Do I have to pay for anything when I'm crossing the border?

I'm a Canadian Citizen from Vancouver, BC. I just got accepted from Art Center College of Design and I just got my I-20 Student Visa few days ago. I'm moving to LA on Dec 18, 2008. I will be driving my car to LA. The car I bought in Vancouver, BC and register in here as well. I would like to know is there any fees, tax or test that I have to done before I go. Do I need to register my car in CA? What should I do and what how can I get CA car insurance? My car is 2007 Acura TSX. Thank you for help.

I don't think you need to register your car in CA or get a CA driver's license if you are a student. And you shouldn't have to pay duty or taxes on the car or any personal goods you're taking, because they're not dutiable or taxable, besides which, you're only there temporarily, you'll be taking it all back once your student status expires.

Thank you for ur reply.I have one more question. What should I tell the officer when I crossing the border? Just tell them that I'm moving to LA for school?

You'll have to show them your visa, and they may ask you why you chose that particular institution over a Canadian one, but yeah, pretty much just tell them you're going to school.

You just pull out your I-20 and they stamp it, you need the fee receipt to prove you've paid as well. Tell them you're going to college and everything with you is personal effects.

That's it pretty much. You can formally import the car if you want to get it registered and so on but it's not required unless you plan on keeping it in the US for more than a year. Students are generally treated as non-residents so you don't need to get your DL swapped either.

Remember to file a 1040NR and an 8843 with the IRS every year at tax time, the counselor at the college should have some info on that (or read IRS publication 519).

Read this for more info on importing the car, it will make getting it insured easier: http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trad ... ng_car.xml

There is no duty or sales tax on cars imported as personal effects, it's important to get the CBP clearance paperwork stamped as that otherwise when you go to the DMV to get the title transferred they may ask you to pay sales tax first.