Car Lien & Importation Question

[NikLR 13,231]

This is probably very wrong, but the US border let me bring in my car with no import fees... didn't even mention it.

I came in as a visitor with my car, told them I had my K1 visa approved but wasn't planning on using it for another few months. The officer said ok, checked to make sure I had enough money to sustain myself for a few months, and let me on in. I drive a 2008 chevy and it's paid off. The value maybe like $4000 if that.

I might need to drive it back to Canada and then re-enter with it if I want it here legally (and to register it or sell it). I'm not sure. I didn't even know we had to import a car if we already owned it.

You will need to find a CBP checkpoint to import the car. Generally cars made in the USA don't have any duty or import fees attached.

I'm more curious about the fact that you haven't activated your K1 yet.

[Ms Hogan 295]

You will need to find a CBP checkpoint to import the car. Generally cars made in the USA don't have any duty or import fees attached.

I'm more curious about the fact that you haven't activated your K1 yet.

Interesting to know about the year-long probationary period before applying for a loan -- even if my fiance co-signed for me?

With that said, I'm aware that there will be a period of time that I'll be without a job, and my current employment up in Canada will have me as an indefinite "Leave of Absence" from the moment I move down until I'm legally able to work in the US, which then they will transfer me and re-activate my employment in the U.S.

Expense of a car bringing it in? Sorry, I don't understand. Are you talking about importation costs? Already got rough estimates for how much it's going to cost (car made in Japan) and I'm okay with it.

The car may be worth slightly less than what I owe left on it as per the KBB.

If my fiance is willing to co-sign the loan for me, he may be willing to just outright take out a loan, too. Seeing as we're going to be living together for the rest of our lives and sharing a joint bank account, I wouldn't see it being an issue.

You won't be able to get a loan on your own since you won't even exist here yet. You may not even be able to be a co-signer as your green card will expire before your loan would mature. That's a problem I ran into with my conditional card.

Ooh, that makes sense! I should see how much they're willing to take my car in if I were to just simply sell it to them. I know they want my car, quite badly actually, because every time I bring it in for service the manager always pokes me saying that they want my car and that I can have a new one.

And the insurance thing makes sense for sure. Ugh! Decisions, haha.

I don't want to be mean... but the guys at the dealership are trying to get you to buy another car. They probably don't care much about your car. It's a sales tactic. I used to get personal letters telling me how much they wanted MY specific car and I should bring it by so they can make me an offer and find me something else instead. I actually still get personal requests for my car two years after selling it.

Dump the attorney you don't need them

AGREED. Most folks here have found (unless they need a lawyer due to legal issues) that lawyers do not offer 'peace of mind' as you are hoping for but instead cause more stress, make mistakes, draw things out and simply don't pay attention to your case the way you would. They don't care how quickly you get through the process. They just care about getting paid. They won't have everything ready and standing by along the way. They'll just take their time and get to it when they make it that far in their pile. Keep all of this in mind as you move forward. You might be better off spending the $2000 (is that what I read?) towards paying off your car!

This is probably very wrong, but the US border let me bring in my car with no import fees... didn't even mention it.

I came in as a visitor with my car, told them I had my K1 visa approved but wasn't planning on using it for another few months. The officer said ok, checked to make sure I had enough money to sustain myself for a few months, and let me on in. I drive a 2008 chevy and it's paid off. The value maybe like $4000 if that.

I might need to drive it back to Canada and then re-enter with it if I want it here legally (and to register it or sell it). I'm not sure. I didn't even know we had to import a car if we already owned it.

I'm with NLR.... VERY curious about how you came in as a visitor with your car and didn't use your K1 visa yet. This is VERY out of the ordinary.

[zilchfox 296]

You won't be able to get a loan on your own since you won't even exist here yet. You may not even be able to be a co-signer as your green card will expire before your loan would mature. That's a problem I ran into with my conditional card.

I don't want to be mean... but the guys at the dealership are trying to get you to buy another car. They probably don't care much about your car. It's a sales tactic. I used to get personal letters telling me how much they wanted MY specific car and I should bring it by so they can make me an offer and find me something else instead. I actually still get personal requests for my car two years after selling it.

AGREED. Most folks here have found (unless they need a lawyer due to legal issues) that lawyers do not offer 'peace of mind' as you are hoping for but instead cause more stress, make mistakes, draw things out and simply don't pay attention to your case the way you would. They don't care how quickly you get through the process. They just care about getting paid. They won't have everything ready and standing by along the way. They'll just take their time and get to it when they make it that far in their pile. Keep all of this in mind as you move forward. You might be better off spending the $2000 (is that what I read?) towards paying off your car!

I'm with NLR.... VERY curious about how you came in as a visitor with your car and didn't use your K1 visa yet. This is VERY out of the ordinary.

Long quote, whoa!

1. I did some research and you're right. He's most likely going to take out the loan in his name, perhaps even just before I move down. This is a huge trust decision on his part, but seeing as we've been together since 2010 (and plan on being together until we, well, die...), I don't think that'll be an issue. Besides, once I move down we definitely plan on having a joint bank account where my income is going to help pay for it anyways, but until then I'll be making regular wire transfer payments to pay it back as ultimately I don't want him on the hook for my debt. I'm unable to take a loan out in Canada, unfortunately, credit score too low for the size of loan I'd like. Don't worry, he's aware of my finances, and...well, uh...he'll be disciplining me on my savings (which he's REALLY good at). I'll be very lucky being able to lock in the debt at the current USD/CAD exchange rates, unless...

1b. I just got my letter from Mazda about importing my car and it turns out the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) isn't up to US safety compliance, so I may be unable to import the car until I get that rectified. If it's something that's going to be too expensive to change/adjust/fix, then screw the car, I'm selling it. Other than that, the car is good to go in regards to things like emissions and etc.

2. Oh I'm 100% positive it's a sales tactic, but sometimes it's nice to have things sugarcoated...makes you feel better about yourself, even if you don't intend on actually falling for their sales tactics.

3. The lawyer wasn't my idea, it's my fiance's, and he's the one wanting to pay for it (although I'm in full support). As long as the lawyer ensures things happen within the required timelines for the K-1 (and correctly, at that), I...actually don't mind taking our time. It'll buy me time to tie up loose ends here back at home, have a going-away party, train my replacement at my work, pay down as much of my debt as possible before acting on #1 of this list, so on and so forth. We have no legal things to worry about (we're both law-abiding, no criminal record on either part, and for both of us this is the first time we're getting married).

Edited February 23, 2016 by zilchfox

[lkerky 25]

Long quote, whoa!

1. I did some research and you're right. He's most likely going to take out the loan in his name, perhaps even just before I move down. This is a huge trust decision on his part, but seeing as we've been together since 2010 (and plan on being together until we, well, die...), I don't think that'll be an issue. Besides, once I move down we definitely plan on having a joint bank account where my income is going to help pay for it anyways, but until then I'll be making regular wire transfer payments to pay it back as ultimately I don't want him on the hook for my debt. I'm unable to take a loan out in Canada, unfortunately, credit score too low for the size of loan I'd like. Don't worry, he's aware of my finances, and...well, uh...he'll be disciplining me on my savings (which he's REALLY good at). I'll be very lucky being able to lock in the debt at the current USD/CAD exchange rates, unless...

1b. I just got my letter from Mazda about importing my car and it turns out the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) isn't up to US safety compliance, so I may be unable to import the car until I get that rectified. If it's something that's going to be too expensive to change/adjust/fix, then screw the car, I'm selling it. Other than that, the car is good to go in regards to things like emissions and etc.

2. Oh I'm 100% positive it's a sales tactic, but sometimes it's nice to have things sugarcoated...makes you feel better about yourself, even if you don't intend on actually falling for their sales tactics.

3. The lawyer wasn't my idea, it's my fiance's, and he's the one wanting to pay for it (although I'm in full support). As long as the lawyer ensures things happen within the required timelines for the K-1 (and correctly, at that), I...actually don't mind taking our time. It'll buy me time to tie up loose ends here back at home, have a going-away party, train my replacement at my work, pay down as much of my debt as possible before acting on #1 of this list, so on and so forth. We have no legal things to worry about (we're both law-abiding, no criminal record on either part, and for both of us this is the first time we're getting married).

The lawyer cannot ensure the timeline for your visa. They can do your paperwork but having a lawyer does not speed up the process.

Some people have used lawyers and still received RFE's.. so don't think that just because you have a lawyer everything will go smoothly.

[CanCal2016 21]

Long quote, whoa!

1. I did some research and you're right. He's most likely going to take out the loan in his name, perhaps even just before I move down. This is a huge trust decision on his part, but seeing as we've been together since 2010 (and plan on being together until we, well, die...), I don't think that'll be an issue. Besides, once I move down we definitely plan on having a joint bank account where my income is going to help pay for it anyways, but until then I'll be making regular wire transfer payments to pay it back as ultimately I don't want him on the hook for my debt. I'm unable to take a loan out in Canada, unfortunately, credit score too low for the size of loan I'd like. Don't worry, he's aware of my finances, and...well, uh...he'll be disciplining me on my savings (which he's REALLY good at). I'll be very lucky being able to lock in the debt at the current USD/CAD exchange rates, unless...

1b. I just got my letter from Mazda about importing my car and it turns out the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) isn't up to US safety compliance, so I may be unable to import the car until I get that rectified. If it's something that's going to be too expensive to change/adjust/fix, then screw the car, I'm selling it. Other than that, the car is good to go in regards to things like emissions and etc.

2. Oh I'm 100% positive it's a sales tactic, but sometimes it's nice to have things sugarcoated...makes you feel better about yourself, even if you don't intend on actually falling for their sales tactics.

3. The lawyer wasn't my idea, it's my fiance's, and he's the one wanting to pay for it (although I'm in full support). As long as the lawyer ensures things happen within the required timelines for the K-1 (and correctly, at that), I...actually don't mind taking our time. It'll buy me time to tie up loose ends here back at home, have a going-away party, train my replacement at my work, pay down as much of my debt as possible before acting on #1 of this list, so on and so forth. We have no legal things to worry about (we're both law-abiding, no criminal record on either part, and for both of us this is the first time we're getting married).

Hey fellow Albertan! I'm just finishing up my K1 process, also have a car to import... And I'll be doing pretty much what you've laid out here. Packing my car, driving it to the POE, crossing, taking out a loan in the US with my soon-to-be-husband, paying out the lien on my car, and importing it.

I'll keep everyone posted on how that goes. Any questions, feel free to shoot me a message.

[Ms Hogan 295]

Hey fellow Albertan! I'm just finishing up my K1 process, also have a car to import... And I'll be doing pretty much what you've laid out here. Packing my car, driving it to the POE, crossing, taking out a loan in the US with my soon-to-be-husband, paying out the lien on my car, and importing it.

I'll keep everyone posted on how that goes. Any questions, feel free to shoot me a message.

Are you going to be taking it back to the border when you're ready to actually import it? And just out of curiosity, why not get your soon-to-be-husband to take out the loan now so you can import it when you POE? Just curious about your planned timeline.

Edited February 28, 2016 by Ms Hogan

[CanCal2016 21]

Are you going to be taking it back to the border when you're ready to actually import it? And just out of curiosity, why not get your soon-to-be-husband to take out the loan now so you can import it when you POE? Just curious about your planned timeline.

That's an interesting idea... To be honest I didn't think of that. That would be a lot of extra driving on my part to import the car afterwards, but we do have up to a year to do so, correct?

I suppose he could take the loan out and buy the car off of me, but then I wouldn't be able to import it as it's not my vehicle to import? Would he have to be with me? That's not an option in our case. I guess I'll have to call the border and see what they say.

[Lemonslice 4,951]

That's an interesting idea... To be honest I didn't think of that. That would be a lot of extra driving on my part to import the car afterwards, but we do have up to a year to do so, correct?

I suppose he could take the loan out and buy the car off of me, but then I wouldn't be able to import it as it's not my vehicle to import? Would he have to be with me? That's not an option in our case. I guess I'll have to call the border and see what they say.

He wouldn't need to buy your car... just give you the money and you pay your loan. Edited March 3, 2016 by Boston~Montreal

[Ms Hogan 295]

He wouldn't need to buy your car... just give you the money and you pay your loan.

Precisely what I was going to say... OP you don't need to sell the car to your spouse, you just need him to take out a personal loan and give you the money so you can pay it off.

YOU import the car as part of your personal belongings.

[Loki_Go 126]

That's an interesting idea... To be honest I didn't think of that. That would be a lot of extra driving on my part to import the car afterwards, but we do have up to a year to do so, correct?

That's correct, but if you can't register the car then you're going to have problems getting it insured either in the US or Canada. My car wasn't able to be imported due to no passenger side airbag (and far to expensive to retrofit) but I was able to drive it for up to 6 months on my Canadian auto insurance. After that you'll need US insurance and if you can't register it... no insurance.

Everyone's policy is different so it's worthwhile to call and see what they can do for you.

[CanCal2016 21]

That's correct, but if you can't register the car then you're going to have problems getting it insured either in the US or Canada. My car wasn't able to be imported due to no passenger side airbag (and far to expensive to retrofit) but I was able to drive it for up to 6 months on my Canadian auto insurance. After that you'll need US insurance and if you can't register it... no insurance.

Everyone's policy is different so it's worthwhile to call and see what they can do for you.

AH. Okay, so for everyone still following along with this thread...

I spoke to a CBP officer at the POE that I will be driving through and this is what he told me:

- I CAN drive my car through the border and import at a later time.

- No paperwork required for the vehicle at this point.

- I have up to a year to import my vehicle, and can do so at MOST major international airports (which saves me a hassle, because LAX offers this option, and is relatively close to where I'll be living)

- Just make an appointment with the CBP office at the closest international airport and they'll import the vehicle

- I will be taking out a loan once I arrive at my final destination, paying off my lien on the vehicle, and will be free to import the vehicle then. I have a letter of compliance from Mitsubishi, stating that it complies with all US and Canadian standards. My insurance will cover me in the US and in Canada until the lien is paid off, then I will be registering the vehicle with California plates and the title will be in my name. Along this time I'll be getting insurance to cover my vehicle.

Sounds like a nightmare of a process, BUT I have spoken with WAY too many people about this who are supposedly "in the know", and this all seems to be correct from their end.

Here's hoping haha Thanks for all the input folks!