Importing a car to US via land border personally

[Leo The Great 146]

We are driving our car to US Peace Bridge land border to import it to US. We got compliance letter (with both parent names on it) from manufacture and all recalls have been repaired. We have couple of question with regards to US custom.

1. if the ownership/sale agreement of the car is on both parents name's but the registration is on my mother name and father is driving alone to border for import it, would there be any problem. Do mother needs to write consent letter and sign all forms or father signatures are good enough? Both parents are green card holder and immigrated to US  this year.

2. Can my father carry now tires and other personal stuff in it or it would create an issue at US custom while importing?

Edited November 28, 2024 by Leo The Great

[JeanneAdil 6,610]

Yes, one parent can drive a car registered to their spouse across the border if they have the proper documentation: 

Written permission: The owner of the car should provide written permission to drive the vehicle. The permission letter should include the owner's contact information, the driver's relationship to the owner, and the dates the driver is allowed to use the car. 

Proof of insurance: The driver should have proof of insurance for the vehicle. 

Registration: The driver should have the vehicle's registration document

 

I would travel before the tariff is raised by Mr. Trump

[Leo The Great 146]

On 11/28/2024 at 4:28 PM, JeanneAdil said:

Yes, one parent can drive a car registered to their spouse across the border if they have the proper documentation: 

Written permission: The owner of the car should provide written permission to drive the vehicle. The permission letter should include the owner's contact information, the driver's relationship to the owner, and the dates the driver is allowed to use the car. 

Proof of insurance: The driver should have proof of insurance for the vehicle. 

Registration: The driver should have the vehicle's registration document

 

I would travel before the tariff is raised by Mr. Trump

Thanks for the info. Two follow up questions

1. Does permission letter need to be notarized?

2. In addition to drive it with permission letter, one parent can also import the vehicle  via land border  that is registered on other parent’s name correct?

[Leo The Great 146]

We imported our vehicle via Buffalo land border without any problem. Whole process took 20 minutes. You need to have compliance letter from car manufacturer, EPA 3501-1 form and DOT HS-7 Form, original registration, vehicle purchase agreement and recalls fixed. Officer sent assistant to check EPA sticker ,VIN, year of manufacturing sticker on the car. CBP officer typed three forms on the computer and returned us the stamped forms including 7501 form for DMV. There is no duties on the car manufactured for Canada.

Edited December 11, 2024 by Leo The Great

[siamnet74 4]

On 11/28/2024 at 4:28 PM, JeanneAdil said:

Yes, one parent can drive a car registered to their spouse across the border if they have the proper documentation: 

Written permission: The owner of the car should provide written permission to drive the vehicle. The permission letter should include the owner's contact information, the driver's relationship to the owner, and the dates the driver is allowed to use the car. 

Proof of insurance: The driver should have proof of insurance for the vehicle. 

Registration: The driver should have the vehicle's registration document

 

I would travel before the tariff is raised by Mr. Trump

 

Regarding the Trump tariff commment, does it matter if the car was made whollymade in the US but was sold/purchased in Canada? I recall people stating that cars made in US/Mexico wouldn't be subject to duty fee (when importing).  I guess, "Would Trump's tariff threat still apply on cars that were NOT made/assembled in Canada"? I don't know if duty fee is the same as tariff? 

My car was made in California and sold in Canada. However, my wife's car (2021 Tesla Model 3) was probably made in China, which I suspect would be subject to some (2.5%) duty fee when we import it.

Our interview is Jan 29 2025 and Trump will be in Office already and not sure how long until we're approved after the interview. Or is this tariff "threat" not relevant to importing used cars?

 

[Leo The Great 146]

Our one car was made in Japan but sold in Canada by Mazda. We did not pay any duty on it. Both cars now have Ohio number plates although we had to do the Emission check before BMO issued number plates because of our county requirements.

Edited December 24, 2024 by Leo The Great

[siamnet74 4]

15 hours ago, Leo The Great said:

Our one car was made in Japan but sold in Canada by Mazda. We did not pay any duty on it. Both cars now have Ohio number plates although we had to do the Emission check before BMO issued number plates because of our county requirements.

That's good news. We await our interview next month before we can start making plans but good to know about no duty on a car not made in US/Mexico !!!

[shuza 4]

On 12/10/2024 at 6:15 PM, Leo The Great said:

We imported our vehicle via Buffalo land border without any problem. Whole process took 20 minutes. You need to have compliance letter from car manufacturer, EPA 3501-1 form and DOT HS-7 Form, original registration, vehicle purchase agreement and recalls fixed. Officer sent assistant to check EPA sticker ,VIN, year of manufacturing sticker on the car. CBP officer typed three forms on the computer and returned us the stamped forms including 7501 form for DMV. There is no duties on the car manufactured for Canada.

@Leo The Great is it possible to move to the US first and then import my car to the US a month later?

[Leo The Great 146]

2 hours ago, shuza said:

@Leo The Great is it possible to move to the US first and then import my car to the US a month later?

Yes it is possible. That is what we did. Activated our green card first and imported 2 vehicles later.

[shuza 4]

On 1/8/2025 at 5:46 PM, Leo The Great said:

Yes it is possible. That is what we did. Activated our green card first and imported 2 vehicles later.

thanks @Leo The Great! Do I need to have some kind of paperwork to show at the border when entering US without car, for the car that I will take later?

Also, any idea about duty/tax for a car that is actually going back to the US(my car is from US, I imported it here when I moved from US and now it will go back to the US)?

[Leo The Great 146]

9 hours ago, shuza said:

thanks @Leo The Great! Do I need to have some kind of paperwork to show at the border when entering US without car, for the car that I will take later?

Also, any idea about duty/tax for a car that is actually going back to the US(my car is from US, I imported it here when I moved from US and now it will go back to the US)?

No need to carry car papers if you travelling by air.

read following with regards to duty for reimporting car. Source

 

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

• Re-Importing A Previously Exported Vehicle - A vehicle taken from the United States for non-commercial, private use may be returned duty free by proving to CBP that it was previously owned and registered in the United States. This proof may be a state-issued registration card for the automobile or a bill of sale for the car from a U.S. dealer. Repairs or accessories acquired abroad for your vehicle must be declared on your return and may be subject to duty.
  In some countries, it will be difficult or impossible to obtain unleaded fuel for your vehicle. If the vehicle is driven using leaded gasoline, it will be necessary for you to replace the catalyst and oxygen sensor upon its return to the U.S. To avoid the expense of replacing these parts you may obtain authorization from EPA to remove the catalyst and oxygen sensor before the vehicle is shipped overseas. The EPA telephone number for these authorizations is (202) 564-2418. When the vehicle returns to the U.S., the original catalyst and oxygen sensor will need to be reinstalled. However, you may now reenter your U.S. version vehicle into the U.S. without bond, upon your assurance that you will have the reinstallation performed.

[shuza 4]

15 hours ago, Leo The Great said:

No need to carry car papers if you travelling by air.

read following with regards to duty for reimporting car. Source

 

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

 

• Re-Importing A Previously Exported Vehicle - A vehicle taken from the United States for non-commercial, private use may be returned duty free by proving to CBP that it was previously owned and registered in the United States. This proof may be a state-issued registration card for the automobile or a bill of sale for the car from a U.S. dealer. Repairs or accessories acquired abroad for your vehicle must be declared on your return and may be subject to duty.
  In some countries, it will be difficult or impossible to obtain unleaded fuel for your vehicle. If the vehicle is driven using leaded gasoline, it will be necessary for you to replace the catalyst and oxygen sensor upon its return to the U.S. To avoid the expense of replacing these parts you may obtain authorization from EPA to remove the catalyst and oxygen sensor before the vehicle is shipped overseas. The EPA telephone number for these authorizations is (202) 564-2418. When the vehicle returns to the U.S., the original catalyst and oxygen sensor will need to be reinstalled. However, you may now reenter your U.S. version vehicle into the U.S. without bond, upon your assurance that you will have the reinstallation performed.

 

Much thanks!