Canada/US Crossing with Vehicle Letter

[Wis-Can 0]

Hey guys, This is for any of you that have brought your vehicle from Canada to the US. I went down to the GM dealer and ask them for a letter that states the car meets emission control standards for the year it was built. He said well that's just a Vehicle Inquiry Check so he printed me off this piece of paper that has GM Vehicle Inquiry System Summary written across the top. Then it has my vin #, the car description, the original dealer, the warranty info and he pointed to the section that says Service Informational Items and under this section it states Vehicle Has No Current Record of Outstanding Service Information. He said this is what they would want at the border crossing. This doesn't seem right. So I am wondering if I am going to be able to us this...seems to me as it would have to state that it meets emission control standards, he said this is essentially what this says. HELP...what are your thoughts or experiences? Thanks.

Oh and I don't know if I posted in the right section....someone can move it if they need to. Thanks again!

Edited March 16, 2009 by Wis-Can

[payxibka 10,045]

better in the "Moving here..." or Canada Regional... I will move it to Canada

Edited March 16, 2009 by payxibka

[trailmix 77]

Hey guys, This is for any of you that have brought your vehicle from Canada to the US. I went down to the GM dealer and ask them for a letter that states the car meets emission control standards for the year it was built. He said well that's just a Vehicle Inquiry Check so he printed me off this piece of paper that has GM Vehicle Inquiry System Summary written across the top. Then it has my vin #, the car description, the original dealer, the warranty info and he pointed to the section that says Service Informational Items and under this section it states Vehicle Has No Current Record of Outstanding Service Information. He said this is what they would want at the border crossing. This doesn't seem right. So I am wondering if I am going to be able to us this...seems to me as it would have to state that it meets emission control standards, he said this is essentially what this says. HELP...what are your thoughts or experiences? Thanks.

Oh and I don't know if I posted in the right section....someone can move it if they need to. Thanks again!

I dealt with Ford, basically they sent me a letter on company letterhead stating the vin etc and that it had a recall - which we had taken care of and that it currently did not meet the U.S. standard with regards to the running lights.

That was basically it - we had no problem importing the car with that letter. I was going to scan that and the import forms I had to fill out at the border and post them here, I will try to do that shortly.

[JillA 2]

It's officially called a compliance letter.... and there are specific things it needs to state, I wonder if what you got from GM was the same thing as a compliance letter.

[JillA 2]

Check out this website, it helped me out:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import...ada01192007.htm

[BermyCat 1]

Try calling the GM headquarters in Canada and ordering your letter. It needs to talk about being EPA compliant and it needs to say that the car meets US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Here's the contact information:

General Motors of Canada Limited

1908 Colonel Sam Drive

Oshawa, Ontario

Canada L1H 8P7

CANADA: (905) 440-7689

FAX: (905) 440-7644

~ Catherine

[trailmix 77]

Here is ours - can't find the forms from the border, I know I have them somewhere!

[July09Bride 1]

OMG... okay. I want to make sure I completely understand this and understand it right.

My fiance has a 2001 Toyota. When he drives over the border with his K1, he needs to have a letter from Toyota? And this letter, that we are requesting from Toytoa has to explain that his car is EPA compliant and that the car meets US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Am I understanding that right? If so, what is the typical timeframe for requesting such a letter? This link does have the contact info, but it shows Torrance, California... eventhough he lives in Canada, he still gets a letter from them.

I'm sorry if I'm sounding stupid abpout this. I'm the details person in the relationship and I just want to make sure I've got it all understood properly. <sigh> Wow, another hoop I would NOT have known about had it not been for VJ. I'm SOOOOOO glad this "place" exists!!!!!

[trailmix 77]

OMG... okay. I want to make sure I completely understand this and understand it right.

My fiance has a 2001 Toyota. When he drives over the border with his K1, he needs to have a letter from Toyota? And this letter, that we are requesting from Toytoa has to explain that his car is EPA compliant and that the car meets US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Am I understanding that right? If so, what is the typical timeframe for requesting such a letter? This link does have the contact info, but it shows Torrance, California... eventhough he lives in Canada, he still gets a letter from them.

I'm sorry if I'm sounding stupid abpout this. I'm the details person in the relationship and I just want to make sure I've got it all understood properly. <sigh> Wow, another hoop I would NOT have known about had it not been for VJ. I'm SOOOOOO glad this "place" exists!!!!!

Hi July,

Yes, you are correct about him needing that letter. I can't remember how long ours took to receive.

You will want to contact Toyota Canada - tell them you need a compliance letter - they will know what to send. They should also be able to tell you how long it will take before they send it out - oh and they do charge you for it - well Ford did.

Edited March 16, 2009 by trailmix

[daisylynn 0]

Ours was GM too. We had to call the headquarters (as others have suggested) to get the compliance letter. It took a couple of weeks to get. When I called the dealership where we lived, they said they couldn't do it and we needed to call headquarters. So, I wouldn't chance using the letter you got from them.

[trailmix 77]

Oh even better, Toyota Canada has this information on their site:

Exporting a Vehicle from Canada:

Q: What is Toyota's recommendation for exporting my Toyota vehicle from Canada?

A: If you plan to export your current Toyota vehicle outside of Canada and the Continental U.S., Toyota recommends that you view Transport Canada's guidelines as displayed on their website www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/.

For Canadian citizens relocating to the United States, Toyota Canada can assist you in determining the compliance of your vehicle and provide a letter for submission to U.S. Customs (1994 model year Toyota vehicles and newer).

We require the following information prior to reviewing your request for a letter of compliance:

Model Year and 17 digit VIN (Vehicle Identification Number)

Final Destination State (Please note that compliance regulations may vary by state)

Date of Departure from Canada

Letter stating the reason for change of residence (eg. Business transfer, marriage, education etc.)

Proof of Canadian citizenship or legal residency in Canada

Proof of Vehicle ownership

Please allow at least 8 business days for processing prior to your departure. You may contact the Customer Interaction Centre toll-free by phone at 1-888-TOYOTA-8 (1-888-869-6828) 7:00am - 11:00pm Eastern Standard Time, by fax at 416-431-8035 or submit your request through the Contact Us section of this website.

We cannot guarantee that all Toyota vehicles produced for the Canadian market will comply with U.S. regulations. Vehicles without dual airbags are not eligible for permanent registration in the U.S. In addition, vehicles produced for the Canadian market may have unique features and equipment compared to similar U.S versions. Certain parts and service may not be available or difficult to obtain due to these differences.

For Canadian specification vehicles 1993 and older, please contact TOYOTA MOTOR SALES U.S.A at 1-800-331-4331.

Edited March 16, 2009 by trailmix

[JillA 2]

That's helpful of you Tmix!

July, I have a Mazda and got mine in like 2 days! Even though I lived in Canada, I e-mailed the Mazda headquarters in Cali and they e-mailed it to me. Awesome stuff! Anyhoo, yeah there's lots you find out on here that you otherwise wouldn't know.... it's great!

[MapleLeafBaby 1]

I heard that some Head Office manufacturers will not release this letter, until your Canadian Loan is paid out. They kind of hold it randsom lol!

First of all, do you need the compliance letter the day you cross the boarder with your K1? or do they let you through and you will need it within 90 days to register your car in your State?

If I need this letter the day that I cross, and Volvo is not willing to release the letter until I pay out my loan, how on earth will we qualify for a US loan for a car that is still registered in Canada?

Is there a grace period for the car import, or will I need it for that day?

I need to call Volvo tmrw....

I swear this car thing is becoming bigger and bigger

If my car is less than 3 months old, is my bill of sale ok in any way?

[JillA 2]

I heard that some Head Office manufacturers will not release this letter, until your Canadian Loan is paid out. They kind of hold it randsom lol!

First of all, do you need the compliance letter the day you cross the boarder with your K1? or do they let you through and you will need it within 90 days to register your car in your State?

If I need this letter the day that I cross, and Volvo is not willing to release the letter until I pay out my loan, how on earth will we qualify for a US loan for a car that is still registered in Canada?

Is there a grace period for the car import, or will I need it for that day?

I need to call Volvo tmrw....

I swear this car thing is becoming bigger and bigger

If my car is less than 3 months old, is my bill of sale ok in any way?

Well they may let you through with the car and you can "import" it later.... but the problem about that is that you'll have to go all the way back to a POE to import it, as you need to get all the paperwork from US Customs.

I don't know about the loan thing, as when I called Mazda for mine they didn't ask a thing, like if I'd paid off my loan or anything.... they sent me the letter and my car wasn't paid off yet, I paid it a few months later.

Depsite the age of your car, old or new, you need a compliance letter.

[minnew 4]

Hey guys, This is for any of you that have brought your vehicle from Canada to the US. I went down to the GM dealer and ask them for a letter that states the car meets emission control standards for the year it was built. He said well that's just a Vehicle Inquiry Check so he printed me off this piece of paper that has GM Vehicle Inquiry System Summary written across the top. Then it has my vin #, the car description, the original dealer, the warranty info and he pointed to the section that says Service Informational Items and under this section it states Vehicle Has No Current Record of Outstanding Service Information. He said this is what they would want at the border crossing. This doesn't seem right. So I am wondering if I am going to be able to us this...seems to me as it would have to state that it meets emission control standards, he said this is essentially what this says. HELP...what are your thoughts or experiences? Thanks.

Oh and I don't know if I posted in the right section....someone can move it if they need to. Thanks again!

I don't think they gave you the correct information. I had to temporary import my car to the U.S last year. I have a GM vehicle as well. It has to be a letter directly from GM of Canada and Vintage Vehicle Services out of Oshawa, Ontario is who I contacted. It cost me $80 and they can fax a copy of the letter to you and you will also receive a hard copy in the mail that comes with GM of Canada letterhead. It will have bullets on the letter, one that it meets EPA and the other the Safety Standards(DOT). The number that I used to contact was 1 888 467 6853, or 905 440 7689, 8-5, M-F. Hope this helps!

Edit: I just looked at JulyBrides link in her post and they have listed: I think GM must contract out the compliance letters to Vintage Vehicle Services because that is the same address and telephone numbers that I used when I had to import.

General Motors of Canada Limited

1908 Colonel Sam Drive

Oshawa, Ontario

Canada L1H 8P7

CANADA: (905) 440-7689

FAX: (905) 440-7644

Edited March 16, 2009 by minnew