CBSA entry requirements

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

Importing A Classic Vehicle From The U.S. To Canada

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

Pontiacanada wrote:

1. I'm going to be bringing a '64 Parisienne from Maine to PEI soon.

2. I'm just wondering; besides the GST and Customs fee I have to pay at the border, and the PST I have to pay in PEI, are there any other hidden costs? NO

Should I need get it insured if I'm having it car-carriered to the border (he doesn't want to do the complete trip), and then transfering it onto another car-carrier for the rest of the trip right to my place on PEI?

3. I would call your insurance company, and tell them what you are doing, and they SHOULD cover it until you can get it to P.E.I

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I'm at work so I can't take the time to search right now but someone inquired on this a few months back on here. There is a fairly complete thread on the process. If you can't find it ihere I will try to look tonight. If you have all your ducks in a row it's a fairly simple process.

62Beaumont · Addicted!

This site explains how to do it.

http://www.riv.ca/Home.aspx

eeluddy · Uber Guru

I've done it a few times. Make sure you have all your paperwork in order before hand, including the reciept of the fax to U.S.A. Customs that they have confirmed the title at least 72 hours ahead of your arrival. Have a copy of the ad showing the car for sale with the price, as well as a clear legible receipt. It helps to show up at a time when the border is not busy, and it pays to be courteous!

427carl · A Poncho Legend!

eeluddy wrote:

I've done it a few times. Make sure you have all your paperwork in order before hand, including the reciept of the fax to U.S.A. Customs that they have confirmed the title at least 72 hours ahead of your arrival. Have a copy of the ad showing the car for sale with the price, as well as a clear legible receipt. It helps to show up at a time when the border is not busy, and it pays to be courteous!

Earl you don't need to fax in title on 15 year and older cars. I did last year, and the customs guy said they don't care.. They just want the tax lol The newer cars needing a FORM 1 need the title stamped ,as the goverment sends you paper work later .. Old cars, you take the Title and GST receipt to MTO office immediately..

-- Edited by 427carl on Wednesday 18th of November 2009 01:20:50 PM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I would fax the title just to be safe. Our crossing here requires it regardless of vehicle age.

Make sure you have all copies of emails etc. well organized and with you. The more organized you are, the better.

Courteous, yes.

Do NOT try to save money on duty and taxes with false documents. As soon as they get a hint that something is wrong, you will end up paying full bore because they will appraise it to the max and that is what you pay on.

I assume it has no a/c? If it has air, you pay $100 air tax.

Pontiacanada · A Poncho Legend!

62Beaumont wrote:

This site explains how to do it.

http://www.riv.ca/Home.aspx

No need to go through RIV ... it's for newer cars only.

Off their website:

Vehicles over 15 years old

All vehicles (except buses) that are 15 years old or more from the date of manufacture, are exempt from the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. You must be able to prove the age of the vehicle to the Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA). Buses (including school buses) manufactured before January 1, 1971 are also exempt from the RIV program. More information about RIV exemptions.

but ...

CBSA entry requirements

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) office at the point of entry will process the import of your vehicle into Canada.

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) assists Transport Canada with the administration of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations by administering and enforcing the conditions under which new and used vehicles may be imported at CBSA points of entry. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act regulates the importation of vehicles to reduce the risk of death, injury, and damage to property and the environment.

CBSA officers will:

Check documentation.
Ensure you have the required documents including title documents, registration or proof of ownership.
Please Note: If the importer of a leased or financed vehicle cannot obtain the original Certificate of Title or a certified copy of the Certificate of Title, he/she must present a copy of the Certificate of Title with an original statement/letter from the financing/leasing company authorizing that the vehicle be exported from the United States and permanently imported into Canada. The statement/letter should identify the vehicle and include the VIN number.
All Transport Canada requirements for documentation and the process at the border are contained in Customs D-19-12-1 memorandum.
Provide Vehicle Import Form Form 1 (or Vehicle Imported for Parts Form - Form 3 for parts-only vehicles)
It is your responsibility to complete it. Retain this form as it is required by your province or territory to licence the vehicle
Verify Admissibility.
CBSA will check your vehicle against Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States, verify the VIN and manufacturer's Statement of Compliance (SOC) label.

-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Wednesday 18th of November 2009 01:51:39 PM

-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Wednesday 18th of November 2009 01:53:59 PM

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

You are right, no need for RIV but our US side here will need to see the title 72 hours ahead of time.

Stephenzone · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

pm me i just brought a 57 chev truck across last month

Astro Jet · Poncho Master!

Carl Stevenson wrote:

You are right, no need for RIV but our US side here will need to see the title 72 hours ahead of time.

That is to prove to US Customs that you are not attempting to export a stolen vehicle and you have good title to it. I've seen them get pretty nasty when people try and avoid this step....

dualquadpete · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Astro Jet is right, if you don't clear it with US side, you may have a problem with the Canadian side. Brought back a 64 Bonni. a few yrs back. had to find a place to store car for 72 hrs while US side checked out the paper work, then go back & get it. US side "stamped" the time & told us not to return till that time & "not a minute sooner" Canadian side was good, just wanted MONEY Pete

62Beaumont · Addicted!

Pontiacanada wrote:
No need to go through RIV ... it's for newer cars only.

Off their website:

Vehicles over 15 years old
All vehicles (except buses) that are 15 years old or more from the date of manufacture, are exempt from the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program.

That's good to know.

65sssd · Poncho Master!

Do you still have to get a federal and a provincial inspection?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

No Federal for over 15 years I don't think but in Manitoba at least you need Provincial, same as if you bought a used car in Canada anywhere I would imagine.

And yes, they need to know the paperwork is all in order. I would not buy a car that I could not get a title faxed to the border 72 hours ahead.

65sssd · Poncho Master!

Carl Stevenson wrote:

No Federal for over 15 years I don't think but in Manitoba at least you need Provincial, same as if you bought a used car in Canada anywhere I would imagine.

And yes, they need to know the paperwork is all in order. I would not buy a car that I could not get a title faxed to the border 72 hours ahead.

What kind of time period is required? If the car had rust holes it wouldn't pass a provincial inspection so what do you do then?

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

I don't know of any time line on 15 years or older like the RIV deadline (1 year I think?) to have it inspected and roadworthy.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

65sssd wrote:

Carl Stevenson wrote:

No Federal for over 15 years I don't think but in Manitoba at least you need Provincial, same as if you bought a used car in Canada anywhere I would imagine.

And yes, they need to know the paperwork is all in order. I would not buy a car that I could not get a title faxed to the border 72 hours ahead.

What kind of time period is required? If the car had rust holes it wouldn't pass a provincial inspection so what do you do then?

Sorry, I likely didn't answer that question properly. I would say all rust must be repaired before inspection, so on a classic, no problem but on an RIV, I think 1 year. That is how it was in 2001 when I imported the 94 Impala SS I drive. It was hit in the quarter and I took about 11 months to get it done.

norontcan · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

Yah, it's the US side that wants the 72 hours. You have to get clearance from the US before the Canadian guys will entertain thoughts of letting you bring it into Canada. Also know of a guy that was well over the 72 hours but showed up at 6pm on Friday night in Buffalo and got told he'd have to wait until Monday morning when that part of the office reopened. On Monday morning he cleared the US side in less than 10 minutes.
So best to phone ahead to the US side for a clear set of instructions, open hours etc.

As far as insurance goes. If you presently have an old car policy most of them have a rider that covers " recent purchases " for the first 6 days. But it is always better to talk to your agent as soon as you know the transfer date, VIN etc.

Having said all of the above, if you are not going to be present when the car actually crosses the border then you will have to be represented by either the car carrier company or a independent customs broker. Either will cost you a few bucks but they should be fully versed in the procedures.

4SPEED427 · A Poncho Legend!

You can also give power of attorney to the driver for that particular transaction only. Done that too.