Importing a new U.S. vehicle into Canada

[andsoitgoes]

Originally Posted by trilinearmipmap

I am considering buying a car new in the U.S. and bringing it into Canada. The reason is, the model I want is not available in Canada.

I have read up on this and it looks like there are quite a few hoops to jump through to get it modified, licensed, inspected etc.

Has anyone done this before? Does anyone know of a car import company that will take care of all the paperwork and hassle for a fee?

There are quite a few hoops - I work for ICBC and have had people call in and try to get it done - so if it's worth it, cost and desire wise, then I say go for it.

What you need to do, I don't know the full details, is get a transfer permit to bring the vehicle into canada. It often allows you to drive the vehicle back here. YOu can then contact an autoplan broker and use the information in the book itself to get an inspection done at any shop registered. Once that shop is done, you can get full BC insurance on the vehicle itself.

Your first step would be to contact an autoplan broker and talk with them about your options, and then the insurance company you're transfering it from in the US might assist as well with providing you details. I'm not at work, so I don't have access to the information on our systems, but here's the links on the ICBC website:

http://www.icbc.com/insurance/insura...2_register.asp

The link to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles:

http://www.riv.ca/

they've got a toll-free number:

888-848-8240

Hope that helps