Importing Car from Canada to USA

[mdusa 0]

Hi Canadian VJ-ers!

Has anyone had any experience importing their car from Canada to the US?

I'll be moving soon and understand that to import my car I need to:

1. obtain a letter of compliance from the manufacturer

2. fill out form at POE for importing car

I've had a brief conversation with my dealership who informed me that I would probably have to change my speedometer and a couple of my dashboard symbols (ie. check engine). I'm beginning to consider whether this is really worth it as my car is about six years old! I've also heard California has some pretty strict emissions standards!

Could you please let me know if there's anything else that I may have to look out for! thanks in advance!

[Peachey 10]

You do not have to change your dashboard. Your dealership doesn't know what they're talking about. As long as you have miles on the inner circle you're fine.

If you're really worried about it you can call the department of transportation for your state, or the federal department of transportation.

Also, change the check engine light? Seriously? Pretty sure standards are the same for when it comes on in Canada as in the US.

Something else. If when you apply for your letter of compliance the company (ford, mazda, nissan...) say you need to "change your lights" cause they're daytime running, get them to issue the letter without changing it. I had to fight with Nissan to get them to give me the letter without turning off my daytime running lights. Doesn't make sense to pay lots of money to turn off a safety feature. I didn't do it and I got my car PA plates no problem (well except they forgot to give me a form at the border, but I got that easy enough afterwards).

[AZKira 3]

Well, you might be okay. The importing process is pretty smooth. Where was your car manufactured?

I imported my one year old Suzuki and ran into trouble afterwards. Suzuki is not a North American made car. The VIN number is not in the American database. Every time I need service involving a part, the dealer here has to talk to a dealer in Canada to confirm that the part for the American version of the car is the same as the part for the Canadian version of the car. So repairs take longer than they should and there is always confusion especially when one side or the other changes service managers. The only difference in my case is some external trim - all mechanical parts have always been the same.

If I had known this I would have sold the car in Canada and bought another one after moving here.

[lilacvioletiris 11]

My husband imported his 2007 Hyundai Sonata with little issues except it took a bit longer at the border but he is glad he imported while he was activating his K-1. Because his VIN number started with 5, his car is part of the "free trade agreement" and he didn't pay any taxes on importing it. Also note, he hasn't paid off his car (it still has a Canadian car loan against it) and he was still able to import it. He just got a letter from his Canadian bank saying they knew he was moving and would continue the car loan (he has 0 % interest on it and there is now way I, the U.S. citizen could get a better deal than that).

[SupportGeek 21]

I imported my 2004 Dodge Neon with no issues, supplied my letter of compliance and VIN, they filled in the forms and computer work, ez

[brightskte 18]

Mathew didn't have any problems importing his car. He just got his letter of compliance and imported when he activated his visa. He didn't have to change anything on his car.

Funny thing, though. When he took his drivers test the other day(Kentucky requires you to) he said the lady had a look of terror whenever she saw how fast he was going. I guess she didn't realize that his car shows kilometers where American cars shows miles. I guess I would have been terrified too if someone was going 80 down a little tiny street like that.

[Tater&Bugger 3]

If you already have someone willing to buy your car then I'd say just sell it... if not it's probably less hassle to important than finding someone to buy it.

[mdusa 0]

thanks for all the advice and comments!

Unfortunately my car ONLY has KM's on it so I would have to get the speedometer changed. Who would have thought this would be such a huge issue!

[brightskte 18]

thanks for all the advice and comments!

Unfortunately my car ONLY has KM's on it so I would have to get the speedometer changed. Who would have thought this would be such a huge issue!

It doesn't have the miles meter under it? Mathews odometer is only in KM, but his speedometer has them both.

[Amanda2020 1]

Oo were going to be importing two cars a Honda and a New SUV its a Ford. Do we need to bring them into US or can someone else do it. Were moving to NYC my brothers and my fiace's brother are drive the cars to us at the end of August. WIll I be able to declare before? and give the letter to them to import it? What is the process?