Importing Car to US - Question About Duties

[ADW & JOP 146]

Hi everyone,

 

I did some research on this topic and reviewed this previous discussion.

 

My visa application is still a while away from approval, but I want to do some planning ahead of time.

 

I am currently paying off a financed vehicle in Canada and have questions re: duties. I do want to keep my car as it has sentimental values.

 

The questions I have are:

 

1) In that previous discussion, it appears some people pay duties, others don't. However, in preparation for this, how do I obtain an "assessment of value"? Since cars depreciate over time, will the value of my car be what it is when I import the vehicle or when I first started to finance it?  

 

2) Reading CBP, the state:

 

Quote

As a returning U.S. resident, you may apply your $800 CBP exemption and those of accompanying family members toward the value of the vehicle if it:

• Accompanies you on your return;
• Is imported for personal use;
• Was acquired during the journey from which you are returning.

Would I qualify for this exemption if I crossed over (became a permanent resident), then returned to pick it up? Or is this exemption only for residents who purchase their vehicle on that visit?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated!

Edited April 23, 2019 by ADW & JOP

[Lil bear 4,189]

15 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

Hi everyone,

 

I did some research on this topic and reviewed this previous discussion.

 

My visa application is still a while away from approval, but I want to do some planning ahead of time.

 

I am currently paying off a financed vehicle in Canada and have questions re: duties. I do want to keep my car as it has sentimental values.

 

The questions I have are:

 

1) In that previous discussion, it appears some people pay duties, others don't. However, in preparation for this, how do I obtain an "assessment of value"? Since cars depreciate over time, will the value of my car be what it is when I import the vehicle or when I first started to finance it?  

 

2) Reading CBP, the state:

 

Would I qualify for this exemption if I crossed over (became a permanent resident), then returned to pick it up? Or is this exemption only for residents who purchase their vehicle on that visit?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated!

As a new immigrant, you get up to 10 years to bring goods over .. including vehicles .. as long as the goods, including vehicles , meet all CBP requirements for ownership over 12 months etc, and also the required legislative requirements for importing a vehicle. 

There is good information of all of this in the CBP website. 

[ADW & JOP 146]

6 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

As a new immigrant, you get up to 10 years to bring goods over .. including vehicles .. as long as the goods, including vehicles , meet all CBP requirements for ownership over 12 months etc, and also the required legislative requirements for importing a vehicle. 

There is good information of all of this in the CBP website. 

Thank you for your reply!

 

I guess where I am confused is that this poster mentioned he had to pay a 3% duty on his vehicle?

 

On ‎2‎/‎25‎/‎2019 at 7:03 AM, grupetto said:

I just completed the process at Ambassador Bridge (Detroit) yesterday. Brought down my TPMS as per 

compliance letter. They did not even ask for the compliance letter much less the TPMS. Charged 3% duty 

on their assessed value. Payable by credit card. Have a assessed value ready for them and some proof, otherwise

you get a high number.

 

2016 Elantra SE.

 

[Lil bear 4,189]

1 minute ago, ADW & JOP said:

Thank you for your reply!

 

I guess where I am confused is that this poster mentioned he had to pay a 3% duty on his vehicle?

 

 

Mmm  I  am too. We imported a 40 foot shipping container with an airplane, car, household goods etc and paid no import duty as we entered on IR 5 visa. 

[ADW & JOP 146]

4 minutes ago, Lil bear said:

Mmm  I  am too. We imported a 40 foot shipping container with an airplane, car, household goods etc and paid no import duty as we entered on IR 5 visa. 

Were these manufactured in North America by chance?

[grupetto 2]

51 minutes ago, ADW & JOP said:

Thank you for your reply!

 

I guess where I am confused is that this poster mentioned he had to pay a 3% duty on his vehicle?

 

 

The confusion is mine. I was charged a duty of 3% but I am a US citizen, so perhaps that is the factor that caused the duty to be charged.

[ADW & JOP 146]

1 hour ago, grupetto said:

The confusion is mine. I was charged a duty of 3% but I am a US citizen, so perhaps that is the factor that caused the duty to be charged.

Great! Thanks for clarifying!

[NikLR 13,227]

On 4/23/2019 at 2:35 PM, Lil bear said:

As a new immigrant, you get up to 10 years to bring goods over .. including vehicles .. as long as the goods, including vehicles , meet all CBP requirements for ownership over 12 months etc, and also the required legislative requirements for importing a vehicle. 

There is good information of all of this in the CBP website. 

You have a year to import a car duty free. 

 

 https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

 

[Lil bear 4,189]

53 minutes ago, NikLR said:

You have a year to import a car duty free. 

 

 https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

 

Thx for the correction on vehicles. 

[ADW & JOP 146]

Thanks!