RS Sponsor LP Auto will handle the whole process for you.

Hey guys,
can I pick up a temporary operation permit from any vehicle licensing place in Washington. I'll be in Tacoma. I called a DMV there and they had no idea what I was talking about....?

^^
I found the answer to my question. =)

http://www.dol.wa.gov/vehicleregistr...ippermits.html

"Any department of licensing (not where you get a drivers permit, but where you get license plates) can issue the permit. You need proof of ownership and insurance."

So my family was thinking of buying a new car, probably looking at a 2011 m3 coupe :haha:

upon checking the MSRPs on bmwusa vs bmw canada, they are $74755USD and $86700CAD respectively for a similarly configured car.

Since the dollar is doing pretty well, will I save any money if I do buy from the USA? or should I just buy from Canada and avoid all this hassle?

11K difference? Buy in Canada.

so importing a car from the states. I need both an Out Of Province Inspection AND the canadian tire inspection? Can it be done at the same time? (Everything at CND Tire)?
Thanks

so i have a question if i get the owner of the vehicle to drive up to Canada then sell it to me in Canada do i still have to pay duty? or is it even possible to transfer papers up here?

are they charging HST at the border now or when I insure the car at Autoplan? is aircare required before I can insure it? do they run 1997 cars on the rollers or just scan them trough the OBDII port? also, if i'm buying the car from a private party which Bill of sale should I use? just a generia transfer of ownership paper I can find on google? or is there some specific one they want at the border?

Hey Guys, I'm looking into importing a car from Portland to Vancouver. Is there any way of avoiding having to spend 72 hours in the US for the paperwork to be processed? Also has anyone used LP auto before? Any idea of how much they would charge to do the import process for me? I've already found a car from a private seller.

Thanks

So in summary,
the only additional costs include

1. 6.1% Duty (if your vehicle has not been produced in North America)
2. RIV Fees of ~$200
3. Out of province inspection fee of ~$75
4. Buying temporary permits
5. Any necessary equipment change such as odometer, daytime running lights

Things like 12% HST, $100 Excise tax for A/C, we would've paid in Canada anyways.

So that's not much additional costs at all, if you can take one day out of work to import the car.
As long as the car was made in North America and you don't have to pay duties, a price difference even low as $2000 would be worthwhile to take the time and effort, in my opinion.

WEBSITE UPDATE
 

Hey guys,
new feature on the website! Now you can build the vehicle you wish to buy locally or import, read reviews, see specifications, all available colors, and then have us provide you with a quote. You can also submit credit applications, or request for us to search US auctions, and our wholesale channels to find you the perfect used car, then handle the entire importation for you.

check it out at http://www.LPauto.ca

Parts Vehicle

I'm hoping to bring in an Aprilia SR50 scooter for spare parts and an engine conversions.
Canada and US only gets the SR50 Factory with a fuel injected engine.
However the Europeans get both the carb'd version and the fuel injected version.

I was looking at the RIV site, but I think those rules only apply to US/Canada imports.
The transport Canada page doesn't seem to mention anything about "use for parts".


1. This will be a less than 15 year old model from the UK, can it still declared under "use for parts".
2. How non-functional does it have to be to be declared as "use for parts"? Can it still be operational somewhat? totally? mostly?

I know it cannot be registered here, but I'm not beating around the bush, it's just for a parts conversion. But I need more than the engine, because part of the electrical system is also different.

And before the obligatory "get a big bike" statements, I just want to say this is my little toy/side project.

thank you!

Hey guys, Im trying to import a 2009 Infinity QX56 from California, is it better to fly and get the car or get it transported here.

Who here has dealt with an vehicle transport companies? Its my first time doing this and I'm real nervous about transporting it.

I use this guy all the time. Super reliable and friendly. His prices are extremely competitive:
He's based out of Turlock, CA and does runs up and down the I-5 all the time. Sometimes, it's cheaper to have it shipped but it depends if you value your time. That in itself is another discussion. Airfares fluctuate all the time and you have to factor in expenses such as gas, food, logding (if applicable) insurance, and other unexpected variables. He's always met me right at the border at one of the gas stations in Blaine.

Edit on Thursday, December 6, 2012: Unfortunately, I learned the hard way that Bill took his own life. I am extremely saddened by this news while being very shocked to learn of this. He was a true gentleman and a stand-up model American citizen. Rest In Peace, Bill.

Thanks for the tip bcrdukes. I'll give him a call. Does he physically drive the vehicle or does he haul it and meet me?

He haul's it on a trailer. It's open transport (if that's okay with you) but he takes good care of your car as if it were his own. I've used both open and closed transport. The only real difference I've personally noticed is the jump in cost when using closed transport. :\

Customer service and satisfaction is his top priority hence why I've used his hauling services twice. He sends you updates via e-mail and/or SMS so you have an idea of where he is. He can only haul it as far as Blaine, as an FYI. He doesn't take it across the border.

^ also remember to call the border 72hours? in advance saying that you will be importing a vehicle
this is a good site with great info http://www.importcartocanada.info/

You can e-mail them the title and bill of sale 72 business hours in advance:

blaine-ofoexport@dhs.gov (that is the correct address - no typos. Address is valid as of Jan. 13, 2011)

On the day of export, make sure you have your bill of sale and title in hand.

When one imports a new vehicle from the USA, can it be on a leasing program (48month.etc) or does it need to be a one time cash/full payment transaction

you need to have the title in hand when importing. therefore there can't be any liens/leases on the vehicle

FYI - Learned this yesterday (the hard way.)

Bring a copy of the ad of your sale (if possible) otherwise, you will have to wait while they verify the sale price.

random comment, but omg:

1 USA - 2012 Nissan GT-R | Nissan USA Official Site ($89,950)
2 CAN - 2012 Nissan GTR | Nissan Canada ($109,900)

I've never looked into the actual price differences of cars before because I had no idea the difference was so huge! Now I'm tempted to look into this a bit more

Hey Guys,
I have two questions about importing that I haven't found much of an answer on.
1- If I buy a car in Arizona, do I have to pay the state tax on it? If so, can I apply for a reimbursement later?
2- I'd be driving the car from Phoenix to LA for a Wedding and then to Alberta. It'd be about a one week trip all said and done. What's the best way to register or get a trip permit that will cover me for longer than 3 days?

Thanks much, and great thread!

You do not pay state tax because you are buying from out-of-state with the intention of exporting to Canada. I don't know if you can apply for reimbursement later but I can imagine it being a messy process. I may be wrong.

That's going to be tough. You'll have to buy a freeway permit from each state's DMV in order for you to drive on freeways but it is null and void once you drive on municipal roads. They are meant for one-way trips. You can also buy from ICBC an interim permit but it acts as the same thing. This is a tough one. I highly suggest against this but this is just my opinion. Good luck!

Hello everyone, does anyone have recommendations for Subaru dealerships in the states (preferably in Washington)? heard bad things about Walker's but that's about it...