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