Heads Up for Canadians importing from US

ebsmythe · 01-02-2008, 09:26 PM

When I imported my Prius in late November, 2007 the requirement of US Customs was for them to receive the documents at least 72 hours before arrival with the car to clear Customs. The method which worked well for me and countless others was to fax the documents to Lewiston Border Customs (716 282 2414) 72 hours in advance, and then arrive with the original documents in hand.

My wife liked my Prius so much that she is selling her present 2006 HCH and I have found her a good 2007 Prius in Indiana.

I asked the dealer there to fax the documents as before and he told me that the fax was not accepted. Upon calling the US Customs at Lewiston, I was told that the documents, notarized, certified copies, now had to be delivered personally to their office at the delivery address as follows:

US Customs Automobile Export
1 Lewiston Queenston Bridge, Suite 1
Lewiston NY 14092

I clarified that a courier would be acceptable for this personal delivery and have made these arrangements. I have asked that the courier receive a signature on delivery.

The faxing was so much easier. I wonder if pressure is being applied to try and slow down the rate of imports to Canada.

Just when I thought I knew the game, they changed the rules!

Barry

**Tideland Prius** · 01-02-2008, 11:51 PM

This might be border specific so check with your local border/custom agents before importing.

fish_antlers · 01-03-2008, 12:26 AM

step by step FAQ: (for motorcycles, but steps are identical.)

http://www.bikeland.org/story.php?storyID=30899

zqfmbg · 01-03-2008, 01:30 AM

I've heard rumours that dealerships in the States are being told not to sell to Canadians. No substantiation, though. (My parents just bought a CR-V... $35k... ouch.)

**Tideland Prius** · 01-03-2008, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zqfmbg

I've heard rumours that dealerships in the States are being told not to sell to Canadians. No substantiation, though. (My parents just bought a CR-V... $35k... ouch.)

Yet the equivalent model is in the mid US$20k

Yury · 02-06-2008, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ebsmythe

When I imported my Prius in late November, 2007 the requirement of US Customs was for them to receive the documents at least 72 hours before arrival with the car to clear Customs. The method which worked well for me and countless others was to fax the documents to Lewiston Border Customs (716 282 2414) 72 hours in advance, and then arrive with the original documents in hand.

My wife liked my Prius so much that she is selling her present 2006 HCH and I have found her a good 2007 Prius in Indiana.

I asked the dealer there to fax the documents as before and he told me that the fax was not accepted. Upon calling the US Customs at Lewiston, I was told that the documents, notarized, certified copies, now had to be delivered personally to their office at the delivery address as follows:

US Customs Automobile Export
1 Lewiston Queenston Bridge, Suite 1
Lewiston NY 14092

I clarified that a courier would be acceptable for this personal delivery and have made these arrangements. I have asked that the courier receive a signature on delivery.

The faxing was so much easier. I wonder if pressure is being applied to try and slow down the rate of imports to Canada.

Just when I thought I knew the game, they changed the rules!

Barry

So, overall how much did you pay for your Prius?

BigJay · 02-06-2008, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yury

So, overall how much did you pay for your Prius?

It has to be less than any Canadian dealership due to higher taxes, but lower than what we would normally pay because the loon is more valuable than our dollar now.

I'm curious as well, how much?

ebsmythe · 02-06-2008, 03:23 PM

2007 Package 5 Prius (the works except for leather, including HID lights not available in Canada.

Cost from Indiana dealer $23,117 (15,163 mi)incl new snow tires, mats

Hotel and meals overnight $ 150

Air Fare to South Bend $359

Gas to Ontario $80

Border Costs
Govt import Fee $206
Air Cond Tax $100
Import Duty 6.1% $1410
GST $1231

Daytime Running Lights $80

Total $26,733

PST of $1,849 was rebated in full and not included above

In Ontario, low mileage 2007 Prius with Nav etc (very hard to find in Canada) will sell for $32,000 plus GST of approx $1600 or $33,600

Saving was approx $7000

Yury · 02-06-2008, 05:27 PM

thanks a lot.

i am a little confused about the PST rebate - this is the Ontario rebate for Prius, correct ?

also, where did you get the DRL done? someone in another topic suggested allowance of 500$ for that and you got it for 80$

ebsmythe · 02-06-2008, 06:13 PM

Anybody buying a car in Ontario must pay a federal tax, called GST of 5% plus a provincial tax of 8%. As an incentive for economical vehicles, the provincial government gives a rebate of up to $2000 or the actual PST whichever is less.

Only a few vehicles qualify for the $2000 rebate, the Prius being one of them.

Vehicles Powered by Alternative Fuels

I had the DRLs installed at Canadian Tire

I stand to be corrected on the DRL installation. The $80 charge was not for DRLs but was for the required Provincial Safety Standard Inspection. I should have added that to the costs.

The DRL cost was $119.69 installed including 13% taxes, of which $24.99 was the actual cost of the DRL kit which they sell in the store.

01-02-2008, 09:26 PM	#1
ebsmythe Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Perry, Ontario Posts: 46 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 11 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	Heads Up for Canadians importing from US When I imported my Prius in late November, 2007 the requirement of US Customs was for them to receive the documents at least 72 hours before arrival with the car to clear Customs. The method which worked well for me and countless others was to fax the documents to Lewiston Border Customs (716 282 2414) 72 hours in advance, and then arrive with the original documents in hand. My wife liked my Prius so much that she is selling her present 2006 HCH and I have found her a good 2007 Prius in Indiana. I asked the dealer there to fax the documents as before and he told me that the fax was not accepted. Upon calling the US Customs at Lewiston, I was told that the documents, notarized, certified copies, now had to be delivered personally to their office at the delivery address as follows: US Customs Automobile Export 1 Lewiston Queenston Bridge, Suite 1 Lewiston NY 14092 I clarified that a courier would be acceptable for this personal delivery and have made these arrangements. I have asked that the courier receive a signature on delivery. The faxing was so much easier. I wonder if pressure is being applied to try and slow down the rate of imports to Canada. Just when I thought I knew the game, they changed the rules! Barry

01-02-2008, 11:51 PM	#2
Tideland Prius Super Moderator Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 13,562 My Car: 2005 Prius Package: B Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 11	Re: Heads Up for Canadians importing from US This might be border specific so check with your local border/custom agents before importing.

01-03-2008, 12:26 AM	#3
fish_antlers Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Ca Posts: 149 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Touring Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Heads Up for Canadians importing from US step by step FAQ: (for motorcycles, but steps are identical.) http://www.bikeland.org/story.php?storyID=30899

01-03-2008, 01:30 AM	#4
zqfmbg Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 139 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Heads Up for Canadians importing from US I've heard rumours that dealerships in the States are being told not to sell to Canadians. No substantiation, though. (My parents just bought a CR-V... $35k... ouch.)

02-06-2008, 03:23 PM	#8
ebsmythe Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Perry, Ontario Posts: 46 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 11 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	Re: Heads Up for Canadians importing from US 2007 Package 5 Prius (the works except for leather, including HID lights not available in Canada. Cost from Indiana dealer $23,117 (15,163 mi)incl new snow tires, mats Hotel and meals overnight $ 150 Air Fare to South Bend $359 Gas to Ontario $80 Border Costs Govt import Fee $206 Air Cond Tax $100 Import Duty 6.1% $1410 GST $1231 Daytime Running Lights $80 Total $26,733 PST of $1,849 was rebated in full and not included above In Ontario, low mileage 2007 Prius with Nav etc (very hard to find in Canada) will sell for $32,000 plus GST of approx $1600 or $33,600 Saving was approx $7000

02-06-2008, 05:27 PM	#9
Yury Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Toronto Posts: 21 My Car: Other Non-Hybrid Package: N/A Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: Heads Up for Canadians importing from US thanks a lot. i am a little confused about the PST rebate - this is the Ontario rebate for Prius, correct ? also, where did you get the DRL done? someone in another topic suggested allowance of 500$ for that and you got it for 80$ Last edited by Yury; 02-06-2008 at 05:37 PM.

02-06-2008, 06:13 PM	#10
ebsmythe Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Port Perry, Ontario Posts: 46 My Car: 2007 Prius Package: #5 Nominated 11 Times in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 1 Friends: 0	Re: Heads Up for Canadians importing from US Anybody buying a car in Ontario must pay a federal tax, called GST of 5% plus a provincial tax of 8%. As an incentive for economical vehicles, the provincial government gives a rebate of up to $2000 or the actual PST whichever is less. Only a few vehicles qualify for the $2000 rebate, the Prius being one of them. Vehicles Powered by Alternative Fuels I had the DRLs installed at Canadian Tire I stand to be corrected on the DRL installation. The $80 charge was not for DRLs but was for the required Provincial Safety Standard Inspection. I should have added that to the costs. The DRL cost was $119.69 installed including 13% taxes, of which $24.99 was the actual cost of the DRL kit which they sell in the store.