Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA

jmcarter · 08-03-2022, 09:49 AM

The documentation required is pretty straightforward but would add that your port of entry can make a huge difference in your experience. The border agents at Havre MT were great, even downloaded an additional form for me. Some other crossings have been less spectacular. I’ve crossed the border dozens of times for business and pleasure but basically if paperwork is in order and you display absolutely no sense of humor you’re good. And absolutely no weapons or ammunition. If you have a carrier doing the transport I’d solicit input here on which one(s) to use.

Tom P · 08-04-2022, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcarter

... and you display absolutely no sense of humor you’re good.

Haha, yes, for sure. Most of these people are completely devoid of funnybones. If they smile it's because a cavity search is imminent.

Larry Hill · 08-06-2022, 07:32 AM

Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and information!

FrankM · 08-07-2022, 10:14 AM

To title the car you will want to contact the manufacturer and they will provide a letter of conformity which states safety and emissions regulation standards. If the car was manufactured in Canada, US or Mexico then no duties. If built elsewhere then you have to pay US import duties. This is for crossing the border. In Ohio we have to have a VIN inspection before they issue a title, I suspect most states are the same. If car will never be registered for the road (race car) the border won't ask for anything. I went thru all these when we moved to the US.

Larry Hill · 08-09-2022, 06:46 AM

I did not purchase the car the reserve was not met
Thanks again for all the help and information.

Frank Castros · 08-09-2022, 09:26 PM

littlelarry, (notsomuch)
I'm sorry you didn't get that sweet Barracuda!
"Frankzilla"

Penssakola · 09-27-2022, 05:36 PM

When I decided to move to the U.S. and start my life here, it took me some time to gather all the information about what I needed to do to get my driver's license, register my car, and obtain a Social Security number. The first thing that came to my mind was that I'll have to find a trustworthy seller for the car I used to drive in Canada. Then I found on https://www.jdmbuysell.com/ that you can register the car with DMV. And other things were pretty easy, too, thank God, so there is no need to stress about it.

08-03-2022, 09:49 AM	#1
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,295 Likes: 2,375 Liked 3,174 Times in 971 Posts	Re: Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA The documentation required is pretty straightforward but would add that your port of entry can make a huge difference in your experience. The border agents at Havre MT were great, even downloaded an additional form for me. Some other crossings have been less spectacular. I’ve crossed the border dozens of times for business and pleasure but basically if paperwork is in order and you display absolutely no sense of humor you’re good. And absolutely no weapons or ammunition. If you have a carrier doing the transport I’d solicit input here on which one(s) to use. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock Set another place at the table

08-06-2022, 07:32 AM	#3
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,632 Likes: 1,926 Liked 10,684 Times in 2,224 Posts	Re: Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA Thanks everyone for sharing your experience and information! __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-07-2022, 10:14 AM	#4
FrankM Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Columbus, OH Posts: 98 Likes: 0 Liked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Re: Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA To title the car you will want to contact the manufacturer and they will provide a letter of conformity which states safety and emissions regulation standards. If the car was manufactured in Canada, US or Mexico then no duties. If built elsewhere then you have to pay US import duties. This is for crossing the border. In Ohio we have to have a VIN inspection before they issue a title, I suspect most states are the same. If car will never be registered for the road (race car) the border won't ask for anything. I went thru all these when we moved to the US.

08-09-2022, 06:46 AM	#5
Larry Hill Live Reporter Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Hickory, Ky Posts: 10,632 Likes: 1,926 Liked 10,684 Times in 2,224 Posts	Re: Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA I did not purchase the car the reserve was not met Thanks again for all the help and information. __________________ IHM Used Parts https://ihmusedparts.com 888-821-1817

08-09-2022, 09:26 PM	#6
Frank Castros VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: The Lowcountry. Posts: 2,962 Likes: 2,554 Liked 2,711 Times in 954 Posts	Re: Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA littlelarry, (notsomuch) I'm sorry you didn't get that sweet Barracuda! "Frankzilla" Last edited by Frank Castros; 08-09-2022 at 09:41 PM.

09-27-2022, 05:36 PM	#7
Penssakola Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2022 Posts: 1 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Buying a car in Canada and getting licensed in USA When I decided to move to the U.S. and start my life here, it took me some time to gather all the information about what I needed to do to get my driver's license, register my car, and obtain a Social Security number. The first thing that came to my mind was that I'll have to find a trustworthy seller for the car I used to drive in Canada. Then I found on https://www.jdmbuysell.com/ that you can register the car with DMV. And other things were pretty easy, too, thank God, so there is no need to stress about it. Last edited by Penssakola; 09-28-2022 at 02:34 PM.

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