Importing Your Car - Answers!

[aeroth88 29]

Hi folks,

 

I was confused about the regulations surrounding importing a car. I had been reading things like 'you don't have to pay duty if you have owned the car for more than a year,' or that 'Canadians don't have to pay duty'... none of this is true! I contacted CPB and was directed to contact the Import Specialist at the POE (Calais, ME) and I got SOLID answers!  I would like to share this information with you!

 

1) Your fiance must have a letter from the manufacturer stating that the vehicle complies with all US emissions and safety standards.

2) The car must be OWNED - not on a lien - and in the name of your fiance. I do not believe he said the title was necessary but it doesn't hurt to have all the legal documentation concerning the car.

3) Your fiance does NOT have to pay 3.5% duty if the car's VIN number starts with the number 1. This means it was manufactured in North America. If the VIN starts with anything other than the number 1, your fiance has to pay duty.

4) Duty is based on the Kelly Blue Book value of the car which is determined by the Import Specialist at the time of entry.

5) Car must be relatively clean on the inside and outside.

6) There are two forms to fill out, links below. These forms are available at the POE but why not have them filled out ahead of time?

 

There is also a link to the "Vehicle Importations Guidelines (Imported from Canada)" dated for September 12, 2017. It is a bit confusing but the last several pages include contact information for the vehicle manufacturer.

 

Hope this is helpful!

 

 

 

Vehicle Importation Guidelines: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.dot.gov/files/documents/vig_canada10102012.pdf

 

EPA document: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-07/documents/form3520-1-2017-07-secured-enabled.pdf

 

DOT document: https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/revenue/documents/forms/titlereg/hs799short.pdf

Edited August 5, 2018 by aeroth88

[aeroth88 29]

Comment deleted because I gave links instead!

Edited August 5, 2018 by aeroth88

[Brittany & Jamie 8]

So if you meet a few requirements.. you could potentially import your vehicle for free to the states while immigrating ?

[aeroth88 29]

On 8/7/2018 at 12:00 PM, BrBack0 said:

So if you meet a few requirements.. you could potentially import your vehicle for free to the states while immigrating ?

Yup!

[dburnt 59]

Just because you don't have to pay duty, doesn't mean there is no cost, just FYI.  When I went to register my vehicle in Florida (for tags), there was an inspection, and I had to pay tax based on the current market value of the vehicle.  I believe this may vary by state, but it compensates the state tax coffers for "importing" a vehicle from out of state.  State-to-state taxes are offset through an internal process, but you may have to pay a percentage if the original state charges lower taxes, and if it was imported...

 

The good news for me was that they let me state what the value of my vehicle was, (within reason).