Compliance Letter....AAARRGGGG

[ZansGirl 0]

So I trot down today to my local GM dealer, all the information I have gleened from this site in my hot little hands..... first....they have no idea what I am talking too...so they give me a 1 800 number to call.....whoops..wrong department...here is another 1-800 number.....yup..sorry..we can't help you,,try this number....SUCCESS lady knows what I am talking about!! I give her my VIN number....on hold now.....she comes back and informs me...I HAVE AN AMERICAN MADE CAR THAT WAS INITIALLY IMPORTED TO CANADA......

well okay I say...so what does that mean??? Means I may or may not NEED the letter.....because it was MADE IN AMERICA AND IMPORTED TO CANADA.......

but...it is up to customs if I need the letter or not...so that is $250.00........sigh........

here we go again.....

[MrsCat 6]

#######?! $250. That's the biggest rip I've heard for one of those.

If you don't live too far from the border, I'd chance not getting it, and seeing if the POE officer asks for it. If they do, you can import the car later. If they don't then you didn't spend $250. GAH.

[ZansGirl 0]

I am in Victoria so I take the ferry to Port Angeles...the lady on the phone said to try and go across and if they don't ask..bonus...if they do,,,call and they will fax it...Takes 2-3 hours and remember...they are in ONTARIO..so there is a time difference!!

Has anyone else imported a GM/Pontiac?????

[ZansGirl 0]

I always seem to answer my own questions! I looked back in the posts and found a link for Vintage Vehicle Services..... they issue the Compliance letters for GM...for less than $90.00..

THANKS VJ!!!!!

happy dance...yup yup yup..happy happy dance!!!!

[Carlawarla 1]

I always seem to answer my own questions! I looked back in the posts and found a link for Vintage Vehicle Services..... they issue the Compliance letters for GM...for less than $90.00..

THANKS VJ!!!!!

happy dance...yup yup yup..happy happy dance!!!!

Glad you got what you needed, but even $90.00 seems like a rip-off!

[Krikit 1,165]

It's a total rip-off. Sounds like Union rates, though. I paid $85 five years ago (Ford) so it's in line.

Not sure what you mean by "vintage" but here are some interesting reads. (The process is slightly different for those currently living in the US vs those who are immigrating so keep that in mind.)

Personal Imports of Classic or Antique Vehicles

Importing a US Version or Conforming Vehicle

Importing a US Version or Non-Conforming Vehicle

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

Yeah, GM outsources it to a company called Vintage Vehicle Services. My car is also a GM, is quite new, and was manufactured in the United States.

I've got the extended warranty on it though, so I may see if I can finagle something that way first. $90 for someone to send you a sheet that basically says, "Yep, your car is American..." is pretty dumb.

[Wis-Can 0]

I got mine from GM last April or May I think it was. My car was the same, started out to the US import to Canada and now imported back to the US. Yes I still had to have the letter. Oh and it was $85.

Edited January 6, 2010 by Wis-Can

[trailmix 77]

Well that's strange. So I take it they asked you for it when you crossed the border then?

If you look at the links krikit posted, second link, it states if it is a U.S. manufactured car you don't need a letter.

[coldwatersurf 5]

since it is american vehicle, i would take my chances just driving it across the border w/o the compliance letter.

i didnt register my canadian vehicle until 3 months later.. of course i was still covered by ICBC. but i called chrysler for a compliance letter so i'd have it ready when i was ready to import it. (it was free)

Since you're in washington state (like me), i want to let you know (if you dont know already) that you do not need to get your car inspected but the border may tell you that you need to get your car inspected. I have called the sheriff's office and they said that they no longer need to do inspections. But, this is for Washington, i dont know about other states.

[Malrothien 6]

Oh boy, I can't wait to import our Pontiac as it was made in S. Korea. :|

[Wis-Can 0]

Well that's strange. So I take it they asked you for it when you crossed the border then?

If you look at the links krikit posted, second link, it states if it is a U.S. manufactured car you don't need a letter.

Well you know trailmix it just depends on who you talk to in this whole process! LOL When I told the officer that I wanted to do the import now (when I crossed instead of waiting) and he went through the paperwork and said, looked it started in the US, went to Canada and now its coming back home... I"ll tell ya it will be alot harder if you wanted to try and export it back to Canada again. Then he passed me on to another officer who was working beside him and listening to our conversation. Then he said you have your letters, we need them...and I said, certainly do! I think if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have bothered with them. Both officers said don't lose these, you will need them to register your car in Wisconsin and they have to be the originals, we will talk copies. Well I just registered my car and they didn't give two flying shi*s about the papers. I handed them to her, and she glanced at them and said we don't need that and tossed them back at me. I really think if depends on who you talk to in this whole process.

[trailmix 77]

Well you know trailmix it just depends on who you talk to in this whole process! LOL When I told the officer that I wanted to do the import now (when I crossed instead of waiting) and he went through the paperwork and said, looked it started in the US, went to Canada and now its coming back home... I"ll tell ya it will be alot harder if you wanted to try and export it back to Canada again. Then he passed me on to another officer who was working beside him and listening to our conversation. Then he said you have your letters, we need them...and I said, certainly do! I think if I had it to do over again, I wouldn't have bothered with them. Both officers said don't lose these, you will need them to register your car in Wisconsin and they have to be the originals, we will talk copies. Well I just registered my car and they didn't give two flying shi*s about the papers. I handed them to her, and she glanced at them and said we don't need that and tossed them back at me. I really think if depends on who you talk to in this whole process.

So true!!

[Krikit 1,165]

Yeah, GM outsources it to a company called Vintage Vehicle Services. My car is also a GM, is quite new, and was manufactured in the United States.

Ohhhhh, I see. I was thinking it was an actual vintage automobile.

since it is american vehicle, i would take my chances just driving it across the border w/o the compliance letter.

I would too.

Oh boy, I can't wait to import our Pontiac as it was made in S. Korea. :|

Oh oh.

Well I just registered my car and they didn't give two flying shi*s about the papers. I handed them to her, and she glanced at them and said we don't need that and tossed them back at me.

Same thing in Florida.