Canada: Importing cars and taxes

[Wannes]

Hey,

I'll probably need to move to Canada soon for a year or two. Now, I have an "old" Audi RS6 C5 here which I'd never want to sell, as a matter of fact I would like to take it with me. It's still registered in Germany (on the company's office there) and I would like to import it into Canada.

Now I'm asking you, probably a Canadian member, whether this is possible. I would like to know how much it will cost to import it (I have the shipping costs) and how much I'll pay for insurance and taxes.

Can anyone help me out please?

Regards,

James

[MR_Candyman]

well you won't have taxes as if you purchased it. You would have to get it shipped here and get it inspected for both an out of country inspection and an out of province inspection (about $500 for both together here). You will then need to register it (it's cheap, 70 bucks or so in Alberta). Your insurance rate will vary depending on age, driving history, if you took a class (though I'm not sure if an out of country course will award you any benefit or not), vehicle, type of insurance. Nobody can really give you an estimate but an insurance agent.

[zivan56]

From:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation..._e.htm#visitors

VISITORS AND TOURISTS TO CANADA

Under Section 7(1)(b) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a motor vehicle may be admitted temporarily into Canada without complying with the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations if it is to be used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor or a person passing through Canada to another country. Persons entering under a work permit or student visa will be considered as visitors for the application of this section of the Act. Any change in the status of the person entering the vehicle may invalidate the use of this section of the Act. The vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada and cannot remain in Canada for a period longer than the time constraints listed on the work permit, student visa or any other Customs documents. Once these time limits are exceeded, the vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary entry under section 7(1)(b) of the Act and must be exported. As the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency also has requirements concerning the importation of vehicles, you may contact them at the address listed below.

More info: http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/menu.htm

[ctebah]

how old is the car?

there are some rules in canada where you cannot import a car under 15 years of age. importing a car into canada from us and from europe are two very different scenarios. usually they will be more lenient at the border with US cars but if it's coming from japan or from europe in your case, you might face some hardship.

google importing cars to canada and you will find lots of information.

[Fred Derf Veteran]

http://www.riv.ca/

That's US to Canada but it may give you some insight.

Outside of the US to Canada info is here:

http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/impxus_e.htm

Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971.

[Wannes]

Allright guys, I'll look into the documentation. I'd just hate to sell this piece of nostalgia. ;)

[Joel]

well you won't have taxes as if you purchased it.

Taxes would be based on book value (assuming they accept the car). Of course they would tax it. When was the last time you imported something at Customs? ;)

[revvo]

I know a few guys who imported cars from Japan, transported into a container to Vancouver and then shipped here to Quebec. The car has to be 15 years old or older and you will be in big trouble if that's not the case. For shipments from Japan, it cost one of my buddies about $700 to get his 1992 RX-7 from Japan to Montreal Quebec.

For Europe, I would assume shipping would be cheaper considering the distance, but I could be wrong. Once your car arrives here, it's inspected by Transport Canada. If everything's good, the shipping continues until it arrives in the province where you have to get it inspected by the province's DMV so you can license plate it.

[Berserk87]

insurance in canada is MANDATORY.

it costs me $1100 a year to insure my 1988 Ford Taurus - Ive got my "N" driving for 2 years nost - 21 years old.

[Rudy]

insurance in canada is MANDATORY.

it costs me $1100 a year to insure my 1988 Ford Taurus - Ive got my "N" driving for 2 years nost - 21 years old.

I don't understand, it was costing me less than that to insure a 2003 Ford Windstar in BC (about $800 a year)

[Fred Derf Veteran]

Public auto insurance is so cheap in B.C.

Ontario has a private system and, even though I have a great record, I still pay far more than that.

[Berserk87]

I don't understand, it was costing me less than that to insure a 2003 Ford Windstar in BC (about $800 a year)

how old are you though? and what province?

its all based on driving experience.

[NeoXY]

^ the fact his 21 and male is probably enough to take the rate up for a nice hike.

[Berserk87]

^ the fact his 21 and male is probably enough to take the rate up for a nice hike.

i think that the crashing stats are the highest between 18-25 Males arnt they?

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

Hey,

I'll probably need to move to Canada soon for a year or two. Now, I have an "old" Audi RS6 C5 here which I'd never want to sell, as a matter of fact I would like to take it with me. It's still registered in Germany (on the company's office there) and I would like to import it into Canada.

Now I'm asking you, probably a Canadian member, whether this is possible. I would like to know how much it will cost to import it (I have the shipping costs) and how much I'll pay for insurance and taxes.

Can anyone help me out please?

Regards,

James

Hey James, ;)

You should also check with the ministry of transportation of the province you are going to.

However, I personally think that importing a car for such a short period of time is a waste of time and money, but that's just me. :) Another thing you should consider is that most gas stations in Canada only offer fuel with 92 octane. I assume you drive your babe on 98 in Europe. ;)

Edited July 13, 2008 by zhiVago

[MR_Candyman]

Hey James, ;)

You should also check with the ministry of transportation of the province you are going to.

However, I personally think that importing a car for such a short period of time is a waste of time and money, but that's just me. :) Another thing you should consider is that most gas stations in Canada only offer fuel with 92 octane. I assume you drive your babe on 98 in Europe. ;)

the octane rating uses a different standard...

[+Mirumir Subscriber¹]

the octane rating uses a different standard...

True. A 92 in Canada/US equals about 95 in Europe which can still cause a minor problem with the carburator if James has always driven his RS6 on 98 or even 100.

[MR_Candyman]

True. A 92 in Canada/US equals about 95 in Europe which can still cause a minor problem with the carburator if James has always driven his RS6 on 98 or even 100.

the change in fuel itself will be no problem, especially with a computer reset (just disconnect the battery for a bit). 92 in canada is about 95/96 in europe. I believe the RS6 can run on that without detonation no problem. Of course the car will accelerate differently, which might annoy you but as long as the car can run on 95/96 ron then it won't be harmful in the slightest.

[Wannes]

It's indeed running on 98 now but a switch to 95 won't be that much of a problem.

Two years is indeed a short period but the only other possibility I have is to leave it in the company. I have 2 garage boxes available there but, even though the RS6 is not my daily, I can't miss the baby. I will have a daily car in Canada ( bought there ) but would love to take this little baby with me. It has too much emotion connected to it.

Once again, I'll probably have to end up placing it in the garage at the company.

[Brian Veteran]

If you end up in a province with Sunoco or maybe another station, they also have a higher Octane blend available that would suit your needs.