Importing a Car to the US from Canada
When you are importing a car to the US from Canada, your status and the type and condition of the vehicle will determine the viability of the idea. Some of the time, it is just not worth it.
United States law allows a non-resident to import a car into the country without having to pay any kind of duty. The importation will have to coincide with the owner’s arrival in the country. So, when importing a car to the US from Canada, if you are a Canadian citizen will be duty free as long as you ship it at the time you move. If you move to the US, and later send for the car, this rule will not apply. As with most imports of vehicles into the US, emissions and safety standards will be the key issue.
The United States likes to use the term “conforming” to refer to vehicles that meet the Federal vehicle safety standards, and the Environmental Protection Agency’s emission standards, and the Department of Transportation’s standards. If a vehicle is imported into the country, duty free, by a Canadian for personal use and is non-conforming, it must be exported within one year. It can not be sold in the country. You can drive it for a year, and then must take it home.
If a Canadian car is imported into the country by a resident of the United States, it must be a conforming vehicle and a duty that is currently 2.5% of the value is charged. The 2.5% is based on what you paid, or what is payable. You will need to secure paperwork from the manufacturer to insure that the vehicle is conforming. If it is not a conforming, registered importers are often able to complete the modifications needed. Many have found the costs of modifications such that it ends up souring them on the whole import idea.
Shipping companies and shipping agents that deal in international transport are generally able to assist you with the paperwork involved in this rather complex problem, but both the United States and Canada have an excellent online presence to their government agencies. Getting the necessary information ahead of time is always recommended. The regulations are often so complex that a visit or call to a shipper without preparation is going to lead to frustration and also a need to go back and secure documentation.
It is sort of a general rule of car transportation that speed is an enemy. It is just impossible to do an international transport fast and do it correctly. You are dealing with governments here, so this should be easy to understand. If you are considering importing a vehicle to the US from Canada, or really transporting one anywhere, give yourself the necessary time to properly plan and prepare documentation. If you must move quickly, consider a temporary rental or vehicle lease to buy you the time you need to make the transport of your own vehicle feasible.