hey all!!! Germs post on his '57 ranchero has me thinkin'.if i was to buy a car in the u.s. say a '57 ranchero,would i be able to drive it home?would the border be cool with me driving a car i bought in the u.s. through the border? is there a circus of sending money to the seller and him mailing me paper work,[major trust factor]and then putting it in my name and doing it that way.can i purchase a permit in the u.s and drive it home?anyone ever done that. another question i have is for instance,if a seller offers to drive a car to Canada and sell the car here is that legal?this has always been a shadey area with me!!i've been hunting for a driveable project and i've seen numerous deals in washington state,and oregon,even cali..i ask you guys because i would rather hear some real life experiance... thanks.craig
From http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html#before (Registrar of Imported Vehicles Canada) What to do at the border: Produce your ***le do***ents, registration and sales receipts. Complete Vehicle Import Form Form 1, which Canada Customs will provide. This requires a Canadian mailing address. This form must be kept in the vehicle until it is licensed. Canada Customs will check your vehicle against Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. They will also verify the public VIN and manufacturer's statement of compliance label on the vehicle to make sure they match. Canada Customs will collect your nonrefundable Registrar of Imported Vehicles' fee of $182 in all provinces except Quebec where it is $197. Payment for teh RIV fee may be made directly to Canada Customs with any major credit card. Canada Customs dies not accept cash or cheques for the RIV fee. If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, Canada Customs will provide you with a payment envelope which must be mailed to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. Please note that all personal cheques will be held for ten business days in order to allow them to clear the bank. This will use up a portion of your 45 day time limit. Remember that payment of fees and receipt of the Vehicle Import Form Form 1 does not warrant that your vehicle is capable of being brought into conformity with all applicable federal and provincial or territorial laws. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will not issue a federal inspection form or any specific modification information for a vehicle with an unpaid file. It is important that you do not proceed with any modificaitons on your vehicle until you receive this federal inspection form. If the file remains unpaid for 14 days after importation, we will send the importer a reminder of notice.
What he said...It is a very easy process. Done it a number of times now and when I find a crew cab dually for a decent price, I'll do it again. Just remember tires are duty free so put some new ones on while you are down buying it. Your insurance company can issue "A to B insurance" over the phone for you to drive it home. It means straight home. No road trips or going to show a pal your new ride 500 miles out of your way. Every state I have dealt with will not allow you (Canadian) to reg a car with out an address in that state or a US drivers licence. That is the only real problem I have ever had. The are some gl***, headlights and bumper standards but they don't apply to North American cars too often. On late model cars and trucks, daytime running lights and speedo conversions are issues. Check with Transportation Canada for your car you want to buy. Lastly, NEVER buy it sight unseen. Too many con artists on both sides of the border.
Remember to be NICE!!!..A friend of mine just brought back a 55 chev 2dr wagon on a trailer. It sounds like he gave a little at***ude when the guy asked for paperwork and they ripped his truck apart.They didn't even look in his drybox on the trailer so I think they were just trying to flex a little muscle....I think they all take ***hole lessons from the same school.
Good luck Poncho- it usually goes good but can be difficult also.......I,d never buy another car from Canada unless it is brought across to me. nor would I take one across to sell again.again- best of luck to you on your deal!
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