US auto purchases

CCO

CCO

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2 You're 10
Aug 5, 2011
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I know this has been talked about many times but I can't find any threads on the subject when searching so please bear with me.

My family is considering a US corvette purchase and we need to know what is involved with such a purchase with regard to licensing (temp. permit), sales tax either at source or at border, and anything else that's pertinent.
It would be picked up in the US and driven back across to Canada. (Ontario).

I know what's involved with a Canadian purchase but have no clue about purchasing from our US neighbours.

Anyone care to share their experiences -- I'd much appreciate it.

More details later but for now I need to know all that's involved due to a possible imminent purchase.

Much obliged,
Colin.
 
First, ensure the car you are importing is ok to import. There is a list at riv.ca and, infact, everything I tell you hear will also be covered there.

If you are buying from a dealer, make sure they will sell it to you. GM has really put the noose on Cdns buying in the US and many will not touch your cash without a US address. As for bringing it across, ensure that you have a bill of sale and you have the title. Ensuure the title does not have any ties to any finance companies and, if it does, ensure you have a letter from that finance company that states that any debt was paid and is clear.

When you get to the border, simply explain that you bought the car in the US and want to import it. DO NOT apply for the RIV program at the border; only complete the import paperwork and pay your fees. It will take about 20 min.

When you get home, apply for RIV online immediately. You will have to send in the import paper, ownership, etc and pay a fee. They will send you very simple instructions to follow to get the vehicle inspected, safetied and subsequently registered with MTO. I have brought over 8 motorcycles and helped with a few cars...very simple. I have actually gotten pretty good and can get the vehicle on the road within 24 hours.

It is nothing to be afraid of and can save you significantly... Bought a bike across with only 1800 miles; purchased it for 6500US dollar for dollar and was immediately offered 12K in Canada.
 
AllFlash said:
First, ensure the car you are importing is ok to import. There is a list at riv.ca and, infact, everything I tell you hear will also be covered there.

If you are buying from a dealer, make sure they will sell it to you. GM has really put the noose on Cdns buying in the US and many will not touch your cash without a US address. As for bringing it across, ensure that you have a bill of sale and you have the title. Ensuure the title does not have any ties to any finance companies and, if it does, ensure you have a letter from that finance company that states that any debt was paid and is clear.

When you get to the border, simply explain that you bought the car in the US and want to import it. DO NOT apply for the RIV program at the border; only complete the import paperwork and pay your fees. It will take about 20 min.

When you get home, apply for RIV online immediately. You will have to send in the import paper, ownership, etc and pay a fee. They will send you very simple instructions to follow to get the vehicle inspected, safetied and subsequently registered with MTO. I have brought over 8 motorcycles and helped with a few cars...very simple. I have actually gotten pretty good and can get the vehicle on the road within 24 hours.

It is nothing to be afraid of and can save you significantly... Bought a bike across with only 1800 miles; purchased it for 6500US dollar for dollar and was immediately offered 12K in Canada.
Click to expand...

better get the title and bill of sale to US customs 72 hours BEFORE showing up at the border! Also RIV requires a recall clearance. Get the dealer to printout the GMVIS page for recalls and stamp it. If its a private sale go to a local dealer and grease his hand to do a printout of the recall GMVIS page. This can be faxed to RIV 30 days prior to importing and they will give you a confirm within a day..........

good luck on your purchase. Its simple...........
 
Right on guys and thanks for the feedback.
A certain friend sent me a couple of links to government sites that explain everything needed (thanks friend:D), but it sounds like some of you have already read these guides.

Allflash I should have mentioned that the car in question is more than 15 years old so no RIV needed but I'll post that link in case someone else needs it along with the CBSA requirements:

BSF5048 : Importing a Vehicle Into Canada

Registrar of Imported Vehicles

Frankmp is correct: "better get the title and bill of sale to US customs 72 hours BEFORE showing up at the border!"
Apparently they are very sticky about that and insist on at least 72 hours.

Here
 
recall clearance letter should be gotten, meaning all the recalls should be fixed before it crosses the border. Not that GM ever has any recalls.

Yes, 72 hours before.. title and bill of sale faxed.

Stop at the US border side to get your original title stamped before going to the Canadian side.... they stamp it with a seal or something to show that is is allowed to leave the country.

Many drive through to Canadian border and have to turn around... some locations are tricky to get back.


and also try have proof of the amount.... when i brought my Z06 across in BC they said many BC'ins where redoing the bill of sale lower to save the two taxes... I had a photocopy of the sellers drivers license and that proved the sig was legit on the BOSale

Brian
 
It must depend on the location but better safe than sorry. I have brought several over and never provided any advance warning before arriving at the border, nor did I stop on the US side for a stamp.

Recall clearance is key however, and I have had to get all from the dealership that the person dealt with, or a facility that deals with that vehicle as I have had two refusals from the manufacturer themselves to issue a letter stating that all recalls had been performed. This is recognized by RIV to an extent and you can get their advise if the letter is hard to obtain.
 
another thought: I understand that it's easy peasy if you have the car transported by carrier across the border and that all the paperwork (and headaches) are dealt with by the carrier.

I realize that not seeing or driving the car b4 purchasing is not the best thing in the world to do but that could be a separate trip to verify it's status, make the purchase and then have it shipped back to Canada.

Has anyone done that?
Provided shipping costs weren't too bad, and the vehicle not too far to go see, I think that might be a way to go.
Possible problems for someone driving back themselves sounds like it could be a nightmare if such border people decide that you must "go back, you cannot go home to Canada with the car"..... Then what the heck would one do? You're stuck in the US.

Just a "what if" :)

It's an interesting subject that seems to get many varying answers and experiences.

Something that I think more about than I used to is that it seems from what I've read that about half the people you meet in the US are packing heat.
I don't feel as comfortable with that as I do travelling here at home.
More FFT.

C.
 
Hey Colin, I used TFX International when I brought the ZR1 into Canada in 2013. Door to door here in Midland from Oklahoma cost $2200.00 and they handled everything and they were extremely particular and careful when they were handling the car. Manny also recommends this company I believe. It would be cheaper for you than what I paid if your car is not in Oklahoma. Hope this helps.
 
navion said:
Hey Colin, I used TFX International when I brought the ZR1 into Canada in 2013. Door to door here in Midland from Oklahoma cost $2200.00 and they handled everything and they were extremely particular and careful when they were handling the car. Manny also recommends this company I believe. It would be cheaper for you than what I paid if your car is not in Oklahoma. Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Great testimonial, Terry -- thank you. Exploring the TFX website would be very worthwhile.

Indeed the car we were interested in is in New Jersey; quite a bit closer to home and likely less costly.

It seems that the purchase is not going to happen for a number of reasons, but this is quite a learning experience for future possible events.

Thanks to everyone for all your input. We (the Lines clan) certainly will be much better prepared next time this comes up.

Cheers,
Colin.
 
I emailed TFX for info specific to our needs. The car we were interested in is in New Joisey:D . To pick up the car, take care of business at the border and deliver it to their depot in Toronto would cost:

To Their depot in Toronto:
TFX charge............................$1235.00 CDN
Brokerage charge...................$295.00 CDN

Additional if delivered to Cambridge (an hour west of Toronto):
..............$340 CDN

They didn't say about fed/prov taxes and at what rate on services but I expect that would be extra.

As we know already they need copies of the BOS and ownership sent to the border crossing 3 days before the crossing and to be able to show the originals on the day of the crossing.

They will pay the 5% GST (based on BOS) due at the border which is added to the bill and payable on delivery to you.

They offer a door to door, fully enclosed and insured service. Insurance coverage is up to $250,000.00 CDN based on the actual cash value of the vehicle with a zero deductible.

TFX INternational transport is listed at: 11 City View Drive, Etobicoke, ON
Canada M9W 5A5

Thought you might be interested in what I found out.

Cheers
Colin.

EDIT: Heard back from TFX: apparently no other taxes on their services or brokerage. Only tax paid is the 5% GST on the car selling price.(at the border).
 
Last edited:
This is VERY interesting! The only hiccup would be the purchase, if you are purchasing brand new from a dealer, all of who are in a choke hold by GM with respect to out of country purchases.
 
AllFlash said:
This is VERY interesting! The only hiccup would be the purchase, if you are purchasing brand new from a dealer, all of who are in a choke hold by GM with respect to out of country purchases.
Click to expand...

I believe that US dealers cannot sell brand new cars out of their country but I also have heard there is a way around that somehow perhaps with some miles on the clock..........???????

I believe a RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) form is also necessary to import vehicles newer than 15 years old.

*The purchase we were interested in is 20 years old*.
 
Nothing more to say than what was said in this thread already, but PLEASE MAKE SURE THE title is clean. I can't stress that enough. You want to make sure there are no liens on the car, etc etc.

As long as you call RIV ahead, and make contact with customs at the prescribed time, you are good to go!

Vince.
 
xlr8r said:
Nothing more to say than what was said in this thread already, but PLEASE MAKE SURE THE title is clean. I can't stress that enough. You want to make sure there are no liens on the car, etc etc.

As long as you call RIV ahead, and make contact with customs at the prescribed time, you are good to go!

Vince.
Click to expand...

Good point Vince .. one doesn't want to buy any debts........

Got this final email later today from TFX answering a few more questions and reminding us exactly what you said Vince:




Today at 6:19 PM






TFX said:
There is no tax on the transport or customs brokerage; the only tax you pay will be assessed on the value of the vehicle.


You send all documents to us and we will deal with the border on your behalf.



US and Canada Customs will always check for liens but you should do this before you buy a vehicle anyways.
Click to expand...

Thanks everyone for your participation in this thread. It seems to have made the US purchase event much easier knowing all the requirements.

Colin.
 
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