Importing from US to Canada

T

tintin

Junior Member
Hello,

I am looking for advice on transporting and importing a 1929 Model A from Michigan, USA into Ontario, Canada.

Has anyone done it themselves without using a broker or transportation company? What all paperwork is required?

I don't have a truck to pull a trailer but I am open to renting. Not sure if cross-border renting of truck and trailer is allowed or if companies like UHaul have a truck in which the car can go. The total drive from origin to destination is 700 miles. So it will have to be a one-way rental.

Do I need a separate broker and transporter or would the transporter do the import paperwork also? Any idea how much they charge?

Thanks.
 
Call US Customs in Port Huron, Michigan and Canada Customs in Point Edward, Ontario! Don’t rely on second hand information! Much of it is outdated or inaccurate ! Rules are very different now with COVID-19.
 
Last edited:
Don’t know about going into Canada but coming from Canada is a piece of cake. Stop and fill out a us customs form,takes bout ten minutes and you are on your way.
 
I can tell you for certain, all crossing are slightly different with respect to "their" rules and regulations.

I had sent 2 antique vehicles to the Huron border a few years ago and got stuck there. Value exceeded their single limit ($10k). I had to use a broker on the US side to get them in. Just more money to fork out.

Years ago I brought in an antique vehicle. Had to send a copy of the title and bill of sale to the US side and needed 72 hours to clear. Did that and into Canada with no issues other than paying the federal taxes there and the Provincial taxes when registering.
I understand things have changed somewhat.

With what is going on can you even get it across the border now?

Do your due diligence now and save the headaches. Deal with just the border you intend to cross.
 
as ford says, have your title in hand and make sure all numbers match up or else it will get stuck at the border. Canada is a stickler on titles, bill of sale etc. Must match the car.

Canada is a pain to transport in whereas bringing a car from Canada into the US is a piece of cake.
 
How would you go if you went to Michigan and drove it back over the border just like you would any other car? Thousands of cars cross daily, I guess. Do they all need to have titles with them?
What ever you find, it will be a piece of cake compared to importing one to here (Australia) where one of the biggest issues is US customs. Why they would want to check a container leaving the US is beyond me, other than the $ it makes them. But that is a whole different situation.
 
@2935ford - I have the title in my name with the serial number but how do they check the serial number on the car? I don't think it is easily visible without removing the body.
 
Our experience this year when bringing a car from Canada into the USA
Was no way Canada would allow us to come get the car. We had to hire
a broker and trucker. Professional truckers still have tons of paperwork
to do..... but do have freedom to cross. I believe same story today,

Gil. NoCal
 
Gil Sissons said:
Our experience this year when bringing a car from Canada into the USA
Was no way Canada would allow us to come get the car. We had to hire
a broker and trucker. Professional truckers still have tons of paperwork
to do..... but do have freedom to cross. I believe same story today,

Gil. NoCal
Click to expand...

Yes, I understand the issues due to travel restrictions. We are returning back to Canada and as Canadian Citizens we are allowed to enter Canada.

Do you know what did the US customs do to verify the serial number on the car?
 
Be ready to quarantine for 14-days. It would be better to wait out the Covid situation unless you have the time to go through the PITA covid restrictions Canada has. They will even send RCMP to your quarantine location periodically to check on you.
 
Do you know what did the US customs do to verify the serial number on the car?

look at the engine...........?
 
I forget the details but you must have all the paperwork forwarded to US customs at least 48 (24?) hours ahead of trying to export a vehicle out of the US.
You do not have to have a broker. All the export info is available online. Do your homework.
Canada customs is a stickler on paperwork, They want to know every detail of the transaction, they even asked me to prove where I got the cash to purchase my CCPU.
 
Bunch of problems with your plans …

COVID
Closed International Border
Availability of rental equipment in general
Agreement from rental facility to allow you
to cross the border
International insurance

You should arrange delivery to the US
side of the border from Canada and deal
with it when and if it arrives.


Jim
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top