| Here is the Canadian Reader's Digest version of | | | | insurance this can often be provided back home, as |
| buying a car in the United States for Canadians to | | | | an extension of your current auto insurance plan or |
| save big money. First do your research on the car. | | | | as a new purchase of car insurance. If you are |
| Next research the car on the Riv.ca site (Registrar of | | | | traveling away from home, the purchase can usually |
| Foreign Motor Vehicles). By checking and verifying | | | | be done over the phone, with documents faxed. You |
| online Transport Canada's list of vehicles admissible | | | | have now passed the first major hurdle of the steps |
| from the United States you can check to see if the | | | | of importing your new vehicle into Canada. Your |
| car is simply importable, that there are no restrictions | | | | vehicle will now have to be certified within Canada. |
| on your vehicle of choice. If the car is easily | | | | Riv (The Registrar of Imported Motor Vehicles) will |
| importable you may find that are minimal | | | | send you its "Vehicle Inspection Form" within two |
| modifications may be needed to certify the car for | | | | weeks. You will have 45 days from the time of |
| import into Canada. If major modifications are needed | | | | submission of your documentation to the Canadian |
| to import your vehicle or if the car is listed in the | | | | Border Service Agencies to complete the necessary |
| "inadmissible:" column of the column labeled " notes" | | | | modifications. There are a number of straightforward |
| indicates restrictions or modifications needed to | | | | steps in the process are taking your new vehicle for |
| import your chosen brand, model or year of vehicle | | | | individual certification and inspection. The Registrar of |
| take careful heed and note of these modifications, | | | | Imported Vehicles of Canada (Riv.ca) ( has |
| restrictions or concerns before proceeding in your | | | | contracted with the well known and available the |
| quest. In order to export the vehicle to Canada | | | | national auto parts and service center chain Canadian |
| (from the U.S. to Canada), fax the required U.S. | | | | Tire to perform the federal Riv inspection. This fee is |
| Customs export documents to the U.S. Customs | | | | included as part of the Riv fee - so that you do not |
| border office. Next in line at Canada Customs | | | | have to pay this fee yet again. The Canadian Tire |
| (correctly the Canadian Border Service Agency) you | | | | Service Centers can also perform certain modification |
| will about $ 300 in Riv fees and provide the proper | | | | work as well, (at your cost), as well as perform |
| paperwork and documentation to the Canadian | | | | many, if not most, of required standard provincial |
| Border Service Agency, Pay the now 5 % GST | | | | vehicle inspections. Once passed, you will next |
| (General Sales Tax) on the U.S. converted purchase | | | | present the vehicle for the routine Canadian provincial |
| price of the vehicle again to Canada Customs and | | | | or territorial licensing authority for its inspection and |
| you are finished the first major hurdle of importing | | | | approval. It cannot be stressed enough that although |
| your bargain priced car from the United States into | | | | you should be saving money in the process of |
| Canada You will also be asked to provide a "Recall | | | | importing your new vehicle into Canada that the onus |
| Clearance Letter" which will certify that the vehicle | | | | is on you to be both current and thorough in your |
| has no outstanding vehicle Recalls and that all the | | | | research and documentation. Follow all steps. Do not |
| manufactures recall upgrades have been done. This | | | | take shortcuts or foolish chances. The rules can and |
| document can be simply provided on request by | | | | may change from time to time. The onus is you to |
| either the car dealer or vehicle manufacturer and | | | | check with the relevant authorities - be it the Riv |
| must be on official company or dealer letterhead. You | | | | Canada site, the manufacturer of the car, truck or |
| will need some form of vehicle registration an | | | | S.U.V., your Provincial highway and traffic authority |
| insurance to transport the car from the sale (if driven | | | | and your auto insurance company among other |
| on the road) and as well the car must be insured as | | | | authorities and department. The onus is you to |
| well as plated if you are to drive the car from the | | | | check. If not sure phone or email to verify. |
| Canadian border port of entry. If driven (and not | | | | Remember written documentation is always best. |
| hauled by truck vehicle transport), your car will need | | | | Enjoy your new vehicle- be it car, truck, motor home |
| to be "plated" and insured. The dealer, who sold you | | | | or S.U.V. |
| your car, or the local highway department / sheriff, | | | | Riv.ca Import Car Canada Broker Edmonton |
| can assist you in obtaining these documents. As for | | | | Coquitlam B.C. |