Has anyone done one in the last couple of years? When I brought my 2+2 down in about 1997 it was still "new" enough that I needed letters from GM documenting that it had all of the required safety and emissions equipment as required by the US in 1969.
Also, if anyone knows of a shipper that specializes in hauling cars cross-border, please let me know!
If all goes well, I'll be bringing a 2+2 down from Alberta to restore down here. But I won't be hauling it myself, so need to have all my ducks in a row.
According to the Customs website:
If the vehicle is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation.
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable DOT Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Such a vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form to be given to Customs at the time of importation. If you wish to see that form, you may download a copy from our website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You should note that the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture. If the date of manufacture is not identified on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle by its original manufacturer, to establish the age of the vehicle, you should have documentation available such as an invoice showing the date the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago. Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle could be used.
-- Edited by davepl on Friday 3rd of March 2017 02:53:24 PM
When I was looking to sell the 454 Laurentian, I had a bunch of people in the US interested, but had no idea on how to import it. I eventually dealt with an outfit in Detroit who did it all the time. They only handled the customs stuff, not the transportation. I'll see if I can find their info for you.
Here's a thought, maybe have the car transported to the BC side of the border by Seattle, and transport it across yourself but have the Detroit outfit do the paperwork.
While I'd used Mackie to transport the 454 Laurentian from Toronto to Calgary when I purchased it, they weren't licensed to do the job of importing it into the US. If I recall, TFX could transport and do the customs work Canada to US, but were expensive.
I wish I could remember who I used last time, but it was almost 20 years ago now, so probably not that helpful anyway.
Seems like I could send it with a shipper and include the documentation proving the manufacture date is >25 years now, and that should do it. At least that's how I read the current requirements.
So far as I can tell you need DOT form 3520-1: https://www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/epa-standard-form-3520-1-declaration-form-importation-motor-vehicles
and EPA form HS799: https://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf
-- Edited by davepl on Saturday 4th of March 2017 07:01:37 PM
I usually go the other way on this......But think you MAY need to get Customs Brokers involved if you (the purchaser)...are NOT present at the point of entry with vehicle...
I used an outfit called Montgomery international phone is 716.875.5100. They can handle all paperwork regardless of which border crossing. But I do not recommend TFX as they damaged my car and refused to pay, even though they carry insurance. There are a lot of independent small carriers that will transport across the border, check out uShip. If you want a bigger carrier there is passport.
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51 pontiac chieftain straight 6...work in progress
I finally found the info on the outfit I talked to:
Charlene Fox at Dell Will Customs Brokers (USA) Inc. Her phone # is 734-946-3040 x204, email is cfox@dellwillusa.com, she's just outside Detroit but can handle any border crossing. She had provided me the various forms that would need to be completed, including EPA, DOT, Homeland Security & her E-Manifest. I'm sure she can guide you through anything you need.
I'd seriously consider getting it to somewhere in the BC lower mainland, then go pick it up and bring it to your place.
-- Edited by seventy2plus2 on Sunday 5th of March 2017 08:28:44 PM
Thanks! I'll get in touch with her! But your recommendation confuses me: "She can handle any crossing but you should do it yourself anyway"?
She can do all the customs paperwork to import the vehicle into the USA, but she doesn't do or arrange the actual transporting. I'm suggesting you transport it, but get her to do all the paperwork. She'd send everything to you so when you cross you just hand the paperwork to the border agents. Kind of like back in the day when I drove my company's satellite truck across the border. We used a customs broker to handle the paperwork, I just drove it across.
I used an outfit called Montgomery international phone is 716.875.5100. They can handle all paperwork regardless of which border crossing. But I do not recommend TFX as they damaged my car and refused to pay, even though they carry insurance. There are a lot of independent small carriers that will transport across the border, check out uShip. If you want a bigger carrier there is passport.
Over the years i have heard of many horror stories, concerning TFX. They sound like an outfit run by major league ass holes.
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1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Deluxe sedan restored 261 six
1974 Chevrolet Caprice Estate wagon low mileage original 400 V-8
