Worried About Interview Evidence and Point of Entry

[Krikit 1,165]

My interview date is also on the 9th.... hope to see codygrace there.

Anyway, my wife is bringing over her Toyota, and there is a cost involved (we were given an estimate of $400 for the inspection and importer fees). You also need to have a form from the manufacturer stating it conforms to US emmisions and safety standards, etc. She also has a Harley Davidson... now that one is going to be tough to get in... go figure, it was built in the USA, but requires modifications (speedometer) and the HD letter of compliance, and an importer to process it.

Luckily we have 1 year to get all that done once she becomes a resident. Toyota is already done TG.

Just wondering why you are using an importer and getting an inspection?

[JerryShaw 6]

Just wondering why you are using an importer and getting an inspection?

I dont have all the information here, its back in Canada with my wife. The circle jerk we went through to find out how to get the Toyota vehicle into the states landed us with an authorized importer near the sweet grass POE. He said they perform the inspection and take care of the paperwork at the POE when we arrive, and that we should let them know we are coming in advance. I will know more tomorrow because I am going to stop into the POE on my way up to Calgary and ask them about what we can expect when we come through. I will make a point of putting what I find into this thread.

I know we are going to import that Harley... its a special edition anniversary bike, and now its a part of the family (if you know what I mean). But more than likely, we are going to just sell the Toyota up in Canada before the 1 year is up to avoid the hassle. Especially if this importer is going to stick it to us. Luckily, Canada is a 30 minute drive, and Cranbrook is only a little more than an hour. If needed, we could park it at a friends house in Calgary and put it up for sale there too.

[Krikit 1,165]

Anyway, my wife is bringing over her Toyota, and there is a cost involved (we were given an estimate of $400 for the inspection and importer fees). You also need to have a form from the manufacturer stating it conforms to US emmisions and safety standards, etc. She also has a Harley Davidson... now that one is going to be tough to get in... go figure, it was built in the USA, but requires modifications (speedometer) and the HD letter of compliance, and an importer to process it.

You don't need to change the speedometer. They note that it's in KM's when it's registered in the US. You also don't need an importer. It's super easy to do it at the POE. Especially if it was built in the US.

I dont have all the information here, its back in Canada with my wife. The circle jerk we went through to find out how to get the Toyota vehicle into the states landed us with an authorized importer near the sweet grass POE. He said they perform the inspection and take care of the paperwork at the POE when we arrive, and that we should let them know we are coming in advance. I will know more tomorrow because I am going to stop into the POE on my way up to Calgary and ask them about what we can expect when we come through. I will make a point of putting what I find into this thread.

I still don't understand. Vehicles are household goods, come in duty free, and you have up to 10 years to import them.

Edited September 29, 2012 by Krikit

[JerryShaw 6]

You don't need to change the speedometer. They note that it's in KM's when it's registered in the US. You also don't need an importer. It's super easy to do it at the POE. Especially if it was built in the US.

I still don't understand. Vehicles are household goods, come in duty free, and you have up to 10 years to import them.

Hi Krikit... I am going from this link http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml

I hope you are right, and it is concidered a household item and is duty free... I will know in about 4 hours from now. I will report back about my meeting at the POE.

The whole reason we went down the path of getting a manufacturer's letter is because a high up US Customs agent told us it was required. She was at our county fair in a US Customs both, and so we asked her what is involved in getting Victoria's HIghlander into the US when she immigrates. The officer told us we need that letter and inspection for each vehicle. That was the first we had heard about needing anything at all. A surprise, so we started the process. We have the letter from Toyota, took a week. Now we are waiting on the letter from Harley Davidson. Although the Harley was made in the USA, its VIN number starts with a 3 letter value indicating it is for Canada . Because of that prefix, we were told by the Harley dealer that we require the letter, and a Speedometer change because it does not show MPH, just KPH.

I am not disbelieving you Krikit, its just we have talked to so many people about this... including the manufacturer, importers and even the customs agent, and we get a different answer and story every time.

So... what I find out at the POE today may be different at other POEs... I really, really.......REALLY hope your answer is the right one.... it will just make my day!!!!

Thanks, Jerry

[Krikit 1,165]

It's amazing what people in those positions don't know. Myself, as well as a number of others, have brought in our vehicles without using an importer and without paying any fees or conforming our vehicles. When they are finished endorsing her visa she will let them know that she is importing her vehicles. (Customs is a separate process from Immigration.) You present the manufacturer's letter, along with the registration proving she owns them. They will ask for a value on the vehicles and you will want to low-ball it in case there are any State taxes to be paid at registration. When you register the vehicle(s) in the US you will want to be on top of them to ensure the mileage is recorded in KM's, and that the new registration reflects that information. There will be no need to conform the vehicle to US standards (lights and speedometer), even if it says so in the manufacturer's letter. Unless WA has stringent emissions standards like CA does, there is also no need for an emissions test.

Edited September 29, 2012 by Krikit

[VeeNDee 44]

We have the letter from Toyota, took a week.

Agh -how on earth did you pull that one off? Toyota refused to give me a letter - I have a Toyota Matrix. They said they no longer issue compliance letters. How did you manage to get one? Share your wisdom

[JerryShaw 6]

Agh -how on earth did you pull that one off? Toyota refused to give me a letter - I have a Toyota Matrix. They said they no longer issue compliance letters. How did you manage to get one? Share your wisdom

Hi VeeNDee,

Went to the POE today and talked to a young officer. He saidthat if the vehicle was originally built in the USA (which is determined by the VIN number) then it does not require an importer or an inspection. If you do not have the letter from the manufacturer, but have the sticker under the hood or door jam that states it was built in the USA, then you just fill out the import paperwork.

Our letter from Toyota just states that our vehicle is up to date and does not have any recall items.

Our sticker under the hood says:

This vehicle conforms to U.S. EPA NLEV regulations applicable to gasoline-fueled 2003 model year new LEV light-duty trucks and to California regulations applicable to 2003 model year new LEV light-duty trucks.

Sounds like it should be a peice of cake to get it into the US.. and it is going to Idaho not Washington. ID does not have any vehicle EPA requirements.

Thanks for your Help,

Jerry

[codygrace 14]

So do I even need a compliance letter? I just checked my VIN 1G are the starting, so it's definitely American made. Can I just roll up and fill out the paperwork?

Edited September 30, 2012 by codygrace

[Krikit 1,165]

Hi VeeNDee,

Went to the POE today and talked to a young officer. He saidthat if the vehicle was originally built in the USA (which is determined by the VIN number) then it does not require an importer or an inspection. If you do not have the letter from the manufacturer, but have the sticker under the hood or door jam that states it was built in the USA, then you just fill out the import paperwork.

Our letter from Toyota just states that our vehicle is up to date and does not have any recall items.

Our sticker under the hood says:

This vehicle conforms to U.S. EPA NLEV regulations applicable to gasoline-fueled 2003 model year new LEV light-duty trucks and to California regulations applicable to 2003 model year new LEV light-duty trucks.

Sounds like it should be a peice of cake to get it into the US.. and it is going to Idaho not Washington. ID does not have any vehicle EPA requirements.

Thanks for your Help,

Jerry

You don't need an importer or inspection even if it was built in Canada.... not just the US. Just sayin'.

Sorry, I assumed you were in WA as that's what you've got down as your local office.

So do I even need a compliance letter? I just checked my VIN 1G are the starting, so it's definitely American made. Can I just roll up and fill out the paperwork?

Yes, you're fine. Here is the link for you:

Note: If the vehicle has stickers on the engine (EPA) and inside the drivers-side door (DOT) stating that the car was manufactured to U.S. standards, you will not need a manufacturers letter. Some vehicles are listed by make, model, and year on the DOT and EPA web sites as conforming. If your vehicle is one of those, that would also negate the need for a manufacturer's letter.

https://help.cbp.gov...related/1/sno/1

Edited September 30, 2012 by Krikit

[JerryShaw 6]

You don't need an importer or inspection even if it was built in Canada.... not just the US. Just sayin'.

Sorry, I assumed you were in WA as that's what you've got down as your local office.

Yes, you're fine. Here is the link for you:

Note: If the vehicle has stickers on the engine (EPA) and inside the drivers-side door (DOT) stating that the car was manufactured to U.S. standards, you will not need a manufacturers letter. Some vehicles are listed by make, model, and year on the DOT and EPA web sites as conforming. If your vehicle is one of those, that would also negate the need for a manufacturer's letter.

https://help.cbp.gov...related/1/sno/1

krikit... I don't know if you are a guy or a gal, but I could give you a big hug for that link.

See what I mean about even the BPO and CBP people??. We have been getting different stories from everyone we've talked to

Glad you cleared this up ... thankyou.. thankyou.. thankyou

Jerry

[Flames9_RN 358]

krikit... I don't know if you are a guy or a gal, but I could give you a big hug for that link.

See what I mean about even the BPO and CBP people??. We have been getting different stories from everyone we've talked to

Glad you cleared this up ... thankyou.. thankyou.. thankyou

Jerry

And you may get different stories again at the border if the guy you chatted with is not working. The joys of immigration

[codygrace 14]

I still don't know if I need the stupid letter because I don't have the FMVSS sticker. I might not just get it and see what happens. It's an old 1999 Pontiac Montana, I need a new car anyways. My car is worth maybe $1000 lol. I don't want to spend $100 on a piece of paper. I read the CMVSS and FMVSS page, my car should have all the right things anyways, so why do I need a silly paper to tell them my car is in compliance! This is so frustrating. ABS check, TCS check, signals, seat belts, bumpers, horns, air bags check check check! LOL.

[KTandTommy 31]

I still don't know if I need the stupid letter because I don't have the FMVSS sticker. I might not just get it and see what happens. It's an old 1999 Pontiac Montana, I need a new car anyways. My car is worth maybe $1000 lol. I don't want to spend $100 on a piece of paper.

I drive a 2000 Chrysler Neon and that is exactly why I'm not bringing it across the border. LOL. It's already rusty and not quite on its last legs yet, but it will be soon, so I'm just going to save a bit and buy something in a few months - in the meantime, we'll make do with just one car between the two of us, I think.

[codygrace 14]

I am just going to drive it across, and if I can't import it, I can't import it. I'm not going to stress about it. At least for the mean time, I will have the car and I have insurance on it that will cover it up to 6 months outside of Canada. I'd say we could live off of one car, but unfortunately he lives in the middle of nowhere. It took me 2 hours to ride my bike to town, so I definitely want to have access to a car so I don't go crazy at home.

[codygrace 14]

Another question: My Ontario driver's license expires this December, I just got the renewal form in the mail. Should I renew it? Or will I be able to easily obtain an Ohio driver's license once I am down there?