Snowbird in Florida bring car home for the summer

Snowbyrd
New Member



Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3

Posted: Tue Feb 12, 2008 9:00 am

 

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Well for a few years now I have wintered in Florida and own a home there. I want to own a car in Florida and return to Ontario Canada for the 6 month required time and use the car in Canada, then drive the car back to Florida every winter.

1. Is this possible?
2. Do I have to register it in Canada?

Thanks for any advice.

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Snowbyrd
New Member



Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3

Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:06 pm

 

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Everything I read says a Canadian can't drive a US registered car into Canada. I guess I'm sunk

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Reba
Moderator


Canuck in NC

Joined: 16 Jul 2004
Posts: 1034
Location: North Carolina

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 6:38 am

 

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How about buy a car in Canada and drive it down and back again?
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Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 819
Location: Calgary

Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 9:54 pm

 

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You can do it the same way everyone else does it, i.e. make it comply with Canadian spec as per the RIV, and pay the customs duty and GST on it (PST too for Ontario). Then you just register it and drive it back down again.

If you get an FL DL (which Canadian citizens can quite easily) and register the car in Florida and declare yourself as a returning resident, hmm. you might be able to convince them that it's personal effects and avoid the tax (but you still have to alter the vehicle), however the US considers anything less than a year old subject to duty. So if you turned around and went straight back you would be subject to US customs duty (because technically, you exported it).

However having said all that you might still be able to buy a car more inexpensively in the US so that will save you a few $.
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Steve.

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Snowbyrd
New Member



Joined: 12 Feb 2008
Posts: 3

Posted: Tue Feb 19, 2008 6:02 pm

 

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Thanks for taking time to look at my thread. I just never knew buying a car was such a big deal or having it registered no matter where you bought it had to be at your principle residence. Maybe I'll just buy one for use in Florida and leave it here for next year when I fly down. Thanks for looking

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