driving car across US border before importing car?

[cdngirl3 7]

Hi, just wondering if anyone has (temporarily) driven their Canadian car across the US border while immigrating to the USA, without importing it? (I won't have time to meet all the FMVSS standards before I immigrate so was hoping to import it at a later date, but would like to still use it to drive my stuff across - just wondering if this is possible? The border seemed to indicate this was fine, but was just wondering if anyone had actually done this?) Thanks!

[mam521 2,063]

Someone recently was turned around at the border when activating their green card and attempting not to import their car.  If you search the forum, you'll likely find it.  She ended up turning around, selling the car in Canada and renting a Uhaul to come across the border with her stuff.  

[cdngirl3 7]

17 hours ago, mam521 said:

Someone recently was turned around at the border when activating their green card and attempting not to import their car.  If you search the forum, you'll likely find it.  She ended up turning around, selling the car in Canada and renting a Uhaul to come across the border with her stuff.  

Thanks for this info! I kind of thought that might happen, so I was surprised when I phoned the border and they said it was fine. Don't think it's worth trying, though, based on this other person's experience.

[cdngirl3 7]

19 hours ago, mam521 said:

Someone recently was turned around at the border when activating their green card and attempting not to import their car.  If you search the forum, you'll likely find it.  She ended up turning around, selling the car in Canada and renting a Uhaul to come across the border with her stuff.  

Would you be able to link to this post? I'd love to read about her experience but I've searched and couldn't find it. I did, however, find a post about someone doing this successfully:

 

 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

21 hours ago, cdngirl3 said:

Hi, just wondering if anyone has (temporarily) driven their Canadian car across the US border while immigrating to the USA, without importing it? (I won't have time to meet all the FMVSS standards before I immigrate so was hoping to import it at a later date, but would like to still use it to drive my stuff across - just wondering if this is possible? The border seemed to indicate this was fine, but was just wondering if anyone had actually done this?) Thanks!

I had no issues driving my noncompliant motorcycle into the US from Canada (it's going to go through a registered importer), however CBP warned me that eventually they would deny my vehicles entry to the US if I didn't get the vehicles permanently imported - This was at the Pacific Hwy port of entry. Seems to be a discretionary thing on part of CBP to let a non-imported vehicle in or not when immigrating.

[mam521 2,063]

 

[IoanaCA 0]

Hello, I enter with my car in the US at peace Bridge Buffalo when I immigrate and did not import my car then and nobody asked me why not. They only told me I can’t register it until I import it. And I have 1 year to do that since the move. So

don't stress , just say you’ll do it later  there is no law saying you have to right away. 

[Kai G. Llewellyn 838]

On 10/2/2021 at 5:44 AM, IoanaCA said:

Hello, I enter with my car in the US at peace Bridge Buffalo when I immigrate and did not import my car then and nobody asked me why not. They only told me I can’t register it until I import it. And I have 1 year to do that since the move. So

don't stress , just say you’ll do it later  there is no law saying you have to right away. 

While you don't have to import it for up to one year. Most states require you get your state drivers license and title/register your vehicles within 30 days. Failing to do so can result in getting a ticket which can be substantial. Additionally, your Canadian insurance may deny a claim if the vehicle isn't stored at its Canadian address anymore. So you can keep it in storage here, but technically after 30 days you cannot drive it. Hope that makes sense.

Edited October 7, 2021 by Kai G. Llewellyn