Twistybits...

I sent you a PM that contained the question below...I've sometimes not noticed for a day or two that I have a PM, so I'm posting here in hopes that you'll se it. Anyone else with knowledge, please chime in....
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Greetings Twistybits:

I bought an 04 M3 in California today (still planning on keeping the S2000) that I'm looking at driving across the border. I saw your note on the forum saying you had brought up a car in January. The RIV site says that the documents need to be sent to the border crossing 72 hours before the car is presented at the border. How does one get the documents to them? Can you fax them, or do you have to show up at the border with the paperwork, show them to them and hang around for three days? (That would suck.) Any help you can provide from your experience would be greatly appreciated. I'm at home this evening (247-8990) if you have a moment to give me a call, or I can be reached on my cell phone (616-8990) anytime.

Thanks

George Curnew, 01 NFR

 

george, I would imagine you can fax them the required paperwork... probably the border crossing at coutts?

 

I'm hoping a fax will work...but the US Customs site says they need the original title document, or a certified copy. Does getting the original faxed to me, then faxing to them suffice? Seems like it should be simple, but there's not a lot to do in Sweetgrass for 3 days if they get sticky about it <g>...I didn't leave myself much time to get all the paperwork sorted out as I'm flying down Monday night to get the car...I probably should have got all my ducks in a row a little earlier...

 

I think a certified copy just needs to be notarized, no? if so, have your lawyer notarize it and then you can probably just fax that...

 

dunno...called the Sweetgrass border crossing to find out for sure, but no one answered (maybe 'cause it was after 5)...I'll get back on the phone tomorrow.

 

You can fax the required information. It's important to fax to the same crossing as you're coming through. I know the BC ones need a longer timeframe (well technically the WA ports as it's US customs that needs to have the documents. And, fyi, you don't really need to report to US customs - it's not a condition of import - but if you ever plan on selling the car back into the US, it's worth the hassle.)

ID and MT both quoted us 24 hours - 72 hours is the requested timeframe, but provided everything checks out with the car, you'll likely be on your way the following day (provided you get the fax in before 3pm, they'll have it ready by 9am)

We came across at Coutts/Sweetgrass without any hiccups. Well, save for the Canadian side, typical tax collectors.

 

Good stuff...thanks

 

Yes, you can fax the required documents to the Canadian boarder where you plan to import. I would phone them after you have sent the info and make sure it arrived, get the name of the person that you spoke with. Just a precaution.

twistybits

 

Was planning to bring in an NSX from the states, but there's just one peice that i'm missing. if you're driving the car back, do you just get insurance on the US license plate and drive it back?

 

you take your alberta plate from an exsisting car you already own and put it on that car.. you have 14 days to get your new car registered and insured