Importing a vehicle into canada

[fordsbyjay]

Has anybody ever imported a vehicle into Canada? It never used to be such a big deal but my brother is telling me you can only import stock vehicles and they have to be inspected at Crappy Tire. I know people brings cars across all the time so can someone offer some advice please.

Thanks,
Jason

[terryr]

I can't imagine them requiring an inspection. Customs aren't the highway patrol. And what if you bought a 50 year old clunker hot rod on a trailer? It's not stock and it does run.

It's strictly money with them.

[fordsbyjay]

I don't think it is a customs issue. You have to pay for a federal inspection at the border then you have 30 days to take it to crappy tire for the inspection. Crappy tire will not certify any vehicle that has any changes to the suspension so you have to change it back to stock first. It kind of defeats the whole purpose of buying a vehicle in the US in the first place.

[surlyjoe]

There are a few hoops to jump through. The first is to clear the us side you need to send them a copy of the title no less than three days before you cross so they can make sure it is not stolen.

Next if your car is more than 15 years old no problems with the canadian side.

If your car is less than 15 years old must register with the government and yes get the crappy tire inspection. It is not that bad apparantly but costs ~300. You can find the info at the cdn government site some cars are not allowed period. Latest gto was one, that has now changed.

[65BuickGS]

SurlyJoe is right on the money!!!
Send US customs a copy of the vin a minimum of 3 days before you intend to cross,,,when you get to the border with the car,,,stop on the US side,,,go into customs and they'll fill out the paper work you'll need,,,you then take the paper work they filled out to Canada customs,,Canada puts their stamp on it,,you pay tax based on the amount on the receipt,,,if they have no problems,,,your off to the races!!!
Thats the experience ive had bringing 2 cars across,,,have never imported anything 15 years or newer!!!

[fordsbyjay]

SurlyJoe is right on the money!!!
Send US customs a copy of the vin a minimum of 3 days before you intend to cross,,,when you get to the border with the car,,,stop on the US side,,,go into customs and they'll fill out the paper work you'll need,,,you then take the paper work they filled out to Canada customs,,Canada puts their stamp on it,,you pay tax based on the amount on the receipt,,,if they have no problems,,,your off to the races!!!
Thats the experience ive had bringing 2 cars across,,,have never imported anything 15 years or newer!!!

Did any of them have any suspension modifications? Did you have to do the Canadian tire inspection or were they race cars?

[6fastback7]

http://www.riv.ca/

this website will have all your answers! i live in Canada and i just imported a 2008 Corvette Z06 a couple months ago....and YES it did have to be inspected but it was inspected at a Ford dealership that is certified to do RIV inspections...Canadian tire is also another outlet. But its not much of inspection ..they just verify that anything needed to be modified for Canadian standards is completed. One you register the car with RIV once its in Canada they want a copy of the recall letter from the manufacture to verify the vechicle is up to date with recalls. After they recieve that letter they send you a copy of what modifications need to be completed before being inspected. Then you take the car down have it inspected and away you go.
Any questions just ask away...there is more details but those are the basics.

[fordsbyjay]

http://www.riv.ca/

this website will have all your answers! i live in Canada and i just imported a 2008 Corvette Z06 a couple months ago....and YES it did have to be inspected but it was inspected at a Ford dealership that is certified to do RIV inspections...Canadian tire is also another outlet. But its not much of inspection ..they just verify that anything needed to be modified for Canadian standards is completed. One you register the car with RIV once its in Canada they want a copy of the recall letter from the manufacture to verify the vechicle is up to date with recalls. After they recieve that letter they send you a copy of what modifications need to be completed before being inspected. Then you take the car down have it inspected and away you go.
Any questions just ask away...there is more details but those are the basics.

Where are you located at?

[6fastback7]

Where are you located at?

Manitoba! the center of the world..well maybe just the center of Canada