Importing Canadian Supra?

[SUPERIUM]

Has anyone gone thru the process of importing a MKIII from Canada to the U.S.? I was reading up on a lot of info on the process but I wanted to know specifically on a MKIII hands on experience if there were any issues. Also what kind of additional fees/taxes did you have to pay, documentation, etc.
Thanks

 

[born2drv]

I have. I used to live in Canada, owned the same supra for 12 yrs now so when I moved to California I was determined to bring it with me.

First of all you'll need the title of course, from Ontario or wherever. Make sure the car is registered and licenced from Canada.

Secondly you contact Toyota Canada and tell them you need the proper paperwork showing that the car conforms to all US regulations. They'll give you paperwork that you take to the Customs agent, and also paperwork you have to fill out and send in to Toyota for their reference (for recalls, etc... and if you don't send it in, it doesn't get entered into the appropriate database and could hold up your customs paperwork).

So then once you have that in hand, you take it to Customs. I drove mine from Ontario, Canada to Detroit where I broke down (BHG) and towed it all the way to California LOL... but anyhow... when you cross the border DO NOT tell them you are importing the car into the US. If you do it right there at the border, it is such a pain in the ass. If your paperwork is not in perfect order they won't let you cross, or if the line is really long you could end up waiting hours, and if the guy is a real prick he may find something wrong with the car and refuse you entry into the US.

Also at the border if you tell them you're importing the car they'll make you pay taxes right on the spot based on the blue book value. I was lucky that my local customs and immigration office didn't even inspect the car or ask for any taxes/fees.

Just tell them at the border that "YOU'RE JUST VISITING" .... and if you are American with a US passport tell them you're just staying overnight to visit a friend or whatever. Don't tell them you're importing the car.

OK SO now you've got a registered, insured and licenced Canadian car into the US.

Take it to your local customs place once all the Toyota Canada paperwork is in order, and have them fill out their proper paperwork. Once it's in their database and they give you their paperwork, you take that to your local DMV and register the vehicle locally.

In California, it was a little of a pain because they had to send it to Sacramento and they took their sweet time, etc... so I had to get a temporary permit twice because they kept expiring, but eventually I got my title in the mail, my plates and everything.

 

[thesandymancan]

what about a supra that was imported to canada form japan? is there a way to get into the us? is it cheaper than importing one strait from japan?

 

[born2drv]

toyota canada won't sign off on a supra from japan.... you'd need to get the paperwork from toyota japan... and obviously that's not gonna fly.

so without the proper paperwork from toyota saying the car meets all US regulations, you'll never get it through customs.

 

[Wills7MGTE]

and ya wonder why people used vins off thier own wrecked cars or buy stolen cars, god the governements a pain over little crap, US standards, hah.

 

[SUPERIUM]

Thanks Born but I think its going to be a bit more difficult for me since Im purchasing the car in canada I will be trailering it back home to Buffalo. Might be kinda suspicious if I said I was just visiting when Im trailering an uregistered car with no plates.

 

[Wills7MGTE]

Tell them you were visiting and your car broke so your trailering it home.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

Tell them you were visiting and your car broke so your trailering it home.

:rofl: you people and your scams lol.

 

[SUPERIUM]

But thats lying, lol. I think that might be a bad idea tho because if they call my bluff they'd probably eff me up the ass. All they have to see is that the titles not in my name or the cars not registered and then theyl think im trying something worst then just importing a car. Then theyd probably tear it apart looking for drugs.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

But thats lying, lol. I think that might be a bad idea tho because if they call my bluff they'd probably eff me up the ass. All they have to see is that the titles not in my name or the cars not registered and then theyl think im trying something worst then just importing a car. Then theyd probably tear it apart looking for drugs.

hmm wit a minute, where arte you buying it from? cause if its near toronto, then id be more then willing to help you out with anything!

 

[phoenix6]

Thanks Born but I think its going to be a bit more difficult for me since Im purchasing the car in canada I will be trailering it back home to Buffalo. Might be kinda suspicious if I said I was just visiting when Im trailering an uregistered car with no plates.

Hey, not to jack the thread, I was born in buffolo. Havent been in 6 or 7 years, how is it up there?

On this thread: Ill never leave the US if taking my supra is that much crap, I wont leave it behind.

 

[SUPERIUM]

Theres 2 MKIIIs im interested in both are in the st.catharines area. Been having no luck finding one in my area within a few hundred miles so I have been checking the canadian classifieds.

As far as Buffalo, economically were in the shitter. Many major business's moving out or going bankrupt and no good job oppurtunities. Supposively theyr starting to build new attractions at the waterfront like basspro (whipity doo), casino but that shits been in the works for years.

 

[derK]

you don't want canadian supras. We have rust.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

you don't want canadian supras. We have rust.

yeah, especially from ontario and quebec. get one from cali man...

 

[SUPERIUM]

you don't want canadian supras. We have rust.

I dont think NY supras are any better. There's only been 1 for sale locally this summer and every panel was rusted to shit and he still wanted 4500 for it. Ran awesome tho.
Heres the 2 im interested in:

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

I dont think NY supras are any better. There's only been 1 for sale locally this summer and every panel was rusted to shit and he still wanted 4500 for it. Ran awesome tho.
Heres the 2 im interested in:

heh i saw the white one personally and it was good, but there is a bti of rust in the common places. That guy was at some supra club meets. get some from california bro, they are ftw!

 

[SUPERIUM]

A lil rust doesnt bother me, I can always fix it as longs as the inner rear wheel wells are overtaken by the rust. I spent 2 years restoring my 83 supra and with the amount of rust on it I grinded off, I tell ya I shouldnt of restored it.
Cryo do you go to the Toronto monthly/annual meets? I used to go every now and then but I sorta lost interest especially with the gas prices.

 

[tubbie]

Boy... to go through all that trouble just to get a rust free supra? You just need to come on down to the deep south here and pick up one of these prestine RUST FREE supras...

 

[phoenix6]

Boy... to go through all that trouble just to get a rust free supra? You just need to come on down to the deep south here and pick up one of these prestine RUST FREE supras...

Word, my car doesnt have any rust either, deep deep south...Then again the engines fucked to hell, make your pick.

 

[Mr.PFloyd]

A lil rust doesnt bother me, I can always fix it as longs as the inner rear wheel wells are overtaken by the rust. I spent 2 years restoring my 83 supra and with the amount of rust on it I grinded off, I tell ya I shouldnt of restored it.
Cryo do you go to the Toronto monthly/annual meets? I used to go every now and then but I sorta lost interest especially with the gas prices.

yeah i usually go with my brother. some people know us by as the denka brothers. he has a 1j and i have a 7m. being in school, i dont take my car there cause of gas, but normally when iwork we both go down.