Importing from us
04-08-2022, 11:50 AM
#32
I had temporary 'transport' paper license plate for the US state I driving in and where the car came from. I also had temporary insurance based on the VIN from ICBC, in Canada (BC) and I was told by the insurance broker that once in BC, go to any ICBC broker and they will print out temporary BC plates (this wasn't true, it seemed..). The broker just told me to drive to the nearest 'out of province' inspection centre...they said I was covered as I had insurance on the VIN and was displaying a 'plate'... (even though it was a US temp paper one). they had no idea it seemed. Eventually I decided to just drove home (500kms), had the car inspected the following day and registered it.
04-08-2022, 11:54 AM
#33
Race Car
Seems we all have a story. I got pulled inside and given the third degree by a complete a$$hole of a cbsa agent. Left me waiting for half an hour, when he came back he had printed out some ads from auto trader - "I found the same car for $2-3000 more all over the place". Dude had no concept of wholesale vs retail (I was importing a car I'd bought at a dealer auction). Despite me showing him the invoice from the auction, the wire transfer, the bank account showing the wire transfer (and nothing else similar) he still kept me waiting another half hour. As if I'm going to risk my dealer license over a few hundred dollars in HST. Absolute asshat.
04-08-2022, 11:59 AM
#34
Seems we all have a story. I got pulled inside and given the third degree by a complete a$$hole of a cbsa agent. Left me waiting for half an hour, when he came back he had printed out some ads from auto trader - "I found the same car for $2-3000 more all over the place". Dude had no concept of wholesale vs retail (I was importing a car I'd bought at a dealer auction). Despite me showing him the invoice from the auction, the wire transfer, the bank account showing the wire transfer (and nothing else similar) he still kept me waiting another half hour. As if I'm going to risk my dealer license over a few hundred dollars in HST. Absolute asshat.
The guy in the US export office however said to me (after he went out to check the car) - "nice car, you've got a great deal there buddy!".
04-08-2022, 12:03 PM
#35
Similar experience to Christien where I imported an E36 M3 sedan when I was living in Vancouver and CBSA read out a laundry list of what I could be charged with as they believed I wasn't telling the truth for what I paid for the car. Showed them bank transfer, ad for sale, PPI including recommended repair costs etc. In the end, they let me go and the agent looked disappointed that he couldn't throw me in the slammer. My experience has mostly been positive, but that one was the worst of it.
04-08-2022, 12:13 PM
#36
I've got lots of stories 
Brought a 1967 Z28 project car into Canada in 2005. $50k US for a non running car with new quarters tacked on etc. When the CBSA guys came out to inspect it, one of them said to me, "you paid $50K for this piece of ****?". I smiled and said yes, it's a very rare car. He proceeds to call over some other agents and says, "look at what this guy spent $50K on!" as they all had a good laugh.
Brought a 1967 Z28 project car into Canada in 2005. $50k US for a non running car with new quarters tacked on etc. When the CBSA guys came out to inspect it, one of them said to me, "you paid $50K for this piece of ****?". I smiled and said yes, it's a very rare car. He proceeds to call over some other agents and says, "look at what this guy spent $50K on!" as they all had a good laugh.
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04-11-2022, 12:44 PM
#37
Advanced
Thread Starter
Great information and interesting stories, unfortunately I didn't get the car I was interested in but gave me clarity in bringing a car across the border, I think I will use a broker if I'm successful in the future. Thanks guys for your information and sharing your stories.
04-11-2022, 10:56 PM
#38
Race Director
Seems we all have a story. I got pulled inside and given the third degree by a complete a$$hole of a cbsa agent. Left me waiting for half an hour, when he came back he had printed out some ads from auto trader - "I found the same car for $2-3000 more all over the place". Dude had no concept of wholesale vs retail (I was importing a car I'd bought at a dealer auction). Despite me showing him the invoice from the auction, the wire transfer, the bank account showing the wire transfer (and nothing else similar) he still kept me waiting another half hour. As if I'm going to risk my dealer license over a few hundred dollars in HST. Absolute asshat.
04-11-2022, 11:02 PM
#39
Race Director
Rolling into Sarnia with my buddy's 968. After being directed to the pay your pound of flesh building a pack of female CBSA agents descended upon the car separating my buddy and I and giving us the third degree. Wouldn't even let me take a ****.
All talk. No listen. We let them vent their hot air. Nothing came of it.
Friendly female CBSA agent ... I can't read your licence plate. That's because I don't have one. Tiny trip permit from Illinois in the back window of my red 996 GT3. Paid my $$$ and went on my way. Hauled *** on the 407. No bill that time.
Was driving down to the RVIA RV trade show in Louisville KY back in the late 90s. Female US agent grilled us that we were going to buy an RV. No we are buying 100. Insisted we had cash. Few hundred bucks between us. As usual all talk, no listen.
All talk. No listen. We let them vent their hot air. Nothing came of it.
Friendly female CBSA agent ... I can't read your licence plate. That's because I don't have one. Tiny trip permit from Illinois in the back window of my red 996 GT3. Paid my $$$ and went on my way. Hauled *** on the 407. No bill that time.
Was driving down to the RVIA RV trade show in Louisville KY back in the late 90s. Female US agent grilled us that we were going to buy an RV. No we are buying 100. Insisted we had cash. Few hundred bucks between us. As usual all talk, no listen.