HELP! Car Import from Canada to U.S.

[at long last 58]

OP, you've got me scared! I'm about to start working on getting my Hyundai into the States....did you call Hyundai originally? Just wondering where to start...phone call/email.

Also, how long did it take to receive the letter, and what was the cost?

Getting the letter from Hyundai doesn't cost anything you will just need your VIN number.

[Erin & Marc 0]

OP, you've got me scared! I'm about to start working on getting my Hyundai into the States....did you call Hyundai originally? Just wondering where to start...phone call/email.

Also, how long did it take to receive the letter, and what was the cost?

The dealership where Marc purchased his Hyundai gave him a letter, no problem, and I believe at no cost. The BIG deal right now is that it does not have the compliance sticker on the vehicle. Since it DOES NOT, that is why we are batting with Hyundai Canada and now Hyundai World Wide to get a letter showing the 2010 Hyundai Elantra meets U.S. Standards. SUCH A PAIN!! Hoping we can figure something out soon, without it, we will have to return the car to Canada to sell, which SUCKS because he owes 21K on it and we will not be able to get that much back to even payoff the loan!

[toocool 0]

Erin & Marc, I hear you totally. I researched bringing my Audi into the US. Mine would need the speedometer changed from km to miles or both (right now its only km)...a very costly fix since its dashboard work...the part is pretty reasonable itself but the labour to uninstall and reinstall is expensive. Fortunately I don't need to change the mileage as I'm able to flip between miles or kilometers at the push a button.

You mentioned (or someone did) that you have one year from importing to get the car updated and compliant....can this be re-verified for me please???

I would hate to sell it as I've recently put a ton of money in upkeep in it (and still need to replace the timing belt which will be mega $$) and will not recoup that money should I sell it..

Thanks!

[Erin & Marc 0]

I was told by the border that we had One Year (from the date of entry) to import the car.

[Doug & Pam 3]

For what it is worth I imported 2 cars and both had KM on odometer and speedometer. I had no issue at all with that, I had the cars inspected multiple times in NJ with no issuea at all. That said I had a letter from Ford and GM saying the vehicles met the US specs as of the year of manufacture other then indicator lights and labels. Again everyone may have different experiences. Very odd that Hyundai is giving you this much trouble for a letter... has nobody else ever imported a Hyundai from Canada to the US? I am sure the standards in Canada are just as strict as the US ones.

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Good luck. Back in 2004 I tried to get a US compliance letter for my Hyundai Accent and was not able to get one, so rather than deal with the hassle, I ended up selling it for what was still owed on the loan and buying another car in the US.

Perhaps if you provided Hyundai Canada with the list of what is required to be considered US compliant and ask if they will verify that it meets all of these requirements, they might be able to do that. It would mean that the letter wouldn't state it was US compliant but would state that it met all of the requirements that a car needs to be US complaint. It is worth a try. If there is something that doesn't meet US standards, then you have a year in which to get them done - or decide not to try and import the car after all. I know that my Accent had both miles and kilometers on the odometer, as does my current Hyunda Elantra.

[Krikit 1,164]

Echoing what the others have said regarding the KM's vs Miles issue. The only problem I had with that was when the registration was issued they noted the odometer reading in miles.... even though I made sure that the foreign vehicle specialist at the DMV noted it was km's on her paperwork. But it got lost in translation from that document to the registration. So just a warning that you'll want to check that before you sign off on anything.

[Erin & Marc 0]

Echoing what the others have said regarding the KM's vs Miles issue. The only problem I had with that was when the registration was issued they noted the odometer reading in miles.... even though I made sure that the foreign vehicle specialist at the DMV noted it was km's on her paperwork. But it got lost in translation from that document to the registration. So just a warning that you'll want to check that before you sign off on anything.

He loves his car, its going to be tough to have to sell it if we cannot get the necessary paperwork to have it imported. Doubt we will be able to get the 21K that is left on the loan...again, sucks!

[at long last 58]

He loves his car, its going to be tough to have to sell it if we cannot get the necessary paperwork to have it imported. Doubt we will be able to get the 21K that is left on the loan...again, sucks!

Is the car already states side? If it is drive it out of state if needed to an inspection facility have it inspected,get the verification paper then go back home. If it is still in Canada drive it to the states and take it to the nearest inspection facility. Really I have already contacted Customs on this issue and for me , I have already brought my car to CT they say all I need to do is to take it in and have it inspected for emissions and stuff. It is part of my personal belongings I am importing for my own personal use. I have a Hyundai also and it reads in KM in large font and MPH in smaller.

Terri

[Erin & Marc 0]

Yes, it is already in the States. Oklahoma does not do inspections, we do not mind driving out of state to get an inspection, but all places we have contacted say that the odometer has to state KM.

[movingtonashville 0]

I am going through the same thing, Erin & Marc, only my car is a Chevrolet. GM Canada will not write a compliance letter either. My car has the sticker for US EPA compliance, but not for the safety part.

I'm sorry to hear that you are not able to get an inspection done in your state. I hadn't even heard/thought of doing that - do you mind sharing where I can find any information on that? E.g., can I go to any mechanic and ask them to do an inspection to see if I am in compliance with US Department of Transportation safety requirements? My car is already in Tennessee. Thanks!

[movingtonashville 0]

I am going through the same thing, Erin & Marc, only my car is a Chevrolet. GM Canada will not write a compliance letter either. My car has the sticker for US EPA compliance, but not for the safety part.

I'm sorry to hear that you are not able to get an inspection done in your state. I hadn't even heard/thought of doing that - do you mind sharing where I can find any information on that? E.g., can I go to any mechanic and ask them to do an inspection to see if I am in compliance with US Department of Transportation safety requirements? My car is already in Tennessee. Thanks!

... turns out they don't do safety inspections in TN, either

Good luck - please let me know if you figure anything out, and I will do the same! Not sure what to do at this point.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

... turns out they don't do safety inspections in TN, either

Good luck - please let me know if you figure anything out, and I will do the same! Not sure what to do at this point.

No, TN does not do state inspections. But they also don't care if the car has daytime running lights or the speedometer/odometer is in KM. If you have your import paperwork, TN will issue you a TN title and tags with no problems.

BUT there's a loophole for TN residents. When I went to register my car, I did not have a letter from GM, I explained about the tag on the inside of my door showing it was compliant. (if you don't have this sticker, they can help you look up and see if the car is compliant) The lady at the court house sent me to the local State Police barracks, and they filled out a form similar to a salvaged car getting re-titled. All he did was have me start it, move it forward and back, honk the horn and asked "The speedometer work?" He signed my paper and I took it back to the county court house, gave them the Manitoba title and bill of sale. After paying for title transfer, tags, wheel tax etc I had a TN plate and my title came in the mail shortly there after. I never showed them one scrap of import paperwork. (and my title shows the odometer reading in KM)

Edited April 25, 2012 by sheeshkabelle

[movingtonashville 0]

Thanks for the info, sheeshkabelle! I was shocked when I went to get it titled and registered today and had to pay 7% TN sales tax - was it the same for you? I assumed since there was no duty at the import stage there wouldn't be any taxes.

Erin & Marc - I ended up going to a local GM dealership to have it inspected for safety / likeness to the US version of my car. The letter stating that info was sufficient for it to be imported as compliant.

[sheeshkabelle 153]

If your car was bought in another state or country, you have to pay the silly sales tax. I argued with them "But I already BOUGHT the car once"