Importing from US
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Importing from US
Has anyone had any experience in importing an S2k from the states?
How much of the car would I have to change to have it meet Canadian standards? Is it true that since the gauges are digital, a simple switch will change everything from miles to kilometres?
About how much do the additional costs add up to when importing from the US?
How much of the car would I have to change to have it meet Canadian standards? Is it true that since the gauges are digital, a simple switch will change everything from miles to kilometres?
About how much do the additional costs add up to when importing from the US?
Registered User
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 7,731
Likes: 1
From: Calgary, AB
Originally Posted by ws2000,May 21 2006, 08:02 AM
Canadian Tire does not need to do the DRL's, they merely inspect the car to ensure the car does have them (along with the bilingual air bag sticker)
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
No problem bringing one up from the States. As mentioned DRL is the only mod required and can be done at the local Honda dealer for $300.
I imported a S2000 in January, if your interested in the details of how to import let me know and I can walk you through.
I imported a S2000 in January, if your interested in the details of how to import let me know and I can walk you through.
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,309
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by twistybits,May 23 2006, 05:20 AM
No problem bringing one up from the States. As mentioned DRL is the only mod required and can be done at the local Honda dealer for $300.
I imported a S2000 in January, if your interested in the details of how to import let me know and I can walk you through.
I imported a S2000 in January, if your interested in the details of how to import let me know and I can walk you through.
Trending Topics
Registered User
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: Calgary
Kremlin, from your post I take it that you have not owned the S2000 for over a year. If you have then the duty would not apply. But here are the steps that you will need to take to import it back to Canada.
1. This step is very important and caused me the most problems, I will not go into why but make sure you get this done first. Go to your local Honda Dealer and obtain a Recall letter this must be on the dealer letter head stating that the vehicle has no outstanding recalls for your VIN number. (You can also contact Honda USA and they will supply the same letter if you are not close to a dealer)
2. Make sure you have the vehicle registration, cetificate of title, insurance, bill of sale, statement of compiance label. (this should be attached to the vehicle door jam already)
3. Contact the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (www.riv.ca) and obtain a Vehicle Import Form - Form 1. You will need a Canadian mailing address when you fill out this form.
4. Determine which border crossing you are going to use and contact US Customs 72 hours prior to crossing - unless you like sitting at a border crossing over the weekend of course.
I recommend using a customs broker to get steps 3 and 4 done, they charge a nominal fee and will collect and disperse the necessary duties and import charges as well as complete the paperwork. You can expect the following costs when you contact them, 6% import duty (because the vehicle was assembled in Japan), 7% GST, $100 air conditioning tax, $100 excise tax and the brokerage fees which in my case totaled and additional $126.
Now you can cross into Canada, but wait there is more, Canada Customs now wants to see your completed Form 1 and all the items mentioned in item 2 above. For this service they will charge you an additional $209. Form 1 has a number at the top right of the form this is your case number. When dealing with RIV you will need to refer to this number.
5. Once you have entered into Canada you need to contact RIV again to obtain a Form 2 using the case number on Form 1. I would recommend asking RIV to e-mail you form 2 since it speeds things up.
6. Once you have form 2 in hand you will see that there is one thing that you will need to do before you can proceed. You will need to have daytime running lights installed. I elected to have the local Honda dealer install these, approx. cost $300.
7. Proceed to the local vehicle registration office and get an out of province inspection form which will cost approx. $25.
8. Now you are ready to complete the last step, proceed to Canadian Tire with Form 2, Recall Letter and the Out of Province forms to complete your inspection.
9. Once this has been completed you are free to register the vehicle in Canada.
Other than a lot of running around it is not complicated as long as you have the paperwork ready and follow the necessary steps. One word of warning though you may recall that in Step 1, as I mentioned make sure you get the Recall Letter first, if you skip this you could be in for a big surprise. Once you are in Canada Honda America will not give you this letter and that can be a problem. If you do run into this let me know there is a solution for this as well.
Happy Motoring
1. This step is very important and caused me the most problems, I will not go into why but make sure you get this done first. Go to your local Honda Dealer and obtain a Recall letter this must be on the dealer letter head stating that the vehicle has no outstanding recalls for your VIN number. (You can also contact Honda USA and they will supply the same letter if you are not close to a dealer)
2. Make sure you have the vehicle registration, cetificate of title, insurance, bill of sale, statement of compiance label. (this should be attached to the vehicle door jam already)
3. Contact the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (www.riv.ca) and obtain a Vehicle Import Form - Form 1. You will need a Canadian mailing address when you fill out this form.
4. Determine which border crossing you are going to use and contact US Customs 72 hours prior to crossing - unless you like sitting at a border crossing over the weekend of course.
I recommend using a customs broker to get steps 3 and 4 done, they charge a nominal fee and will collect and disperse the necessary duties and import charges as well as complete the paperwork. You can expect the following costs when you contact them, 6% import duty (because the vehicle was assembled in Japan), 7% GST, $100 air conditioning tax, $100 excise tax and the brokerage fees which in my case totaled and additional $126.
Now you can cross into Canada, but wait there is more, Canada Customs now wants to see your completed Form 1 and all the items mentioned in item 2 above. For this service they will charge you an additional $209. Form 1 has a number at the top right of the form this is your case number. When dealing with RIV you will need to refer to this number.
5. Once you have entered into Canada you need to contact RIV again to obtain a Form 2 using the case number on Form 1. I would recommend asking RIV to e-mail you form 2 since it speeds things up.
6. Once you have form 2 in hand you will see that there is one thing that you will need to do before you can proceed. You will need to have daytime running lights installed. I elected to have the local Honda dealer install these, approx. cost $300.
7. Proceed to the local vehicle registration office and get an out of province inspection form which will cost approx. $25.
8. Now you are ready to complete the last step, proceed to Canadian Tire with Form 2, Recall Letter and the Out of Province forms to complete your inspection.
9. Once this has been completed you are free to register the vehicle in Canada.
Other than a lot of running around it is not complicated as long as you have the paperwork ready and follow the necessary steps. One word of warning though you may recall that in Step 1, as I mentioned make sure you get the Recall Letter first, if you skip this you could be in for a big surprise. Once you are in Canada Honda America will not give you this letter and that can be a problem. If you do run into this let me know there is a solution for this as well.
Happy Motoring
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 224
Likes: 0
From: E-Town
I am currenty shipping a S2K from the states to here as well. I'm planning on usnig Searail or Hansen. But for both they can ship to a Bonded warehouse where you can pick up the car and pay your tax/duty there. I think that eliminates the brokerage fees.
