Help with buying a car in Canada and bringing it into the US?

IS300 · IS300's Garage

How and What do you need?
I found a 911 in Canada pay the seller head for the border then????
thanks

blucille · 04-13-2024, 10:12 AM

Have the seller drive it across the border.

IS300 · IS300's Garage

Thats what I'm trying they think they will be arrested coming back in to Canada

NYNick · NYNick's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by IS300

Thats what I'm trying they think they will be arrested coming back in to Canada

Ridiculous. Think it through. You drive across the border to the US with a friend and then fly back.

Exactly what law did you break?

I've driven across the Canadian border in both directions dozens of times. The border agents are more interested in what you're bringing across (fruits, vegetables, guns) and how long you're staying.

Sounds like he doesn't want to bother.

Matt Monson · 04-15-2024, 05:38 AM

Sounds like a criminal with an open warrant.

Otter74 · 04-15-2024, 11:18 AM

I bought a car in Vancouver in 2017 and flew out to drive it home. The seller was willing to drive across the border to Washington, but when I was talking to CBP to make sure I knew everything I needed to do and have with me, I asked them this and they specifically said this was not allowed. I don't remember why. I do know that if you import a car into the US and the US does not have a record of it, someone's not going to be happy eventually. When I registered the car in IL, I was required to send them a copy of the importation documents. In short, the car has to be brought across the border by either the seller or a broker acting on their behalf.

If the OP doesn't want to fly up and drive it home himself, he should hire a broker/shipper to do it. They ship the car and handle all the paperwork.

blucille · 04-15-2024, 12:45 PM

I bought a ‘69 S from a gentleman in Toronto. He was happy to drive it to NJ for me. The deal we made was, if I was pleased that the car was everything as represented, he’d go with me to the NJ dmv/import office in Newark NJ and sign the paperwork and I’d buy him an airline ticket home.

The car was everything it wS supposed to be and the transaction was a piece of cake. Paid a few bucks as import fees/duty.

More than 20 years ago however.

ItzaMe · 04-16-2024, 05:58 AM

I'm working on shipping a non-running car from Hawaii and it's a bit of a process but doesn't seem terrible..

We will see.

Bravoaloha · 04-25-2024, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ItzaMe

I'm working on shipping a non-running car from Hawaii and it's a bit of a process but doesn't seem terrible..

We will see.

You got that one on FB from Kauai!? Great deal, congrats.

Bravoaloha · 04-25-2024, 07:12 AM

I bought my '86 from a guy in Montreal. It was a bit of a pain- to sell a car in Canada you need to get an independent inspection and go to their version of the dmv. Then there is import paperwork at the border which was simple but a bit of a process/paperwork.

If you can get him to get the car over the border, I think it would be easier.

Otter74 · 04-25-2024, 07:34 AM

Note that the above re: inspection is specific to the province. In BC there was no need for an inspection, at least for a US buyer.

tk32 · 04-25-2024, 09:42 AM

Great article, I used this as a baseline especially from the paperwork side (trailered a car in, did not drive it). I am not in prison AND the car is not in the crusher. Success

If you are a DIY person, it's not that bad. If everything makes you nervous, pay a broker for the car to be delivered to your door, stress free.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/archived/how-to-import-a-car-from-canada-to-the-us/