Importing vehicle issue....

So long story short, Chrysler is taking their sweet time sending us the required documents to take to the border so we can import our vehicle. My husband needs to cross before a certain day or he won't be with us for Christmas. He is going in on a H1B visa... can he bring the vehicle in and go back and import later? He would just fly and meet us but he is also driving our dogs down and we can't get them on a plane over Christmas (airlines ban animals over Christmas). Any advice?

Shouldn't be a problem.

Have you been able to register the car in US?

btw, you can import the car at any POE, (like an airport or port ) not just at the "border".

We haven't crossed over with the vehicle yet so we haven't registered it. So can he just say when he crosses he doesn't want to import it right now or will they ask at all?

Sorry, didn't catch that subtlety.

The problem is H1 is a three year status, and one can bring a vehicle down for 1 year without formal importation, not 3 years.

So, since entering in H1 means he is importing other things (which he will no doubt be bringing in the car), they will ask about the car. You should check with the POE at the border you intend to cross what their stand is. It is not absolutely required to import it on the spot, but the POE could insist based on the length of your status.



But the point about registering it "inland" still stands.

I have a very similar question.
I am buying a truck and intend to apply for a 3 year TN status. All of this needs to be done in less than 3 weeks time.

Question 1. If the truck is made in the US, but sold in Canada, will there only be an CMVSS sticker or can I find the FMVSS sticker as well? Will an FMVSS sticker allow me to claim code 2A on HS-7?

Question 2. If I claim code 5 on HS-7 at the time of entry, can I, within the year, get the right documentation from the manufacturer and import it as a 2B ? Can this be done at any CBP office even inside the US?

Question 3. If I claim code 5 on HS-7 and code EE on EPA 3520-1, can I still register it with the state of NJ or any state for that matter? Has that vehicle then, been "imported"?

Question 4. If the truck is made in the US, is there any duty on it?

Question 5. I am on a 6 month TN and changing jobs. Will driving down to buffalo on a new job's TN for obviously a much longer duration raise red flags?

Thanks

1. You will need the letter form the carmaker.
2. Yes, you can, within the year, change your option.
3. Regardless of EPA, most states will not allow car registration without formal importation. Each stat has different flavour on this, so contact NJ.
4. No, but there will prooably be the equivalent of sales tax in the new state.
5. Not quite sure what you mean. You have a TN that is valid for UPTO 3 years. If you quit that job or it otherwise ends, and also you will need a new TN for the next job.

Thanks for trying to help me out AGNELSON.
But I think you misread the intent of some of my questions.

1. What if a vehicle I buy or have in my possession has both stickers - CMVSS and FMVSS ? A person on the other importing car thread said he found that his vehicle did. Can i then claim code 2A?

2. Thanks that helps

3. I was asking if by claiming code 5 on HS-7, can I register it in a state? Are you saying that code 5 on HS-7 does not mean formal importation?

4. Thanks. the NJ MVC (DMV) says that if you buy a vehicle from another state while you were not a resident of NJ, you don't have to pay tax. Not sure if it includes canadians.
Look at exemption 7.
www dot nj dot gov/mvc/Vehicle/VehiclesExempt.htm


5. What i am asking is not related to car importation. I got a TN good for 6 months from my current employer, A. I have been given a job letter from a new Employer B for a 3 year TN. Do I have a greater risk than normal of being denied?

Thanks

1. I would think it unlikley that there would be such a sticker, even if made in US. But, sure, if there was such a sticker, why not.

3. Yes, there is a distinction between temporary importation, and formal importation. Also the condition of 5 require Cdn registration and residence, and ptrevents re-sale, which is the majopr stumbling block to state registration: how do you show de-registration in canada without importing the car, is often the argument. Call the state

4. Probably not credited. You can always call the state. The way they track this is by you demonstrating you paid the state tax in taht other state. They might not accept this evidence from canada (assuming you paid it there). Each state is different. There are many vehicle/DL agreemnts which all 50 states are a party too, but each state deals with each province independently. Time since purchase would also be taken into account.

5. I know this was a TN question. Where did I mention anyting about your car? But I now understand that you HAVE a 6-month TN and WANT a 3-year TN. I don't see anything that would affect getting 3-year TN. temporary is still temporary. I will add though, as I mentioned to the original poster, that it may be more difficult to claim temporary entry of less than a year (Box 5) when you have a 3-year TN.

Hi,

I live in Vancouver, BC and i am heading to the WA border to get my TN visa for 1 year. For now I thought I take my dad's car for 2 weeks. After 2 weeks, I come back to Canada and buy a car here. or buy a car in the States!

Would there be any problem taking his car and stuff? Would i go through the same "import" process Even if i want to used it for 2 weeks? I saw you guys post saying import applies when I take the car for 1 year. I'm just worried they might say "I am lying and I wouldn't return the car or something". Then I have no proof!

If this was doable, for how long would i be able to use his car in the states?
I don' know my situation!

Thanks

Check the washington state law. New Jersey, where I am, requires that you plate and insure the vehicle in no less than 2 weeks. You can get away with it saying that you are visiting, but if you are in a serious accident and any kind of investigation starts, then you're obviously not visiting. Make sure you stay in a hotel until the 2 weeks are up.