Advice on importing a 71 satellite into Canada?

Hey folks, what advice might experienced Mopar enthusiasts here have for me on importing my first classic muscle car into Canada? Hoping to successfully close a deal on a 71 Satellite. I plan to use a broker for import assistance (I've already got their instructions for required documents etc.), and I plan to trailer the car up myself (it has really good paint and I would never forgive a carrier for scratching it!). Please let me know your thoughts!

Maxxx said:

Hey folks, what advice might experienced Mopar enthusiasts here have for me on importing my first classic muscle car into Canada? Hoping to successfully close a deal on a 71 Satellite. I plan to use a broker for import assistance (I've already got their instructions for required documents etc.), and I plan to trailer the car up myself (it has really good paint and I would never forgive a carrier for scratching it!). Please let me know your thoughts!

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I did it a few years ago by myself, though I know that the rules have changed a bit since. The only pain was getting the title to the US border so that they could stamp the title 'OK to export'. I think I left the car in Blaine WA for 3 days before I was able to bring it across into Canada. My only advice is don't lie on the purchase price to the Canadian border agents.

Contact a broker. I did they said it woxuld cost $75 to do they paper work

When I brought my 65 across the border, I had to give the US guys 72 hours notice. Maybe that's why Baller was stuck at the border for 3 days. When I crossed, the US guys did not seem to care and the Canadian guys just wanted the tax money. Neither bothered to look in the trailer. Seems each border crossing experience is different.

They require the title 72 hours in advance to do a search on it. You also have to go on to the cumputer and fill out information in the RIV program about the seller and car. You don't have to pay the fee . The u.s wants to track it so they can get their $$$ for people marking money selling cars"............ hence , get a broker to do it.

The last time I did it you needed to get a ITN number from an importing company like Cole International, email the ITN number and a copy of both sides of the title to the boarder crossing you intend on coming back through at least 72hrs prior. contact the crossing you are using and they will provide any info you might need.

Go to the RIV site and make sure the vehicle complies with the Canadian regs. Pay attention to what it says about "modifications". The "Canadian" part will be the easiest part, the "US" part the toughest. Best to call the US customs at the crossing you plan to use and get the details verbally. They can be pricks. Paperwork has to be there 3 days ahead of time. Paperwork can only be submitted one way - ask how. Ask if weekends count in the 3 days. Ask what the hours are you can cross. Ask what info you need from the vendor. Etc, etc.. Broker ?? I don't think you need to waste your money on that.

I am bringing one in from the US as we speak. If you want the name of a broker that is easy to deal with and will spend the time to walk you through it, pm me for his name and number. This is the second one that I have brought into Canada using Cole International, great company to deal with and no price gouging and has offices on both sides of the border. RIV does not get involved with cars over 15 years old, so don't waste your time contacting them . I would strongly recommend a broker for the paperwork, if not done properly there are fines that start at $5000, well worth the piece of mind . Good luck, and it's not as hard to do as some make it out to be.

Stanton said:

Go to the RIV site and make sure the vehicle complies with the Canadian regs. Pay attention to what it says about "modifications". The "Canadian" part will be the easiest part, the "US" part the toughest. Best to call the US customs at the crossing you plan to use and get the details verbally. They can be pricks. Paperwork has to be there 3 days ahead of time. Paperwork can only be submitted one way - ask how. Ask if weekends count in the 3 days. Ask what the hours are you can cross. Ask what info you need from the vendor. Etc, etc.. Broker ?? I don't think you need to waste your money on that.

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Just brought back one from Ontario to US, no BS, just few papers they helped me fill out on US side and I was in ..going over had to declare cash, fill out form, show them the cash ..thats it. why all the BS going the other way

You will need a broker at minimum to get you the clearance number (ITN #). Brokers can actually take care of everything including shipping to your door in Canada. ITN #, ownership, and receipt all have to sit at the US boarder for 3 days to clear. As mentioned above all the Canadian guys care about is the tax.

44070dart said:

why all the BS going the other way

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Because your government wants every last ******* dime they can squeeze out of you. And they want their revenue from that sold vehicle. The Canadian side really couldn't give a **** - we declare it and we pay the tax - done deal.

Whoa easy...I thought the problem was on your side for you guys .. I certainly know about the our Govt. sucking ever penny out of us.... but it didn't cost me anything other than $3.75 for the bridge .. and $46 CA. for lunch for two.. which is about $12 US ..........( just breaking your balls)

$12 usd, that must have included a tip, because I thought that only worked out to $9.43 ;)

feel for you guys ....... pretty good lunch but damn $$$..... got a good deal on car with exchange rate though, so can't bitch to much

All good input, thanks guys

I used Cole as well......They were very knowledgeable and helpful. My process was a bit more intense as I shipped a vehicle south at the same time, but coming to Canada was basically easy. Other than the crossing itself we used is on a TV show now so they are a pain in the *** trying to get something for the networks!

I did it with my Roadrunner. The Border guys gave me a hard time with the "sale amount"... they wanted to see correspondence (emails,etc.) that led up to the sale. I told them it had all been done verbally over the phone. At the end of the day, I paid the tax for the declared amount and was sent on my way

Jason69 RR said:

I did it with my Roadrunner. The Border guys gave me a hard time with the "sale amount"... they wanted to see correspondence (emails,etc.) that led up to the sale. I told them it had all been done verbally over the phone. At the end of the day, I paid the tax for the declared amount and was sent on my way

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I had this happen a couple times as well,Canada customs will want you to provide proof of what you paid for the car so if you have any receipts from wire transfers,bank drafts,US dollar purchases etc,bring those with you.If not,be prepared to show the ad where you saw the car which I did a couple times.
The second time,even after I showed the customs officer the ad for the car from FABO,he still didn't think I got the car for that low of a price (it was in 2011) and told me "we both know you paid a lot more for that car" before sending me on my way.I should have told him not to quit his day job to become an appraiser but I was just happy to get out of there.

I personally did it a couple of times for myself and then helped a couple of friends as well. We never used or needed a broker and didn't have any issues outside of the usual Canada Customs witch hunt about the price. We were honest every time and had proof so keep that in mind. A few bucks is certainly not worth the problems when you control none of the process. For Canadians bringing cars into Canada go to the US Customs website and follow their instructions. It clearly states 72hrs notice to them (e-mail is fine) prior to showing up with the car. That 72hrs is business hours so watch that and wait to receive a confirmation e-mail! Make sure you check their holiday schedule specific to your crossing location because of the few national holidays that are not the same in both countries.

One of the main reasons for having to go through US Customs on the way out is to ensure you are not leaving the US with someones' stolen vehicle. A very legit concern to me and Canada Customs will not let you bring a vehicle into Canada without the US signing off on it and you bringing that paperwork with you anyway. As for the comments about the customs officers from both countries: experiences can vary dramatically and I cannot disagree that some can be less than desireable to deal with. Having your **** together can help mitigate most of that grief though. There will always be the exception to every rule in almost any job. Having travelled to the US for over 30yrs for vacation, visiting friends and family etc, I have interacted with quite a variety of officer personalities. The one constant is that they are all frustrated with how many people lie to them even over non issues sometimes. For Canadians, we pay huge taxes already and that extra shafting at the border is just another money grab but being evasive with the officers can cause way more grief than its worth. As frustrating as it can be dealing with this the reality is that its electected officials who dictate that policy and mandate, not the border officers.

Again just follow the instructions closely, have as much proof of purchase price info as possible, be honest and polite and in "most" cases it's an easy process. If you end up with an unprofessional bonehead then just don't waste your money on a lottery ticket that day.