Importing cars from the US

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

Importing cars from the US

parklane · St THOMAS, ONT

Kit cars are out, but I guess it depends on how much a car gas been modified. Call them and find out, and let us know.

69SS454 · MILTON, ONT

from CC website...

Why is a modified vehicle no longer considered admissible for importation?

Once modified (other than having general repairs or routine maintenance), the vehicle no longer maintains its original factory issued certification. This certification is required for importation into Canada. This also applies to Canadian certified vehicles modified in the United States and returning to Canada. For example:
•a motorcycle converted into trike,
•a cargo van converted into a camper,
•adding a suspension lift kit to a vehicle,
•adapting a vehicle for disabled access,
•lengthening a vehicle or
•re-fitting a vehicle with a different body kit.

Be careful when buying modified vehicles to import into Canada. Make sure the vehicle modifier or final stage manufacturer has established that it complies with Canadian standards. You cannot import the vehicle into Canada without this proof.

DJD · SCARBOROUGH, ONT

well this sucks

I've wanted a factory five daytona cobra for some time and / or a model A pick up

I have to wonder though , if you went about buying a kit car in parts shipped sepperately over time would it still get in
after all , a frame is just a frame and a door is just a door until you bolt everything together

and what about modifyed cars based on something that was built long before anything had to be certifyed - like a model A
I don't recall ever seeing any crash tests done on stuff that old

fatchuk · ST MARYS, ONTARIO

I think even if you did it Johnny Cash style (one piece at a time)you will still have the ownership and getting it licensed, saftied, and e-tested to deal with and that would mean if you were doing that to-day..you would have a 2014 home built car that, would be subject to all the current emission testing and probably that would devalue the collector value of the car..at least it would for me ...

DJD · SCARBOROUGH, ONT

lol
value - that means nothing to me haveing never sold a car

I build em 'cause I want em , drive em because they're mine and when I'm done with em they go to the wreacker's in bite sized pieces that fit in a trunk or pick up easy

Bob T · BRANTFORD, ONT

Wow. How long has this rule been around and is it being enforced? I've been planning to buy a famous chopped merc. I may have a problem.

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

I flew to Wichita and drove my 55 Chev truck back about 2 yrs ago. The truck has a crate motor,400 turbo,and later rear end. When I went into Canada Customs, they didn't ask any questions re any mods,although there were a couple of border guards looking it over. I just payed the ransom and they let me go. I think this is a fairly new rule-so heads up on that!

wolfman1 · ST GEORGE, ONT

You can bring a kit car or modified vehicle in if it's more than 15 years old
In the case of kit cars ,you have to prove the kit has been built for at least 15 years,
If the kit is 15 years old but never fully assembled and has been sitting around, you can't bring it in.
Most of the rules you see are for the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).
After 15 years vehicles are RIV exempt.

slim · DUNDAS, ONT

You have to wade through the crap to find anything relevant as of 2014 registry of imported vehicles

13. IMPORTATION OF VEHICLES (15) YEARS OLD OR OLDER AND BUSES MANUFACTURED BEFORE JANUARY 1, 1971 - Vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older, as determined by the month and year of manufacture, and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971, are no longer regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act by virtue of their age. While Transport Canada does not regulate the importation of these vehicles, it does not preclude the vehicles from having to meet provincial/territorial safety and licensing requirements. Importers of such vehicles are required to complete a Vehicle Import Form 1, at the time of importation, and present proof of ownership. Also, please contact the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for clearance requirements.

A lot of the above mentioned stuff is for newer cars . But checking with CBS and RIV before you buy is a good Idea.

meester_jamie · GALT, ONT

edit lol, slim and wolfman got to the point , while I was pecking out a similar reply! .. lol

Are you guys missing the most important point...??? older than 15yrs
GENERALLY.........
Older vehicles are exempt from complying with the MVSA at importation if they were manufactured more than fifteen (15) years ago or meet the description of a bus manufactured before January 1, 1971. However, these vehicles must meet Canada Border Services Agency requirements for entry.

you really have to read the pages for the EXACT car... but most cars older than 15yrs,, buses older than 1971, and Kit Cars that used to be NOT eligible.. but they have made them also older than 15yrs now.. but you must prove that the KIT car was on the road 15yrs ago... a KIT car will be titled with a KIT mfg ... not a V W chassis with a roll cage ... that isn't a KIT car... it is most likely a 1969 Vw on the title...

Once you read older than 15yrs, generally it is eligible..
Start at www.riv.ca if it is newer than 15yrs,, this is a regulated vehicle, and there are a lot of inadmissable

vehicles that are exempt from the regulations can be imported by using this guidelines below
www.riv.ca/RIVExemptions.aspx
www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/Section2_0.htm
www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/safevehicles/importation/usa/vafus/list2/menu.htm

All types of **regulated vehicles** <15yrs and newer> that Canadians import which are designed to be driven or drawn on public roads and those designed for off-road use such as off-road motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and snowmobiles must comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA)

hope that helps

-- Edited by meester_jamie on Tuesday 9th of September 2014 10:38:37 PM

hotrod-steve · PORT ROWAN, ONT

It seems confusing to me. In section2.0 they say that all cars older than 15 yrs are admissable unless they have been modified. They also say that they will not guarantee accuracy of their rules.It would be wise to call ahead and check re a peticular vehicle. Even then you may get turned away. I am not going to try it again-too much trouble.

v8deuce · OAKVILLE, ONT

DJD wrote:
well this sucks

I've wanted a factory five daytona cobra for some time

I've been wanting one too and I'm on their mailing list,I received an e-mail a couple weeks ago addressing this issue and they maintain that they are still able to register them in Canada as long as you follow their directions!! I also had a good buddy who bought a Big Dog bike only to call the border to give them the 48 hours they required to import a bike to Canada and was told they are on the no entry list??? So he took the bike apart and brought it across as a parts bike then assembled it and had inspected here as a U-built no problems except the stupid rebuilt decal that was riveted on the neck!

Randy