Importing a Mustang to Canada?

[reddog2006]

It's a great idea. I just heard Ford is going to drop prices on some of their cars by 17% in response to cars being imported into Canada. They have being screwing us for some time by not adjusting the exchange rate. Another interesting thing is the dealers get pissed off when you import a vehicle into Canada but they do it all the time on used vehicles when it's to their advantage.

[Sweet '83]

Bumpity Bump...Bump!

[TheDutchGun]

Originally Posted by reddog2006

It's a great idea. I just heard Ford is going to drop prices on some of their cars by 17% in response to cars being imported into Canada. They have being screwing us for some time by not adjusting the exchange rate. Another interesting thing is the dealers get pissed off when you import a vehicle into Canada but they do it all the time on used vehicles when it's to their advantage.

I'm not such a big fan of the companies rolling back prices on new vehicles.... It will drop the resale value of my 06 that much more. It's good for people looking for a vehicle but bad for those who already own one.

[foxhtn]

Originally Posted by ryankenn

If you buy a 1992 manufactured before June that model year, you do not need to meet the stringent RIV requirements, so I'd take that into account. Those requirments only reach back 15 years, so if you buy a 93, you'll have to have the DRL's installed, and all the other strict RIV requirments. Older than 15 years it only has to pass your provinces local emission requirements and pass a standard inspection ( battery tie down, brakes in good order etc etc ).

I researched a ton before I finally found a Notch locally, and I even got quotes from two importation companies for doing all of the legwork for you. I'll try and dig it up and forward it. From memory it ranged in the $500-1000 range, with one of them completing the importation by delivering the car to you in Canada. They have their own border brokerage site on the US site, and you ship the car there.

I had my 89 imported. You are right on the 15 year timetable. A few brokerage companies own yards, not all of them. They share them with other brokerage firms. That price depends on how far you live from the border, and how far they have to truck it also Ryan. Yes, the brokerage firm does it all, for a price. They look after everything, right to your door. That's how I had mine done. Taking into account the bad roads (wintertime) lodging, gas, etc. it was well worth it IMO. I'd do it all over again.

If your bringing a car across individually, you can ask the brokerage firms there at the border, and they would probably store the car there for a small fee, until it clears customs. It takes 72 hrs to clear a vehicle, so make sure you make proper accommadations for lodging, or you'll have to go back in 3 days to pick up the car.

If you want to drive a car up from the U.S.A. and it has no plates, you have to go to the state police for that particular state and get a proper sticker. When you get to the next state, you'll need another one for that state also, and so on, so make arrangments before hand. This is information I got from the U.S. Customs Agent when I called him at the border inquiring about mine. I had to. Canada Customs did'nt know shit from putty.

The best way to do it, is to have all the ORIGINAL papers sent to customs 3 days in advance. I mean all the papers. Get the seller to send them. This includes receipt of purchase price, title, etc., all documents. They want the originals, not copies, at the border. You can fax copies to the broker if that's the way your doing it. That way when you get to the border in 3 days time, everything is done, you get your original papers back, and your car is ready. (unless it's stolen, etc,)

Another important note; you will be charged the tax on the purchase price at the border, + $100.00 if your car has air. It is payable right there at the border also, no ands, ifs, or buts. Once you get that car home, you will have to pay your provincial tax, plus have the car certified (saftied) in your own province as well. Don't be surprised if you have to pay tax for air on your car again by your province. I did. Crooked b&$%^$#@. I brought a 57 chevy across back in the late 70's, and there was'nt half of that b/s. It's nothing but a tax grab today.

If your buying a used car and bringing it across, MAKE SURE you do your homework on that particular vehicle before you buy it. A new car is different. Once you buy it, it's yours. I've heard horror stories from insurance companies where guys have brought cars across, only to have them towed to junk yards. BE CAREFUL AND COVER YOUR ASS!

[The Fox Master]

Gonna make this a stickey... good thread guys.

[Sweet '83]

That's great FM! That's why I bumped it earlier today...and I thought you couldn't take a hint...lol

[Sweet '83]

As some of you know Im trying to buy a '96 Cobra in Boston MAss. The only problem I've run into so far is that they (Mass. RMV) won't give me a temporary plate/permit so I can drive it home? Do any of you have any suggestions or previos experience? I would really like to avoid shipping it as funds wont allow it.

Thanks

[foxhtn]

Originally Posted by Sweet '83

As some of you know Im trying to buy a '96 Cobra in Boston MAss. The only problem I've run into so far is that they (Mass. RMV) won't give me a temporary plate/permit so I can drive it home? Do any of you have any suggestions or previos experience? I would really like to avoid shipping it as funds wont allow it.

Thanks

According to the U.S. customs officer I spoke with at the St. Stephens border last year by phone, when I questioned him on the exact same scenario, he said to get a hold of the Mass state police. They would issue me a temp document to travel through the state of Mass. Then he told me I would also need another one for the state of Maine. I don't know if the Mass state police can give you a permit for both states. You will have to find that out. You might need 2 permits. Please Let us know on that issue if you find out will you? I decided to have mine shipped through a broker and transport compant instead, (WINTERTIME) so I never really found out for sure, but that's what the U.S. customs officer told me.

[GT4MT]

Originally Posted by Sweet '83

I've actually thought about starting up a business on my own and looking for good solid cars in the states and importing them into Canada and selling them for a reasonable price...I even have thought about being a locater for people looking for a very specific car or truck..Not sure If I could make much $$$$ at it but Im thinking of making a go at it. What do you guy's think????

Be worth a shot.....might be the kind of thing you could try a couple of times and see how it goes without putting a lot into it...

[foxhtn]

Forgot to add, if you can get the car to the border you should be able to get a temp permit from the N.B. DMV to get it the rest of the way home

[Sweet '83]

Yeah definitly. I'll let everyone know how I get it done. Maybe I could rent a dealer's plate for a couple days or something if I dont have any luck the other ways. I gonna make a few more calls around tomorrow and see what I can find out. As far as everything else goes it's a fairly simple deal, just some extra leg work and driving.

[dil]

So you getting the Cobra???

[Sweet '83]

Originally Posted by dil

So you getting the Cobra???

Never got to go see it yet, but everything checks out good so far including the carfax report. I didn't go yesterday because I want to make one trip do. So providing everything goes well on the test drive and the look over my wife will be tearin' around in a '96 Cobra next spring... Kinda makes me a bit nervous...Don't know if I'll be able to take er' with the ol' 351W or not.

[Sweet '83]

Originally Posted by foxhtn

According to the U.S. customs officer I spoke with at the St. Stephens border last year by phone, when I questioned him on the exact same scenario, he said to get a hold of the Mass state police. They would issue me a temp document to travel through the state of Mass. Then he told me I would also need another one for the state of Maine. I don't know if the Mass state police can give you a permit for both states. You will have to find that out. You might need 2 permits. Please Let us know on that issue if you find out will you? I decided to have mine shipped through a broker and transport compant instead, (WINTERTIME) so I never really found out for sure, but that's what the U.S. customs officer told me.

foxhtn...I was just curious? Did you go and see the car in person before you bought it?

[TheUNZippee!]

This is a great, informative thread.

Although I'm not sure if I should be happy for future possibilities, or pissed off at how we get ripped off in the here and now. This sort of makes me wish I had waited until this year to buy my Stang, instead of buying it back in June/06.

It's astounding to me how a loaded GT is 39 grand or so up here, plus tax, when you can get a loaded one down south for about 27K.