HELP! Car Import from Canada to U.S.

[Erin & Marc 0]

We are working on importing Marc's car and are running into problems. It is a 2011 Hyundai and meets all Canadian standards, but we need a letter stating it meets all AMERICAN/US standards. Hyundai Canada refuses to add US compliance to their letter. Anyone in same situation? Any Advice?

Also tag expired and we cannot get a new one so he is car-less until all this is taken care of!!

[at long last 58]

We are working on importing Marc's car and are running into problems. It is a 2011 Hyundai and meets all Canadian standards, but we need a letter stating it meets all AMERICAN/US standards. Hyundai Canada refuses to add US compliance to their letter. Anyone in same situation? Any Advice?

Also tag expired and we cannot get a new one so he is car-less until all this is taken care of!!

I was told by the powers that be that because my car is already down there as I use it when I visit that I can have my car inspected there locally after the fact. Can you just have it sent down on a truck? I went to Seattle for a visit and decided to go with my boyfriend to his home for a visit and decided I would go back to spend summer so it was transported from Seattle. I then became a fiancee and decided to keep it there and use the bus system here at home.

Not sure if this helps.

[Doug & Pam 3]

From my experiences (2 cars imported from Canada to US a number of years ago) the letter does not have to say it is fully compliant only that it meets the US requiremens for emissions and safety with exception of things like indicator lights or warning stickers etc. When I did mine there was this exception to the statement that it met all US requiremens. Not sure why they are saying it is not compliant. Did they give any reasons?

Try this link (if you do not have it already) it has info specific to Canada: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

[sheeshkabelle 153]

Look under the hood, if it has a sticker that it is US FMVSS compliant, there shouldn't be any issues.

I have a Pontiac Vibe and it's actually on the driver's door frame. Because I had this label I did not have to have a letter from GM.

The letter from Hyndai Canada, that it is Canadian compliant and is the same type of vehicle imported to the US, with the exception of the daytime running lights, that's all you need.

Edited April 10, 2012 by sheeshkabelle

[sheeshkabelle 153]

I was told by the powers that be that because my car is already down there as I use it when I visit that I can have my car inspected there locally after the fact. Can you just have it sent down on a truck? I went to Seattle for a visit and decided to go with my boyfriend to his home for a visit and decided I would go back to spend summer so it was transported from Seattle. I then became a fiancee and decided to keep it there and use the bus system here at home.

Not sure if this helps.

Some states will not allow you to register a vehicle from Canada with out proof it was properly imported.

[Erin & Marc 0]

The car is already in the U.S. We have a letter from Hyundai Canada that it meets all CANADIAN regulations. Although we have a letter meeting Canadian standards, Hyundai Canada refuses to write a letter showing U.S. compliance. There is no sticker on the door showing U.S. compliance. SO FRUSTRATING!!

We have been told that the Odometer has to be able to show miles and not just Kilometers. To have this change made it is a 9-10 month wait (where they retain the car the ENTIRE time) and a charge of anywhere from 5,000.00 to 10,000.00!!

Out plan today is to get Hyundai Canada and Hyundai US on the phone together to work something out. Hoping the phone conference works!

[sheeshkabelle 153]

The car is already in the U.S. We have a letter from Hyundai Canada that it meets all CANADIAN regulations. Although we have a letter meeting Canadian standards, Hyundai Canada refuses to write a letter showing U.S. compliance. There is no sticker on the door showing U.S. compliance. SO FRUSTRATING!!

We have been told that the Odometer has to be able to show miles and not just Kilometers. To have this change made it is a 9-10 month wait (where they retain the car the ENTIRE time) and a charge of anywhere from 5,000.00 to 10,000.00!!

Out plan today is to get Hyundai Canada and Hyundai US on the phone together to work something out. Hoping the phone conference works!

Wow. What a pain. I guess it depends on the state, but I didn't have to change speedometer, odometer or the daytime running lights. It did have to be inspected by the Tennessee highway patrol. All he did was honk the horn, looked around it and signed a piece of paper.

Also the compliance label can be under the hood or the underside of the hood itself. GM just happens to put them in the door frame.

[Flames9_RN 358]

I'm sure u have looked---but the stamp is sometimes found in the hood//engine compartment!! And I know of 1 case where the POE officer would not accept the stamp! I think they were crossing from Alberta. The Joys of immigration,lol

[brooksie 3]

check for the stamp and take the latter to your nearest POE and see if they will import it off what you have. imports are done by CBP not by the sate DL office

[Erin & Marc 0]

We crossed over in Houlton, Maine. We had the letter from Canada but there was no sticker on the car. The Boarder officer told us we were good to go but that we had a year to import the vehicle at our local office. My husband went to the local office with the letter and apparently it is not sufficient. It MUST say that it is US compliant - NO WAY AROUND IT! So we are chasing any and all leads we can for a solution, but fear that we will have to return the vehicle to Canada to sell

[at long last 58]

We crossed over in Houlton, Maine. We had the letter from Canada but there was no sticker on the car. The Boarder officer told us we were good to go but that we had a year to import the vehicle at our local office. My husband went to the local office with the letter and apparently it is not sufficient. It MUST say that it is US compliant - NO WAY AROUND IT! So we are chasing any and all leads we can for a solution, but fear that we will have to return the vehicle to Canada to sell

When I called they told me it can be inspected at the local inspection place and if it is compliant to US standards you will be given documentation then you can finish the paperwork for the import without leaving the country. This is information with CT. I will see if I can find the website where I got the information. I also emailed them and they sent all the needed information on what to do.

Terri

what a mess it is eh?...

Terri

[Erin & Marc 0]

The prob is Oklahoma does not do inspections, so we will have to take the vehicle out of state. Such a mess!

[CourtneyRox 25]

The prob is Oklahoma does not do inspections, so we will have to take the vehicle out of state. Such a mess!

I've noticed a few times you've mentioned contacting Hyundai Canada for the US letter of compliance, but have you called Hyundai America? I know when I was looking at importing my car, I called VW Canada and they gave me the number for VW America. I had no problem getting it from them!

Below is a link to my thread regarding importing my vehicle. I also attached a picture of the Compliance letter I received (9th post)..

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/326066-importing-vehicle/

[Erin & Marc 0]

Hyundai America state that they cannot give us the letter. They say that they only do letter on American made vehicles that are being imported into Canada, not vice versa..

[mb3 0]

OP, you've got me scared! I'm about to start working on getting my Hyundai into the States....did you call Hyundai originally? Just wondering where to start...phone call/email.

Also, how long did it take to receive the letter, and what was the cost?