I've been pulling my hair out trying to get an accurate answer on the procedures for importing a truck to the U.S. from Canada. The vehicle was made in the U.S. and sold in Canada. I have a compliance letter from FORD stating that it meets all U.S. emission and safety requirements for import to the U.S. I've been referred from Minnesota Customs to New York and back and the answers vary from 1.)having the letter and a stamp from Customs at the border (no duty due to NAFTA), 2.)going thru a broker and $400 U.S. plus posting a bond!, 3.) a duty of $25 at the border, then an inspection for compliance (at my cost) plus Federal taxes and a ton more paperwork? All this for a U.S. made vehicle from Canada?? These were all professional and government sources (and none had toll-free numbers!!).

Anybody able to shed some light on the real story here? The EPA and NHTSA and U.S. Customs gave me the above information and referred me to each other for more gobbledee gook. I smell a conspiracy somewhere. Or the "disinformation network" is alive and well.

 

Did you check the information on US Customs web site yet?


Dennis



It's Almost Time Everyone.
https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/sizeimage.php?&photoid=314&.jpg


78 F-150 429CJ C6 ,Silver w/Explorer Pkge
641/2 Mustang,Pre-World's Fair Car #8092
64 Fairlane S/C waiting for a 390-4spd.
68-Mustang.Sunlit Gold 80,000 miles

 

Yup, they referred me to the EPA and the DOT and the IRS??? Lot's of people out there doing referrals. By the way, the D.O.T. were the most direct and they stated as long as I had the compliance letter, thats all that customs needs and hasta la vista baby? But I don't need to run up against a Port of Entry Customs official that says otherwise (and I have already).

 

I imported a 94 Harley-Davidson from New Brunswick, Canada into Maine back in March 2001 and it was easy. You will need a bill of sale, registration, and a letter from the (in this case, Ford) motor company saying the vehicle's VIN meets all U.S. safety and emissions. This is before you show up with the vehicle at U.S. customs. Also, be sure to stop at Canadian customs before you leave and get a form (Application for visitor tax refund) where you can apply to get all your Canadian vehicle (also lodging and other) sales tax back...takes about 4-5 weeks to get the check. I had to pay the Canadian 15 percent sales tax on the bike so it was worth the time for about $1,300 U.S.
When you get to U.S. customs, they will have you fill out several forms (2 declaration forms, a VIN inspections form, and an EPA form) and they will want to inspect the vehicle to make sure the VIN matches your documentation. The whole U.S. customs process took me about an hour or so and I didn't have to pay any fees, or taxes (at customs). Of course I still had to pay Maine state sales tax when I registered the bike but I couldn't complain after paying $8,700 U.S. (after the exchange) for what would have been a $12,000 motorcycle on this side of the border. In fact, I bought the bike over the phone and then got the paper work started. It was a piece of cake and I wouldn't hesitate to do it again.
Even of the customs agents told me they buy most of their personal vehicles in Canada.

 

Sounds like it's pretty simple. Thanks for the feedback. I will be doing this in January and will keep you posted on the results.