Purchasing a vehicle from Canada

[indy_500]

Anybody done it? Truck I'm considering going and buy that's 45 minutes across the border. I've done lots of research, and from what I gather, I think my research makes it sound a lot harder than it really is... One site mentioned something about insuring it and getting a temp plate from the province you're purchasing it from??? And also a little tossed up about the tax, very unclear about that situation on all the sites I've visited, sounds like I have to pay some sort of tax (NOT sales). If anyone has done this and could share their knowledge on what a person needs to know to import and drive a truck across the border and lay it out in normal people terms that'd be great!

 

[dfattack]

I'm not an authority on this subject but since I have family in Ontario I do know some things. For one, If it was originally sold in Canada the dashboard and gauges will be in Kilometers and temps in Celsius. I know you aren't asking about that but wanted you to know in case you hadn't thought about it. Also, before you can sell a car (as a Canadian) you have to obtain a certificate showing a qualified mechanic (and approved my the ministry of transportation) has inspected the vehicle and meets basic minimum standards on their form. To be honest I don't know if they would require that for a sale to someone out of the country. As far as all the taxes go...I don't really know.

 

[G]

Hi Indy. I am 20 minutes from the border and know lots of folks that work at Customs. I have sold a few sleds into Canada but have never bought a vehicle from Canada. I am quite sure you can't buy a new vehicle from Canada but used is different. The tax you refer to is probably the GST tax. Sometimes that is refundable and sometimes it is not. If I were you I would contact the Port you intend to use to cross. Both the US side and the Canadian side. Ask them what you need to have to get this done. Also dfattack is correct in that the guages will be in kilometers. If you ever want to trade the truck off at a future date it will plain and simple not be worth as much. Should you decide to proceed with this don't be on a tight schedule. It could go really simple or it could be a very time consuming affair at the port. It all depends on the people at the port. They can be sweet as pie or they can be dorks. And for god's sake make sure there is no contraband in the vehicle. You will need a passport also even it it is just a short trip into Canada. And never ever be a smart azz to Port People. They can make life very miserable. They can dismantle your vehicle if they feel like it. They don't need probable cause or anything else. They have a lot more power than most other law enforcement.

 

[dfattack]

Hi Indy. I am 20 minutes from the border and know lots of folks that work at Customs. I have sold a few sleds into Canada but have never bought a vehicle from Canada. I am quite sure you can't buy a new vehicle from Canada but used is different. The tax you refer to is probably the GST tax. Sometimes that is refundable and sometimes it is not. If I were you I would contact the Port you intend to use to cross. Both the US side and the Canadian side. Ask them what you need to have to get this done. Also dfattack is correct in that the guages will be in kilometers. If you ever want to trade the truck off at a future date it will plain and simple not be worth as much. Should you decide to proceed with this don't be on a tight schedule. It could go really simple or it could be a very time consuming affair at the port. It all depends on the people at the port. They can be sweet as pie or they can be dorks. And for god's sake make sure there is no contraband in the vehicle. You will need a passport also even it it is just a short trip into Canada. And never ever be a smart azz to Port People. They can make life very miserable. They can dismantle your vehicle if they feel like it. They don't need probable cause or anything else. They have a lot more power than most other law enforcement.

Agree with everything you said. That's why I have a Nexus card now. Border agents barely ask any questions anymore. Well worth it.

 

[indy_500]

Grub - from my understanding a passport is not needed, just a birth certificate, drivers license, and a clean record. Am I wrong?

 

[timo]

if you plan on crossing border you definitely need a passport.
post 9-11 days,,,

Grub - from my understanding a passport is not needed, just a birth certificate, drivers license, and a clean record. Am I wrong?

 

[nc666]

Grub - from my understanding a passport is not needed, just a birth certificate, drivers license, and a clean record. Am I wrong?

You are right Indy I went there a month ago and that's all I had.

 

[chords]

MI offers an Enhanced DL that is good for all land border crossings. Maybe WI does also. Any Birth Cert used has to be orig and one with an inprinted raised seal. You can order orig on line easily, but a copy is a no go.
I thought they quit accepting Birth Cert at the border.

 

[timo]

Ok maybe that's all u need if multiple people r stating it. We went to Canada on a fishing trip and was told we needed a passport to cross into Canada

 

[Admin]

Indy-

Just wear your flannels, chook and a Maple Leafs jersey over the top and you'll be fine. Perhaps a case of Molson's could sweeten the deal. :0

 

[G]

You can still get by with a birth cert but they can be known to raise a fuss. It is supposed to be an original birth cert and not a copy. I know - if you don't have a passport it takes time and money to get one. I hear you. Again - call the Port where you will be crossing and confirm. And remember you will be going through Canadian Customs on the way up and US Customs on the way back. Check with both of them if you can. Since 9-11 it has been my experience that is more of a hassle coming back to the US than it is to get into Canada. I don't think this applies to you but if you have ever had a DUI they won't let you in to Canada. You will need somebody else to drive your new vehicle back so be sure they don't have a DUI either. Also do not wear a stupid T shirt that says ' I hate Muslims' or something. If you have a hat do not put it on backwards. Get a haircut. Pay for the new truck with a certified check or money order. DO NOT have a whole bunch of cash with you. Big time red flag. I am not kidding on any of this. 9-11 changed everything at the border.

 

[slimcake]

Bud was going to buy a dodge ram that came from Canada. Guess what? No warranty. It will not transfer to the states if sold new in canada unless it was in some special lease program. Buyer beware! Reason that one year old trucks are that cheap he found out....

 

[dfattack]

You can still get by with a birth cert but they can be known to raise a fuss. It is supposed to be an original birth cert and not a copy. I know - if you don't have a passport it takes time and money to get one. I hear you. Again - call the Port where you will be crossing and confirm. And remember you will be going through Canadian Customs on the way up and US Customs on the way back. Check with both of them if you can. Since 9-11 it has been my experience that is more of a hassle coming back to the US than it is to get into Canada. I don't think this applies to you but if you have ever had a DUI they won't let you in to Canada. You will need somebody else to drive your new vehicle back so be sure they don't have a DUI either. Also do not wear a stupid T shirt that says ' I hate Muslims' or something. If you have a hat do not put it on backwards. Get a haircut. Pay for the new truck with a certified check or money order. DO NOT have a whole bunch of cash with you. Big time red flag. I am not kidding on any of this. 9-11 changed everything at the border.

Agree with all of this. Not too long ago I wore a turtle neck shirt with "Beretta" on the collar and that caused a whole series of questions about me having any weapons or ammo on me. You need to be smart and educated crossing the border. If you are prepared it can be very simple. If you aren't it can lead to a lengthy conversation along with a vehicle search. if you get called to secondary (vehicle search) you have to leave your phone with them too. They go through it extensively to see what business you had in Canada.

 

[G]

When you drive up to a port they have already read your license before they even talk to you. They know who the vehicle is registered to and all the driving history of that driver and all immediate family. Also any criminal records or pending charges. Their network is extensive. So don't even think of lying to them about the smallest thing. If they catch you in a lie ...... you don't want to go there.

 

[mezz]

Indy-

Just wear your flannels, chook and a Maple Leafs jersey over the top and you'll be fine. Perhaps a case of Molson's could sweeten the deal. :0

Don't forget the Hockey stick ehh!! Oh, ya godda have a passport or an enhanced DL to go doe....-Mezz

 

[Paul]

I purchased a Ford that was originally sold in Canada at a local used car dealer. Took it to the Ford dealer last month for warranty work without an issue, they didn't say anything about it originally being sold in Canada.

It can easily be changed through the dash to mph, the Dash is identical to the ones sold in the US.

Guess it just depends on what your buying.

 

[dfattack]

I purchased a Ford that was originally sold in Canada at a local used car dealer. Took it to the Ford dealer last month for warranty work without an issue, they didn't say anything about it originally being sold in Canada.

It can easily be changed through the dash to mph, the Dash is identical to the ones sold in the US.

Guess it just depends on what your buying.

I had the same situation with GM but in reverse. US bought and Canadian dealer honored warranty. The only time it's a problem is when IN Canada with a US bought vehicle. Generally within the first 6 months a Canadian dealer won't honor the warranty due to Canadian's buying US sold vehicles to save money. Canadian vehicles cost more from the dealer and many Canadian's travel to the US to buy. I personally have never had the reverse situation (Canadian sold vehicle brought to the US) which is what Indy is asking about so I can't address that issue.

As far as the dash goes, it all depends on the vehicle. Older (less digital) ones don't change over entirely. If it's entirely digital then the likely hood of it completely changing over from KM to MPH is very good. If only parts are digital...only the digital parts change over. I have had three different cars/trucks in Canada and all three were a little different.

 

[toddspolaris]

Why buy from Canada? I have purchased 2 trucks from Texas and 1 from Arizona I live in Ohio. I buy them from there because as long as they were purchased and stayed in those states they most likely have never seen salt. The trucks are almost showroom condition at the age of 7yrs old. I HATE RUSTY TRUCKS