Anyone ever import a car from Canada? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

truckinik · #1 01-10-2007, 11:42 PM

Ok,here's the deal.
I recently purchased a Mercedes,which is in Alberta,Canada.
I need to import the car for personal use only,and nothing else.It's a nice,and rare car,and has collectable value.
The car has a different type of vin# on it,A european style of some sort instead of the typical amount of letters and numbers we have here.I'm trying to bring the car into the U.S.,and register it in my state,as painlessly as possible.I've checked import web sights,dealers,and even Mercedes,NorthAmerica.The Canadian dealer has no info on the car even though they've serviced it before.The car,for all intents and purposes,and as far as all thes agencies are concerned,was never imported to this continent.The previous owner,has current registration,and insurance on the car,and purchased it brand new from a dealer in NovaScotia,in 1988.
I've been told to get the car safety inspected,and signed off by a Canadian dealer,and get a letter from them,stating that the car is fit,and safe with no recalls or liens.The prob.with this is that the dealer can't varify that the car exists at all,even when they have it in their shop,in front of their eyes,because it's not pre registered into their database as an existing car.they can't sign off ona car that does not show up when they run the numbers. I was going to take a chance and fly out there,and drive the car home to Ct. (3300 miles) and just try to go to my local dmv for inspection,and reg.
I was told however that the car will be seized,and deported,or even destroyed,immediately if I attempt this,by the border patrol,or even by the U.S. govt.once I try to register it,if I get that far at all with it.
Can they really seize or destroy something like that,with proper proof of ownership,and bill of sale like that?
I will have both a local dmv bill of sale,from my state,and a Canadian one,from the previous owner.
The plan was to leave the car registered to the prev.owner,to drive it home,and just sned him back his plates once I have it home.
Any insight from anyone will be greatly appreciated.Thanks in advance.
Nick

dkveuro · #2 01-11-2007, 12:10 AM

Borrow some plates from a same color, same year model...go to Canada...attach said plates and slide back into the ol' USA like you wos on vacation

Have heard, you can employ a Canadian car importer to do the ness' paperwork.

MOTORISTS FROM CANADA AND MEXICO are permitted to tour in the U.S. without U.S. license plates or U.S. driver's permits, under agreements between the United States and these countries.

...and you have see this too, no doubt....http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

.

300EVIL · #3 01-11-2007, 12:12 AM

Not really a performance question but okay. Maybe this will help.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grey_import_vehicles

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada07032.html

http://www.canadatotwincities.com/buy_car.html

truckinik · #4 01-11-2007, 02:58 AM

I already had the nhtsa one,but not the other two.I can't try the plate thing though,because they could decide to try vin match ,to registration or something.I go in and out of Canada,around twice a month,regularly.With my tractor trailer,hauling freight.I'm not as worried about physically getting the car into the states,but keeping it here,once I have it here,and legally registering it.I can just drive it across,and say I'm bringing it to Ct.for a friend,so it's here when he comes for vacation or something,to get past border patrol.The big problem,is that you can only keep something here from Canada,a max of 90 days,and then it needs to go back,unless you're (A) a govt.official,here on business,and have diplomatic immunity,(B)The vehicle is coming in for off road use,such as racing,etc.and will be returned to Canada,or destroyed,with proof,before said 90 days expire,or (c)The vehicle is to be modified to meet U.S. standards,and examined,and released by the NHTSA,in writing,permitted to stay here in the USA. or (d) The vehicle is 25 years old or older,and the rules don't apply to it anymore anyways.
I'm shooting for (c),but afraid of the mods the car will need.A lot of trouble to switch things like bumpers,emissions pumps,add o-2 sensors,and exhausts,only to switch them all back as soon as the car is registered.And then back and forth every two years for emissions testing.

POS · #5 01-11-2007, 08:43 AM

Getting an '88 in will be much more tough. I was going to bring in a '72 280SL from Canada, and since it was 25 years old or more it would have been very simple. But my understanding is, if you're going to bring in an '88 model, you'll have to jump through whatever hoops the NHSTA, DOT, and EPA throw at you. It's not done very often by individuals because it's a PITA, from what I understand.

Start calling those govt agencies and find out what they'll need for approval. Personally, I wouldn't mess with the headaches, but then again, my schedule is short on time right now.

mramay · #6 01-11-2007, 09:47 AM

To achieve a legal car, you will HAVE to bring it in via a Registered Importer (RI). Go to the list provided below and choose an RI, call them and they will tell you exactly what is required. Look at the Elegibility list to see if your vehicle has already been brought in to the US, which means an RI can do the conversion via a process that has already been used and not have to get DOT to authorize that make/model before the modifications are performed.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
List Of Registered Importers (July 2006)
Vehicle Eligibility List (July 2006)

I worked for an RI that did non-Canadian cars (e.g., everywhere else but Canada) and we HAD to do an emissions test at an EPA certified laboratory and do the physical modifications required for DOT before I submitted the required documentation package to DOT for their review. DOT had thirty days to respond. It takes months to do all this but the rules are somewhat different for Canadian cars. Call an RI to get the right information.

AustinsCE · #7 01-11-2007, 11:36 AM

Im with dkv-buy a car from a scrapyard, same color, etc. swap out the main vin plate on the A pillar, plates keep the old one in someones yard and nobody is the wiser. Or it generally costs between 6-10K. Or bring it in pieces, put it together, register it as a kit car, check your local and state laws regarding that. Or register it as a farm vehicle or off road use only or show only or something like that...then switch the Vin and license plates. Or get a PO box in Canada and keep it registered up there. Theres not a wealth of information on the 'tricks' for obvious reasons, and no documented success either. You could just import a Skyline for 90 grand

truckinik · #8 01-13-2007, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

Im with dkv-buy a car from a scrapyard, same color, etc. swap out the main vin plate on the A pillar, plates keep the old one in someones yard and nobody is the wiser. Or it generally costs between 6-10K. Or bring it in pieces, put it together, register it as a kit car, check your local and state laws regarding that. Or register it as a farm vehicle or off road use only or show only or something like that...then switch the Vin and license plates. Or get a PO box in Canada and keep it registered up there. Theres not a wealth of information on the 'tricks' for obvious reasons, and no documented success either. You could just import a Skyline for 90 grand

jhodg5ck · #9 01-13-2007, 01:50 PM

One Mean little car!!

Jonathan

jhodg5ck · #10 01-13-2007, 01:51 PM

http://www.google.com/search?q=Skyline+GTR&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US

fficial&client=firefox-a

One Mean little car!!

Jonathan

truckinik · #11 01-14-2007, 04:12 AM

No thanks,you all can have your Jap car,it looks,and sounds fun to beat the daylights out of,and leave it wherever it decides it can't take anymore...lol.
I'll stick to my classy chassis MBZ cars,Lambo's,and Porsches,but you won't get me,to ever care in the slightest bit,or show any sentimental value,for a disposable jap car,of any calliber.Like the Subaru WRX,the Skylines are only good for beating the hell out of,and not even bother to wash them. 90k for a jap car,with a grapefruit shooter,coffee can exhaust on it,thats no good and has no resale in three years,or some punk kid went and destroyed and glued back together,bollocks...MBZ and me 4ever.