Possible to import a 911 from US to Canada?

Strugs · 11-07-2002, 10:26 PM

Seems to be a good market for SC's and Carreras in Seattle. Only a three hour trip from my place. Haven't been able to find many good examples locally. Anyone know if it is possible? Thanks.

Doug Zielke · 03:10 PM

Sean,
The best advice I can give you, is to contact Canadian Customs and ask for the brochure that details the requirements.
Also, it can be worth the money to have a Customs Broker handle all the paperwork for you. I have done this with m/c's I have imported and exported to the US, and it saves a lot of headaches at the border.

However.....I doubt importing from the US makes much economic sense if you consider the current exchange rate.

rpollock · 11-08-2002, 03:25 PM

Sean,

Importing the cars is actually pretty straight forward, but I tend to agree with Doug in regards to value. Granted the US has a much better selection of vehicles, however once you add in the exchange and GST the cost advantages are gone. I just went through the same search you are, and ended up with a car I found in Edmonton. It took a while, but hang in there!

Regards,
Rick
Calgary

derek murray · derek murray's Garage

I imported my car from Minnesota, and while it was not a super bargain with all the taxes, exchange, etc. it was comparable in cost with the one (1) and only early "s" I have ever seen for sale in Winnipeg (I should have bought that one... but oh well). So as the others have suggested it becomes an issue of how long you want to wait for the right canadian car to roll along. I couldn't wait anymore...

The deal with canada customs is that you can, without much hassle import any car older than 15 years old. All I needed to pay on my 1970 model was gst and and an import duty (for a german made car). The amount of duty depends on the age of the car, e.g. anything older than 20 years (might be 25) is considered an antique and is taxed at a lower rate.... I had to pay pst when I registered the car (which wouldnt be the case for albertans).

One important point to note is that the US Customs has to be notified and provided copies of the registration, title, etc. 72 hours in advance of the car coming across the border. Make sure it clears their "screening" before shipping.

Minneapolis is only 6.5 hours drive, so for me it worked as I could drive down and take a look before I bought it (lots closer than edmonton or calgary).

Mike M · Mike M's Garage

Sean...I have looked into this many times when I've become frustrated about the lack of cars to look at...the bottom line is that
if the car is 12K US,it will be 18K CAN. by the time you get it onto your driveway.No real cost advantage anymore.Too bad though..

Strugs · 11-08-2002, 08:17 PM

Thanks for the replies, guys. I have a friend who is a licensed customs broker, and after talking to him today about this, I am no longer worried about the import details.

The issue isn't so much one of value or getting a deal on a car as much as finding a decent car. I have looked at a multitude of cars in the last several months and they all fell into the following categories:
(a) had multiple accident histories and/or;
(b) were in rough shape and in obvious need of repair and/or;
(c) had riced out mods and body kits (yuck).

Furthermore, I am really looking for a coupe, and for whatever reason, most 911's for sale locally are targas. I wouldn't mind a Targa, but I don't want to settle for one unless it had a pristine top and seals (and since all the Targas I saw fell into categories a,b, and/or c above, that has not been the case).

I will continue to look locally, but I also want to keep my options open in case a nice coupe pops up in the Seattle area.

Doug Zielke · 11-09-2002, 07:04 AM

Sean,
I gather you are in the Rainforest, jah?
If so, pay a visit to my friend Duncan Pierce at the Urban Garage in West Vancouver. He can and will find the exact car that meets your requirements.

poobala · poobala's Garage

I purchase my car from Bonners Ferry and brought it back to Calgary, I tried to BS the border guy on how much I paid so I would pay less tax and got busted for 3500 $ , tell the truth when crossing the border not a great feeling they don't have a good sense of humor, other than that I feel I got a great deal on my car and the selection in the states is far better than here in Calgary.