Car Import Options.

[sly_wolf 199]

I have seen a few threads on this subject but I am still not clear on what I should do in my case. I have a leased car with 16 months to go. I read that I could not import the car because it is leased. If I were to buy the car with loan done in Canada will this be problem when I move?

Thanks

Sly

[sly_wolf 199]

I have seen a few threads on this subject but I am still not clear on what I should do in my case. I have a leased car with 16 months to go. I read that I could not import the car because it is leased. If I were to buy the car with loan done in Canada will this be problem when I move?

Thanks

Sly

Just an after thought. How long would I be able to get away with driving the car and still registerd in Canada?

Sly

[MsZ 6]

You can probably get away with it for quite a while. But the question is, do you want to. And, it depends on the state. Some states have rules that you have to register your vehicle within a certain amount of time.

Other issues are insurance. If your insurance company finds you've moved and you have an accident, they might deny you.

It really isn't worth taking the chance.

[jedinite 0]

Sly,

When I was working the the US with my TN-1 Visa I actually did not register my car down there for a few years. I should have done it sooner and my wife (girlfriend at the time) was always getting on my case about it. When I finally took the plunge to do it, it took a bit of work to get it registered.

First, I was driving with my Alberta drivers license, so the first thing you have to do is get your State drivers license. They require you to do the written and driving test regardless if you have a Provincial driver's license.

Next, you must get a letter from your manufacturer as release letter for you to drive your car in the States. I have a Honda and even though mine was put together in Ohio I still needed this letter. I've heard stories where certain manufacturers will try to charge you for this letter. I can't remember who I called but it was a State office, and they gave me a number to call and after you call that number you provide them with your VIN and your address and they will send you out a letter stating that your car is clear for importing.

After you get this letter you may have to setup an appointment for a safety and emissions test depending on what State your importing your car to. For me it was California so I had to go to a special State inspection center. Ordinary Smog check places will not work. You wait around for 1/2 hour and they give you a paper that says your car passes emissions and safety.

With these 2 letter you should now have, you have to bring in your proof of ownership, this is where it may be tricky for you since you are leasing your car. For me I had this letter so I didn't have any issues with it. I also didn't do the importing at the border crossing, I had to do it at the Long Beach port authority since I had already driven my car into the US. Once you provide them with your papers they make copies, and they give you an import certificate letter. You can then take this letter to the DMV and apply for a license plate.

For California, you are required by the State to obtain your drivers license within 30 days of moving to the State. The only time this will really be an issue is if you get pulled over and they ask to see your drivers and registration. If you don't have your car registered yet don't show them your US driver's license as you'll probably get a higher fine for not registering your car. Admittedly, I did get a few tickets while driving with my Canadian plates and driver's license, and the officer was nice enough not to ticket me for not registering. They are typically nice about it since they know you are from out of State and out of Country.

I don't know what your lease agreement with your finance company states but you should look into closing out your lease early or having it transferred to the US if you can. Cars are much cheaper in the US so it may be even beneficial to just lease a new car in the US instead. If I can find the link to the car importation that I used I'll post it here. Cheers!

[sly_wolf 199]

You can probably get away with it for quite a while. But the question is, do you want to. And, it depends on the state. Some states have rules that you have to register your vehicle within a certain amount of time.

Other issues are insurance. If your insurance company finds you've moved and you have an accident, they might deny you.

It really isn't worth taking the chance.

Ok. Looks like I will have to buy it or get rid of it before I move. What a pain.

Sly

[sly_wolf 199]

Sly,

When I was working the the US with my TN-1 Visa I actually did not register my car down there for a few years. I should have done it sooner and my wife (girlfriend at the time) was always getting on my case about it. When I finally took the plunge to do it, it took a bit of work to get it registered.

First, I was driving with my Alberta drivers license, so the first thing you have to do is get your State drivers license. They require you to do the written and driving test regardless if you have a Provincial driver's license.

Next, you must get a letter from your manufacturer as release letter for you to drive your car in the States. I have a Honda and even though mine was put together in Ohio I still needed this letter. I've heard stories where certain manufacturers will try to charge you for this letter. I can't remember who I called but it was a State office, and they gave me a number to call and after you call that number you provide them with your VIN and your address and they will send you out a letter stating that your car is clear for importing.

After you get this letter you may have to setup an appointment for a safety and emissions test depending on what State your importing your car to. For me it was California so I had to go to a special State inspection center. Ordinary Smog check places will not work. You wait around for 1/2 hour and they give you a paper that says your car passes emissions and safety.

With these 2 letter you should now have, you have to bring in your proof of ownership, this is where it may be tricky for you since you are leasing your car. For me I had this letter so I didn't have any issues with it. I also didn't do the importing at the border crossing, I had to do it at the Long Beach port authority since I had already driven my car into the US. Once you provide them with your papers they make copies, and they give you an import certificate letter. You can then take this letter to the DMV and apply for a license plate.

For California, you are required by the State to obtain your drivers license within 30 days of moving to the State. The only time this will really be an issue is if you get pulled over and they ask to see your drivers and registration. If you don't have your car registered yet don't show them your US driver's license as you'll probably get a higher fine for not registering your car. Admittedly, I did get a few tickets while driving with my Canadian plates and driver's license, and the officer was nice enough not to ticket me for not registering. They are typically nice about it since they know you are from out of State and out of Country.

I don't know what your lease agreement with your finance company states but you should look into closing out your lease early or having it transferred to the US if you can. Cars are much cheaper in the US so it may be even beneficial to just lease a new car in the US instead. If I can find the link to the car importation that I used I'll post it here. Cheers!

Thanks. It wont be easy getting rid of my car without taking a hit. Wish I had had a 3 year lease now ... oh well.

Sly

[jedinite 0]

Thanks. It wont be easy getting rid of my car without taking a hit. Wish I had had a 3 year lease now ... oh well.

Sly

Put a post out on Kajiji or Craigslist and see if there are any people willing to take over your lease. You can get your lease transferred as long as someone else agrees to take it over. The other solution, is just drive it and keep yourself under the radar. Make your payments and just don't get pulled over, if you do tell them that you just moved to the State (just a few weeks), they can't do anything to you unless you admit to having your car there for a prolonged period of time. The most they will do is run your license to make sure it's not stolen or that there's no warning messages in the system on your Canadian plates.

And if you are commuting back and forth between Canada I'm sure it will be less of an issue since your car will be used in Canada. Food for thought.

[wowswift 3]

Is it true that you don't need the letter that says your car is ok for the US if you have the sticker on your car?

[sly_wolf 199]

Thanks. It wont be easy getting rid of my car without taking a hit. Wish I had had a 3 year lease now ... oh well.

Sly

Put a post out on Kajiji or Craigslist and see if there are any people willing to take over your lease. You can get your lease transferred as long as someone else agrees to take it over. The other solution, is just drive it and keep yourself under the radar. Make your payments and just don't get pulled over, if you do tell them that you just moved to the State (just a few weeks), they can't do anything to you unless you admit to having your car there for a prolonged period of time. The most they will do is run your license to make sure it's not stolen or that there's no warning messages in the system on your Canadian plates.

And if you are commuting back and forth between Canada I'm sure it will be less of an issue since your car will be used in Canada. Food for thought.

I will give those classifieds a try. I should try and get rid of it as early as possible. I would also think the border agents on both sides may have a problem if I keep the car registered in Canada.

Sly

[MrsCat 6]

Is it true that you don't need the letter that says your car is ok for the US if you have the sticker on your car?

I believe that is true, however most cars only have the EPA sticker and not the DOT sticker if the car was manufactured in Canada. Just open your hood or driver side door to find out.

In my case, my car didn't comply and had a couple of outstanding recalls that needed to be performed. I got a compliance letter from Ford for $75.00. Took about a week of so to get.

When I came to the POE, I filled out the paperwork to import my car, however the officer never asked for the compliance letter. I think most people get away with it. Just really wouldn't want to chance it.

[Flames9_RN 358]

Thought I read on VJ that someone had the stickers, BUT was told at POE they required the letter. Most of the automobile makers dont charge ya for it. Nissan faxed it to me for free in 5 minutes! I ened up selling the car at a HUGE loss,should have just kept it.

[puckstoper9 2]

GM charges for the letter $89.25. But they faxed it in less then 10 min.

[jedinite 0]

Honda didn't charge for a compliance letter. Sticker on your car or engine doesn't mean anything to the POE officer if they need to have your car certified. You must have a compliance letter. In certain States, like California, the people doing the safety/smog inspection will check to make sure that your car has these stickers in the engine compartment and if you've done any modifications to your engine those parts will also be required to have stickers on them to prove they are State legal modifications.

[JillA 2]

I got my compliance letter from Mazda e-mailed to me, free of charge 24 hours after my request.

[sly_wolf 199]

I am getting some mixed messages about importing a car and any outstanding loans in the car.

Is there any truth to the fact that I would have trouble importing a car if it still had an outstanding loan in Canada? I would of course plan to continue to pay any loan in Canada.

Also, what happens to any new car warranty after the car has been imported?

Sly