Has anyone bought a used vehicle in Canada and registered it where they live in the US?
I'm not talking about vehicles older than 25 years which are now exempt... say just buying like a 5 year old truck?
With currency exchange rates, it's been hovering in the 30% discount range to buy in Canada. (currently $1USD = $1.40 Canadian)
What am I missing?
http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car
If it's a car that's available for sale in the United States, it will have a manufacturer's label on the engine compartment in English, attesting to the fact that it meets all U.S. emission requirements. If it doesn't have this, you can't import it without a lot of pain or waiting 25 years.
You'll owe taxes at the border to U.S. Customs. Everyone gets $800 value free. After that, the first $1,000 is taxed at 3% and the remainder is taxed at 2.5% for cars. Foreign trucks are taxed at 25%. I don't think duties apply to US/Canada/Mexico-made vehicles because of NAFTA, so you might be fine.
After that, you just register it in your state.
I'm not an expert. I don't have a clue. I just used Google. You might have issues with your state's DMV and your odometer being in kilometers but they'll figure it out. Make sure the dealer will sell to you first; apparently Ford fines dealers who sell new trucks in Canada to people who register them in the states.
Is that heavy truck thought ie 10k+?
This is pertinent to my interests, Canada is very close.... and the Canadian $$ is cheap now.
Must be worthwhile as they almost isn't any late model used pickups here for sale - they are all going south.
When the dollar is as cheap as it is now, there are dealers that move a lot of tin across the border. So the answer is YES you can save money if you do your homework.
No import duty on cars that are built under NAFTA. Compliance wise, I suspect a lot more cars wont come this way than the other way around.
This question is relevant to my interests. Where I live, the "other nearby areas" on Craigslist often shows cars in Canada. For me it is a significantly shorter drive to Vancouver BC than it is to Portland OR.
The big question is, as a guy who likes to show up with cash ready to deal, are you willing to convert a couple thousand or so to Canadian dollars just to look at a car? If so, what's the best way to get the cash, convert it at your bank here before you go? Or would a Canadian seller be just as happy to take U.S. dollars?
Cash money is always king, but there can be up to 5% difference between buying and selling foreign cash. As in, you pay $300 to get $400cdn, don't spend it, then get $275 back when you convert back to USD.
Interac email transfers are the coolest thing ever for transactions like that. All I need to send you money is your email, which bank you deal with, and an identifying question. At least, it works great up here. You guys generally are a bit behind us in banking tech, and have a lot more small banks who may not subscribe to some of the high-tech programs.
Heres the NHTSA end of the Puzzle. http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/
You have to go through a Registered Importer if you cant get a manufacturer letter and if it is newer than like '07 or so then you have some worries about it being allowed in because of differences in TPMS regs (canada doesnt require it).
SEADave wrote: This question is relevant to my interests. Where I live, the "other nearby areas" on Craigslist often shows cars in Canada. For me it is a significantly shorter drive to Vancouver BC than it is to Portland OR. The big question is, as a guy who likes to show up with cash ready to deal, are you willing to convert a couple thousand or so to Canadian dollars just to look at a car? If so, what's the best way to get the cash, convert it at your bank here before you go? Or would a Canadian seller be just as happy to take U.S. dollars?
Canadians have no trouble taking USD.
Just remember not to cross the border with more than $10,000.
Years ago when I moved from London Ontario to Brookings SD, I drove my car over the border and just registered the car. No big deal other than buying tags. So what happens if the seller delivers the car across the border for you?
Although I'm not doing much more than window shopping, I too am intrigued by the bang for buck you get in CA. I'm partial to old british iron, but I see the occasional odd ball that is over the 25 Yr limit
NOHOME wrote:SEADave wrote: This question is relevant to my interests. Where I live, the "other nearby areas" on Craigslist often shows cars in Canada. For me it is a significantly shorter drive to Vancouver BC than it is to Portland OR. The big question is, as a guy who likes to show up with cash ready to deal, are you willing to convert a couple thousand or so to Canadian dollars just to look at a car? If so, what's the best way to get the cash, convert it at your bank here before you go? Or would a Canadian seller be just as happy to take U.S. dollars?Canadians have no trouble taking USD. Just remember not to cross the border with more than $10,000. Years ago when I moved from London Ontario to Brookings SD, I drove my car over the border and just registered the car. No big deal other than buying tags. So what happens if the seller delivers the car across the border for you?
Minor correction. You can cross the border with any amount of cash you want but anything over $10,000 CDN needs to be declared. They won't tax it or take it from you but they'll have questions regarding what your intentions are with it. Bring the car listing with you and be totally honest. You're doing nothing wrong or illegal so you don't have anything to hide. Lots of bargains up here right now due to the value of the Canadian Peso
Most of us would gladly take USD right now! 
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