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