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.