Importing a car (with no engine) from us to canada
 

Hi

I recently found a car in the us which the seller is selling as a complete parts car.

I was wondering if i did buy the car and brought it over to BC and installed an engine in it could i register it as a BC Canadian car?

Are there other steps involved in importing the car from us to canada?

I know importing a "running" US vehicle into Can is relatively easy however this situation is a bit different.

Anyone can offer any advice or suggestions ?

Thanks RSers

Assuming you can get all your bits and pieces across the border, you can register as a BC car with a BC VIN.

Unless your car is sufficiently rare, it is a loss making endeavor.

Unless you already own a shop. Since rent in Blaine is relatively cheap, everything else is cheap.. just rent a shop there.. get it done there and bring it over. Just don't bring any tools across the border you will be fine (US side will deny you entry).

Does the title of the vehicle state it as a salvage/parts car? If so then it will be imported into Canada as a parts car and I don't think you can register it as a road worthy vehicle.

https://www.riv.ca/PartsAndSalvageVehicles.aspx
All U.S. brand information on imported vehicles is acquired by RIV as part of the registration process. Once a vehicle is declared for parts on a Form 3 or designated as a parts-only vehicle through a vehicle title history search, it is given a non-repairable status. That status cannot be reversed and the vehicle can never be licensed in Canada. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) makes all vehicle status and brands available to every licensing jurisdiction in Canada through the Interprovincial Records Exchange (IRE).

If it has a regular title then you can import the body itself then install an engine in Canada before taking it through the RIV process.

Yes, you can... I brought in a MR2 Turbo without an engine from Texas once and installed the engine from one that had been crashed into that shell at a later date.

Yes and no. I have brought in a truck without any drive train components, rolling chassis/frame, BUT it was still a clean title in the US. Explain the situation with more detail. What kind of car is it, what title status in the states etc.

The car is a clean title missing an engine. It's a 240sx from seattle

Would the process be like importing a regular car?

Such as I have to call the border the day I'm bringing the car across?

I'll probably have to hire a tow company to bring the car back. This is starting to sound like it might be too much work. Lol.

The US has changed some of their exporting requirements. I believe they now require some sort of commercial broker number you need to obtain. Then the usual 72 hour notice or whatever to USCBP for exportation paperwork to be completed.

Rent a uhaul trailer to bring it back yourself if you can? save some towing fees...you will have to find a tow truck that's willing to drive into Canada and who knows what paperwork he might require

Make sure its worth your time and money as well. With our shitty dollar and the 240 being a car that is plentiful over on this side of the border... doesn't make sense to me