Fishing with Rod Discussion Forum

Fishing in British Columbia => General Discussion => Topic started by: mastercaster on October 21, 2007, 09:20:59 PM

Title: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 21, 2007, 09:20:59 PM
First off, if you google that title you can find the entire process on the net but it's a tad wordy. Here's what you need to do.  I'm up to Step 7.

1) Make sure the vehicle you're after is admissable  by contacting info@riv.ca

2) BIG TIP: Go onto Edmunds.com and find your vehicle (new or used) by clicking in a U.S.
    zipcode which you can also google, the year, and how much you're willing to spend.  I chose
    Seattle and gave it a 100 mi. radius search but then lengthened it to 200 mi.  Dealers from all the
    place will get back to you with quotes, etc. if you're buying new.  All used ones will list their
    price.  I clicked in a price thet was a couple of thous. higher than I wanted to spend because I
    knew they would lower their price.

3) After negotiating a price I put a down payment on the truck with my Visa.  I bought sight
    unseen because it was Dealer Certified. I also got the VIN. number from them to arrange
    transport insurance.  Cost me $70 for 10 days.

4) I wired the rest of the money the next day to the dealer. Got them to fax me a copy of the
    original title, the bill of sale, and asked them to get a recall letter to show that there are no
    safety issues.  It comes from the manufacturer of the vehicle.   You're really supposed to phone
    for the recall letter yourself.

5) While waiting for these items, get in contact with the Export Office at US Customs in Blaine so
    that they can fax you an Export Form.  Fill out the form, fax back to them with a copy of the
    bill of sale, and the title of the vehicle (it will be the past owner's).  They need this information a
    minimun of 72 hrs. before you plan to bring the vehicle back into Canada. Call them a couple days
    later to make sure they got it.
 
6) Arrange the pickup of your vehicle. The car salesman was more than happy to pick me up at the
    airport.  I left from Bellingham because I knew I would have to leave the truck at my wife's boss's
    house.  Besides...you can't bring the vehicle back into Canada on the weekend.  It has to
    be between 8:00 and 3:00 through the week. The dealership gave me a temporary plate that
    you stick to the back window for the drive back.  It's good for 21 days.

7) Stop at the US Export office.  Make sure you have the original Bill of Sale and the Title to show
    them, as well as your Export Form.

8) They then send you the Canadian Customs office where you pay the GST, a $100 excise fee for
    airconditioning and $212 RIV fee.  An agent will fill out Form 1 and send it and the other paper
    work except the recall letter to the RIV.

9) You send the Recall letter to the RIV.  Call them and give them your email address so that you can
    receive Form 2.  When that gets back to them after the inspections (Sep 10) they'll send you
    new Title of Ownership.

10) The next step is to take your vehichle to Canadian Tire to get your car federally and provincially
      inspected.  They also do the modifications that are required or you get it done yourself.  You
      have 45 days to complete the modifications..  Check 1-888-848-8240 for them.  The main ones
      are that you need daytime running lights which most vehicles have, a tether for a baby seat
      (not needed in trucks) and a French label for airbag mainteneance.

 11) Get your vehicle licenced and insured and you're done.

Definitely get the printout of all this (and more) by googling "How to Import a Vehicle into Canada"
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: jettabambino on October 22, 2007, 09:24:22 AM
i t looks easy enough.. but with the work scheduel the way it is its nearly impossibly for me to do... are there places that will do the export for you for a small fee.... or are you up for another one master caster?
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: gheart008 on October 22, 2007, 11:01:03 AM
More detailed information here:

http://www.redflagdeals.com/forums/showthread.php?t=477998&highlight=importing
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 22, 2007, 08:00:06 PM
i t looks easy enough.. but with the work scheduel the way it is its nearly impossibly for me to do... are there places that will do the export for you for a small fee.... or are you up for another one master caster?

There are importers but they charge you anywhere from a 1 to 1 1/2 thous.  I guess some people don't mind paying it if they think they are saving several thousand dollars.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 22, 2007, 09:15:22 PM
Thanks for the tips, mastercaster.  I spoke to Tommie at Gresham and he is going to email me if something I want comes in.  Was there a reason for you to look as far as Portland?  Did the Washington state dealers not give you the time of day?

Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: jettabambino on October 22, 2007, 09:18:44 PM
anyone know where i can find a importers name?
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: KLX on October 23, 2007, 02:55:51 PM
An important note:

If the vehicle was not made in North America you have to pay PST and DUTY plus GST. Ends up being close to 20% on the cost of the vehicle at the border. (6 gst + 7 pst + 6 duty)

On a 4000 motorcyle i ended up paying almst 1000 more.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 23, 2007, 04:00:17 PM
Thanks for the tips, mastercaster.  I spoke to Tommie at Gresham and he is going to email me if something I want comes in.  Was there a reason for you to look as far as Portland?  Did the Washington state dealers not give you the time of day?



There were one or two dealers in Washington that won't sell cars, even preowned ones, to Canadians but the others were very helpful.  In fact, I'm still getting calls on used Tacomas that are coming into their dealerships.  I had something fairly specific in mind so I had to look a little further a field to find the one I wanted.  ie. low mileage, off road package, double cab, etc.  Hence...Portland   There were a couple in Wash. that would have worked for me but they had more mileage on them than I really wanted.

 
anyone know where i can find a importers name?

Can't remember exactly where I found it but it was from googling on the net.

Good luck in your search guys.  BTW, it seems that new listings hit the autotraders everyday so if you miss out on one don't worry about it...there'll be another one that pops up a couple of days later that will spark your interest.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: jettabambino on October 23, 2007, 05:34:56 PM
so mastercaster... care to share what sort of deal you got...
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 23, 2007, 06:32:07 PM
2007 Tacoma, automatic, 4x4, Double Cab with a short box ( only long box available in Canada), TRD off road pkg, SR5 pkg, tow pkg, downhill assist, step rails (after market), additional stabily control, 6 CD changer, and a whole wack of other options.  Only had 2000 miles on it.  All for $28500. Plus taxes, RIV registration...stuff you would have to pay for up here anyway.  I priced out the same vehicle up here for $39900

I just received another quote on a new 2008 with the same set up (minus the step rails) for the same price except they can't sell new cars to Canadians. However, after reading that other website  that was posted by gheart008 there seems to be a loophole as long as you know someone who lives in the States whose willing to drive to another State  to buy the vehicle for you.  That person won't pay tax until he registers the vehicle in his home State.  But if he transfers the car to you he won't have to get the vehicle registered so you'll be the first person to register it up here in B.C. and you will only pay GST and PST.  It sounds a bit complicated so go back to the website and read it yourself.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 23, 2007, 08:02:09 PM
Did you negotiate very much from the asking price?

I know for new cars there are two prices, the MSRP and Invoice.  Almost nobody pays MSRP.  Most people bargain up from the invoice price.  Some get their price below invoice.  If you go to a Toyota dealership here, they don't really let you bargain very much.  You might only get floormats included.

Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 23, 2007, 09:15:17 PM
My wife has family and lots of friends who live in the States and they've informed us there's very little leeway on price unlike in Canada where they expect you to try to get them to lower the price.....it's like a game.  In Canada by bumping up the price they eventually get what they really wanted for the vehicle after negotiating.  In the States they set a more realistic price where the consumer feels they're not getting ripped off.

I tried my absolute best to get them to lower the price over several days of negotiating and the best I could do off the internet price (which BTW is lower than the lot price) was $500.  Even the other internet sales reps that I spoke to from other Toyota dealerships told me to jump on it when I told them the price.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: salmon river on October 24, 2007, 05:33:38 PM
Whats up with all the dealers refusing to sell Canadians new vehicles down there?
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: KLX on October 29, 2007, 10:09:34 AM
I havent run into any dealers not willing to sell.

Important note:

Importing a NEW vehicle to Canada will void the warranty with most manufacturers.
You will have to arrange to purchase warranty with a local dealer. Depending on vehicle will be around $2000 for the 5yr/100k.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on October 29, 2007, 11:51:41 AM
I am sure glad to see you guys supporting our Canadian economy in general and the automotive community in particular....  ::)... I hope that those of you that buy vehicles in the USA have your pay checks cut by the raise in the canadian dollar the way we, in the auto industry, have!

I support those who support us....what do you US buyers do for a living.... ???
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: testo84 on October 29, 2007, 12:12:15 PM
I am sure glad to see you guys supporting our Canadian economy in general and the automotive community in particular....  ::)... I hope that those of you that buy vehicles in the USA have your pay checks cut by the raise in the canadian dollar the way we, in the auto industry, have!

I support those who support us....what do you US buyers do for a living.... ???

Laissez-faire BRO
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 29, 2007, 01:31:24 PM
Instead of ragging on the canadian consumers, why don't you put the blame on the manufacturers?  They are the ones that are gouging canadians.  Can you explain to me why an Acura MDX (made in Canada) is more than 15 grand higher in cost here than in the states?  Is it because the cost of doing business up that much more expensive? ::)  You don't have to be an accountant (which I am BTW) to crunch the numbers and realize that there is some major price fixing going on and its been going on for quite awhile now.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Fish Assassin on October 29, 2007, 04:06:13 PM
I agree with Doug
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 29, 2007, 04:28:45 PM
I am sure glad to see you guys supporting our Canadian economy in general and the automotive community in particular....  ::)... I hope that those of you that buy vehicles in the USA have your pay checks cut by the raise in the canadian dollar the way we, in the auto industry, have!

I support those who support us....what do you US buyers do for a living.... ???

Instead of ragging on the canadian consumers, why don't you put the blame on the manufacturers?  They are the ones that are gouging canadians.  Can you explain to me why an Acura MDX (made in Canada) is more than 15 grand higher in cost here than in the states?  Is it because the cost of doing business up that much more expensive? ::)  You don't have to be an accountant (which I am BTW) to crunch the numbers and realize that there is some major price fixing going on and its been going on for quite awhile now.

Hey Leaseman...ever heard of the Free Trade agreement?  Smart consumers shop where they get the best price.  Of course it would be great if that best price was in Canada instead of south of the border but you'd have to be an idiot or have more dollars than sense (cents) not to want to save yourself 10 grand on a purchase just to be patriotic.  Like Doug said it's price fixing that's to blame.

Besides the Toyota Tacoma I wanted isn't even available up here!  Toyota doesn't make an automatic double cab 4X4 with the TRD Off Road pkg. They all come with a long box which means there's too much distance between the axels to make it a good off road vehicle.  You'd have so much trouble turning around in a tight spot that it wouldn't be funny.  In Canada, the truck I wanted only comes in a stardard transmission. 

Down in the States the double cabs all come with a short box.  They only put long boxes on the extended cabs.  I also got other options on the truck that aren't available in Canada like the downhill control system which allows me to crawl down hills without using my brakes.

I'll tell you something... cars sales up here are going to be far less until there's some parody in pricing!  The customs officer told me that 75-100 cars a day are being imported at the Pacific Crossing.   That's alot of lost revenue and HUGE savings for the consumer who buys south of the border.  Hopefully, the Canadian manufactures will clue in.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 29, 2007, 04:43:06 PM
anyone know where i can find a importers name?

When I was down at the border on Thursday bringing  my truck across, I was talking to this guy who said there's an importer just up the street from the  border crossing who supposedly charges a $250  fee to import a vehicle.  Don't know exactly what it all covers though.  I should have looked for the name.....guess I was too excited driving the new rig to  pay attention! :D

Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: KLX on October 29, 2007, 08:49:39 PM
i always give the canadian dealer a chance to price match, in fact, i usually say just come within 10%. they are almost always unwilling. so be it. I'll try again tomorrow with suzuki but i dont see it happening.

ya, im also the same guy who left Canada after university because firms up here wanted to pay me a pittance to do specialized work. But actually it goes beyond that. In the US you get treated a lot better, much better benefits, and there is respect for the young up and coming talent...Canadian businesses need to learn from the US. I make no apologies for it either. But i'm back now and i've invested all my money and learned skills back in Canada. And, believe me sometimes i wonder why, because little has changed up here.

Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on October 30, 2007, 07:28:01 AM
Supply and demand....quite correct....take GM vehicles for example, in California (southern half only if I remember correctly) there is more GM vehicles sold than all of Canada which means cheaper costs to build....

Where was the the canadian dollar in August...$0.85....thats only ten weeks, makes a big difference in buying power....those of you who know retail, know you can't drop your prices 20+% because the dollar has risen....how long ago did you purchase your stock....
3 months, six months???....what did the dollar cost you then....???

People don't look beyond their noses sometimes. I have yet to hear one good response from anyone on how the manufacturers can cure this problem....everyone loves to blame the builders or dealers....the car guys are bad and getting rich off us citizens....what a load of BS!!!

Asking canadian dealers to match prices is like asking Joe's tackle to match a big box stores pricing....how many of you are in retail, how is this affecting your business????...for our economy to survive and be healthy, we need a $0.80-0.85 .....

That is my little rant, go across the boarder and buy everything!!! I hope that all the people (and there is not that many that do) that do buy across the border have their pay cheques effected the way we do... ;D
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: dwsk on October 30, 2007, 08:05:42 AM
Supply and demand....quite correct....take GM vehicles for example, in California (southern half only if I remember correctly) there is more GM vehicles sold than all of Canada which means cheaper costs to build....

Where was the the canadian dollar in August...$0.85....thats only ten weeks, makes a big difference in buying power....those of you who know retail, know you can't drop your prices 20+% because the dollar has risen....how long ago did you purchase your stock....
3 months, six months???....what did the dollar cost you then....???

People don't look beyond their noses sometimes. I have yet to hear one good response from anyone on how the manufacturers can cure this problem....everyone loves to blame the builders or dealers....the car guys are bad and getting rich off us citizens....what a load of BS!!!

Asking canadian dealers to match prices is like asking Joe's tackle to match a big box stores pricing....how many of you are in retail, how is this affecting your business????...for our economy to survive and be healthy, we need a $0.80-0.85 .....

That is my little rant, go across the boarder and buy everything!!! I hope that all the people (and there is not that many that do) that do buy across the border have their pay cheques effected the way we do... ;D

I feel for you. In most cases people will not cross the border for the everyday items. It is just not worth while. And I think most people do not mind paying a little bit more to support the local businesses. But consumers can not be expected to spend an extra 10k on a car if the cheaper one is only an hour away. If the cdn dollar remains close to par, then the prices will get closer to par over the next while.( 6 months, year ??). Once prices are within 5k of each other I think the cross border shopping of cars will stop. Unfortunatly the cars dealers in Canada are going to have to deal with a lot of flack until then. Just my opinion for what it is worth.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: gheart008 on October 30, 2007, 11:09:00 AM
Once prices are within 5k of each other I think the cross border shopping of cars will stop. Unfortunatly the cars dealers in Canada are going to have to deal with a lot of flack until then. Just my opinion for what it is worth.

I think 5K would still generate some sales from the US, just not as much.  I think some people would still do it even if it meant a $1K saving after all the additional fees for the import process.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: salmon river on October 30, 2007, 11:38:30 AM
Ban greets Canadians seeking U.S. car deals (http://www.thestar.com/Business/article/270299)

Canadians consider lawsuit against U.S. car dealers (http://www.canada.com/nationalpost/news/story.html?id=53d96a64-0f9f-4f7c-bb1e-ad1bad05312b&k=21948)

Canadian couple challenges denials of new car purchase in U.S. (http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071020/BUSINESS01/71020018/1014/BUSINESS)

Gm, Ford, Honda, Chrysler, Toyota will not sell a new vehicle to Canadains, dealers may want to put when the paperwork goes through they are told nay.  Individuals are more than willing but head offices say no. 
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 30, 2007, 12:06:40 PM
I am sure glad to see you guys supporting our Canadian economy in general and the automotive community in particular....  ... I hope that those of you that buy vehicles in the USA have your pay checks cut by the raise in the canadian dollar the way we, in the auto industry, have!

I would be if I bought a Acura MDX from the US.  The MDX is MADE IN CANADA and I would be supporting the Canadian Auto Industry.

Are all the clothes that you own made in Canada? if not why aren't you supporting the Canadian Garment Industry?

Where was the the canadian dollar in August...$0.85....thats only ten weeks, makes a big difference in buying power....those of you who know retail, know you can't drop your prices 20+% because the dollar has risen....how long ago did you purchase your stock....

No you may not be able to drop prices, but manufacturers (who have been raking in the profits from gouging us canadians) can remedy the situation by offering big rebates.  You know about rebates don't you?  The rebates do not cost the dealerships anything.

You know if prices were closer say like 2 or 3 grand I'd gladly buy in canada. 
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: KLX on October 30, 2007, 01:20:16 PM
add mitsubishi to the list of no selling to canadians.

I understand stock prices for SOME vehicles were set when the dollar was lower but that doesnt mean they cannot go down now or that the dealer couldnt flex a little on the price.

I just talked to suzuki up here and the salesman told me to go buy it in the US, he said he would do the same. I'm saving 7k$ after all is said and done on 20k dollar car. there's no excuse for that.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on October 30, 2007, 02:32:41 PM
The point I am trying to get accross is that we are talking two different markets....G.M. of Canada then the US side of GM....we buy smaller amounts of product like tires, electrical components, etc., etc.,...this equal larger costs to purchase....wages in the auto sector in Canada are higher along with the benifits....all this with a fast balloning dollar makes it a HUGE difference in costs.....how many of you remember when GM first came out with the Denali and the Duramax???.....brokers were coming up here from the states to purchase at retail prices, selling to the dealer, who were selling to the public...it took about 6 months to close this down by the US/Canadian governments.....

Doug-you talked about rebates and not effecting the dealers....sorry, this is the farthest from the truth....rebates of any size would effect everyone.....why??....it puts huge pressure on the used car markets, you selling your used piece, never mind the huge, rental and lease fleets.....would take years to recover......
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 30, 2007, 03:03:02 PM

That is my little rant, go across the boarder and buy everything!!! I hope that all the people (and there is not that many that do) that do buy across the border have their pay cheques effected the way we do... ;D

Not trying to be an a$$ but if your paycheck has been cut wouldn't it make sense for you to get on the bandwagon and buy merchandise down in the States as well so you could get the biggest bang for your buck?
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on October 30, 2007, 03:41:42 PM
M/C...we do buy some commercial vehicles from the states....BUT.... you really have to watch out...USA is classified as a foreign country, no declarations are needed to be made to the purchaser if they are from outside of the states as far as rebuilt, excessive damage, etc.,....that is why we buy the odd commercial, companies don't mind if it suits their needs...

If you take the whole picture of this in, it is really scary for our economy, just look around and see where all the vehiclesd are used, bought,sold,leased etc....a big change in pricing would affect our whole economy....
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: dwsk on October 30, 2007, 03:54:48 PM
The point I am trying to get accross is that we are talking two different markets....G.M. of Canada then the US side of GM....we buy smaller amounts of product like tires, electrical components, etc., etc.,...this equal larger costs to purchase....wages in the auto sector in Canada are higher along with the benifits....all this with a fast balloning dollar makes it a HUGE difference in costs.....how many of you remember when GM first came out with the Denali and the Duramax???.....brokers were coming up here from the states to purchase at retail prices, selling to the dealer, who were selling to the public...it took about 6 months to close this down by the US/Canadian governments.....

Doug-you talked about rebates and not effecting the dealers....sorry, this is the farthest from the truth....rebates of any size would effect everyone.....why??....it puts huge pressure on the used car markets, you selling your used piece, never mind the huge, rental and lease fleets.....would take years to recover......

This is interesting. The dollar will probably start dropping but when and by how much, is hard to predict. The longer it stays around par, the more pressure on the car dealers to lower their price. Something has to give. I don't see the government stepping in to protect the industry, so it is either the dealer or the manufacturers. If they do not you will see a huge increase in the number of brokers available to purchase cars for you and ship them across the border. Unfortunately it will probably be littered with criminals.

leaseman, who do you think will break first?

Then there is the price difference on alcohol. That one really burns me.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 30, 2007, 03:58:46 PM
Doug-you talked about rebates and not effecting the dealers....sorry, this is the farthest from the truth....rebates of any size would effect everyone.....why??....it puts huge pressure on the used car markets, you selling your used piece, never mind the huge, rental and lease fleets.....would take years to recover

So you don't think that local dealerships shipping ex lease and ex rental cars from the US and selling them here have any affect on our used car markets?  Did you know that a local Nissan dealership just brought over 20 of these US used vehicles up here for sale?  So its ok for them to access the US market but not your everyday consumer?



The point I am trying to get accross is that we are talking two different markets....G.M. of Canada then the US side of GM....we buy smaller amounts of product like tires, electrical components, etc., etc.,...this equal larger costs to purchase....wages in the auto sector in Canada are higher along with the benifits....all this with a fast balloning dollar makes it a HUGE difference in costs.....how many of you remember when GM first came out with the Denali and the Duramax???.....brokers were coming up here from the states to purchase at retail prices, selling to the dealer, who were selling to the public...it took about 6 months to close this down by the US/Canadian governments.....

So what you really are telling me is that I should pay 16 grand more for the vehicle that I want so my conscience feels better?  Your argument is made invalid because of something we call FREE TRADE.  Alternatively we could get rid of free trade, close the borders, have manufacturers and retailers charge whatever they want for our market.  We could pay 15 bucks for a coffee at starbucks just so the girl working at the counter won't starve.

I've supported the local dealers for many years.  I've bought well over 7 cars most of which were new despite receiving piss poor service and begging for a few dollars off MSRP or some stupid floormats.  I would still support them if they were even close.  Sadly they are not.

BTW I just purchased a new 2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited from a dealership in Seattle.  MSRP was about 34 grand but they gave me invoice price less 700 for a total of 31,300 US$ (30,000 cdn).  No hassles no fuss.  I told him what I wanted and he gave me the lowest price he could.  Did not try to sell me the stupid undercoating or any other extras.  The MSRP for the exact same vehicle here is about 48 grand, less whatever miniscle discount you could beg for.
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 30, 2007, 06:03:34 PM


BTW I just purchased a new 2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited from a dealership in Seattle.  MSRP was about 34 grand but they gave me invoice price less 700 for a total of 31,300 US$ (30,000 cdn).  No hassles no fuss.  I told him what I wanted and he gave me the lowest price he could.  Did not try to sell me the stupid undercoating or any other extras.  The MSRP for the exact same vehicle here is about 48 grand, less whatever miniscle discount you could beg for.

Doug, that's sounds like a rippin' deal....how can you blame anyone for wanting to save that kind of dough?  The money we saved on our vehicles can now be used to buy more fishing gear or a trip up to the Charlottes!   ;)

So have you brought it across the border yet because as I was saying on an earlier post it's getting busier all the time.  The customs officer that I dealt with at the border said that Mondays and Fridays were the worst so if you haven't done it yet, try to avoid those days.  He also told me that if I had been there between 8:00 and 9:00 I would have been first in line.  Once that's done you can also speed up the process by faxing the Form 1 that you get from customs and your recall letter to RIV and ask them to email or fax Form 2 back to you so you can get your car to Canadian Tire for the inspections.

BTW, I LOOOVVVVE my new truck....spending more time with it than my wife.  ;D ;D
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 30, 2007, 07:29:44 PM


BTW I just purchased a new 2008 Subaru Tribeca Limited from a dealership in Seattle.  MSRP was about 34 grand but they gave me invoice price less 700 for a total of 31,300 US$ (30,000 cdn).  No hassles no fuss.  I told him what I wanted and he gave me the lowest price he could.  Did not try to sell me the stupid undercoating or any other extras.  The MSRP for the exact same vehicle here is about 48 grand, less whatever miniscle discount you could beg for.

Doug, that's sounds like a rippin' deal....how can you blame anyone for wanting to save that kind of dough?  The money we saved on our vehicles can now be used to buy more fishing gear or a trip up to the Charlottes!   ;)

So have you brought it across the border yet because as I was saying on an earlier post it's getting busier all the time.  The customs officer that I dealt with at the border said that Mondays and Fridays were the worst so if you haven't done it yet, try to avoid those days.  He also told me that if I had been there between 8:00 and 9:00 I would have been first in line.  Once that's done you can also speed up the process by faxing the Form 1 that you get from customs and your recall letter to RIV and ask them to email or fax Form 2 back to you so you can get your car to Canadian Tire for the inspections.

BTW, I LOOOVVVVE my new truck....spending more time with it than my wife.  ;D ;D

Thanks for the tips!

Definitely more fishing gear!  And maybe a guided trip to the stamp for steelies!

I plan on bringing it over next Tuesday.  My brother in law's girlfriend is a US border guard at sumas so I'm assured that all the paperwork will be done on time.  I might go down and pick it up on Monday evening, stay overnight at the skagit casino hotel and then be at the border hopefully first in line Tuesday morning.

Glad you like your truck, I wanted to buy a Tacoma as well but the wife wanted a bit more luxury ;D
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: KLX on October 30, 2007, 09:39:30 PM
[My brother in law's girlfriend is a US border guard at sumas so I'm assured that all the paperwork will be done on time.


[/quote]

wouldnt that be your sister ??? unless your both keeping a secret ;D
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Stratocaster on October 30, 2007, 10:03:06 PM
 ;D  No, my wife's brother's girlfriend.  Not my Sister's husband's girlfriend (if he has one).
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on October 31, 2007, 08:43:07 AM
Most economists are talking that the canadian dollar will settle around the 90 cent mark in the spring....who knows?? If my crystal ball was working I would be retired!!!

As far as who breaks first.....I'm guessing but thre major manufacturers won't cave in, this is my opinion and hope I am right....they won't cave in because of the HUGE fleets of vehicle that they have sold to the leasing companies....if they drop the prices close to being equal, these leasing companies would lose 100s of millions of dollars, the trickle effect would flow like the Fraser in freshet down to all businesses that lease these vehicle and down to the businesses customers, etc., etc....

If anyone breaks, it would be the gov't closing the boarder a little tighter etc....one thing you will see in the future is the vehicles built in the US will NOT be importable (is that a word??) to Canada...ie the 2009 Corvette...different to here...older ones,2004-2007 at this time must have front and rear bumpers replaced to be Canada friendly...

Hard to believe there is such a difference from there to here, going ahead you will see that it is 2 totally different markets and the older vehicles will still flow cross border, but the newer might have problems

Mike
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on October 31, 2007, 11:49:17 AM
Just heard that I might be proven wrong.....???
Lets say Thursday might be an interesting day.... ;)
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: Derp on October 31, 2007, 02:27:09 PM
Alright so I read all about importing new cars from dealerships in the states.

What I'm wondering is how profitable (cons/pros) would it be to import used cars from the states (private sales and dealers). I'm a student and can't afford new cars and I'm just trying to save a buck.

I've asked some people and they told me to convince private sellers to bring and sell the cars here, telling customs that they're just parking their cars here?? But I don't think this would work.

Anyways, let me know what you think.. Thanks  :)
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: mastercaster on October 31, 2007, 02:51:54 PM
I'll tell you what I think....I think the guy on the diving board broke his fricken neck!  ;D ;D

As far as I know Americans can't sell their vehicles up here until they've been in the country for a certain period of time. Not positive, but I think it's a year??
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: rymack on November 01, 2007, 07:32:22 PM
Do you have a update on what ou may have been proven wrong on leaseman?
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: leaseman on November 02, 2007, 12:03:23 PM
Things have ground to a halt for the moment, I mean a moment too.....forecasted by Wednesday things should be well on their way to a more balance playing field.... ;)
Title: Re: Importing a Vehicle into Canada
Post by: rymack on November 02, 2007, 06:44:41 PM
Hey leaseman i am looking at picking up a used vehicle from down south next week...Would there be a good reason to wait? Perhaps i should hurry it up before they close something up?...if you could send me a email in regards to what this may be pertaining to i would appreciate it!
rymack62002@hotmail.com