Working in USA and thinking of buying a car to take back

citrix789
New Member



Joined: 27 May 2008
Posts: 1
Location: New York

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 7:14 am

 

---

I am currently working in America. I've been working on a TN visa for about 2 1/2 years. I have an apartment in NY which I use during the week and then go back home to Toronto on weekends. My visa is sponsored by an American company so I pay U.S. taxes and then I also submit Canadian taxes. Given that I'm an American resident (although not a permanent resident), if I buy a car in the states will I incur a cost when I move back to Canada permanently and take the car with me?
_________________
Kishi A. Teixeira
(e) kishi_a_teixeira@hotmail.com

---

Steven
CanuckAbroad VIP



Joined: 28 Sep 2007
Posts: 1637
Location: Calgary

Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 10:21 am

 

---

Not if you keep it long enough in the US (at least one year). As least as far as duty and GST goes, you'll have to re-register it, transfer the title and meet the import requirements: www.riv.ca which usually means you have to fiddle with the headlights.

If you can't keep it in the US for one year, the best idea is to buy a car made in N America as it will be exempt from duty under NAFTA. But you may get hit with sales tax.
_________________
Steve.

---

egap69
New Member



Joined: 23 May 2008
Posts: 4

Posted: Thu May 29, 2008 4:45 pm

 

---

A few years back I imported a motorcycle and did not have to pay any duty or taxes. I had to prove to customs that I had been in the US for 2 years, which I did with old TN visa's, and I had to keep the bike in my name for one year after importing. I found real easy to just visit a canadian customs office away from the border with the vehicle.

---