Moving Automobiles

Moving your automobile to the US is a tricky proposition and one that should be avoided if at all possible. You will typically get a higher price in Canada than you would in the US for the reasons below and it is a lot easier to move cash! You will have to fill out US Department of Transportation Form HS-7 - Declaration and EPA Form 3520-1 - Import Declaration. In addition to these forms, there are several issues in trying to bring your automobile to the US.

Kilometers versus Miles - The primary mileage of both the speedometer and odometer are in Kilometers which means you have to pay to have them converted to miles or it will be worth much less when you sell the auto in the US.

Safety Standards - Your vehicle must pass the rigorous safety standards here in the US and it most likely will. These standards are enforced by the Department of Transportation who will have a say in whether you car meets the standards or not.

Emissions Test - Your Canadian vehicle will most likely not pass the high emission standards required in states like California and Arizona . As a result, you will be required to invest the money to bring it up to standards or destroy/deport the car. It will typically not meet the emission standards if the car was not originally manufactured to comply with US emission standards. We have seen people who have brought brand new automobiles down to the US assuming they would have no problem passing the emissions test but they in fact failed. The problem is the emission devices placed on the vehicle in Canada are not approved by the Environmental Protection Agency in the US . Once you get an emissions test failure, you are unable to register the vehicle or drive it until you produce a passed emissions test certificate.

Registration - In most states, you must register your vehicle within 30 days of taking up residency in that state as your Provincial plates will be considered expired and you could face fines for driving an unregistered automobile.

Duty - Depending on the year and type of your automobile, there may be some duty to be paid at the border when you cross.

Investigation - Be prepared for a lengthy stay at the border crossing . . . they do not allow automobiles into the US easily. Members of our firm have watched as a Customs agent checked every number inside and outside the car. There were numerous questions on when the car was purchased, where, for how much and so on. Be sure to have adequate documentation, bill of sale, title, etc. to prove evidence of ownership.

Salt - Any autos from Canada are not viewed favorably in the southern US because of the salt used in Canada during the winters and the toll it takes on your vehicle. You typically take a severe decrease in value, particularly in the sunshine states.

Drivers License - As a side note, most States require you to obtain a local drivers license within 30 days of taking up residency in the US . Depending on which State you move to, it may be as easy as showing your Provincial driver's license and being issued a replacement or as extensive as having to completely write the driver's exam and take the road test. Check with your local State authorities on which rules apply to you.