Trouble importing car

[hugedrive24]

Hi,

I will be starting Grad School in January in Florida. 2 months ago I imported to Canada a brand new Volkswagen from the US. The car is built in germany.

As I plan on staying in Florida for 2 years, I'm thinking of bringing my car with me. But I have a question:

Will I have to pay duty on the car (because it is built in germany) even though that duty has been paid already, as I bought the car in the US?

Thanks for your help.

[Steven]

No, but have proof you imported it from the US. Experienced CBP officers will be able to tell from the VIN, but you might not get one who knows this.

(Are you sure it was made in Germany? A lot of VWs are made in the US now.)

[hugedrive24]

Yes, It was made in germany.

So if I declare it as personal effect and get a copy of the stamped declaration from US customs, I won't have to pay the Florida Sales tax right?

Thanks for your help Steven.

[Steven]

I've actually done this, I imported a car from Florida then I took it back to Florida. I didn't have to pay any tax at all when I took it back, but the key point is that you must have the CBP clearance paperwork with you that shows the tariff category on it as personal effects. If it's personal effects there is no tax. When you show it to them they will see the CBP didn't charge you anything so there is no sales tax either.

You present it at the DMV when you change the title. Once you've got the Florida title then you can register it. I still had to have the EPA test etc. done though, I think it's required if the car was exported more than a year ago, so you might not need to get it done.

"Personal effects" means something you've owned for more than a year though, that might cause a snag but CBP never seem to enforce it.

[hugedrive24]

Thanks for the help Steven.

I forgot to mention something. The car is in my company's name. Would I still be abale to declare it as personal effect or not?

[Reba]

You can only declare it as your own if the ownership/title is in your name.

[Steven]

Thanks for the help Steven.

I forgot to mention something. The car is in my company's name. Would I still be abale to declare it as personal effect or not?

You absolutely have to have the title. You cannot import something that is not in your name as personal effects, because it belongs to the company.