How to Buy Your Next Vehicle from the US - and Save Thousands!

[rgc97]

Ditto for our Sienna XLE purchase last year. Used my sister-in-laws address on the bill of sale. Showed my Cdn driver's license, draft was in US $ from BMO, insurance binder was Canadian, etc. No problems at US or Cdn customs, or registering the van in Ontario. Used the temp tags for about 3 weeks while I went thru the process.

I found that simply because I could provide a US address, the dealer was comfortable selling to me.

First off there's no reason why you can't just use your friend's address...we used our relatives...and that's the only thing we used...US Draft was from CDN bank, driver's license was ontario, etc..customs did not care that there was a US address on the title/bill of sale...the only reason toyota needs that is so that when the manufacture gets the records to send out surveys, and other crap..there's a US address...

2) we found a very "imformative" dealership/sales and they had no problem with us "Canadians" buying it from them...once it's off their lot..it's ours to do what we want...

3) we got a 30 day temp insurance...just had to fax bill for sale to statefarm agent and they faxed back copy of insurance..which i had to show the dealership..

good luck

[nazawale]

Is there any restriction on Audi or VW as they are german made? I loved to buy a german car but prices are way too high.

Any idea plz share

[HacheyImports]

Is there any restriction on Audi or VW as they are german made? I loved to buy a german car but prices are way too high.

Any idea plz share

The restrictions are that you must pay %6.1 duty as they are not made in North America. There will be some compliance work to be done but that applies to all cars imported. The specifics vary from model to model.

A lot of people are doing just what you are thinking as the MSRP of these in canada is far higher than the same models in the US.

Take care.

[HacheyImports]

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For the vehicle that VIN number begins with 2 (made in Canada), if we import back from States, do we need to pay the 6.1% duty, and any special procedure?

Thanks in Advance

If the vehicle is made in North America then no duty will apply. Duty is only paid on non-NAFTA vehicles.

You would import it the same as any other car from the US. All the same conditions apply.

Take care.

[nazawale]

But like most of new german or european cars either made or assembled in Mexico or North America still considered for duty. If not I really love to hear that from someone.

[BargainBoy]

Hey guys,

I imported a 2007 Honda Odyssey about 2 months ago, went through the whole process and saved about $12K. Happy Camper.

I am not a dealer and do not have a dealer license or have the desire to get one but was thinking about importing a couple of vehicles in 2008 and sell them here in Canada to make a bit of cash on the side. $5K+ profit per vehicle makes it worth my while. The dealers are doing it... why not us

Question: I suspect I would need to pay the GST at Canada Customs as usual but was wondering if there was a way to avoid having to pay PST and register the vehicle in Ontario before I resell it. Ideally I would like to import the vehicle, pay GST at the border, the RIV fee, deal with the recall clearance, pass the Canadian Tire inspection, safety check it, then post it for sale. I transfer ownership to the buyer and they pay the PST when they register it with MTO.

Anyone know if this is possible ?

Thanks,

BB

[C_4_S]

But like most of new german or european cars either made or assembled in Mexico or North America still considered for duty. If not I really love to hear that from someone.

Yes, as long as it's made in North America (like the Jetta for example) there is no duty. Same goes for Asian cars.


(ps: Mexico is in North America)

[JeiJei]

I personally don't see why not.

But a better solution will be offering it as a service and charge x percentage on the purchase price and you have less investment than to buy the car with your own money beforehand.

I think many people would be interested on buying cars from the states just not familiar with the process. As long as the saving is greater than your charge, many people would be interested.

[HacheyImports]

nazawale,

The simple way to determine where a vehicle was made is to check the VIN ( Vehicle Identification Number ). If it begins with a number then you are fine, if not it begins with a letter and was not made in North America, thus duty will be applied.

Take care

[fasty]

Hi to all, I am snow bird in Arizona, last week I purchased 2003 Lexus RX300. I done all my homework and have all papers in order to cross the boarder in the end of February. Right now I have Canadian insurance and Arizona temporary plates good for 90 days. SUV is wonderful well maintain and drives perfect, the only inconvenience I could see, car is set to miles and Fahrenheit, and I am used to km. I checked many sources but no success I have to leave with I think, unless there is more car brought from US and somebody will take car of it.
My tips for buying car with Internet, unless that is new car watch from who you buying, some Internet pages are pretty with nice and shiny cars, but in reality cars are mostly with some history, ether driven in north, snow and salt, commercial use, or accident. I also invested $35 for Car-fax to check car history. The best is to buy used car from big brand cars dealer, mostly cars from trade ins and in good condition record. If car dealer receive from trade in and see something is not right he put it on auction that's where used car with history end up, at used car lots.

[ego]

I'm seriously thinking about importing a G35x Sport from the US (the savings even after the 6.1% duty are significant) and am looking for a dealership recommendation and contact.

TIA

[kanfive]

I'm thinking of importing a BMW from the states to Toronto. If you could tackle some of these questions it'll be greatly appreciated:

1) Any BMW dealers willing to sell to Canadians near the Niagara border?
2) Is there Canadian warranty for US Certified Pre-Owned? Last time I checked there wasn't.
3) BMW Canada said they won't cover basic services/maintenances for US cars, what are those services, how much are they regularly, and is it worth it in the long run (4 years of the warranty).
4) Is it getting harder to claim the recall clearance letter and the admissibility letter?

Many thanks!

[sienna owner]

Has anyone specifically imported an 06' subaru wrx sti? I remember watching city-tv and the person who imported one of the new 06 or 07 civics was denied inadmissible and couldn't drive it in canada and i know on the riv site it says that cars from 96 and onward are admissible. Some please clarify this for me. Thanks in advance!

The story could have been true with the inadmissibility, however was it aired after Transport Canada amended their rules regarding engine immobilizers?? checked RIV, appears okay to import...only downer is that warranty becomes void with Honda/Acura...if you want to be double sure, call RIV for confirmation you're reading the RIV site right.

[sienna owner]

I'm thinking of importing a BMW from the states to Toronto. If you could tackle some of these questions it'll be greatly appreciated:

1) Any BMW dealers willing to sell to Canadians near the Niagara border?
2) Is there Canadian warranty for US Certified Pre-Owned? Last time I checked there wasn't.
3) BMW Canada said they won't cover basic services/maintenances for US cars, what are those services, how much are they regularly, and is it worth it in the long run (4 years of the warranty).
4) Is it getting harder to claim the recall clearance letter and the admissibility letter?

Many thanks!

1. don't know off had, but it's easy to get their email addresses via website...I would mass email them individually and see if you get a bite.

3. From reading previous post, I think BMW US had some regular service/maintenance as part of the selling package (could be talking about Mercedes though)...and Canadian wouldn't be able to honour that.
4. depends on the manufacturer...up until recently, my toyota dealership had no problem giving customers one..but then they said they couldn't, but could call Toyota Customer service line, gave VIN # and they faxed it with no problems.

i'm sure if you ask for it from the dealership cause the manufacturer head office doesn't want to that should be fine..as long as the letter head states its's from the brand...

[sienna owner]

Hey, do you guys know if we're still allowed to buy vehicles from the states and import them to canada? I'm asking this because alot of my buddies are telling me the states no longer allows canadian buyers to import from states to canada.

manufacturers are "leaning" on their dealerships and saying they may loss incentive deals and dealership licences if they are caught..but if there's a will..there's always a way.