Importing FROM Canada TO US? A little help!

[SpartanAir]

Hi guys,

So I have an interested buyer in my Prez who lives in California. He wants to fly up and drive it back. In terms of registering the car in Cali, he's taking care of it, and it's not my issue. But he wanted some help in finding how you get the car there.

Does anyone know what he needs to do at the border, what forms he needs, what he needs from me, and what he will have to pay?

I've come across plenty of info about importing from elsewhere TO canada, but not TO the US.

Help is appreciated!

Cheers,
Brendan

[Nismoist]

Since it is a 92 and never sold in the US wont it be an illegal import? (federal law supercedes state) I believe these cars need to be a minimum of 21 years old to even have a chance at US legality, 25 years for emission exemption. If he does try to drive it over the border legit then he will probably be rejected unless he claims it is for track use only. Regardless I would be putting the onus on him to figure this out.

[RedEclipze]

Yeah, he could do that and loose a potential buyer...

I say contact both the american border and canadian border services and ask the same questions. If they can't answer your questions, they can steer you to someone who can. From my experience, you can talk to whoever you want, and they can tell a mighty tale, but when the car gets to the border, they set you straight for better or worse. get the answers from them first.

[dah_hunter]

legally he cant get the car across the border..

[Ricky Ricer]

Since it is a 92 and never sold in the US wont it be an illegal import? (federal law supercedes state) I believe these cars need to be a minimum of 21 years old to even have a chance at US legality, 25 years for emission exemption. If he does try to drive it over the border legit then he will probably be rejected unless he claims it is for track use only. Regardless I would be putting the onus on him to figure this out.

You've got that backwards. It's 21 years for EPA compliance (emissions) and 25 years anything goes.

Essentially, you would have to drive the car across to go "shopping" and then he needs to find a way to get it to CA. Once in CA he's going to have one hell of a time legalizing it. It may not be as hard as say a Skyline, but he's got some big hoops to jump through.

[Terrh]

its a 10 grand fine and possible jail time for both of you.

is it really worth it?

I'd maybe risk my neck for a few million in drug money but not over a $10k car.

[Ricky Ricer]

its a 10 grand fine and possible jail time for both of you.

is it really worth it?

I'd maybe risk my neck for a few million in drug money but not over a $10k car.

This. It just isn't worth the risk. I see R32s popping up on eBay all the time for "Export Only." Such a shame. Before I bought my MotoRex Skyline, I thought of buying one in Canada. The risks are just too great though...

[jdms13rhd]

there are ways to legally export a skyline, but can only be done as parts only. Ive done it a few times and then re assembled the car states side then got a kit car title. Ive done it in Montana, idaho and florida. Florida is the easiest to title. You need performer 1 invoices for customs and know the ins and outs. But it can legally be done easy, it just takes a few trips and time :S

I still have all paperwork involved. If someone were wanting to do it I can explain what I havve done in a nut shell and mail you paperwork you need but thats all I am willing to do.

[Oakville]

This. It just isn't worth the risk. I see R32s popping up on eBay all the time for "Export Only." Such a shame. Before I bought my MotoRex Skyline, I thought of buying one in Canada. The risks are just too great though...

you have a motorex car?

[JDMlover]

getting skyline to usa from canada

You could drive it down there, take your plates off, have him tow it back to cali. Simple. Have him pay for your trip home. if you dont file with cbp that it is a temporary import, after your plates are off you are pretty much un-traceable in us, it will be on him, Just get it across have him meet you in blaine and let him tow it home. Being its international once your home and hes home its like the transaction never took place.

[205richo]

You could drive it down there, take your plates off, have him tow it back to cali. Simple. Have him pay for your trip home. if you dont file with cbp that it is a temporary import, after your plates are off you are pretty much un-traceable in us, it will be on him, Just get it across have him meet you in blaine and let him tow it home. Being its international once your home and hes home its like the transaction never took place.

What he said.I know a person who did exactly this with another car 2 years ago
P.M me if you want some details.

[Nismoist]

You could drive it down there, take your plates off, have him tow it back to cali. Simple. Have him pay for your trip home. if you dont file with cbp that it is a temporary import, after your plates are off you are pretty much un-traceable in us, it will be on him, Just get it across have him meet you in blaine and let him tow it home. Being its international once your home and hes home its like the transaction never took place.

You are still traceable as you still have to cross the border and it is the job of customs to track people and goods crossing the border. They can track you if they want to. They will ask you why you dont have your car and you will have to have an answer for them, even they do buy your story and let you go they can still follow up and since they have all your passport info they can come find you and charge you at a later date. In this case you are more vulnerable than the buyer from a legal standpoint.

What he said.I know a person who did exactly this with another car 2 years ago
P.M me if you want some details.

Customs doesnt get everyone but they will get some. Its the same as speeding, I know a guy who took his motorcycle up to 290 on the highway and he didnt get caught but there are plenty of people that get pinched everyday for travelling at far lower speeds.

At the end of the day, you just need to decide how much risk you are willing to take to sell your car for a better price.

[Spencer87]

I just drove over to shop, but was informed if this car shows up on a bill of sale, it would be my last visit to the states - unfortunately that sentence took them 3 and a half hours to communicate.

[jdms13rhd]

US customs can fine you on a percentage of the value of the car if you, "the canadian owner" get caught. You can also loose access to the US. DOT can also call a 2 week bond if they ever find out about the car and deem it salvage. If they find it they could destroy it. (been there done that) lol All that could add up to you having to file for a pardon and taking up to 5 years for you to get access again.

Ive literally been through it all. I had one car crushed once for an illegal export from the drive it down and leave it there thing. But if you want the car's vin to have a paper trail and have a legit title to that specific car, the car has to be legally exported with all documents. Ive done it a a few times by exporting the parts and having a kit title. You need invoices for everything to get the title.

I dont **** around at customs anymore. moviecars.com ****** a couple friends and I like 5 years ago when F&F2 came out. Were going to have some of our cars in the movie but universal studios didnt provide us with import bonds so we had 2 cars seized with fines and about 2 years of bull **** every time I crossed states side. Its funny now tho, I would cross and they ask if i ever been denied access and I would have to say yes and they would see F&F on the screen and have the most confused look on their face. haha. Then Id have to come in to immigration and fill out paperwork because they think im some ricer or something chopping cars to the states

The Alberta/Montana port director knew me by name when that was all going on. Was through the crossing soo many times that one year.

If anything, get the guy from the US to come up to canada and slap a plate on it and drive it down. I had a friend just do that a few months ago. Its still risky tho.

[626Silvia]

Hi guys,

So I have an interested buyer in my Prez who lives in California. He wants to fly up and drive it back. In terms of registering the car in Cali, he's taking care of it, and it's not my issue. But he wanted some help in finding how you get the car there.

Does anyone know what he needs to do at the border, what forms he needs, what he needs from me, and what he will have to pay?

I've come across plenty of info about importing from elsewhere TO canada, but not TO the US.

Help is appreciated!

Cheers,
Brendan

DId your friend ever get an answer or solution?