Has anyone (from the US) ever bought a car from Canada and if so what exactly do you need? I've researched it for a long time now and I am having some problems with a couple things.

I have my insurance card, title, license, bill of sale, EPA label on car saying it conforms to US emissions standards, Label saying it conforms to safety standards... I spoke to the DMV here and I heard 2 different things from them. I spoke to Customs and there are forms I'm SUPPOSED to fill out at the border which he said he never heard of.

I am planning on showing my proof of ownership, insurance, the EPA and DOT stuff, etc. The guy at Customs said I need a letter from the manufacturer saying it conforms to our emissions, but I already KNOW that if there'* a label you don't have to have a 'letter.'

I also found a statement saying "an International Registration Marker should be on all imported vehicles....contact your local automobile club about how to get this..." I have no idea about that, and the Customs guy never said I needed that.

Anyone KNOW about this that won't confuse me anymore than I am now? Thanks!

from what i have looked up for NY, you should be fine with what you have. There is a form though, but i can't recall which, but you should be able to get it on your way out of the country to get the car. If the car doesn't have the label on the motor that says it conforms to emissions and safety, that is where the manuafacturer letter comes in. You could get one just to be same. Send a letter/email/fax to GM Canada i believe with the VIN number requestion the letter and they will send you one back. Again, you should be covered with the stickers.

You'll have to have the car inspected at customs bringing it in. Your only issue might be the speedo, but since it does have MPH, you should be able to get by without an issue. Other than that, there was nothing else i found for importing them.

Get in touch with TrueWildMan. He bought Tamara'* 2000 SSEi.

Hey pete, what kind of car are you thinking about?

The right half of his sig...

Walter, he is buying my 94 SSEi.

Bill, we've tried, he'* not around very often. Gonna keep trying this weekend. Good call though.

I have Ontario emissions report proving the car passes, and the EPA sticker under the hood proves that the manufacturer confirms EPA emissions requirements.

Good info though guys, I doubt Pete will be online tonight, but I will relay the message via phone as he is on a coach bus here tonight.

When James ( TRueWildman) purchased the car.. he brought the temp. plate up with him.. all the paper work was done prior to him coming up.

All he needed was the VIN and a photocopy of ownership.

But I"m assumin he'* left..

I doubt the emission will be different from Canada to US

He may get searched @ the boarder as mentioned and get all the documents run to ensure it'* legit.. thats bout it..

James showed them all the paperwork.. and that was it.. he went thru..

guess you'll have to take your *Cough* *cough* stash out of the car aie JIm-A-*****-A ??

Interesting Murdock, Peter tried to get temp plates, based on an emailed scan of my Ontario ownership (that green folded paperwork)...anyway, the DMV in CT said there is NO way he can get temp plates without the real title (ownership). But obviously, I still own and drive the car, I cannot give Peter the title until he comes and gets the car, and we mutually sign over the ownership.

So, we are going to leave the Ontario plates on the car, he'll have all the paperwork including form 34-20..something like that, for importing into the US from Canada. As well as all EPA badges on the radiator cowl.

When he asked the DMV re: Ontario plates, they said fine, but he has to ship em back to me once its registered in CT.

Its been an interesting few weeks.

Peter just called, he is getting on the bus in Hartford in 25 mins or so. Should be in 'ssauga by 945 am tomorrow.

Update:

The deal has been signed, financial tranaction/contract is signed and agreed. Looks like proud pappy is about to take center stage with the 94.

Welcome to the blown 3800 world...as I depart from it.

Congrats!

Yes, I am now officially the owner of a blown Bonneville!

Of course, that doesn't guarantee they'll let me back in the US with it though.

But all jokes aside, I am more than positive I have everything I need to import it properly. EPA and DOT U.*. standards are met, and all the proof of ownership and insurance is in effect. I didn't get temporary plates from CT since the DMV didn't know what they were talking about, so I'll have fun pretending to be a Canadian tourist for a while.

Thanks for the sweet ride Jim!