Importing a car from Canada

[carnut4life]

I'm in the process of purchasing an 81 Z28 out of Canada and the current owner, who has bought and sold several vehicles from the states recommended I use a place called border buddy to take care of all the paperwork. He said for $400-$500 they'll take care of all the paperwork so he can just bring it to me in Washington so my son and I can drive it home. Has anyone here used them before or is there a better service out there I should be looking at? Thanks, Chad

[Tracker1]

They're a customs broker, which is the service you need to import a vehicle into the US from Canada.

[1crossram]

My understanding is that you need a border broker to file the electronic paperwork for you. Most people charge around the same amount of money.

[L78steve]

I did it myself. Simple, save your $500. All the info you need is on the net.

[carnut4life]

Thanks L78steve, Is there a website I can go to and get all the required forms myself? My son and I are going to fly up and drive it home and I'm terrified of not having something done right and not being able to get the car across the border.

[ZiggyL78]

My X GF lives in Cape Coral FL. Over the period of 10 years I gave her 4 Grand Nationals and I sold 2 GNs myself in FL. They were either trailored or driven over with zero paperwork required. She walked into her local licence office and filled out some forms and that was it. I couldn't believe it! Right up till the third one I thought it was a fluke. That was around 20 years ago. Obviously things have changed.

If you are nervous about the whole deal then hire a Broker.Border guards can be quite overwhelming.

[1967Z28]

I'm interested in an old dirt bike that happens to be outside Montreal, Quebec but there is no title. Is there no way to get it into the U.S.?

[scuncio]

It is a straightforward process and you don’t need a customs broker. I can answer any specific questions you may have- just send me a PM.

[Ryan1969Chevelle]

Thanks L78steve, Is there a website I can go to and get all the required forms myself? My son and I are going to fly up and drive it home and I'm terrified of not having something done right and not being able to get the car across the border.

I have heard several first hand accounts of buying a Canadian car and bringing it across the border with little to no issues, and little to no cost. (Ontario) Some people think it matters where the car was built/sold new but I don’t think that is a factor. (Not am expert just something I keep an eye on)

Ryan W.

[Tracker1]

Different states have different requirements for paperwork - go to your local DMV and check yours. But yeah, getting to the border and getting "that Guard" can change something routine into a nightmare.

[Jeff H]

I went through a broker and they did most of the paperwork. But when I went to NJ dmv to title and register, they still required a form that the broker said nobody uses anymore. The broker had a carbon copy form and was able to fill it out and send it to me. Then NJ dmv said the bill of sale had to be notarized in Canada with the Canadian seal, so definitely check with your state dmv to see what they say.

[Tracker1]

Yes Jeff, you and njsteve's story seem to point to New Jersey being a nightmare to title a car from Canada in

[carnut4life]

Thanks for the replies everyone, I will look into doing it myself when I get back home off the road. I remember njsteve's nightmare of getting his 72 Formula titledin NJ, hopefully Iowa is a LOT easier? If not I might end up regretting this. But like I've said before, it's amazing what a guy will do for the right car.

[Burd]

I'm interested in an old dirt bike that happens to be outside Montreal, Quebec but there is no title. Is there no way to get it into the U.S.?


Take the train, drive it back to the D. Your in Lol

[aawtech]

I went through a broker and they did most of the paperwork. But when I went to NJ dmv to title and register, they still required a form that the broker said nobody uses anymore. The broker had a carbon copy form and was able to fill it out and send it to me. Then NJ dmv said the bill of sale had to be notarized in Canada with the Canadian seal, so definitely check with your state dmv to see what they say.

I also live in NJ.

Oh my, where do I begin..... I just purchased a 17K mile, unrestored SS427 out of Winnipeg that was born in Canada (St. Therese), and never left Canada. This makes a huge difference. If the car was imported to Canada and you're taking it back to the states, much easier. If born and raised in Canada and never left, all kinds of BS paperwork (EPA, Homeland Security, Powers of attorney, Canadian ownership docs since there is no title, etc.). A very good friend owns AMJ Campbell in Canada (a moving company who deals with cross border stuff all the time). They hooked me up with Cross Border Solutions, a broker out of Toronto who handled most everything. Car cleared the border and made it here in 6 weeks. Needed to wait another 30 days to get all the original paperwork needed to make it mine. Then NJ required more paperwork. Needed the ownership docs and the bill of sale notorized. Had to get everything re-done. Took 90 days to be able to get my title. Real PITA. I knew what I was getting involved in, but the car was so special, I figured the juice was worth the squeeze. Not an easy process. Just make sure you know what you're getting involved in. NJ was most of the problem for sure. Stupid laws here.

Donny

[Gordon Church]

I'm interested in an old dirt bike that happens to be outside Montreal, Quebec but there is no title. Is there no way to get it into the U.S.?I'm in Montreal let me know if you need help checking out the bike not sure whats involved exporting to the US

[207]

Border Buddy was 250.00 Cdn ( 190.00 US)to do all the paperwork. Worth every dime. It may be different depending on which State you are importing to. I live on BC, Washington State border. One of the biggest things is the hours of operation of the “Import Team”. yes you can do it on your own for sure. Just saying. Coming from Washington to Canada is very similar. The biggest thing coming that way is US Customs. They need to see the car leaving the country. Title and bill of sale MUST be in the same name. Before it did not matter. Canadian border really only want $$$$ in duty and taxes. Good luck with your purchase. Not hard, just dot all your I’s, and cross the T’s. 😁. They can’t stop us car guys from getting what we want.

[carnut4life]

Thanks for the info 207, my car will be coming from BC to Washington. Do I need it titled in my name a bill of sale in my name? The current owner, who lives ten miles from the border, says if I go the Border Buddy rout he can drive it right into the US, pick me up at the airport and send me on my way. Current plan is for my son and I are going to fly to Spokane next spring and drive it home. He doesn't have passport or we'd just fly to Canada and bring it across ourselves.

[Tracker1]

207 means the current seller of the car (the person writing the bill of sale) must be the same person on the current Canadian title. It's gotta match.

[RS_COPO_Canuck]

Stop stealing all our cars my US buddies! :)

[carnut4life]

I don't think anyone up there will miss an 81 Z28 Canuck. I had to get a Canadian Z28 since we couldn't get 4 speeds with a 350 in the US in 81.

[NorCam]

I know US Customs has some kind of allowance for a current CDN owner to drive their car to the border, and perform the sale with a US Citizen to take place and be exchanged at the border, but there are all kinds of other things that come into play such as both parties being present at the border. Some US states require a 30 day cooling period while titles are put into place, some won't allow a foreign car to be titled or tagged where they can immediately be driven, and some states do. For example, Montana will not allow it to be driven through the state if just sold from Canada, but Idaho will.

There is also a lot more to the paperwork now required for customs. Last car I sold, I was told they had to complete a lot of additional paperwork pertaining to emissions and the whole sort. All I'm saying is to double check with USBP and Customs before he drives it across and you go all the way there to pick it up. If the paperwork and prior intention to sell the car at the border is not fully disclosed by the seller, it becomes an illegal activity to complete on either side and can leave the car impounded if you don't dot the I's and cross the T's. Make sure he is informing customs of his plans before you go there to try and pickup the car and make sure all paperwork is filed in advance by the customs broker you are using.

[L78steve]

I imported a G8 GT from Canada. An AU built car. All I had to do is get a Letter from GM stating that the car met the US EPA and safety regs.
It met the EPA regs. But the safety issue was the rear view mirror had an airbag ON symbol instead of AIR BAG ON read-out. I just changed the mirror and with the correct vehicle sale paperwork from the Provence I purchased the car from I was good to go at the border.

As for an older car I would contact Wilma for his insight.