Can i buy a car in Canada and trailer it to the US?

[DMC3165]

Hi all. I am considering a new project in addition to my DeLorean. But I can't get a straight answer about this. If I buy a car in Canada can I bring it back to the US myself or do I have to do all the import paperwork first. Also if the car does not conform to US safety and DOT standards can I simply tell them it's for "off road use" at the border just to get it back? Is there an online resource anywhere I can get information about this? I may be able to register and title the vehicle as a "home built" in New York state later on.

I guess my main question is can I go and buy a car in Canada, trailer it back and worry about the paperwork later?

Thanks,

[DMC3165]

Also my passport is expired. Do I need one to go to Canada? Haven't been out of the states in a while.

[Jonathan]

Also my passport is expired. Do I need one to go to Canada? Haven't been out of the states in a while.

I believe a valid passport is a must nowadays. As I understand it, they did away with a driver's license or some other identification as being acceptable. This was done first when travelling via air, but I think it now also applies on the ground if you drive across the border.

A couple months ago in September, we had a bunch of the US owners come to the British Car Day in the Toronto area and most of them drove in their DeLoreans. Marty and Trish and some others from Ohio, Illinois, Michigan, New York I think it was. You might want to see about getting in touch with one of them to double check. I remember one of them saying his passport was expired/lost right before the trip, but I don't remember what his solution was.

I can tell you as a Canadian I don't go anywhere without my passport, but it can be different depending on which side of that same border you are coming from versus going. Same for the car import paperwork. I can tell you quite a bit about how to bring a car into Canada from the US, but you'll need to hear from an American friend on how to do your paperwork going the other direction.

Where abouts in Canada are you going to get this car?

[DMC3165]

Ontario. Maybe. From long island it's only about 350 miles. Not %100 sure about it yet but just exploring my options.

[Jonathan]

Gotcha. Exploring ideas before diving in is a good way to do it in my books too.

If/when you get to Ontario and have any questions on how to do something here or where something is, etc., let me know.

[Jimmyvonviggle]

You will definitely need a us passport to get into canada. Also I just found out that if you had a DUI you can't come in.

As far as paperwork, not sure of the specifics but you will need some documentation, best to call your border crossing of choice.

[Jonathan]

You will definitely need a us passport to get into canada. Also I just found out that if you had a DUI you can't come in.

I don't doubt this part yet hadn't seen it clearly shown anywhere. If you're already here though, you can smoke some crack if you like, we'll even let you be mayor!! We're good with hookers as well... our Supreme Court just decided those sorts of prostitution laws aren't constitutional.

So, just to summarize:

Drunk driving = bad
Crack and hoes = good

[Cory W]

You definitely need a passport to cross over now.

As for taking the car now and doing paperwork later, no. You need to check in on both sides of the border when exporting/importing a car. You stop on the Canada side to send the car off, and the US side to bring the car in.

Here's (http://www.ezbordercrossing.com/the-inspection-experience/import-a-vehicle/importing-vehicle-from-canada/) a general idea of what to expect. As stated above, check in with the border crossing you plan on using. They'll have the definitive answers for your specific situation.

I recall when bringing my car across from the US TO Canada, I needed to notify the US side 72 hours in advance via FAX that I was coming. When I reached my border crossing, I needed to show proof of that advance notice in the form of a FAX confirmation (essentially a photocopy of the papers you FAXed with the date and time sent, plus number you sent it to in the header of the sheet). Do you need that to go from Canada to the US? I don't know. You'll need to, though.

Something I just found funny, is that while you can bring a vehicle into Canada after fifteen years from the date of manufacture without having to jump through a bunch of extra regulatory hoops, to do the same in the US requires the vehicle to be 25 years old. What are they so worried about that you need to wait a whole extra decade to bring in that Nissan Skyline?

What are you thinking of buying, btw? It was never mentioned. It may shed some light on exactly what you'll need to do.

[DMC3165]

Funny you mentioned that yes! I'm looking at a 1989 R-32 GTR Skyline. I hear more ridiculous misinformation about trying to do this so I thought I'd check here being we have a lot of Canadian members on the forum.

I should make it clear that I'm not %100. Sure I'm going to do this but i'd like to get as much information as possible first. A lot of Nissan and Nismo people are telling me it's impossible and that the USDOT and NHTSA have a war against the Skyline. But I think it's doable.

We'll see right now I'm just doing my homework. I'd like to get a fairly stock unmolested car. Not some fast and furious wannabe. One like this:

http://m.autotrader.ca/a/19_7677448

[LEVY]

Hi all. I am considering a new project in addition to my DeLorean...........Also if the car does not conform to US safety and DOT standards can I simply tell them it's for "off road use" at the border just to get it back? .................. I may be able to register and title the vehicle as a "home built" in New York state later on.

I guess my main question is can I go and buy a car in Canada, trailer it back and worry about the paperwork later?

Thanks,


If your vehicle is not titled as Off Road, then you can not change that fact unless you replace the frame for a custom made. Some States are more lenient than others, Texas is kind of easy to register vehicles, I believe New Mexico is even easier. If you are not planning to use it off road, then it is not worth going that route. If you really wanted for off road, then may be easier to register it as off road in Canada then iimport it as off road.

LEVY

[DMC5180]

Does the US have any restrictions on importing/registering RHD vehicles that may not qualify as Collector status?

[LEVY]

Does the US have any restrictions on importing/registering RHD vehicles that may not qualify as Collector status?

You can buy a RHD vehicle from a USPO auction, so I would say you should have no problem registering a RHD vehicle, importing it is a different issue.


LEVY

[DMCMW Dave]

There is no US issue with right hand drive. The problem is conformance to FMVSS and Emission standards at any age. That will be the challenge if the car was never legally sold here originally.

There are supposed to be some loopholes but don't try to cheat it or you may end up watching the car get crushed.

http://jalopnik.com/this-is-the-first-r32-nissan-skyline-gt-r-legally-impor-1493127416

http://jalopnik.com/5371967/feds-seize-illegal-nissan-skyline-gt+rs-in-cali

http://jalopnik.com/5433499/seized-nissan-skyline-gt+r-r33-up-for-auction/

[eagle-co94]

I went through almost the same exact issues last year. I brought back two vehicles that were not approved for the U.S. market. One was a UK model (Austin Mini Mayfair) and the other one was a mainland Europe model (Mercedes 280GE). I took the easy route though and bought vehicles that could be imported based on their model year. Vehicles must be atleast 25 years old on the day of importing based on date of production (if you're cutting it that close). If it's under 25 years old you'll have issues. Your best bet would be if the car runs/drives and is registered so you could actually drive it across the border.

I've heard that you can remove the motor from a car and bring the car and motor in country separately and then register the car as a kit car. I don't know anything about that process or if it's even true though.

Post 9/11 you'll need a valid passport to go anywhere, cruises included...unless it's to a U.S. territory. You can expedite your Passport renewal for an extra $60 and have it in 2-3 weeks.

[eagle-co94]

In response to Dave's statement above:


Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from EPA and DOT requirements, although you will still need to obtain and prepare EPA and DOT paperwork to provide to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officer in order to clear your vehicle through CBP.
https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/218

My '85 G wagon did not have a catalytic converter when I imported it last April. My '85 Mini also did not have a catalytic converter when I imported it either even though it had a 2001 Acura Integra Type R motor under the bonnet. I have the cat if it becomes an issue in the future though.

[DMC3165]

Based on what I've read so far it does seem legal to bring an 89 skyline based on the 25 year exemption rule. Vehicles this age or older are not required to meet any US EPA or DOT regulations. I also found it you can bring a car in as a "race" car for off highway use and just pay the duty at the border. But this vehicle can never be registered or legally driven on public roads. Here are a few pics of one car I'm considering

[eagle-co94]

If that car was built before 4 Jan 1989 then yes you are correct. It must be atleast 25 years old by the date of manufacture on the date you bring it in. I was originally slated to come back home in April of 2010 so in May of '09 I bought a January '85 build Mini so I was safe even if I wanted to ship it back a few months early.

[Dangermouse]

It's as if they were reading this thread :)

http://jalopnik.com/meet-the-man-who-legally-brought-the-first-r32-nissan-g-1493404343?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+jalopnik%2Ffull+%28Jalopnik%2 9

the follow-up to Dave's post above.

[Jonathan]

A friend of mine nearby also has one of these Skyline GTRs. His is a '92 model year. I wouldn't say it is all Fast N Furious, but he does take it to the track. It looks a lot like the one in the ad you posted there actually. I don't know much about these cars, so I can't really say what is under the hood in his or others. I know he is super passionate about the cars, as we are about the DeLoreans. If you had any questions you wanted to ask a current owner, just let me know and I can put you in touch with him. He is very down to earth and may be able to give you a better idea of what you are getting into versus reading the forums alone. He is in Canada, so might not have the answers for your questions of importing of cars into the US, but then again he might. It looks to be a pretty small, tight community of owners as well.

Here is a clip of one of his track days. He overlays the map and speed graphic from his GPS and some software I think. His other videos will show you more of the car from the outside when he isn't driving it.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lNvIuocf5Dk

And these photos are of my car and his at a local car show they do on the Friday night of long weekends in the summer. He told me later it was the first time he had been at a show and his car wasn't the one getting all the attention. Hehe, lots of cars out there will beat the DeLorean in the quarter mile, but not very many will beat it the photography category :)

2418524186

[DMC3165]

That's awesome! Thank you Jonathan for posting those pics and video. If I get serious about doing this I'd definitely like the opportunity to speak with another owner. Thank you.

There's a few other things I'm trying to hammer out first. Where I can get parts from is one. Even basic stuff like oil filters and brake pads seem like they'd be impossible to get. Also I've been trying to find if anyone near me knows how to work on these cars. I don't think a general Nissan dealer would work on it for me. While Ontario is only 350 miles it's still 350 miles and across the border.

There really is a lot to consider here. Maybe more then I want to get involved in. But time will tell.

[Domi]

Something related?
http://japanesenostalgiccar.com/2014/01/02/news-the-first-legally-imported-r32-skyline-gt-r/#more-29888

[Jonathan]

Hey, no problem Chris. Anytime you're ready, let me know and I'll reach out to this friend of mine.

For the part about not knowing where to get parts like oil filters or brake pads, it may sound like a few of us all did once upon a time when just starting to look into DeLoreans. Honestly until the internet came along as it is now and let us start realizing how obtainable and maintainable these cars really are, I bet I phrased a question just like yours. Hopefully you'll be pleasantly surprised to realize parts can be come by just as easy as our DMC parts. And with a population 10 times what ours is in Canada, I'm guessing you can get a lot of your stuff on your own side of the border :)

[LEVY]

Based on what I've read so far it does seem legal to bring an 89 skyline based on the 25 year exemption rule. Vehicles this age or older are not required to meet any US EPA or DOT regulations. I also found it you can bring a car in as a "race" car for off highway use and just pay the duty at the border. But this vehicle can never be registered or legally driven on public roads. Here are a few pics of one car I'm considering


Hey, if this is the actual car you are looking at, be careful, those are very old pictures, almost five year old pictures!

LEVY

[DMC3165]

Hey, if this is the actual car you are looking at, be careful, those are very old pictures, almost five year old pictures!

LEVY

Really? How do you know? They were sent to me yesterday by Osaka Motors in Ontario.

[LEVY]

Really? How do you know? They were sent to me yesterday by Osaka Motors in Ontario.

I might be wrong but check on the listing date at the bottom:

http://www.jdmmontreal.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=112

Seems to be the same vehicle.

LEVY

[DMC3165]

I might be wrong but check on the listing date at the bottom:

http://www.jdmmontreal.ca/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=112

Seems to be the same vehicle.

LEVY

Wow! Thanks for pointing that out. It does seem like it is. As I mentioned to someone on Facebook this whole thing may be a bit more then I want to get involved in. And reading about the "grey" skyline market only makes me nervous. You almost never know what you might be getting involved with.

If anything I'm sure glad I'm doing my research first before jumping in the car and heading up north.

[Jonathan]

I agree with Levy. Spidey senses went up a bit looking at this Osaka Motors website. They appear to be in Montreal, Quebec and not anywhere in Ontario as well. I searched and found a forum with reviews on people's experiences there and it just doesn't sound very good. It has some familiarity to the crooked place I bought my DeLorean from in St. Louis years ago (which is out of business now thankfully).

I'll see if anyone I know has first hand knowledge of this place and get back to you. We have some Montreal D owners on the forum here as well and maybe they will chime in.