Importing Caterham from US into Canada

[Arahant]

Hi all,

 

I was wondering if anyone has any experience in trying to import a fully built Caterham, or other similar custom built cars, into Canada, specifically from the US (or if the origin country doesn’t matter much, then anywhere else in the world)?

 

Has anyone done it successfully, and if so, how much of an effort is it?

 

I currently own a Caterham and I might move to Canada in the next two years, so I wanted to know that importing it into Canada is possible at all, legally.
 

Any insight is appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

[mrmustang]

10 hours ago, Arahant said:

Hi all,

 

I was wondering if anyone has any experience in trying to import a fully built Caterham, or other similar custom built cars, into Canada, specifically from the US (or if the origin country doesn’t matter much, then anywhere else in the world)?

 

Has anyone done it successfully, and if so, how much of an effort is it?

 

I currently own a Caterham and I might move to Canada in the next two years, so I wanted to know that importing it into Canada is possible at all, legally.
 

Any insight is appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance.

Typically, if it is a car you have owned longer than a few months to a year, there are waivers for importing/exporting across the Canadian border. You still may need to change minor items like marker, headlight, maybe even brake light lenses, but not much else.

 

Bill S.

[Arahant]

Oh wow, really!? That’s seems not so difficult. I thought it’d be nearly impossible.

[JohnCh]

Might be worth reading this.  A quick skim shows if the car is less than 15 years old it needs to meet "all safety standards for the passenger car class."

 

https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/importing-vehicle/importing-car-kits

[mrmustang]

3 hours ago, JohnCh said:

Might be worth reading this.  A quick skim shows if the car is less than 15 years old it needs to meet "all safety standards for the passenger car class."

 

https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/importing-vehicle/importing-car-kits

John,

 

    I believe this has to do with cars you are purchasing, not cars that you already have titled and registered in your name in the states. Regardless, the OP should use the following contact information and converse directly with the powers that be:

 

Transport Canada 
Motor Vehicle Safety

Telephone: 1-800-333-0371 (toll-free), 1-613-998-8616 (Ottawa region) 
Email: mvs-sa@tc.gc.ca

 

Bill S.

[JohnCh]

When looking into importing a previously registered "normal" car into Canada for about a year, out of curiosity I also asked Canadian officials about importing a kit car legally registered in the US and was told it was not a problem given it was over 15 years old.  I didn't pursue that line of conversation further, but I can confirm that the initial process and fees we were given for the normal car proved to be incorrect when we pursued it -- fees went from "about" $5k to double that figure with more steps involved.  Bottom line, conflicts between published information and the people who administer the rules has a similar vagueness as we see in the US.  It's definitely worth a conversation with the proper authorities, but I'd advise getting things in writing. 

[Arahant]

40 minutes ago, mrmustang said:

John,

 

    I believe this has to do with cars you are purchasing, not cars that you already have titled and registered in your name in the states. Regardless, the OP should use the following contact information and converse directly with the powers that be:

 

Transport Canada 
Motor Vehicle Safety

Telephone: 1-800-333-0371 (toll-free), 1-613-998-8616 (Ottawa region) 
Email: mvs-sa@tc.gc.ca

 

Bill S.

That’s an interesting point. Yes, it would be titled and registered under my name, and yes, I would own for many months before crossing the border.

[Arahant]

24 minutes ago, JohnCh said:

When looking into importing a previously registered "normal" car into Canada for about a year, out of curiosity I also asked Canadian officials about importing a kit car legally registered in the US and was told it was not a problem given it was over 15 years old.  I didn't pursue that line of conversation further, but I can confirm that the initial process and fees we were given for the normal car proved to be incorrect when we pursued it -- fees went from "about" $5k to double that figure with more steps involved.  Bottom line, conflicts between published information and the people who administer the rules has a similar vagueness as we see in the US.  It's definitely worth a conversation with the proper authorities, but I'd advise getting things in writing. 

Got it. I’ll contact them directly

[IamScotticus]

Consult a Customs Broker who knows Canadian customs law.

AND what is required for U.S. customs for the return.

I should know, Im in the business, sort of...

But I don't know that side of the business well enough to advise you except that I have seen several instances of people loosing thier goods because they tried to do it themselves. 

NO.

Seek professional help from the people who do this everyday and know the rules.

[Bob.Dobos]

On 9/11/2023 at 7:32 PM, Arahant said:

Hi

If the vehicle is over 25 years the process is easy. I have some detail and costs on the process that I used when importing mine from Washington State to BC in the blog below.    https://rmdlotus7.blogspot.com/?m=1

 

If you can register something in the USA as a "1973 Lotus s3" it will make your importing process a breeze.  Anything over 25 years is exempt from federal inspection and you will only require a provincial inspection.    A couple examples are  federal inspection requires headlights lights at set minimum height, bumpers at a set height.  On the provincial inspection form it says headlight (check box it has headlights), under bumpers (checkbox N/A)...

 

Definatwly use an importer so that they get the USA 72 hour clearance and use the paperless import process.  Import fee was $250,  shipping $800  and sales taxes are based on the value you set on the import form. 

 

Good luck.

Bob

[theDreamer]

17 minutes ago, Bob.Dobos said:

If the vehicle is over 25 years the process is easy. I have some detail and costs on the process that I used when importing mine from Washington State to BC in the blog below.    https://rmdlotus7.blogspot.com/?m=1

 

If you can register something in the USA as a "1973 Lotus s3" it will make your importing process a breeze.  Anything over 25 years is exempt from federal inspection and you will only require a provincial inspection.    A couple examples are  federal inspection requires headlights lights at set minimum height, bumpers at a set height.  On the provincial inspection form it says headlight (check box it has headlights), under bumpers (checkbox N/A)...

 

Definatwly use an importer so that they get the USA 72 hour clearance and use the paperless import process.  Import fee was $250,  shipping $800  and sales taxes are based on the value you set on the import form. 

 

Good luck.

Bob

What 25 years? In Canada it's 15 according to the RIV.

All vehicles (except buses) that are 15 years old or more from the date of manufacture, are exempt from the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program.

Also, I do not see your notes on importing in that link. (I am old and maybe just blind...)

[Bob.Dobos]

On the blog select 2020 the year I imported my car.  There is a link in that section that talks about the import and inspection process.    I will go grab my registration and import forms from the garage and verify the years (15 or 25) that was on the forms the inspector, cbsa and icbc gave me.  

 

Bob

[Arahant]

3 hours ago, Bob.Dobos said:

If the vehicle is over 25 years the process is easy. I have some detail and costs on the process that I used when importing mine from Washington State to BC in the blog below.    https://rmdlotus7.blogspot.com/?m=1

 

If you can register something in the USA as a "1973 Lotus s3" it will make your importing process a breeze.  Anything over 25 years is exempt from federal inspection and you will only require a provincial inspection.    A couple examples are  federal inspection requires headlights lights at set minimum height, bumpers at a set height.  On the provincial inspection form it says headlight (check box it has headlights), under bumpers (checkbox N/A)...

 

Definatwly use an importer so that they get the USA 72 hour clearance and use the paperless import process.  Import fee was $250,  shipping $800  and sales taxes are based on the value you set on the import form. 

 

Good luck.

Bob

Gotcha. Thanks Bob. Yeah, the one I was looking at was a definitely newer one. 

[jbcollier]

If you are MOVING to Canada, you are allowed to bring personal possessions.  Vehicles will have to pass a provincial Out-Of-Province inspection.  That will mean daytime running lights, high mounted brake lights, and a few other things.  Usually not a big deal.  Though the rest of the car has to be in excellent shape (brakes, suspension, etc).  You can’t move to Canada and bring in 20 cars on spec, even if you “own” them.  Personal possessions are narrowly defined.  You should not have to pay any taxes.

 

If you are IMPORTING a car into Canada, it has to be homologated for the Canadian market or it simply can’t come in.  Cars homologated for the Canadian market but built to another country’s specs, have to have “some” modifications performed to bring them to Canadian spec.  Sometimes this is as simple as using software to switch the dash to metric readings.  Often though, this involves changing dash assemblies, wiring harnesses, etc: $$$$.  Taxes, both GST and PST apply.

 

The only exception to this importing rule is if the car is 15 years old or older.  Then you are back to the provincial OPI and the taxes.

 

At one point I wanted to bring in from the US a modern Vespa scooter.  As the Vespa hadn’t been homologated for Canada yet, the answer was a flat no.  The scoot would have been seized and crushed.  Had I owned one and moved to Canada, it would have been ok.  After homologation, when importing, you would still have to have a metric dash and other mods performed.

 

Short of fraud, there are no exceptions to the 15 year rule.

Edited October 28, 2023 by jbcollier

[das76]

@Arahant any update on your project ?

 

I can write up my painless experience importing a 2005 Caterham from USA to BC if it’s helpful for anyone. My friend also brought in a UK 2002 Caterham and also had a painless experience. It’s pretty easy. 
 

what year is your car ?

Which province would you be moving to?

 

its def a 15 year rule so if it’s newer than 15 years you are out of luck. CBSA won’t allow it in. 
 

@Bob.Dobos I’m also in Victoria. Send me a direct message on here if you’d like to drive sometime. I do some drives with 3 other Se7en owners here in Victoria. I can add you to our WhatsApp chat if you’d like. 

Edited February 16 by das76