I know Canadians import hot rods and classics from the US to Canada all the time, but I have seen some pretty nice hot rods and customs for fairly cheap in the Vancouver area that I am interested in buying, but I am a little worried on how hard it is to import them. Anyone do it? Could anyone give me tips or point me in the right direction. I have found some informal sites about it and it seems fairly easy especially with pre-1970 cars, but I am not really willing to spend money to get the car and find out I can't import it into the country.
Phone U.S. Customs they will give you the info on whats required. I think all you need on an older vehicle is a bill of sale and the title or registraton as its called here signed off by the owner and your good to go! Just your states tax after that. Get all your ducks in a row ........ its fine!
You could try posting on www.canadianrodder.com, I'm sure there would be people who would have previously sold cars to the US and could assist with the finer details.
DO NOT HIRE A CAR BROKER, practically every single one you can find for hire will rip you off. But like Johnny Hot Rod said, call Canadian Customs and US Customs and tell them what you want to do, they should be able to help you out, but if you get one of the ornery ones that says you cannot do it (like I got trying to gt my 59 Suburban Limo into Canada) just find someone else to talk to as it's utter BS. Good luck!
Here goes, little information http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/
If the car was originally built in the US and not a Canadian built car (like a Beaumont or Kingsway or one of those Canadian-only cars) then it'll be returned US goods, no import duties on it. I went and brought this back across the border, super simple and straight forward to do, surprisingly. Just make sure you have a clean matching title and your passport with you.
As I recall, Washington State does not allow importation of "glass" or "replica" cars which may be registered as, say, a 2004 "Ubuilt", etc, only original registrations allowed. Best to check with US Customs at Blaine and State Patrol.
I did it three years ago. It was a piece of cake with the right forms. Cost was nothing. But, you had to personally bring it across the border yourself !
A number of years ago I brought in a '64. Becuase it was pre-emissions, and pre-DOT safety regulations, I just brought in in and transferred the title. The car wasn't running and was partially disassembled. The guy at the border called it parts. I'm pretty sure that's why I didn't have to pay any import duties.
I've seen more than a few cars go from Ontario to NY. Never a problem as long as the ownership and VIN numbers on the car are good. Be sure to check them twice. Like it was said above, many states will not accept a repop car with newer year of manufacture. If you do it in person it is cheaper and easier than hiring a broker, for classics antiques and rods, it is never really needed. Go get that old car and have fun!
on older U.S. built cars it's no sweat... I have done it a couple of times.. they have a registration/ insurance form, rather than a U.S. style title as I remember... Joe, in Seattle
PM DeuceRoadster, he bought a 47 Mercury P/U from Canada. He can fill you in on needed paper work. He didn't have any problems.
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