Considering vehicle import.. fees?

[mrss13 2]

Ok, so my husband and I are returning to the US from South Korea, where we have been teaching for over a year. We are considering purchasing a vehicle in the GTA and importing it to the US as opposed to buying in the US for a few different reasons. I've looked around at the requirements and while I understand the sort of paperwork we might need, I can't find out if there is in import fee or not. I imported a car TO Canada from the US and had to pay a fee. What sort of fee would we have to pay to import an older vehicle with a clear title? Thanks!

[Flames9_RN 358]

Don't know the whole story----but you do know vehicles tend to be cheaper in the USA than Canada??

[mrss13 2]

Generally. However, we are looking to buy a very old/cheap vehicle that will run for as long as possible. In my area of the US, there aren't many dealerships or places to choose from... we'd rather go with a Honda Civic than a used Dodge Ram, that sort of thing. We also have some connections with auto retailers in the GTA that could make going that route worthwhile if the import fees aren't too high.

[together4evr 360]

3500.00 to 6000.00 to import.

Cheaper to export a vehicle

Alot of government workers will ship their car to their foregin land but sell it before they come back to USA because it is too much trouble and too costly

http://www.examiner.com/article/considering-importing-a-car-into-the-u-s-you-may-want-to-read-this-first

[altonbebe 48]

Importing a vehicle into the U.S. is not as easy as one might beleive.

If the vehicle is under 25 years of age, you MUST USE a registered importer. There is NO WAY around this.

If the intended vehicle DOES NOT meet EPA and DOT standards, the the vehicle must be brought up the EPA and DOT standards. Only a registered importer is allow to make the conversions.

The forms utilized are the following

DOT Form : HS-7

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&ved=0CCkQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nhtsa.gov%2Fcars%2Frules%2Fimport%2Fhs799short.pdf&ei=XpSaUqqNO9fboAS5wILQCg&usg=AFQjCNGHO-I_bdnWzVO6hMI9l3upucfLJA

EPA Form : 3520

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&frm=1&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&sqi=2&ved=0CCoQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epa.gov%2Fotaq%2Fimports%2Fdocuments%2F3520-1.pdf&ei=ipWaUp7NHY39oASo0oH4Cg&usg=AFQjCNHv0cTdnw0cEfOmVpUZRZID1qQgTQ

This site might be helpful:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/435

Here are some estimated cost to consider

Clearing Entry : $ 225.00 to $ 275.00

Import Bond : $ 300.00 to $ 500.00 ( depends of the value of the vehicle) ( This is not optional, a bond must be secured and is non-refundable.)

Courier Service : $ 50.00 to 125.00

Harbour Maintance Fee (HMF) : 0.125 % of value of vehicle ( This fee is chargable against all cargo arriving via ocean freight ) ( Web Site at the end of the post )

Merchandise Processinf Fee (MPF) : 0.3464 % of value of vehicle ( $ 25.00 min; $ 485.00 max) (Web Site at the end of the post)

Registered Importers Fee : $ 500.00 to $ 1,000.00

Transfer Fees : $ 250.00 to $ 550.00 ( to transfer the vehicle from the ocean terminal to the registered importer)

Vehicle Conversion Fee : varies ( If the type of vehicle does not have a U.S. comparable vehicle, then it can range from $ 5,000.00 to skies the limit. ( see case at end of post)*

* The registered importer will advise what conversion processes are required to bring your car to EPA and DOT Standards.

Case : I had a client import a Harley Davidson Motorcycle from the United Kingdom. Harley Davidson motorcycles are manufactured and built in the United States. The exporting agent in the UK advise my client it was a simple matter of going down the ocean terminal, pay the fees, and pick up the motorcycle. THIS WAS NOT AND NEVER IS THE PROCEDURE.

His motorcycle was manufactured on UK standards and had to be transfered to a REGISTERED IMPORTER for converstion.

The motorcycle required the following : 1) New Carburator Jets, 2) Turn / signal indicator lights, 3) Exhaust system, 4) spedometer indicator (UK indicated kph; not mph)

Total cost for this was just under $2,000.00. This rate is only for the REGISTERED IMPORTER associated fees. It did not include the other fees listed above. This is for a motorcycle. The conversion cost for a vehicle are MUCH MUCH higher.

HMF Fee : https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/283/~/harbor-maintenance-fees-(hmf)

MPF Fee : https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/334

Why am I replying to your post? I cannot tell you how many people have walked into my office after their car has been shipped to the United States based on BAD INFORMATION from the origin agent advising them to go down to the terminal, pay the fees, and pick up the vehicle. I have had grown men in my office come to tears at the money they have lost shipping the vehicle to the U.S.

Here are their options once the vehicle gets here,

1) Do the conversions with a REGISTERED IMPORTER and make informal entry with U.S. Customs*

2) Re-export the vehicle from the United States. It cannot go to surrounding countries i.e. Trinidad, Mexico, Canada

3) Destroy / abandoned the vehicle**

* The U.S. Customs entry is an INFORMAL ENTRY. An Informal Entry DOES NOT require a bond to be purchased unless it is a vehicle being imported.

** If the vehicle is abandoned, it will go to a U.S. Customs auction. The new purchaser MUST EXPORT the vehicle.

[altonbebe 48]

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I will be glad to offer consultation free of charge since you are a VJ member.

( This is not a solicitation for business.)

[Flames9_RN 358]

There have been MANY Cdns bring their cars down to the USA and they have NOT had to pay Import fees. Yes there are certain regulations 1 must follow! What may not work well in your case if you expect to buy your Honda Civic--and then turn around and head to the USA---One has to own the vehicle for so long back in Canada.

[altonbebe 48]

I just read the ariticle that together4never13 pointed to.

It's a good article.

[mrss13 2]

I hadn't read anywhere that one must use a registered importer to bring over a used vehicle for personal use. When I brought a vehicle to Canada I just had to pay a couole hundred in import fees. I'm not sure how it could cost thousands to bring it the other way, as long as I have the compliance letter from the car company.

[altonbebe 48]

Vehicles purchased in Canada and then brought to the United States IS NOT the same thing.

Additionally, if you bring a car from Canada and wish to register it in the United States, you MUST make an entry with U.S. Customs first before you can get it registered with the state you reside in.

Vehicles that are transported TRANSCONTINENTAL are not subjected to MPF or HMF fees. Other fees still apply with you go to make entry into the United States.

Edited December 1, 2013 by altonbebe

[mrss13 2]

Not the same thing as what, bringing your car from Canada to the US?

[mrss13 2]

Even the link that together4ever posted says the import fee is 500... where are all of these quotes for thousands of dollars coming from? I will be driving it across the border. I will get a compliance letter. I'm not sure what ekse I would need.

[pro_star 52]

Compliance letter and proof that you're going over there

They may get you on extra taxes or something if you have it for less than a year. (Not sure. I know the provinces do that...)

[Flames9_RN 358]

I know when I moved from Manitoba to NS..I walked in the NS office to register my new Car......and the lady said since that I had owned the car for less than 30 days, I would have to pay NS tax on it!! But if I came back next week, wink wink, I would be over the 30 days and no tax,lol Yes different that your situation, but I could foresee something very similar to that happening to you if you buy a car and turn around and head to the USA right away. Where ever your moving to, you should be able to shop online and get an idea!! Cars are usually much cheaper in the USA, and 1 less hassle to worry about. And if a car isn't popular where u are going, well it should be cheaper than!

[mrss13 2]

I am going to a very rural area and all of the used listings are large US made trucks that are 10 miles to the gallon.. getting something good on gas would be worth a bit of extra money in the long run.. I'm just looking at all of my options though. I wonder if the 30 day tax would apply if my in laws in Canada gifted the car to us. Anyway, thanks for the advice.