Importing Canadian Vehicle to USA - Not Fully Compliant

[Banani 2]

Hello everyone,

I recently relocated to WA with my husband (he is on a TN visa and I am on TD). We have a car that we would like to import (it's a 2015 model). After purchasing the car, we received our manufacturer's letter of compliance, stating that the vehicle is not equipped with TPMS (as this is not a legal requirement for vehicles manufactured for sale in Canada). After speaking with multiple dealerships in both WA and Canada, as well as communicating with a RI (registered importer), we have learned that the vehicle cannot be retrofitted with TPMS (at least not for any reasonable amount of money).

I am wondering if anyone has had any luck with importing a Canadian car to the US which is not equipped with TPMS. We know you can import it temporarily for the period of 1 year but then it must be destroyed or exported, but we are looking for a longer term solution (such as a way to import it for at least the duration of his 3 year TN visa, if not permanently).

As we have just recently purchased this car and own it outright (there is no lien on the car), it was pretty devastating to find out that we might have to sell it at a huge loss back in Canada so soon after purchase if we cannot import it.

Any information or tips you can give me would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks for reading!

[Lee&Ana 88]

You can federalize it to comply with US "standards". It will cost a few thousand dollars.

[NigeriaorBust 4,087]

You would be better off storing it for the year. Even if you got it across the border you wouldn't be able to register it or insure it without bringing it into compliance.

[bendinlar 16]

There are aftermarket tpms setups out there that can be added to vehicles.

Edit:

http://www.tpms.com/SCH_HRK_4C_20257_p/SCH-HRK-4C.htm

$199 for this kit. Any competent mechanic should be able to install it.

Edited January 6, 2016 by bendinlar

[Banani 2]

Thank you for the replies!

Unfortunately, there is no after market option available for my make/model of car that would be considered acceptable for importation (the US equivalent of my car actually has the TPMS built into the software of the car, so it isn't possible to add an after market part to a model made after 2014).

Also, the RI's we have contacted have not only told us that we can't retrofit the car, but that they actually won't retrofit it (even if it were possible), because of the astronomical cost associated with such a task.

I am looking to see if there is a CBP office that will take into consideration that we are in the country on a temporary work visa, and therefore brought our car here for personal use (without the intent to sell it), for the duration of our time here. Basically, I am hoping that importation decisions are made on an individual basis based on one's situation, and not based on the fact that we technically are missing one component that would make our car FMVSS compliant.

Again, thank you for taking the time to reply.

[NikLR 13,231]

No you cannot import a car that does not meet the US safety standards for the year in which it was made.

Sell the car.

[Ms Hogan 295]

What kind of car is it? I'm surprised that a 2015 car is not compliant.

[mazd15Import 0]

Thank you for the replies!

Unfortunately, there is no after market option available for my make/model of car that would be considered acceptable for importation (the US equivalent of my car actually has the TPMS built into the software of the car, so it isn't possible to add an after market part to a model made after 2014).

Also, the RI's we have contacted have not only told us that we can't retrofit the car, but that they actually won't retrofit it (even if it were possible), because of the astronomical cost associated with such a task.

I am looking to see if there is a CBP office that will take into consideration that we are in the country on a temporary work visa, and therefore brought our car here for personal use (without the intent to sell it), for the duration of our time here. Basically, I am hoping that importation decisions are made on an individual basis based on one's situation, and not based on the fact that we technically are missing one component that would make our car FMVSS compliant.

Again, thank you for taking the time to reply.

I am in the same situation and don't really know what to do. Were you able to import your car?

[Banani 2]

Hi Mazd15Import,

I have good news! I was able to import my car successfully!

If you give me some details, maybe I can give you some more information.

Are you already in the US with your car?

Is your car a 2015?

Do you own the car completely (no lien on the car)?

In what country did you buy the car?

Is your car currently registered and insured and in that country?

If Canada, which province?

What model is your car?

What part of your car is not compliant with American standards?

Have you contacted your manufacturer and received a letter of compliance?

Have you already tried to import it at a port of entry?

Did you drive your car to the US, or are you planning on having it shipped?

Do you have a drivers license in the state you currently live in?

Do you or your partner have an SSN?

What city are you living in in the US?

What visa are you currently on?

How long has it been since you've received your visa, and how long is your visa valid for?

If you answer these questions for me, I may be able to give you some more info specific to your situation.

Thanks!

[zilchfox 296]

I was in the exact same scenario. I had a 2010 Mazda 3, built without a TPMS. I eventually sold it a week before I moved because of your exact same reasons of aftermarket not being a viable option, the DOT waiver costing too much, or Mazda won't install it and even if they did the price would be astronomical.

It was cheaper just to sell the car and rebuy. I was on a lien, too, but it's paid off now.

[jasminezxm 0]

On 11/11/2016 at 10:33 AM, Banani said:

Hi Banani,

I have a 2015 forester which does not have tams. I want to drive to USA for personal use. How did you get your car imported? Will you be able to register it? Thanks!

On 11/11/2016 at 10:33 AM, Banani said:

 

 

 

Hi Mazd15Import,

I have good news! I was able to import my car successfully!

If you give me some details, maybe I can give you some more information.

Are you already in the US with your car?

Is your car a 2015?

Do you own the car completely (no lien on the car)?

In what country did you buy the car?

Is your car currently registered and insured and in that country?

If Canada, which province?

What model is your car?

What part of your car is not compliant with American standards?

Have you contacted your manufacturer and received a letter of compliance?

Have you already tried to import it at a port of entry?

Did you drive your car to the US, or are you planning on having it shipped?

 

Do you have a drivers license in the state you currently live in?

Do you or your partner have an SSN?

What city are you living in in the US?

What visa are you currently on?

How long has it been since you've received your visa, and how long is your visa valid for?

If you answer these questions for me, I may be able to give you some more info specific to your situation.

Thanks!

 

 

 

 

 

 

[TDotCord 0]

On 11/11/2016 at 9:33 AM, Banani said:

 

 

Hi Mazd15Import,

I have good news! I was able to import my car successfully!

If you give me some details, maybe I can give you some more information.

Are you already in the US with your car?

Is your car a 2015?

Do you own the car completely (no lien on the car)?

In what country did you buy the car?

Is your car currently registered and insured and in that country?

If Canada, which province?

What model is your car?

What part of your car is not compliant with American standards?

Have you contacted your manufacturer and received a letter of compliance?

Have you already tried to import it at a port of entry?

Did you drive your car to the US, or are you planning on having it shipped?

 

Do you have a drivers license in the state you currently live in?

Do you or your partner have an SSN?

What city are you living in in the US?

What visa are you currently on?

How long has it been since you've received your visa, and how long is your visa valid for?

If you answer these questions for me, I may be able to give you some more info specific to your situation.

Thanks!

Hi Banai,

 

I am in the same situation with a Canadian Market 2012 Toyota Camry LE that I would like to import as gift from my parents. I have sent you an IM regarding the topic. Thanks in advance.

[zilchfox 296]

I had the exact same issue with my 2010 Mazda 3, TPMS issue. I ended up selling the car in the end, and I miss it every day.

[tdav 11]

I've been searching and searching because I am in the same boat, my 2014 Hyundai Elantra GT does not have TPMS, would cost thousands to install, and I really don't want to sell it. I found one thread somewhere in a deep google search where somebody talked to the CBP officer about their options and they were able to do a semi-permanent import in which they could import their car and register but never be able to sell it. I don't know if this is a real thing, and probably won't work everywhere and would be highly dependent on the officer you get. Might be naive to hold on to this little glimmer of hope but I'm willing to give it a shot. If it doesn't work, after I get all settled in I'll drive the car back up to Ontario and attempt to sell it from there..and then probably have to do some voodoo to be able to find a manual transmission hatchback I can afford. 

[NikLR 13,231]

Cars are much cheaper in the USA than in Canada.  My 2003 Acura was $3500 with about 115k miles on it.  Our 2013 truck was 23k  You can buy a brand new ford fiesta for 15k.   High recommend not buying new since your loan will end up upside down unless you buy something really popular in your area.  

 

http://www.autobytel.com/car-buying-guides/features/15-dependable-used-cars-under-10-000-6573/

 

http://www.autobytel.com/car-buying-guides/features/10-best-used-hatchbacks-121291/

 

For them to allow you to import and register a card down here that's not compliant is actually illegal.  I remember a thread where someone said they did it, but again, illegal and thus against TOS. 

 

Its crazy that in Canada we have daytime running lights as mandatory but not TPMS.   Personally I think both should be... Even though I ignored the warning on my Jeep since the tires were much bigger than normal and the TPMS system to redo EACH tire was $130.... $520 or I can ignore the ding and light... Yup ignored that thing! 

Edited February 3, 2017 by NikLR