USA owned car into Canada?

Hey guys,

I am coming back to Canada (but plan on applying for an O1 visa in the next 3 months and moving back), but want to drive my car that i bought in the USA over a year ago while i was a student.

I really am not trying to import this car into Canada, just drive it there for while I am applying for my Visa.

What kinds of things do I need to expect when crossing? I have read up alot on importing cars (i am assuming that is what they will treat it as), and I have to GST and RIV import cost, etc. Do I really need to pay all that?

Also, what would the GST be on? My original purchase price from over a year ago? If so, the car has gone down in value since then.

I really need alot of advice on this, I don't want to have to pay any taxes on this car when I bring it across.

Thanks guys.

Since you will have no residence status in US, you will be expected to import the car when you vbring it to canada. You will also be expected to export it from US at the same time.

If you do not wish to import it, leave it physically in US until you get your next status.

Thanks for the reply.

I have been doing some research, and I found the website "Moving back to Canada" on the cbsa website.

I bought the car while I was a resident of the USA on an F1 visa for a years time. But after my residency, I returned to Canada, and then went back to the USA for a 6 month Vacation.

I have items in storage down there (in addition to my car), are they all eligible for the duty and tax free since I lived down there for a year? Or is that option now gone since I came back to Canada, and re-entered the USA on Visitor Status?

I have been attempting to contact border patrol, but they are not answering all day today. Thanks for any insight, just trying to figure out if I am eligible for the duty and tax free items since I lived down there for a years time.

They should have been brought back when you returned, but as long as you can prove you had them before you moved back (for the required time) they should be eligib;e for duty-free importation to Canada.

The car however will have at least GST/PST due on it, due to its value.

Hello,
I am a Japanese citizen recently landed in Canada as a permanent resident, but I still have a full time job in the US with a visa during the week days for another few years before retirement. So, I commute between the US and Canada by car to spend weekends in Canada to retain my PR status in Canada after the card expires. I drive a US licensed car into Canada and almost everytime, I am demanded to have the car licensed in Canada. They say that Canadain PR status does not go with US licensed car. Does anyone know what the exact ruling is? I suppose since I work full time in the US, I am temporarily importing the car to Canada, and should be allowed to enter with the US license. If I switch to Canadian license, then, when I go back to the US, I may be asked to change it to the US license. Please help.

it is illegal as Canadian resident to drive a US plate vehicle in Canada. But as you spend 5 days out of the week in the US i dont think you are a canadian resident.
If you have proof of your employment and proof of US residency like a lease agreement in the US that should be enough proof. Then your vehicle should be fine entering Canada as temporay importation of vehicle or conveyances under tariff 9803.

The issue I am concerned for you is that to retain your PR status in Canada you need to fulfill your Canadian residency requirements. How can you do this if you spend 5 days out of 7 in the US? You should contact an inland immigration office and clarify.

Go to my site and post if you have any questions. I hope this helps

****Sorry to Piggy Back, but the forum wouldn't let me start a new topic because it was similar to something else***

Ok I went thru the government documents concerning duties and I'm completely lost, maybe you can help me out a bit.

This is my situation.

I'm was born in Canada, now living in Hong Kong for four and a half years, with the Right to Land (can live, work, leave, enter freely). Recently, I decided I want to move back to Toronto. I am aware that if I move back to Toronto I have a 10,000 CAD exemption on my personal effects.

Problem is my two heftiest pieces of electronics aren't 6 months old yet. I'm trying to decide if I want to pay the full duty or stay another month and a half until they reach 1/2 year mark.

My question is

**1** How much duty(%wise) would I have to pay for a personal camcorder and an iMac.

**2** I have a "pro-sumer" camcorder that is well over 3 years old. Does that count towards PROFESSION equipment (which they tax) or Personal?

**3** I've live in Hong Kong for 4 1/2 years but I regularly visit Toronto, and it hasn't been 1 year since my last visit. Does that disqualifies me as a returning Canadian? To complicate things even more, I actually pay taxes on both sides. I don't think I ever formally declared to any Canadian government "I LEFT!", and every time I visit the immigration folks tell me to fill out VISTOR on the card. I do have proof of Hong Kong Residence such as utility bills and such.

**4**
Way off the track but, is it possible that I return to Toronto as a visitor and live there indefinitely because I fly around often on different projects.

Any help/suggestions would be most appreciated! I just want to dodge as much taxes as I can legally.

Cheers!

Hello .. I just moved back to Canada from the USA on 29th sept with my car. Your car has to be owned free and clear and you have to have the title. At the border they will look at the blue book value of your car.
I didn't see that you are a citizen of Canada so I am unclear of how it will work for you exactly but for myself as a citizen I was allowed to bring back duty free up to $10,000 anything after that was subject to duty.
I lived in the USA for 15 years. I now need to send the form they gave me into the main office in Toronto - Vech. Import Form and pay a little under 300 and then I will get back a package on where to go for the Emissions test. Then I can apply to have my plates change - This all must be done within 45 days after entry. You also must give them an address that will be your place of residence in Canada for the Vech. Import form or you cannot import the vech.
Hope that helps.