Buying a car in Canada and bringing it to the USA

david63 · 03-29-2010, 06:58 AM

If this is not the correct forum, mods please move. This forum gets the most traffic so I hope someone here can help. I am considering purchasing a 1970 914/6 in Canada and will be bringing it to the US, and I feel certain that someone here has done this before. What is involved with duty, getting a Texas title (the car only has a registration in Canada), etc? Any help would be greaty appreciated as if the is really difficult I may want to rethink the decision.

Thanks,
David

javadog · 03-29-2010, 07:03 AM

It shouldn't be hard. It's old enough that you won't have any EPA/DOT issues and all you'll need to pay is the customs duty. You may wish to hire a broker to ease the paperwork issues at the border. Getting a title with a Canadian registration isn't hard where I live, although I have no experience with bringing one to Texas. Worst case, I know you could get a title here where I live.

You can get with a local customs agent and DMV agent, explain what you are doing and learn the process. It's not hard.

JR

blucille · 03-29-2010, 07:05 AM

did this with our '69 911S 6 years ago...no problem, went to customs in Newark NJ, happens to be near the port where a huge number of cars come in, filled out a form, paid taxes and got approved....as JR/Javadog states, the car is old enough that DOT regs don't apply.

Lewis

Joeaksa · 03-29-2010, 08:17 AM

I have done this and its not difficult. You will need a broker (let me know if you need a name, can look my old one up) to handle everything.

You bring the car across, or they do it for you, then you get a title for the car along with a door sticker that approves it for import.

The broker puts up insurance to cover everything and thats in place until Customs blesses everything. About a month later I got a letter from Customs saying that they were happy with everything.

Jim Garfield · 02:46 PM

I've done this too. You don't need a broker if you are bring the car across the border yourself. Look on the epa and dot websites for what they require, get a certificate from PCNA that the car met epa/dot standards when new. All they were interested in at the border when I came across was the duty, but it's better to be prepared with the appropriate paperwork. Have insurance for the car and get a temporary plate.

Deschodt · 03-30-2010, 10:03 AM

Yes, it's pretty easy... Did that with a 57 356A a few years back. Definitely to EPA issues with that model/year ! ;-) Throng of customs agents around the little car, too... One thing I did not see mentioned is don't forget to declare at customs if you fly in with >$10K in cash to pay for the car... Or they'll ask you where the money came from when coming back in ! Though that may also not apply to a 914, not sure about prices...

michel richard · 03-30-2010, 10:32 AM

It certainly applies to a 914 - 6

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

I did this with the Toyota Landcruiser that donated its engine and trans to my Calif Cruiser. You will need a registered importer to work the paperwork on the Canadian side of the border. Make sure you have all the paper work complete, the customs guys at the border are sticklers.
Not difficult just time consuming.
eric

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Garfield

I've done this too. You don't need a broker if you are bring the car across the border yourself. Look on the epa and dot websites for what they require, get a certificate from PCNA that the car met epa/dot standards when new. All they were interested in at the border when I came across was the duty, but it's better to be prepared with the appropriate paperwork. Have insurance for the car and get a temporary plate.

Bad advice, you will not get across the border. The customs guys verified my VINs, and all the customs docs, with annoying attention to detail. And I did this 3 years ago. Proper documentation is the key. Remember you are not the first to do this.
eric

Deschodt · 11:36 AM

Registered importer ??? Hmm...

I did this all by myself after a few hours googling the info... I think if the car is OLD, and that 914-6 is old enough (verify), it's *much* simpler than with a modern car and you don't need anybody's help.

I declared the cash on the way in (flew in), said it was to buy a car... No problem (that's a homeland security thing, btw).

We did the deal at the canadian bank, where surprisingly, they sold me one day of "canadian license plates", which you need since the owner retains his plates. Armed with the bill of sale, title, and my paper plate on the back window, I drove to the border (vancouver/seattle), told them I was importing the car, was directed to park in a special spot... Crowd of agents ensued (pretty 356 does that)...

Went inside, gave the agent the papers, I had all sort of EPA exemption printouts at the ready but since the car is old, none were needed... I paid my import tax on the spot, and boom, got a stamped paper (which your DMV will need). 10 minutes, plus 5 chatting with custom agents ;-) Never even searched the car.

So i don't remember the date offhand, but I'm pretty sure an early 70s car is super easy to import all by yourself. Really, google a little, I think it was 74 as a cutoff?! Again, verify... that could be why Eric above had more problems..

If you are really curious, search the 356 registry, I am pretty I posted a detailed account there but it was 5+ years ago !

Jim Garfield · 03-30-2010, 03:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ClickClickBoom

Bad advice, you will not get across the border. Proper documentation is the key.
eric

Apparenty you didn't read what I wrote......"but it's better to be prepared with the appropriate paperwork". And I did get across the border with no issues. Being prepared and having the proper documentation is critical. I'm not sure what you thought I was saying.

There is an issue with cars coming from Canada not having the same type title used by most states. It wasn't a problem in RI as they don't have titles for cars after they are 15 years old, but you should check your DMV requirements for title tranfers.

ClickClickBoom · ClickClickBoom's Garage

I used a Registered Importer, he prepared the "sticker", and verified the VIN. I had placed the sticker in the glovebox and took the rest of the import papers in with me, the agent said without the sticker the cruiser would be denied entry. It is not just EPA paperwork, or verifying the VIN, the Registered importer verifies the eligibility for import.I spent hours with him verifying that a BJ42 was essentially a FJ40 with a diesel motor. The key was that the import standards are the same for Canada and US, as far as lighting and glass requirements, in fact Toyota specifies only North American and California spec vehicles, as Porsche might also. Not trying to be difficult, but for every one who breezed through the border there are many who are left holding a bag of flaming poo, thanks to CBP.
Good luck and let us know how it works out!
eric

david63 · 03-30-2010, 05:17 PM

Thanks for the help. I have more questions?

If the owner is willing to take a wire transfer is it any different than doing a wire transfer in the US for payment?

Do the auto transport folks have the ability to go into Canada and pick up a car and bring it to the US (I was thinking of coordinating the broker with the transport folks at the border to process the paperwork and pay the duty prior to bringing the car across of course)?

Obviously the above plan is how I would purchase the car "sight unseen" I know that makes most folks cringe. Me too to some degree; however, this cars restoration was documented in numerous posts and things appear to be really nice. I know there are risks involved.

Thanks for the help

GWN7 · 03-30-2010, 11:23 PM

A wire transfer is the same in the USA or Canada. It's a bank to bank transfer. It can take few days before the seller is notified it has arrived. Last vehicle I bought down South it took 4 days before the company received notification, but that might have been their corporate structure.

As to the auto transport company .... if they are licenced, road tax, MFT, ect ...same as any trucking company has to pay for opperating in any state they can opperate in Canada.

If your going with a broker to handle the import let them handle the transport also. That way if there is a problem, they get the paperwork headache not you.

You can learn all you need about importing your car by spending a while on the CBP web site: U.S. Residents Importing and Exporting Vehicles - CBP.gov

Personally I'd read the CBP web site (and the links), then call the port of import (where the car will come into the USA ...a list of their phone numbers is on the CBP web site) and talk to a US Customs agent to get all the answers I wanted. Then fly in and drive the car home.