| It has been said that Canadians are "among the | | | | running lights. One more recent addition to the lists is |
| stupidest people in the world". Recent car pricing, in | | | | for a simple recall clearance letter. The recall clearance |
| view of a rising Canadian "Loonie Dollar" is somewhat | | | | letter sates that the vehicle has no outstanding recalls |
| out of whack. For the most part a Canadian dollar in | | | | by the manufacturer on it. The recall clearance letter |
| February 2008 trades at par - that is an American | | | | must be on official letterhead from either the dealer or |
| dollar roughly equals a Canadian dollar all things being | | | | manufacture. Either can simply issue the letter. |
| equal. A Canadian shopping in the U.S.A. for a car and | | | | However the letter is mandatory at the time of entry, |
| then bringing it in, (importing the car), through relatively | | | | in order to pass the Canadian border clearance |
| standardized channels can save a wallop of cash. For | | | | process. Even though the car is your property you |
| example - an Acura MDX models starts at $ 40,000 in | | | | must receive export clearance from the U.S. border |
| the US but $ 54,000 in Canada. The humorous part so | | | | authorities too "export'" the car, if it is to leave the U.S. |
| to speak is that this car is made and manufactured in | | | | Simply fax the appropriate U.S. border post's vehicle |
| Canada, even with all kinds of federal and provincial | | | | export fax phone number at least 72 hours before |
| government support and informal subsidies. In effect all | | | | arrival. Next, after receiving clearance follow the |
| the poor, luckless Canadian is doing is repatriating the | | | | process outlined on the Riv site at the Canadian |
| Canadian citizen back home. Importing a car from the | | | | Border Port of entry. Not all Canadian border posts |
| U.S. into Canada is a relatively simple matter and | | | | are set up for this process. Generally the larger entry |
| process. First the prospective buyer researches his | | | | ports are. You will be asked to provide documentation |
| car in a standard and normal sense. Next he or she | | | | as indicated on the Riv site. Title, documentation and |
| should check with the Canadian Government agency | | | | sales receipts are required. You will need a valid |
| to check and verify if the car, truck or S.U.V. vehicle | | | | Canadian address to be eligible for this process. You |
| that they wish to import is admissible. The website is | | | | will be billed by Canada customs a Riv fee of |
| easily found, in a standard manner, from the Canadian | | | | approximately $ 300, General Sales Tax (G.S.T.) on |
| Government Department "The Registrar of Foreign | | | | the price of the vehicle. In addition, depending on the |
| Motor Vehicles "or Riv for short. The website can be | | | | origin of manufacture of the car you will be required to |
| found at . Prominent on the front page of the Riv.ca | | | | pay 6.1 % duty if the car is not made within the |
| website is "Importing a U.S. Vehicle into Canada Find | | | | NAFTA Free Trade Zone (U.S.A., Canada and |
| out how." The Riv's process states to check and | | | | Mexico). G.S.T. in 2008 now runs at 5 %. Provincial |
| verify: that your vehicle is admissible and can be | | | | Sales Tax payment will vary depending on the |
| modified to meet Canadian requirements by checking | | | | province of the owner and importer of the vehicle. |
| Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from | | | | Interestingly enough if the car is a "Classic Car", older |
| the United States. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles | | | | than 15 years of age; the car will fall in a different and |
| program regulates only vehicles originally manufactured | | | | much simpler procedure with few requirements and |
| for the U.S. market. Vehicles originally manufactured to | | | | inspection. It all depends on the rules and modifications |
| standards other than the U.S. or Canada, are | | | | for that vehicle as stated on the Riv website. If in |
| inadmissible into Canada under the current laws. The | | | | doubt phone. Remember that you will have to comply |
| program regulates passenger cars, trucks, vans, jeeps, | | | | again with certain regulations - such as daytime running |
| chassis cabs, trailers, motorcycles, off-road vehicles | | | | lights and other requirements in your specific locale and |
| and snowmobiles less than 15 years old and buses | | | | province. All in all importing a car into Canada from the |
| manufactured after January 1, 1971. For information on | | | | United States can be a fairly easy and straightforward |
| the importation of vehicles into Canada from countries | | | | affair, even if you do it yourself, without the need for a |
| other than the United States, go to Transport | | | | broker. Two factors come into play - always verify |
| Canada's web site as well as Canada Border | | | | what the current rules are with the Government of |
| Services Agency's web site. Next in line with Riv's | | | | Canada authorities - Transport Canada and the |
| procedure is to check for vehicle modification | | | | Registrar of Foreign Motor Vehicles (Riv). Lastly |
| requirements. Even if your vehicle was manufactured | | | | always pay close attention to fluctuations in the |
| in Canada for North American requirement your | | | | currency rates - Canadian dollars vs. U.S. American |
| vehicle must meet Canadian standards. As examples | | | | greenbacks. |
| Canadian vehicles are required by laws and standards | | | | Import Car Canada Vancouver Coquitlam B.C.Auto |
| that both have car infant tether mounts and daylight | | | | Dealers Riv. |