**i apologize if this is in the wrong section**

well since it is nearly impossible to find a quility 2nd/3rd gen pickup in my area and since the canadian dollar is doing so well at the moment, i have been thinking that maybe i will extend my search into the northwest states, mainly Montana, Idaho, and Washington. are there any canadians here that know what it's like to import a vehicle across to canada? any tips or advice?

i have been told that if the vehicle is 15 years or older it makes it WAY easier to import!! hope that's true because that is the year range that i am looking for.

thanks!!

 

I think DRL's are required.

 

I think everyone from Canada (myself includes) is thinking about going down to get a vehicle. It was worth going down before our dollar has gone up...so now is even better.

I know a guy who does this on a regular basis. He just takes the price of the vehicle and adds 19% and that usually covers all import fees and taxes. He says its pretty simple, just make sure your paperwork is in order for crossing the boarder. Vehicles made in North America are a little cheaper to import since there aren't as many taxes. I doubt that matters though since everyone here will be looking at older Yotas. The 15 year old rule only applies to vehicles that were never available in Canada. For example the Skyline and Hilux. If the same vehicle is sold in Canada then you could import one new off the lot. For example a 2008 Toyota Tundra. You could go down and pick one out new on the lot. Sadly most of the time this is still cheaper for us even after paying the taxes and duties on the way back.


Jason

 

thanks for the input, but still a little unclear on the 15 year rule, check out this http://canadaonline.about.com/gi/dyn...to_import.html

 

The 15 year rule is for vehicles not originally sold in North America, ie Japan, Europe, etc. Everything you need to know for US vehicles is here, including a list of permissible vehicles.
www.riv.ca

 

the 15 year rule only applies to diesels, you CANNOT legally import diesels that are less than 15 years old, and if you want a diesel double cab hilux (pick-up to you north american residents) seach tyeeimports, or something like that, they can hook you up with cheap vehicles that have low mileage. but you can import any american vehicle into canada with relative ease, you just gotta know the right people

 

I just went through this myself with a 1989 Toyota pickup and here's what I did

1. find your truck (I lived in california for about 16 months and there are ton (i mean TONS) of toyotas there.

2. the title for the vehicle has to be at US Customs 72 hours before you export the vehicle (you can try to skip this step but you'll end up in trouble later if you get caught having exported the vehicle without officially exporting it)

3. Export the vehicle - I crossed at Alexandria Bay, NY (drove home) and they looked at the truck, made sure the VIN matched stamped it and I Was on my way.

4. Import the vehicle - go across the border now to your friendly canada customs stop and let them know you're importing a vehicle - you fill out a RIV /Transport Canada form and they stamp it in two places - may sure it's stamped in two places for a 15 year old plus vehicle - if not it may mean a trip back to the border to get the paperwork completed properly

5. Safety and Emission test as required and go register it.

Notes on my experience:

Make sure you have both stamps in the proper place on the RIV/Transport Canada form from customs.
You don't have to pay the RIV fee if the vehicle is more than 15 years old
You don't need a manufacturer's recall letter for a vehicle more than 15 years old.
Check with the US side of the border you're crossing at to make sure they do exports and what their export hours are - the one I crossed at was mon to fri 8 - 4 - canada customs is a 24 hr a day, 7 day a week shop in comparison

all of the above is for a US vehicle - I can't speak for vehicles from other countries..

If you want to PM me about this lemme know

 

nope..incorrect. eric-te-red's explanation is correct. 15 year rule applies to vehicles that werent available to the North American Market. it just so happens that most of them were diesels (some jdm's are still petrol motors). our govt is trying to change that rule to be the same as the USA. 25 years...i say HELL NO. at least not until i get my HDJ81

 

second that care bear! not til I get my Diesel Hilux...

 

thanks for all of the help guys...unfortunately i will be waiting a few months to get my new truck (getting my new house in less than a month = expensive). i will be sure to make sure everything is in order before hand. i really thought that it would be MUCH more complicated. i think the hardest part will be finding the vehicle then getting there to pick it up and hope it is in the condition that the owner states!!!

thanks again all...if i have more questions late on i will not hesitate to ask!!

 

http://www.importcartocanada.info/gu...a-from-the-us/

 

I went in for insurance yesterday, guy there said it was unbeliveable how many guys where going down to the us, bringing cars,boats,trailors back to sell up here.

 

VERY good information there...seems quite straight forward with a little forethought...THANKS!!!!