Importing my Honda

[Jesse & Chris 0]

So I have followed all of the necessary steps that have been posted on this website to import my Honda with me into the states. I have my Recall Clearance Letter from Honda Canada on the way, but American Honda is proving a much harder process. I provided them with my VIN and then they requested I fax them a copy of my passport or drivers license, proof of my vehicle registration, and my bill of sale. I faxed over everything the next day and they came back to me saying that my Bill of Sale is not good enough. I bought my Civic used and the only Bill of Sale I have is the one I have between me and the lady I purchased the car from - I dont have HER original bill of sale from the Honda dealership.

So the (very nice, I might add) lady helping my "case" at Honda America directed me to go to a local registries office where I can obtain a Bill of Sale (they also call it a Transfer Form - she said it's the same thing, which also confused me... something to do with being able to transfer the vehicle between provinces??? I triple clarified with her that they were the same thing but yes, she insisted that they were). I called AMA (my local registry) and they directed me to the Service Canada website (which I found nothing on it and got fed up and called them directly) who then directed me to Service Alberta - no luck - who then directed me to the Alberta Motor Vehicle department of the government or whatever they are called, who then told me they had no idea what I was talking about. BAH!

Has anybody experienced this?? I'm running out of options, but my car is in such good shape with very low km's and I really dont want to leave it in Canada!

[carslo 0]

Sometimes I find things are best left to professionals - I am sure there are some car exporters in Edmonton maybe they can help you out.

Janet

[Krikit 1,164]

That's craziness. You used the contact number they give you on this sheet, right?:

Contact List

And you're calling the Canadian number?

[Malrothien 6]

In the times we've transferred cars, we always get a form from CRA for GST purposes. See if you can get a copy of it from CRA?

[BermyCat 1]

Why do you have to deal with American Honda? I imported my Hyundai and only needed the letter from Hyundai Canada stating that the car complied with all US Federal saftey standards, EPA regualtions and had no recalls. The border guy looked at the letter, had me fill out a form and that was it.

~ Catherine

oops - forgot to add that I needed the registration/ownership paper also

Edited June 19, 2009 by BermyCat

[JillA 2]

Why do you have to deal with American Honda? I imported my Hyundai and only needed the letter from Hyundai Canada stating that the car complied with all US Federal saftey standards, EPA regualtions and had no recalls. The border guy looked at the letter, had me fill out a form and that was it.

~ Catherine

oops - forgot to add that I needed the registration/ownership paper also

I had to deal with Mazda USA headquarters - not sure why, that is the office that handled all compliance letters for Canada.

[Jesse & Chris 0]

For Honda, you have to call Honda Canada for a recall letter and American Honda for the compliance letter. I find it weird that it is so different between car manufacturers. I used the contact numbers provided from previous VJers that have posted the numbers, so I'm assuming I am following the right procedures...

If anyone reading this has to go through the same process, ask for SARAH at American Honda - she has been extremely helpful and has now offered to look into previous cases of importers from Alberta and see exactly who I have to contact.

Thanks all for your advise!

That's craziness. You used the contact number they give you on this sheet, right?:

Contact List

And you're calling the Canadian number?

[movingsoon2 0]

I crossed the border recently driving my car from Canada. The border guard said I have one year to import the car. I didn't have him process the paperwork then. So two weeks later, I went to the Indianapolis border and customs building at the airport. There they asked me for the letter of compliance from Chrysler (not sure if Canada or usa). The man was very friendly, looked at the car, filled out all the paper work and that was it. I could have had them do this at the border crossing but did not want to deal with it then.

[Jesse & Chris 0]

I've also heard that you need to send the border your car importing paperwork 72 hours before you import your vehicle... anybody know if this true??

[minnew 4]

I've also heard that you need to send the border your car importing paperwork 72 hours before you import your vehicle... anybody know if this true??

Yes I have heard of that, I had to deal with that when I temp imported my car for 1 year. I do not know if it depends on the border crossing though. I went through North Portal, ND and I know that they require that. Check with the POE you intend to go through, I think when I called Portal there was an automated message about importing vechiles, the fax #, and the time required to get them the documents by fax.

Edited June 27, 2009 by minnew

[JillA 2]

I've also heard that you need to send the border your car importing paperwork 72 hours before you import your vehicle... anybody know if this true??

Yes I have heard of that, I had to deal with that when I temp imported my car for 1 year. I do not know if it depends on the border crossing though. I went through North Portal, ND and I know that they require that. Check with the POE you intend to go through, I think when I called Portal there was an automated message about importing vechiles, the fax #, and the time required to get them the documents by fax.

Never heard of that before, I didn't call in advance. Just showed up, and they processed it on the spot! Took 10 mins!

[Krikit 1,164]

Never heard of that before, I didn't call in advance. Just showed up, and they processed it on the spot! Took 10 mins!

Yeah, mine probably didn't even take that long. lol

[Jesse & Chris 0]

I've also heard that you need to send the border your car importing paperwork 72 hours before you import your vehicle... anybody know if this true??

Yes I have heard of that, I had to deal with that when I temp imported my car for 1 year. I do not know if it depends on the border crossing though. I went through North Portal, ND and I know that they require that. Check with the POE you intend to go through, I think when I called Portal there was an automated message about importing vechiles, the fax #, and the time required to get them the documents by fax.

Never heard of that before, I didn't call in advance. Just showed up, and they processed it on the spot! Took 10 mins!

Which POE were you crossing when it went to fast??? I'm going through at the Coutts/Sweetgrass one in Alberta....

Never heard of that before, I didn't call in advance. Just showed up, and they processed it on the spot! Took 10 mins!

Yeah, mine probably didn't even take that long. lol

Which POE were you crossing when it went to fast??? I'm going through at the Coutts/Sweetgrass one in Alberta....

[JillA 2]

I crossed at Queenston/Lewiston (Buffalo, NY)

[MrsCat 6]

I've also heard that you need to send the border your car importing paperwork 72 hours before you import your vehicle... anybody know if this true??

Yeah, someone else from Edmonton.

My car import took less than 10 minutes (Ford). I used the Blaine WA crossing at the Peace Arch. They didn't even ask for the import letter. They just wanted to see the registration, insurance and put a declared value on the form. It was the easiest part of the process in retrospect. It took me more time and $$$ to get the import letter.