Buying a Porsche from Canada???

[stutt66]

Hi,

Did anyone ever purchase a Porsche from Canada and bring it back to the states. I'm curious on how much red tape, tariffs and if it's more of a headache than what it's worth! Just so I get the answers I'm looking for lets use this as a scenario.******** Car dealer buys a car from Europe brings it to his dealership in Canada. I living in USA, like the Porsche and wants to buy it. For argument sake: we agree on a sale price of $50,000. Now what do I do, how does the procedure unfold at this point?

Thanks in advance for any advise!

[69porsche]

Process to Import an Original US Back From Canada

[kavadarci]

As someone who lives in canada ���� we are always dealing with this scenario and few of my friends have brought cars from the us. My understanding is that the best thing to do is hire company that can do everything in your behalf.

It should not be a big deal.

My 1972 bmw 2002 has gone few times between Canada and US before I bought it.

[seafeye]

I bought a 1972 911 off a friend and brought it back.
Even drove it back.
It was about 4 years ago and a very simple process.
I bought the car then went to the local DOT. Got a temp plate, don’t forget to have insurance.
The car was in Ontario so I had to have the ownership papers signed over and I believe had a notary endorse it.
Then I drove to the border and they walked me through the paperwork.
I read this page several times. Importing a vehicle into USA

It was very easy and not an experience that would scare me into not doing it again.

The car did get searched going into the USA, my bags all got searched. But nothing to hide so I had nothing to worry about.

Find a cheap car? I’d say go for it.

[grizzfan]

The links in this thread are very helpful.

I bought my '73 911T in SK 8 years ago and crossed into Montana just south of there. You will be charged a tariff (import duty) and that will be based upon what you paid for the car and the car's value by some formula not known. I paid thirteen-five, US and the tariff was $385. Kind of miffed me as the car came to Canada from the US but I had to pay the duty anyway. I think that might be a deductible expense. Check your accountant. I forgot to do it.

Good Luck!!!

Tom

[9112gun]

The previous posts are correct. You hire a company to handle the importation of the car. The will act as your power of attorney and it will go smoothly.

One tip. There is an option for an expedited customs release firm that costs a bit more money. This form you will receive within a day of the crossing. If you don't pay for this then you could wait a few weeks or more for the document.

Without the document you can't register the car in America. I had to wait a month to drive my new purchase which was killing me when I imported from Quebec.

Also when you register there is listed in the customs paperwork a US dollar value based upon purchase agreement currency conversion. I had a huge fight with Michigan DMV over sales tax on the car. They fought with me over the value and wanted me to pay taxes in Canadian purchase agreement price. Finally one employee there came to my aid and found this conversion line.

Also even if the car began its life in America it won't matter. All cars licensed in Canada have to be repatriated regardless.

Process is easy. Don't let the process scare you. Professionals will handle it for you and you just wait for the hauler to arrive.

[Otter74]

I bought my Saab 900 in Canada last summer and drove it home from Vancouver. It was an original Canadian-market car and, as it was over 25 years old, the process was easy-peasy. I spent far more time doing all my homework to make sure I knew everything I might need to know for any eventuality importing it than I did actually importing it, which took about 20 minutes. I took drove it across from Victoria, BC to Port Angeles, WA via the ferry. Told the passport guy I was importing the car, he told me to go to the little office to take care of it. Pay duty, get the customs form, good to go. I didn't even need the DOT and EPA exemption forms in my case. Since you are not in CA I don't think the process would be any different for you with a Porsche that was imported to Canada, as long as it is over 25 years old and legally imported into and registered in Canada.

[Tbone1209]

If there is any history or ownership paperwork supporting the car was registered in the US, then no duties. An old copy of a registration or title is ideal. Save you the 2.5% duty

[juanbenae]

are these guys the sellers? if not just take the normal precautions...

[Canada Kev]

Pull my finger...

[Lake Guy]

I'd be interested to know the name of the company/person you are buying from if in the greater Vancouver region. There is a guy in that area exporting and his reputation is not solid. You can PM me for for if interested.

Mark.

[SkunkWorks]

Originally Posted by Lake Guy

I'd be interested to know the name of the company/person you are buying from if in the greater Vancouver region. There is a guy in that area exporting and his reputation is not solid. You can PM me for for if interested.

Mark.

I'm guessing that name either starts with P or R - and rhymes with 'meter' and 'may'...

[jlex]

I bought my '85 from a NY company that brought it in from Canada. I know they had to replace the speedometer/odometer to one that read miles... Idiot wanted to keep the original one to make a clock out of it

[Jim Dunham]

assuming you had all the paperwork, title history, etc, would the process be any different if you bought a "0ver 25 year old" 911 roller from Canada (no engine) and trailered it back to the US?

[Lake Guy]

Originally Posted by SkunkWorks

I'm guessing that name either starts with P or R - and rhymes with 'meter' and 'may'...

You’re onto something here - I have experience with one of these fellows. Once for a complete car and once for parts. I won’t go back to him - although I’m generally happy with the car. That is based on my own personal experience. Now, if you want to get into other people’s 3rd hand stories (which I choose not to repeat) I’ve heard a lot .....

I wasn’t active here at the time so I didn’t know to check around first. I’m considerimg myself lucky.

[jamesjedi]

Although not the same - I did import a car from the US to Canada. It was VERY easy. I called the office that does the transactions to find out exactly what paperwork was required. I had the car shipped to an area near the border, I then trailered the car across the border.

I cant imagine paying for the service unless I was very far from the border.