Car import questions (split)

[Mmk2112 34]

Hello, 

 

Anyone brought their car from Alberta or Canada, and registered in Texas. Can you please shed some light on it, the correct way and documents required. TIA

Edited May 21, 2023 by Mmk2112

[PZibran325 112]

19 hours ago, Mmk2112 said:

Hello, 

 

Anyone brought their car from Alberta or Canada, and registered in Texas. Can you please shed some light on it, the correct way and documents required. TIA

The husband moved from Alberta to the states but we ended up selling his car because the process we were informed about was complicated and costly, if you hear something different I'd be grateful to know for future reference

[Ontarkie 14,133]

~~Hijack post and reply split off an unrelated thread.~~

[mel4 9]

We moved from Alberta to Texas in 2021. Sold our car, paid off the loan, and bought cars when we got down here.

[Mmk2112 34]

I would like to keep my car and it's actually already in US (Canadians can keep the car in US for upto 1 year). Can anyone shed some light into it. Thank you!

[cdndesro 44]

9 hours ago, Mmk2112 said:

I would like to keep my car and it's actually already in US (Canadians can keep the car in US for upto 1 year). Can anyone shed some light into it. Thank you!

I imported my vehicle last year when I entered for the first time on my visa. It was pretty simple really. Had to get a letter from the manufacturer that it complied with US DOT regulations. In my case I had to replace the airbag light but that was all. Proof that vehicle had no lien on it and really that was it. Took about 30 minutes at the border to complete and they provided the import record that I was able to use at the Secretary of State to register it in the US. 

[mam521 1,970]

21 hours ago, Mmk2112 said:

I would like to keep my car and it's actually already in US (Canadians can keep the car in US for upto 1 year). Can anyone shed some light into it. Thank you!

What make is it and is it paid off?  

 

You should have imported it at the border when you moved since Texas requires out of state vehicles to be registered in state for residents within 30 days.  You need to get a letter of compliance from the manufacturer, fill out the EPA form and HS-7 form and head to a deferred inspection site to import it.  Once it's imported, you need to have a VIN inspection done (I'd book this now, in some areas they are months out) in your county, get insurance, get the emissions inspection done then head to the courthouse with all of the paperwork to register your vehicle.  

 

The issue that often comes up is either the manufacturer won't issue a compliance letter, the vehicle isn't compliant (typically TPMS issues) or the vehicle has a lien against it (loan in Canada).  

[Carport 0]

On 5/23/2023 at 9:03 PM, cdndesro said:

I imported my vehicle last year when I entered for the first time on my visa. It was pretty simple really. Had to get a letter from the manufacturer that it complied with US DOT regulations. In my case I had to replace the airbag light but that was all. Proof that vehicle had no lien on it and really that was it. Took about 30 minutes at the border to complete and they provided the import record that I was able to use at the Secretary of State to register it in the US. 

what was the make and model of the car?