Here's a question for ya

[Emily and Nathan 39]

Taking my car to the US...

How does that work?

I'm assuming i'm going to have to get a US Driver's License... and get US plates...and US insurance?

What order... how... and how long do I have to do these things?

And how much does it cost to make all these changes? Anyone know?

Thanks.

[Darnell 8,479]

is it exportable to USA ? (that car)

[Emily and Nathan 39]

Sorry... I'm not sure what that means...:/

But he lives literally 50 minutes away.. so when I do move.. I'll just be driving down there.

[gwenstar 66]

I have not gone through this process yet - but I can share what I have found so far -

Find out if you vehicle is compliant with US standards - there is stickers somewhere you can check (does not apply to me since our car is so old anyhow...)

Get a letter from the manufacturer that states the vehicle is compliant with all FMVSS standards

There are 2 forms - all will need your VIN # and information about the vehicle.

Have the registration, proof of ownership, proof of insurance,

They will stamp the import form at the border and you present the same information and stamped form to the local DMV in order to register the car in the US.

Here are the resources I have found:

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/435/~/importing-a-car-or-vehicle---obtaining-epa-form-3520-1-and-dot-form-hs-7

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/documents/3520-1.pdf

http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf

post that i found helpful

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/372302-bringing-a-car-from-canada-when-moving-to-the-us/

As far as I know, there is not a fee at the border to bring over the vehicle. When you go the DMV there will be a fee to register the car - that is dependent on how old the car is and its value. You can check the state DMV (where you will be living) to get an idea of what it will cost for you register/get plates.

Drivers license is usually a small fee as well, that information would also be on the DMV website.

Insurance is variable based on the car and where you live and driving history...so on. There are websites you can check out to get quotes or call an insurance agent in the area to get a rough estimate.

Edited March 25, 2014 by gwenstar

[Udella&Wiz 325]

Might be better having this moved to the Canadian forum - many of us have done it

[Emily and Nathan 39]

was it difficult?

I'd love to hear about what you had to do

Might be better having this moved to the Canadian forum - many of us have done it

[Udella&Wiz 325]

was it difficult?

I'd love to hear about what you had to do

I didn't personally but like I said post this in the Canadian forum where the question will be seen by Candians who can answer with their experience.

[TBoneTX 45,950]

*** Thread moved from "Moving Here & Your New Life" forum to the Canada regional subforum. ***

[Rob & Monika 87]

What make and model is the vehicle? This matters in helping determine whether you can import it, and how easy it will be to get the necessary documents.

Moving to Redwood NY?

When we went though the Alexandria Bay CBP, the guy we spoke to wasn't entirely sure how to do the process and had to look it up and chat with others that had done it before. He gave us 3 forms, the 2 listed above (hs799short.pdf and 3520-1.pdf) as well as a http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_7501.pdf and made us fill them out while we were there. The CBP7501 will most likely need to be completed with their help, but I remember they wanted the value of the vehicle on this...though they pretty much just guessed. NYS DMV will not accept the import without the VIN on all 3. On the 7501, they just wrote "See attached page", which the DMV did not accept (CBP later said to write the VIN on it ourselves and go back).

As for the NY side of things, use the Visa in your passport (or the I94...can't remember) and your Ontario drivers license to transfer your license. You should get a 1 year license ($64.50 according to DMV site). Once you get your green card, go back and have them remove the 1 year restriction, I think that was a $12 fee for us. That also means don't wait to start the AOS process, I don't really know what your options are if you don't have the green card by the time your license exipires.

If you use an insurance company that operates in both the US and Canada, youmight be able to transfer your insurance policy down. NY requires that your insurance be through a NY agent, so you can't use your Canadian insurance.

For the vehicle itself, start with the NYS inspection. You can get it done at any dealership, most repair shops, and some oil change places. Make sure your check engine light is not on...otherwise it will fail inspection. I think the fee is still $21. This has to be done every year on the same month, and you get a little sticker for the corner of your windshield.

Once you have the inspection and insurance, then you can register your vehicle. In the end, you should get a "title" which you keep at home, new license plates, your registration card, and a registration sticker which goes next to that inspection sticker on your window. We had some trouble here, we got everything except the title fairly quickly. In the end, they wanted to see a copy of the purchase agreement/receipt before they would issue the title...so bring that with you to the DMV when you get it registered. $25 for the plates, $50 for the title, and the registration fees vary depending on the vehicle, but around $35.

NY requires this to be done within 30 days of becoming a resident, which starts the day you enter NY on the K-1. I know I wrote a lot, but I think I covered everything I could think of.

[NikLR 13,232]

Also an important question to ask if there is a lien on the car or do you own it outright?

[Emily and Nathan 39]

wow.. lots of info..

THANK YOU..this is lots of help.

l

What make and model is the vehicle? This matters in helping determine whether you can import it, and how easy it will be to get the necessary documents.

Moving to Redwood NY?

When we went though the Alexandria Bay CBP, the guy we spoke to wasn't entirely sure how to do the process and had to look it up and chat with others that had done it before. He gave us 3 forms, the 2 listed above (hs799short.pdf and 3520-1.pdf) as well as a http://forms.cbp.gov/pdf/CBP_Form_7501.pdf and made us fill them out while we were there. The CBP7501 will most likely need to be completed with their help, but I remember they wanted the value of the vehicle on this...though they pretty much just guessed. NYS DMV will not accept the import without the VIN on all 3. On the 7501, they just wrote "See attached page", which the DMV did not accept (CBP later said to write the VIN on it ourselves and go back).

As for the NY side of things, use the Visa in your passport (or the I94...can't remember) and your Ontario drivers license to transfer your license. You should get a 1 year license ($64.50 according to DMV site). Once you get your green card, go back and have them remove the 1 year restriction, I think that was a $12 fee for us. That also means don't wait to start the AOS process, I don't really know what your options are if you don't have the green card by the time your license exipires.

If you use an insurance company that operates in both the US and Canada, youmight be able to transfer your insurance policy down. NY requires that your insurance be through a NY agent, so you can't use your Canadian insurance.

For the vehicle itself, start with the NYS inspection. You can get it done at any dealership, most repair shops, and some oil change places. Make sure your check engine light is not on...otherwise it will fail inspection. I think the fee is still $21. This has to be done every year on the same month, and you get a little sticker for the corner of your windshield.

Once you have the inspection and insurance, then you can register your vehicle. In the end, you should get a "title" which you keep at home, new license plates, your registration card, and a registration sticker which goes next to that inspection sticker on your window. We had some trouble here, we got everything except the title fairly quickly. In the end, they wanted to see a copy of the purchase agreement/receipt before they would issue the title...so bring that with you to the DMV when you get it registered. $25 for the plates, $50 for the title, and the registration fees vary depending on the vehicle, but around $35.

NY requires this to be done within 30 days of becoming a resident, which starts the day you enter NY on the K-1. I know I wrote a lot, but I think I covered everything I could think of.

Thankfully I own it outright.

Also an important question to ask if there is a lien on the car or do you own it outright?

[NikLR 13,232]

That will make your life easier.

[Emily and Nathan 39]

Thank Gawd

That will make your life easier.

[floridaboundcanuk 7]

I'm having this done soon myself although in Florida. It's my understanding though you aren't considered a resident until you have an ead. Hmmm.

[Rob & Monika 87]

It depends on what the state says. NY is the moment you enter the state with the intent to stay. It does look like Florida has several criteria, when you get a job there, enroll children in school, or have lived there for 6 months, among other things.