Hi,

Anybody have recent experience of exporting a car from the US to Canada?

I was in Vermont(I live in Canada) last weekend and a relative gave me a sweet, low mileage, rust-free 1983 240d! I nearly died when I found it sitting in the barn. We dragged it outside, pumped up the tires, gave it a boost and it fired up instantly. It runs and drives like new with only 173k miles on it. I'm planning on going down in a few weeks and driving it up here. So far, I have been told to get the paperwork to US Customs 72 hrs in advance and not sure what the Canada Customs expect.....

Also thinking of transplanting a 300td motor into it?(mabe that's for another thread in the appropriate spot)

Thanks,

Pete

The US Customs people will care little what you drive going north across the border. It is all on the Canadian side. Set it up with Canadian Customs import section and you will be good to go.

__________________
Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Fax bill of sale and a copy of the registration to the Border and Customs agency (US) at least two days prior to your planned crossing. They will do a vehicle search to be certain that the car has no liens and is not stolen. Mince took 7 days as there was a holiday in there so you need to be patient.
You need to get a recall release letter from the manufacturer... Mercedes Canada is quite poor for giving you this... most are free but Mercedes Canada can charge ludicrous bucks, same for BMW. Very disappointing. Try getting this letter in the US at an MB dealer there. No charge.
Drive to the border crossing and do not go to the Canada CBSA side but stop, park and go to the US Customs office. Here they will come out and verify the VIN then stamp your paperwork and release the vehicle from the US.
At the Canadian CBSA side they will ask you to enter the kiosk. You will fill out the RIV paperwork, pay the HST, pay the import fee and then they will release you.
Now you need to get a provincial and federal inspection. Provincial is more comprehensive ad will cost you. Federal is usually after the Provincial and if you pass Provincial you will pass federal. It is 'free' as it was included in the fee you paid at CBSA.
Now you can register and insure the vehicle in Canada. If you require no work to pass inspection it runs just under $1000 less HST.

You can import any US vehicle into Canada as long as it qualifies. Vehicles like the GMC Typhoon do not qualify. If the vehicle is grey market or being imported from anywhere else on the planet it must be 15 years old or older.

Details on qualifying vehicles and details on importing can be found here:
http://www.riv.ca/importingavehicle.aspx

__________________
I don't know the same things that you don't know.

Shayne

85 W126 SD OM617.951
87 409D 650S OM617.913
93 E34 Touring M50B25TU
02 E46 Sport M54B30TU

Some of this information is out of date as the rules were tightened (and/or more strictly enforced) in 2010:

1. US Customs and Border Protection requires you to FedEx the papers to the border crossing you intend to export the car through, including the ORIGINAL TITLE and three copies (of both sides of the title), and the bill of sale. As of late 2010, NO other transmission means is acceptable (incuding UPS envelope).

2. USCBP require that they have the title and bill of sale in hand 72 hours prior to your crossing.

3. USCBP may take exception if there is a break in the chain of conveyance of ownership. The name and signature on the title must match the name and signature of the person who sells the car to you. Beware of this if you are dealing with a curbsider who has not put the car in his name. At minimum you will probably get a hard time; worst case they will refuse to clear the car.

4. Some US border stations no longer process auto exports. I strongly suggest you contact the station you intend to use well in advance to confirm they will do it. (It may be indicated on their website.)

5. Most (could be all) US border stations that DO process vehicles will now only do so on the day shift, which depending on station ends at 4 p.m. or 5 p.m. This is because USCBP now designates an officer responsible for processing cars, and these positions only work day shift.

6. Canada Customs will not accept the vehicle for entry into Canada from the US without the USCBP exit stamp "Cleared for Export (date)". This now applies for vehicles being exported as parts cars as well.

7. The vehicle must be empty of any items of value (including spare parts) unless these parts are listed on the bill of sale.

This only applies to vehicles less than 15 years old, as do the remarks about the RIV and the federal inspection. For vehicles more than 15 years old (and yes, they check the year AND month of production to determine age), you pay:

- HST on the sale price
- $100 air conditioning excise tax, if the car has A/C

You are required to provide CBSA documentary proof of how and how much you paid for the car: PayPal printout, copy of money order or cheque, etc. A copy of an eBay auction result that says it was paid isn't sufficient. CBSA wants an actual payment receipt. If you haven't got one, expect a very hard time.

CBSA now has online access to vehicle values, so presenting a lowball bill of sale will get you a rocky reception. Don't ask how I know this... and in my case the bill was totally legit, the guy just wanted the car to vanish. Anyway they will decide value based on what they see online, should it be significantly higher than your indicated purchase price.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22