What is required to bring a car into Canada

[Marty Rogan]

Hi Guys,

I am selling my yellow '71 to a guy that lives in Toronto. For you guys up north that have bought US cars; what needs to be done and what paperwork needs to be filed to bring a car across the border after purchase in the US?

Thanks for your help.

Marty

[zhead240]

if using a shipper they will look after all paperwork and taxes (6%gst) and charge buyer. if doing yourself u need original title (ownership) insurance and bill of sale if driving across. US customs has to have this info 48hr prior to bringing vehicle across( check for lean or theft) then at canadian customs the gst gets paid. buyer pays pst ( 7%) when getting plates. not all border crossing do vehicle checks so call and ask first. the paperwork can be faxed in advanced and both sides need be faxed. now the value could be tricky. in the past buyer would get a fake bill of sale ( lower price) to save money. the goverment was losing a lot of money so now they might use book value or get an appraiser ( at buyers cost) if they smell somethin funny. i'm not 100% sure, others please correct if info is wrong.

[joker72z]

Marty,

I sent you a PM with some details...

Chris

[Unkle]

Er , that's 5% GST , 7% PST for now until July 1st. Then it's a ''harmonized'' tax of 12% on ALL purchases . That's my 12 cents for what it's worth .

[geezer]

if using a shipper they will look after all paperwork and taxes (6%gst) and charge buyer. if doing yourself u need original title (ownership) insurance and bill of sale if driving across. US customs has to have this info 48hr prior to bringing vehicle across( check for lean or theft) then at canadian customs the gst gets paid. buyer pays pst ( 7%) when getting plates. not all border crossing do vehicle checks so call and ask first. the paperwork can be faxed in advanced and both sides need be faxed. now the value could be tricky. in the past buyer would get a fake bill of sale ( lower price) to save money. the goverment was losing a lot of money so now they might use book value or get an appraiser ( at buyers cost) if they smell somethin funny. i'm not 100% sure, others please correct if info is wrong.

This is pretty much all there is to it. The GST rate was 6% but must have changed since I brought back the last vehicle. I have the Vehicle Import Form- Form 1 from Transport Canada in my hand. There are two sections on the front of the form. Only one has to be filled out. The one I had to complete says: COMPLETE ONLY FOR VEHICLES NOT REQUIRED TO ENTER THE REGISTRAR OF IMPORTED VEHICLES PROGRAM. Of the seven boxes I only had to check the one that says: Vehicle is 15 years old or older - then sign and date it.

It is the American side that requires 48 hours lead time with all pertinent info, to check for leins. No cost there. It only took about 5 minutes.

Arriving in Canada just pay the GST, after they give it a quick look, comparing VIN and Conformance Tag with the bill of sale and you are on your way. Takes 10 minutes if everything is in order and there is no line at the counter. The PST has to be paid when the vehicle is registered.

Congrats on the sale Marty...and the new track car!

And another Z in Ontario..still need more, keep bringing them North!

Edited April 1, 2010 by geezer