Importing from US into Canada

[Jordan]

I am looking for a 230 or 250 SL and unfortunately living in Canada (Ontario) we do not have the selection of cars that are available in the US.  Has anyone imported an SL from the US into Canada?  I have checked out the web sites for importing older (pre-1984) cars and just wanted to know if anyone experienced any difficulties at the border?   As I will need to get a temporary licence to get it home, are all States the same for this?  I am assuming a private purchase.  Any help and/or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Marcus

[Tonys113]

Jordan,
I had a similar experience only in reverse. My SL came to me from Canada. The only issue is Customs at the Border and the 2% premium that had to be paid.
Of course then to register the vehicle I had to pay Sales tax on the purchase price, so I got hosed twice by the Great State of New York.

I am not quite sure how it will work in reverse.
The transaction did start with a Temporary tag from Ontario that allowed the car to transported, Duty paid at the boarder then two trips minimum to the Department of Motor Vehicles (They never ever allow you out of there clean the first time. You are always missing something, even if your sure you are not) to have the vehicle titled in your name. The customs certificate is a key document to protect with your life.

Good Luck

Tony

[douglas dees]

I am looking for a 230 or 250 SL and unfortunately living in Canada (Ontario) we do not have the selection of cars that are available in the US.  Has anyone imported an SL from the US into Canada?  I have checked out the web sites for importing older (pre-1984) cars and just wanted to know if anyone experienced any difficulties at the border?   As I will need to get a temporary licence to get it home, are all States the same for this?  I am assuming a private purchase.  Any help and/or advice would be appreciated.
Thanks
Marcus

There is a government of Canada website that outlines the rules. I have brought motorcycles up from the states and I had to do the following.
The sale paperwork from the states has to be at US customs at least 48 hours in advance including the original bill of sale and ownership along with at title search to insure the vehicle is not stolen. On the Canadian side t :)here is no duty on vehicles older than 15 years and no emission test is required. The vehicle has to be cleaned to ensure there is no travelling bugs or dirt on it. You have to pay the GST and PST on the declared value.
Doug Dees

[Jordan]

Thanks Doug and Tony for your experiences.  I hadn't thought about the title search to make sure it wasn't stolen.  Who would do this and do you know how long it takes?  I know I am suppose to send the vehicle details to the US customs border post 3 days before I arrive.  The car has to clear both US and Canadian Customs.  How long did you spend at the border Doug?
Marcus

[w113dude]

Hi,
There is a Canadian gov, site you can check out to see all admissible cars in to Canada, http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-importation-usa-index-445.htm
If you were on the Montreal side of Canada I could help, (I do forwarding on the NY side of the border to Canada)

Added info,
Dr. Benz is correct ( as always ) in-case if you are not using a Custom Broker, US Customs will need your original and a copy of the title, and a cop of a bill of sale, it will take 72 hours for the US customs to clear paper work. they basically run a search on the car to make sure it has not been stolen or that there are no leans on the vehicle. If you are driving the car to cross the border, it is best to have the paper work at the border three days prior to your arrival, ( the paper work must be handed in person, mailing documents is not acceptable ) if not you have to park the car somewhere near the border and then come back in three days to pick up & cross the border.
Hope this helps Canadian Pagoda buyers!
Good Luck.
Shaun

[Benz Dr.]

Canada customs could care less about the US side. All they want is a bill of sale and the taxes. If it looks too low they will make you get an appraisal. If you skip the US inspection ( which you can easily do ) and you go back to the States where your car get into an accident or gets pulled over you will loose it if it is a stolen car ( and they find out ). US customs does the title search which is not a bad idea. In fact, you might want to do this BEFORE you pay for it.

There was a time when a car had to be 25 years old before it could be imported. Now it must be more than 15 years old if it doesn't qualify for NAFTA ( north american free trade agreement ) which are cars made here or have at least 50% north american content. So, you can import a new car with zero miles if it was made in the US. If it was made in Germany it falls under a different agreement and that may be the 15 year deal or a certain amount of duty is paid. I'm not sure about that part.

Any car that's over 20 years old requires that it has an appraisal done for tax purposes here in Ont. Too many people were cheating the system so they clamped down on that. This might mean any car that's imported but maybe they just look at the bill of sale. Bringing a car back from the Sates is pretty easy to do but you will be looking at at least a 15% premium over buying one privately in Ont. Private sales in Ont. have no GST ( 5% ) on them but you will have to pay the PST ( 8% ) when you transfer owership.
The old car auction is coming up in Toronto at the end of this month. Have you checked to see if there are any 113's going through?

[erickmarciano]

This is how it is done.
fi the car is over 15 y old it is much easier to import.
you have to leave the bill of sale and titles at the USA side of the border for 72Hours .than when the car is on the way pic up your papers at the US side than drive to the Canada side . pay 6% duties since it is A German car and GST .than you go for federal inspection than you go to the licence office and pat the PST.
That is all
. good luck

[Jordan]

Many thanks to everyone for your comments and experience.  Typical all levels of government need to take their cut.
I assume Dr Benz you are referring to the RM Auction this fall in Toronto?  I'll check it out.
Thanks again.
Marcus

[Benz Dr.]

Yes, I'm talking about the RM auction but I think that RM sold it to someone else a while back.

 There is a lot of information about importing cars here. Some of it is what you need to know and some of it won't aply.

 The Canada import list won't affect a 113 - it's not on the list. This is for certain ( mostly new ) cars with structural or safety related problems. Some new cars are band from Canada.

The 113 car does NOT need to be inspected by anyone. It may need to be appraised but that would be it.
 
You should get your paper work in order and have it at the border 72 hours BEFORE you get to US customs. If it's a newer driveable car, a lot of people don't bother. I would though if not bought from a dealer.

There is NO duty on a 113 car because it's over 25 years old. There will be 5% GST paid at the border. 8% PST is paid when you transfer the title into Ontario ( or some other Province ) ownership. ( Some Provinces have higher PST or none at all )

I know of several 113's for sale in Ontario and around Toronto.