Hi Chris:

I'm from Canada and I did the other way around. Most items for US and
Canadian model are the same except a few things. I'll share my experience
with you and hope it helps out. I believe you can get some posting from the
archives too.

To Import Vehicle into Canada from US:

The RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) ask for 1)title document
2)registration 3) sales receipt 4)recall letter from VWoA (to make sure the
vehicle being brought in has not outstanding recalls. just call VWoA with
VIN and they'll send you a copy free of charge) 5)Certificate of Compliance

Canadian Customs ask for: 1) Receipt for Taxation purpose (7% federal tax
and 7$ importation duty. yes, though the van is purchased in the U.S., they
still want that F***ing 7% since the vehicle is made in Germany). And then
for vehicle less than 15 years old, There's a federal inspection at the
border done by a broker (nothing to worry about as long as your vehicle runs
and all the lights and doors close) but...it's the $210 CAD inspection fee
and the TIME waiting at the border that I hated. For vehicles 15 years of
older, you drive straight through after you've paid the tax and duty.

Lastly, our provincial inspection (air care/smog test, mechanical
inspections, etc) and another 7% (it's now 7.5%) Provincial tax. Yeah, it's
21 taxation after I was all done... There goes the FREE TRADE, my ass.

Oh, if the vehicle was made after 89, we need to have "daytime" running
light installed since in the U.S., that's not a requirement. I know that
U.S. models, you have to replace the "light" for emergency brake since in
Canadian model, the light is only the symbol and the red light whereas in
U.S. model, they are the word "brake" AND the symbol (don't know what the
big deal is). Also, I think California has stricter emmission than that of
BC so that I don't tell you. But Canadian emmission standard is also very
high so you probably won't have problem in other States.

The best thing is to call whatever Federal office that's in charge of
Vehicle importation and find out.

For me, I would bring another vehicle in again, but I'll prefer to get one
that's 15 years or older. It saves me a couple of steps.

Hope this helps.

tony

>From: JordanVw@AOL.COM
>Reply-To: JordanVw@AOL.COM
>To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
>Subject: Anyone imported a vanagon from canada to US?
>Date: Wed, 19 Jun 2002 11:16:42 EDT
>
>subj. sez it all.   any US lister bought a vanagon in Canada?  what kind of
>red tape do you need/have to go thru to get it across the border?
>letter of compliance from VW?  what else?
>thanks
>chris

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