Jag on ebay for a week now. It's was originally a CA car but is in London, Ont now. I was wondering myself how hard it is to import. Now I know why there are no bidders. (Save the Jag flaming)

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by targa911S

This is good. I have been watching a 90's Jag on ebay for a week now. It's was originally a CA car but is in London, Ont now. I was wondering myself how hard it is to import. Now I know why there are no bidders. (Save the Jag flaming)

Actually, since it was a US delivered start with it might not be as hard.

[targa911S]

hmmmmm....

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Actually, since it was a US delivered start with it might not be as hard.

I agree, but you should check with US customs and you still need to get your paperwork in order and in advance. Does the seller still have the original Canadian customs import paperwork?
The reason why they want this is to do a search to see if it's stolen.

[gatotom]

About 10 yrs ago I bought a Subaru for my son in Vancouver,BC and brought it thru with no problems.
It was a original US car that had all the US decals for DOT and EPA. I believe all I did was call Customs and asked them and they told me what to look for in the car.

[speeder]

A few years ago, I wanted to buy a ROW 1986 Carrera from Canada. It was hands-down the best Carrera I've ever seen for sale, color and equipment-wise, low kilometers and cheap. ($16k). This was maybe 4 years ago.

I researched it extensively and it was impossible to import into the U.S. at that time. The U.S. customs has a website that contains charts and lists every year and make of car sold, also whether it can be imported and what is required. It's a time consuming biotch just to search for the answer but in the end it was "NO", at least for the euro/ROW car that I wanted so badly.

[speeder]

I damn near moved to Canada just to have her. But that was over the line.

[Dottore]

Of course the other obvious question is, "why would you want to?" given that cars in Canada normally trade at a significant premium to cars in the US?

I guess if you find something rare or offbeat....

But normally, its the Canucks that head south to buy cheaper cars....

[Jrboulder]

Originally Posted by Dottore

Of course the other obvious question is, "why would you want to?" given that cars in Canada normally trade at a significant premium to cars in the US?

I guess if you find something rare or offbeat....

But normally, its the Canucks that head south to buy cheaper cars....

I found a nice 944 S2 without a sunroof or any of the other typical US standard options. Cars like that plainly don't exist in the US. It's also priced below the US market value.

It sounds like I will just have to forget about it though.

[Rick Lee]

There was a Canadian-based BMW K1300R on eBay last week. We don't get those in the US. I asked a buddy here about importing it and he said it would be at least $3k in fees. Really not worth it.

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by Jrboulder

I found a nice 944 S2 without a sunroof or any of the other typical US standard options. Cars like that plainly don't exist in the US. It's also priced below the US market value.

It sounds like I will just have to forget about it though.

If it was never offered in the US or was imported from Europe forget it.

[imcarthur]

You get the quantity & better pricing but we get the quality.

Ian

[Gretch]

If the car is an antique. it is a cake walk.........

[duncan1437]

i think the fact that it was a former US resident car is very significant. heres a passage from US Homeland Security:

Re-Importing A Previously Exported Vehicle
A vehicle taken from the United States for non-commercial, private use may be returned duty free by proving to U.S. Customs that it was previously owned and registered in the United States. This proof may be a state-issued registration card for the automobile or a bill of sale for the car from a U.S. dealer. Repairs or accessories acquired abroad for your vehicle must be declared on your return and may be subject to duty.

Importing a Motor Vehicle - CBP.gov

the Homeland Security page seems to be fairly comprehensive (safety, emissions, customs, etc).

if the car was pre-1988, the ontario owner might have removed/altered the emissions equipment. but you dont have that worry if the car is 1990s, cause they're still subject to regular emissions tests (every 2 years).

edit...oops...my comments were directed at Targa911S post, rather than Jrboulder

[RWebb]

you will also want to be sure it is rust and poutine free

[JJ 911SC]

Originally Posted by RWebb

... and poutine free

Jealousy will get you nowhere...

I'm having one tomorrow for lunch as per every Thursday whereever I am if available

[RWebb]

oh - no problem(o)

we have it here -- in fact, it is a staple at the eatery I'm going to tonite