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