Author Topic: Importing (Read 2968 times)

Marksman · « **on:** September 24, 2007, 09:08:33 PM »

Hello I have been thinking of buying an old vw van. There always seems to be a lot more for sale south of the border. My question is it worth jumping the hoops to get the car back into Canada.
Check this scenario say I find a van in the states go down there buy it drive it to the border what can I expect?. Do I need a passport to buy a car down there? Feed back please. Thanks Jake.

68IIIbuggy · « **Reply #1 on:** September 24, 2007, 09:10:30 PM »

Do a search. This has been discussed at length already. Yes it is possible and not that hard.

silas · « **Reply #2 on:** September 24, 2007, 10:35:46 PM »

Quote

Do a search. This has been discussed at length already. Yes it is possible and not that hard.

i'll second all of that!!!

plus....my personal experience is that as soon as you cross the border & the farther south you go...the cleaner the cars are (structural integrity & less rust, etc).

josh · « **Reply #3 on:** September 25, 2007, 12:34:22 AM »

I did it 6 months ago, just try and enjoy yours a little longer than I did mine

it's really easy, just have to have all the paperwork to the boarder 72 hours in advance and show up on a weekday before 3:00pm

Jeremy · « **Reply #4 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:05:51 AM »

Here you go. Like Josh said it's not to hard as long as you have your paperwork in order. I did this with the SC I bought this summer. You will need to get a copy of the title to fill in the application and it has to be sent in 72 hour before export from USA. With all my ducks in order I was in and out of US customs in literally 2min. Canada customs doesn't need any prior notice. Just show up with the original title and a bill of sale. They will charge you PST. They hassled me a little bit questioning the $500 I payed for it. He thought it was under valued and actually went on the Samba to check out similiar vehicles. Of course he pointed out the pristine busses worth $20000+. I told him to go take a look at the thing because it looks like it has been sitting on the bottom of the ocean for 10 years. He even called the people I bought it off. After all that I was on my way after $33. In theory you are supposed to have the car inspected in 45 days but if it for restoration they let that slide and you will need to get it done when you go to insure they vehilcle in Canada. Read the U.S. requirements carefully.

Jeremy

blaine-export@customs.treas.gov

Jeremy · « **Reply #5 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:33:33 AM »

Bump

Marksman · « **Reply #6 on:** September 25, 2007, 04:42:52 PM »

Thanks for the replies. I read the import requirments I must have adult ADD or something because that shite does not click. So to my understanding I will have to make two trips to the states one to buy the vehicle and send in paper work in advance and another one to drive the vehicle across the border. Thanks Jake.

dannyboy · « **Reply #7 on:** September 25, 2007, 05:18:43 PM »

you can fax all the info to the border....
and just make one trip

bwaz · « **Reply #8 on:** September 25, 2007, 06:09:31 PM »

I had the experience that I bought the car, left a deposit and came back to the border to get the ball rolling. I did not have the bill of sale with me, (as I hadn't paid for it fully yet) and they would not do anything to start. I had to have a bill of sale faxed to me, then I faxed it back to the u.s. border. If had either stayed in the u.s. for a few days and brought it back, or just got the bill of sale as I was coming back again it would have gone smoother. Other than that worked great. (watch out for the Canadian side trying to charge duty!) Or you'd have to apply to get it back.
B.Waz

Jeremy · « **Reply #9 on:** September 25, 2007, 08:11:01 PM »

I sent the the guy a money order deposit and this bill of sale. He sent me back a copy of the bill of sale that states I left a deposit and will pay the remainder on pickup of vehicle. He also sent a copy of the title and I filled in the official U.S. application and faxed those three things off to Blaine/Truck crossing. Two days later it was cleared for export. As for trying to go down and buy a car and export it one day without paper work it will not work. There was a list of places in the Blaine area that stored cars so if you wanted to get it closer to the border and store it while the paper work went through that would be an option.

Jeremy

Motor Vehicle Bill of Sale
BE IT KNOWN, that for payment in the sum of $_______________, the full receipt of which is acknowledged, the undersigned _____________________________________ (Seller) hereby sells and transfers to _____________________________________ (Buyer), the following described motor vehicle (Vehicle):
Make:    Model or series:
Year:    Color:
VIN #:    Style:
Odometer reading:    Title #:
The sale is subject to the following conditions and representations:
Seller acknowledges receipt of $_______________ in down payment for the Vehicle, full payment from the Buyer and title transfer to take place within __ days.
Seller allows the Buyer __ days to have the Vehicle inspected by an independent mechanic, and agrees to cancel the sale if the inspection is unsatisfactory to the Buyer.
If the sale is not completed, the Seller will retain $___________ of the down payment to cover costs and effort in re-advertising.
Seller certifies to the best of the Seller's knowledge that the odometer reading listed in the vehicle description above reflects the actual mileage of the Vehicle. The Vehicle's odometer was not altered, set back, or disconnected while in the Seller's possession, and the Seller has no knowledge of anyone doing so.
Seller warrants to Buyer that Seller has good and marketable title to said property, full authority to sell and transfer said property, and that said property is sold free of all liens, encumbrances, liabilities, and adverse claims of every nature and description whatsoever.
Seller has no knowledge of any hidden defects in and to the Vehicle, and believes to the best of the Seller's knowledge that the Vehicle being sold is in good operating condition. Said Vehicle is sold in

Marksman · « **Reply #10 on:** September 26, 2007, 05:56:40 PM »

Thanks I finally get it. It has taken almost a year battleing my wife to get to the point of buying an old vw van which she refers to ''shit on wheels''. Looking for early style camper with upright engine. I have wanted one since i was 19 I am 36 now its my last kick at the can. Thanks Jake

Type2Meister · « **Reply #11 on:** September 26, 2007, 08:46:10 PM »

Wow, thanks for the info. Brodie and the sample bill of sale. I am wanting to go down and pick up a '91 Volvo 240 wagon soon and could use a few pointers. I was really getting hung up on making two trips down (I am on the Island), but your solution of sending a deposit and having them fax the title to me could work.
BUT, my question is, will US Customs accept this title faxed to them even though it is not in my name yet? This way I could get that rolling, then go down and check the car out to make sure its OK. If it looks as good as it sounds, I can just drive it up, right?

Russ · « **Reply #12 on:** September 26, 2007, 08:54:38 PM »

Quote

Wow, thanks for the info. Brodie and the sample bill of sale. I am wanting to go down and pick up a '91 Volvo 240 wagon soon and could use a few pointers. I was really getting hung up on making two trips down (I am on the Island), but your solution of sending a deposit and having them fax the title to me could work.
BUT, my question is, will US Customs accept this title faxed to them even though it is not in my name yet? This way I could get that rolling, then go down and check the car out to make sure its OK. If it looks as good as it sounds, I can just drive it up, right?

yup,
the title can't be in your name until it passes inspection here.
so the only way they can get it is with the previous owners info.
i think they just run the vin numbers too make sure it's not stolen ect

Type2Meister · « **Reply #13 on:** September 26, 2007, 08:58:58 PM »

ahhh....I see, makes sense. Then I guess I would just need one of those Binder things (temporary insurance) so I can drive it up here then? It is getting simpler, thanks!
I just emailed the owner to see if he would go for it...we'll see what happens.
Paul

Type2Meister · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2007, 03:04:40 PM »

OK, update. I have found a clean '83 240D (Mercedes Benz) for $1600 and only 140,000 on it. I am going to send down a deposit today (with Brodie's bill of sale) and bring it up the weekend after next. Does anybody know if I need to buy insurance down there to travel up through the US or am I OK with my binder of insurance?
Thanks!
Paul

Bruce · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2007, 07:04:26 PM »

Where is \"there\"? Different states have different rules.
In WA, you can buy a 3 day permit from the Exxon just south of the truck crossing.
Does the car have valid tags from where it now lived? If it does, all you need is insurance.

Type2Meister · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2007, 10:54:31 PM »

Quote

Where is \"there\"? Different states have different rules.
In WA, you can buy a 3 day permit from the Exxon just south of the truck crossing.
Does the car have valid tags from where it now lived? If it does, all you need is insurance.

Just down in 'Warshington'...Pt. Townsend to be exact. All I have to do is hop on the MV Coho and the car will be waiting on the other side. Then we'll take a road trip up to Vancouver (BC) and back enjoying the many amenities on BC Ferries.
Bruce, this insurance you speak of (sorry to be such a import NEWB) is it US insurance from their tags? Or do you mean the US insurance I will purchase or my temporary binder of insurance?

Bruce · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2007, 12:15:13 PM »

In the USA, insurance has nothing to do with the tags on the car. Registration is done by the state, insurance done by private companies. If a car has valid tags, that's all it has. NO insurance.
Same goes for the permit you get from the WA DOT. Just a permit. Neither give you insurance. You have to deal with that yourself. That's where ICBC's \"binder of owner's interm insurance\" comes into play.

AirCooledRules · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2007, 08:13:55 PM »

I hope the 240D is a 4-speed, if its an automatic, they are the slowest cars in the world.

Chad M · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2007, 11:10:36 PM »

Hey Paul, stick with the Volvo. You can't go to far wrong with a solid old wagon, a diesel Merc on the other hand...

Type2Meister · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2007, 12:11:44 PM »

Quote

I hope the 240D is a 4-speed, if its an automatic, they are the slowest cars in the world.

When your daily driver is a '70 Westfalia (stock) it can't be too too bad!
Will report back after I pick it up next weekend...

Type2Meister · « **Reply #21 on:** November 04, 2007, 12:17:08 PM »

Quote

Hey Paul, stick with the Volvo. You can't go to far wrong with a solid old wagon, a diesel Merc on the other hand...

now ya tell me! Just kidding...I was scouring ads looking for a '90 - '93 wagon but was always a little too late or far away. I'll give this old Benz a try and if it doesn't suit me I can always re-sell at same price or more.

AirCooledRules · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2007, 10:06:45 PM »

Although Volvo 240s are great tanks, i think the W123 Mercedes is the most indestructable vehicle ever built, you really cant kill them. I have one that i use for daily driving right now to and from school/work.

Mine is a 4-speed, low mileage and it is slow, but its a great car.

This is when i first got it in the spring :

And this is about a week ago

Author Topic: Importing (Read 2968 times)

Russ