Importing a vehicle from the US (California) - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

burn_this_city · 03-05-2010, 02:25 PM

Just wondering if anyone has bought a used car in California and drove it back to Canada? My girlfriend and I are looking at buying a used 2007 BMW when we head to San Diego in April.

I've already read up on the RIV requirements, daytime running lights module, recall letter, taxes ect. Just wondering if anyone had to pay state sales tax on the car to get the temporary tags required to drive the car home? It will be bought from a private seller so I'll have to deal with the california DMV. The DMV's website wasnt terribly helpful sorting out temporary tags for export out of state.

DownhillGoat · 03-05-2010, 02:44 PM

You'll also have to check the states you're driving through. The temp tags aren't always inter-state.

Sliver · 03-05-2010, 04:18 PM

Frack the plates. When I bought my car in the states I just drove back plateless.

burn_this_city · 03-05-2010, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

Frack the plates. When I bought my car in the states I just drove back plateless.

How far?? 2600km is probably a stretch to go unnoticed.

Sliver · 03-05-2010, 04:25 PM

lol yeah. I just went Spokane to Calgary.

burn_this_city · 03-05-2010, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sliver

lol yeah. I just went Spokane to Calgary.

I figure I could probably talk my way out of trouble if I showed my passport, bill of sale and canadian insurance. But I don't really want the hassle and risk of towing.

DownhillGoat · 03-05-2010, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

I figure I could probably talk my way out of trouble if I showed my passport, bill of sale and canadian insurance. But I don't really want the hassle and risk of towing.

Unless there's an accident involved. With no tags your insurance is null and void. Not a pretty proposition.

hockeycop · 03-05-2010, 05:44 PM

This thread is a US import information mega-hub:

http://forums.beyond.ca/st/107279/ja...tates-thread-/

HockeyPuck · 03-05-2010, 10:46 PM

I imported a Tacoma from Huntington Beach back in 2007 from a private seller. Pretty simple process, I didn't have to worry about tags because the seller let me keep the tags that were on the truck. I also brought my Alberta tags from my other vehicle just in case.

Check out these websites as they seem helpful:

http://www.importcartocanada.info/

http://www.willz.ca/importusatocanada.htm