Importing Toyota Corolla from Canada to US

[Bbrz 1]

Hi everyone,

What a confounding process this is.

I was under the impression that importing a late-model (2006) Toyota Corolla into the US for personal use would be an easy process to understand in advance. It has not been.

According to forum posts, and the NHTSA.gov website, and the EPA helpline listed on that website, I AM REQUIRED to have a "compliance letter" issued from the Canadian manufacturer that it meets all US standards. Toyota Canada maintains (3 separate call agents) that THEY DO NOT KEEP TRACK OF USA SAFETY/EPA requirements and therefore they cannot issue that letter. They simply do not know whether or not vehicles manufactured in Canada (which mine was, since the VIN begins with "2") will meet these standards.

I finally got through to a registered vehicle importer via the NHTSA website and found out that the Canadian standards sticker on the driver's door panel is enough to let the border officers give me the go ahead to let me through. Apparently both USA and Canada customs accept the emissions and safety standards of the other country as sufficient. He told me that the problem may lie in my ability to get the vehicle registered in California at the DMV. I am now calling them to get the details on this. I am so far told that I can register a vehicle without a California DL but it only needs to be smogged. They also said that they will issue a California DL with a Canadian passport and a SSN. I hope this is correct.

I am still uncertain as to this process, but will post followups as I get official word from both Customs and the California DMV.

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I've only brought in classic Mini Coopers from the frozen tundras up there, and in California it was an affair that almost led me to take up drinking.

Unless the car has some sort of emotional value to you, I would just sell it there and buy something else down here eh.

[Bbrz 1]

I've only brought in classic Mini Coopers from the frozen tundras up there, and in California it was an affair that almost led me to take up drinking.

Unless the car has some sort of emotional value to you, I would just sell it there and buy something else down here eh.

I agree. I'm selling it.

I have called Toyota Canada (3X), Toyota USA, my moving company, California DMV, TWO different DOT-Registered Auto Import companies, the EPA, Customs and Border Control Headquarters, Buffalo customs office, and a Canadian import company.

THE BOTTOM LINE: Most Canadian manufactures NO LONGER ISSUE COMPLIANCE LETTERS. Without such a letter it is impossible to bring the car across the border, EVEN FOR SOME BROKERS. One that I called in Buffalo has given up offering that service to customers and now only imports heavy trucks to the US.

So CANADIANS MUST SELL THEIR CARS IF THEY PLAN ON MOVING TO THE US.

End of rant. I feel like I'm losing my mind.

I also was told by the DMV in California that I can get a Cali DL as long as I have a Canadian passport, and a SSN. But it will hardly matter now since I won't have my car (but can use my fiance's of course, but still).

This entire process is leaving very little mental energy for the act of marriage. I think when I arrive I will curl up into a little ball in the corner of our house, and rock myself while living on chocolate ice cream.

[photomile 101]

If I remember correctly, don't imports have a 1 year shelf life as well?

[Bbrz 1]

If I remember correctly, don't imports have a 1 year shelf life as well?

I don't understand what shelf life means. I was treating my car as just another piece of personal property I wanted to bring with me and use in the US. But there's no way to legally bring it across the border given the car manufacturers' refusal to issue compliance letters.

[웃 910]

I am not 100% but I believe we have very good car prices in America.

Chances are if you are able to sell your car and take that money to buy another 06 Corolla in the states you will save some money in the end.

It is better to buy privately. Find someone that is negotiable and has some maintenance records. Look for signs of the car being in an accident. Changes in color on the fenders, hood, doors, etc. Look for rust. Take a good inspection of the interior for misc. imperfections. Check to see that the radio, air/heat, windows, and power options work. Make sure when you turn the ignition to the on position that the air bag light comes on otherwise it means the airbags were deployed and the person repaired it and had the light removed. If you are really picky take it to an O'Reilly's or Autozone and run the codes. And have it combed over by an auto repair shop that does free inspections.

I'm sure you know all of that but just repeating it. What is funny is I buy and sell cars all the time and sometimes make the buying decision within a few minutes and just driving it down the street (20 seconds) and back....I'm not a paranoid person, I usually get good deals, and buy to sell so I don't nit pick every detail. Then again I am not spending a lot, almost always in the $1500 to $3000 range. Would be a different story if I was spending more than $5000.

Here are some 2006 Corollas: http://losangeles.cr...00&maxAsk=12000

Edited July 27, 2012 by ☠

[Bbrz 1]

Thanks! We may end up getting a family truck so that I can "steal" my fiance's sedan. There are many good used vehicles for sale in his area in California.

I am not 100% but I believe we have very good car prices in America.

Chances are if you are able to sell your car and take that money to buy another 06 Corolla in the states you will save some money in the end.

It is better to buy privately. Find someone that is negotiable and has some maintenance records. Look for signs of the car being in an accident. Changes in color on the fenders, hood, doors, etc. Look for rust. Take a good inspection of the interior for misc. imperfections. Check to see that the radio, air/heat, windows, and power options work. Make sure when you turn the ignition to the on position that the air bag light comes on otherwise it means the airbags were deployed and the person repaired it and had the light removed. If you are really picky take it to an O'Reilly's or Autozone and run the codes. And have it combed over by an auto repair shop that does free inspections.

I'm sure you know all of that but just repeating it. What is funny is I buy and sell cars all the time and sometimes make the buying decision within a few minutes and just driving it down the street (20 seconds) and back....I'm not a paranoid person, I usually get good deals, and buy to sell so I don't nit pick every detail. Then again I am not spending a lot, almost always in the $1500 to $3000 range. Would be a different story if I was spending more than $5000.

Here are some 2006 Corollas: http://losangeles.cr...00&maxAsk=12000

[del-2-5-2014 1,339]

I am not 100% but I believe we have very good car prices in America.

Chances are if you are able to sell your car and take that money to buy another 06 Corolla in the states you will save some money in the end.

It is better to buy privately. Find someone that is negotiable and has some maintenance records. Look for signs of the car being in an accident. Changes in color on the fenders, hood, doors, etc. Look for rust. Take a good inspection of the interior for misc. imperfections. Check to see that the radio, air/heat, windows, and power options work. Make sure when you turn the ignition to the on position that the air bag light comes on otherwise it means the airbags were deployed and the person repaired it and had the light removed. If you are really picky take it to an O'Reilly's or Autozone and run the codes. And have it combed over by an auto repair shop that does free inspections.

I'm sure you know all of that but just repeating it. What is funny is I buy and sell cars all the time and sometimes make the buying decision within a few minutes and just driving it down the street (20 seconds) and back....I'm not a paranoid person, I usually get good deals, and buy to sell so I don't nit pick every detail. Then again I am not spending a lot, almost always in the $1500 to $3000 range. Would be a different story if I was spending more than $5000.

Here are some 2006 Corollas: http://losangeles.cr...00&maxAsk=12000

I amin the same hobby and some I don't even test drive and just send a tow truck. You can get a feel for some sellers on the phone and with high res pictures.

[gavrilo_rules 0]

As of 2013, Toyota does indeed issue compliance letters. I just got off the phone with them -- and they're sending it to me electronically. This really saved me a lot of hassle and grief--and money! Cheers.

Edited July 11, 2013 by gavrilo_rules