Importing a Porsche from the US into Canada

[shinrai]

Originally Posted by shinrai

Hi all,

I've used this thread successfully to bring in a car a few years ago but I'll assume things have changed. I would appreciate any information because it always seems like a grey area.

The car is an '80 911SC. USA to Canada. I will never be registering this vehicle to be driven in Canada. What can I expect to pay at the border? I'll assume the following:

-RIV exempt due to age
-recall letter exempt due to age
-6.1% duty exempt due to age (is this true? it would be nice)

What taxes do I have to pay? From what I recall, the last time I brought a vehicle here (2007) I paid taxes when I registered and plated the car.

Again, any input is appreciated.
Many thanx

Let me update that. It would be from PA to Ontario. I believe I might have to pay HST when crossing? What is the current situation with special trip/temp plates? Can I get away with getting one in Ontario and driving back from PA throuth NY and across the border? Doing some research reveals a "grey area"

Thanks again Canadian Pelicans!

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by Tyfaim

I'm in the same boat, brought in a 993 in 07 and now.

1986 930 into alberta from atlanta
Build date july 85

Will this be

-riv exempt?
-recall letter, unnecessary?
-6.1% duty exempt?


From what I gather

I need to pay at the border crossing

-GST
-AC tax

Is this correct?

Thanks in advance

Rod

Yes

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by shinrai

Hi all,

I've used this thread successfully to bring in a car a few years ago but I'll assume things have changed. I would appreciate any information because it always seems like a grey area.

The car is an '80 911SC. USA to Canada. I will never be registering this vehicle to be driven in Canada. What can I expect to pay at the border? I'll assume the following:

-RIV exempt due to age
-recall letter exempt due to age
-6.1% duty exempt due to age (is this true? it would be nice)

What taxes do I have to pay? From what I recall, the last time I brought a vehicle here (2007) I paid taxes when I registered and plated the car.

Again, any input is appreciated.
Many thanx

Yes

If where you live has combined GST and PST you will have to pay that when you cross the border to Canada Customs.

[GWN7]

Originally Posted by shinrai

Let me update that. It would be from PA to Ontario. I believe I might have to pay HST when crossing? What is the current situation with special trip/temp plates? Can I get away with getting one in Ontario and driving back from PA throuth NY and across the border? Doing some research reveals a "grey area"

Thanks again Canadian Pelicans!

I can get temp reg & insurance from MPIC (Manitoba) and go pick up any vehicle and drive it home. All I need is a copy of the bill of sale and title. This is the same for BC and Sask. I tell the agent how long of a temp permit I need (up to 30 days) and pay the money. What you can get in your own province I have no idea. Ask your insurance agent who you deal with now for the full scoop on what your insurance provider will do for you. Then check with your provinces register of motor vehicles about temp registration.

[shinrai]

Thanks for the input GWN7.
However in Ontario I don't believe that with the HST now in effect we have to pay any taxes when we cross the border other than a/c tax. Previously we had to pay the GST at the border and PST upon plating the car. From what I understand we pay the HST now when we plate the vehicle. Any body have any idea about changing ownership without plating the vehicle? (i.e. this car will be exported to another country). Still subject to HST?

[GWN7]

Unless you bring the car into Canada "In Bond" Meaning the goods are in transit to another country then Customs will have their hand out at some point. Call Canada Customs and ask them. Get the info from the horses mouth so to speak.

A change in ownership occurs when a new title is issued by some government agency. So unless you get a title from the Ont government in your name the last owner would be the person you bought the car from when you go to export it. That's when you will have to pay the HST. They get ya comming they get ya going.

[shinrai]

Thanks for the input GWN7. I should have this sorted out soon and will post a detailed play by play.

One more item would be a lein release form. Do I need one or will the office at the border requesting the title already be aware of any leins on the vehicle? If I do need one where do I get it in PA?

[GWN7]

In the USA the titles show any leins against the car. A lein realise form is only needed if there is a outstanding amount owed on the car (otherwise the title will show no leins on it) and you would have to get it (the realise form) from whom the money is owed to. IE the PO's bank, credit union, ect.

Down there (As far as I know) if you borrow money and use the car as collaterial the person lending the money usually holds the title in their possession. So if the person dosen't have the title in their possession when you go to pay for the car, don't give them any cash.

And as to your question about the border crossing, US Customs searches for any leins when you produce the title for them to stamp before exporting the car to Canada. IF the title shows a lein, then that is when they will ask for the realise form.

[Brian 162]

Originally Posted by shinrai

Thanks for the input GWN7. I should have this sorted out soon and will post a detailed play by play.

One more item would be a lein release form. Do I need one or will the office at the border requesting the title already be aware of any leins on the vehicle? If I do need one where do I get it in PA?

I wasn't aware of a lien release form until the customs officer asked for it. Luckily I purchased my vehicle from a dealer. I phoned them and the dealer faxed the form within minutes.

[shinrai]

Car is in Canada safe and sound. I had a friend pick it up for me because I've been overseas. Here's what I discovered from this adventure:

-No duties on cars over 25 years old

-Even though we have the HST they still split up the taxes (5% crossing border and 8% when you register the car in Ontario)

-The car had to be registered in friend's name when in Canada because he's the one who brought it here. To get around this you'd need a notarized letter stating that your friend is driving the car and your name will be on the new title. This isn't an issue for me.

-The MTO doesn't give out "trip permits" like they used to. They'll only do a temp plate with the original title in hand.

-You can get a temp plate in Pennsylvania and drive all the way back home with no issues at the CDN side of the border (this probably doesn't happen all the time). This is a grey area and it may or may not be a problem.

Thanks for the thread and all the help!

[Carlito's Way]

Wow, I thought of buying a '07 997 Turbo in the US but with all these charges I'm not sure anymore...

Let's say I pay 70k
3500$ (5% PST)
4270$ (6.1% duty tax)
100$ (A/C tax)
224$ (RIV charge)
5950$ (8.5% QST tax since I live in Quebec province).

Total : 84044$ which is almost the same price that I would pay for a Canadian '07 997 Turbo, there is no deal there....14 000$ worth of taxes GOSH!!!

[Christien]

The price gap isn't what it used to be. A few years ago it could be as much as 30%. Now the market's flooded with US cars, because everyone's got wise to the differential. It's brought Canadian prices down. But there's still a savings to be had (maybe 5%) and the selection is 10x what it is in Canada. Plus, you can avoid winter-driven cars by shopping in the south.

[swiftmike]

Hello,

If I buy a 911 from a private sale in USA and bring it over to ontario do I still have to pay PST. I remember from few years back than if you bought a car in Ontario from a private seller you only payed GST at MTO. I read this thread and there seems to be some confussion. Plus I got a quote from Borderbuddy and it didn't include the PST. Maybe because they are based in BC so you only pay GST to them but you pay PST at local MTO, which kinda defeats the purpose of using a broker, if you still have to do stuff by yourself.


Any recent info on this subject would be greatly appreciated. Also does RIV still accepts Porsche inspection report from a dealers as a recall letter?

[Christien]

You'll pay the full 13% HST on any vehicle purchase in Ontario. On private imports from the US, I believe they charge GST at the border and the remainder at the Ministry (for commercial/dealer imports, we pay the full HST at the border). But one way or another, you'll pay 13% tax, plus 6.1% duty if you bring it in from the states. No way around that.

RIV does indeed accept a letter from a dealer indicating no open recalls. It must be on some kind of letterhead, or have the service manager's business card photocopied on to it. You should be able to get one as part of a PPI, if you have it PPI'd at a Porsche dealership.

[JJ 911SC]

Say Bye Bye to the Cayenne...

Porsche seized at border, Canadian arrested | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun

[Mark Henry]

Originally Posted by JJ 911SC

Say Bye Bye to the Cayenne...

Porsche seized at border, Canadian arrested | Ontario | News | Toronto Sun

What an idiot.

[trapper_canada]

I'd like to personally thank GWN7 and Duncan for saving me some coin! Before I imported my car I read this thread and the info they provided about not having to pay duty on a 25 year old antique. Well when I went to bring my car across even though I had this tariff code the border guard did not buy it and refused to put the car through as anything but the standard 8703.90.00.90 which has duty applicable.

I didn't want to get into a debate I couldn't win so I paid the duty knowing Duncan had posted a means to get a refund.

Well the refund took a LONG time to process BUT today I received a refund cheque for $1149.55

I have no doubt there are tons of people who have had to pay on older cars because they didn't belong to such a kick ass forum!

[GWN7]

I like marguritas ..... lime .... blended

[trapper_canada]

Originally Posted by GWN7

I like marguritas ..... lime .... blended

Deal!

[mrhulala]

Thanks for this great thread!!! I'm about to import a 08 boxster from the US in the next couple days!!

A few questions need your help:


1. Does 08 boxster already have DRL? (I was told so by the dealer, but just want to make sure!)

2. I'm buying from a Porsche dealer (in VA), do you think PPI is still necessary? (I asked about PPI report and service history, but still waiting for reply)

3. Do I need an Ontario trip permit for driving it back home from the border and RIV inspection? As the dealer promised to get me a US temporary permit. Can I drive around in Canada having the US temp permit on?

Thanks!