Car Talk Here - DMV import/export etc!!!!

This is our main tax information forum which deals with topics concerning Canadians living and working in the U.S., U.S. citizens contemplating working in Canada, and all aspects of Canadian and U.S. income tax and related adminstrative issues.

Moderator: Mark T Serbinski CA CPA

nelsona
Posts: 18314
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Car Talk Here - DMV import/export etc!!!!

Post by nelsona »

Bureaucrats are bureaucrats wherever they may be.

Use this thread to post and find out about importing your car to US, dealing with the DMV, and when you leave, taking the car back with you.

<i>nelsona non grata</i>
pl091000
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:18 am

Post by pl091000 »

Hello,
I am looking to renew my wife's DL but she is now required to present a SSN. The DMV employee was very polite and gave us a sheet that basically said my wife may now be eligible to get the SSN for the purpose of renewing the DL. We are in Georgia. Has anybody worked through this in this state? What is the exact procedure to follow?
Thanks
nelsona
Posts: 18314
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Post by nelsona »

Unfortunately, the GA DMV person. while nice -- is wrong.

SSA has categorically stated that they will not give SSN for DL for ANY state.

There are now several states in which TD/H4 spouses are facing this problem. NJ is one.

You must go back to DMV and say that SSA will not grant SSN. Go to SSA website which states this specifically.

<i>nelsona non grata</i>
pl091000
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:18 am

Post by pl091000 »

Nelson,
fair enough. Is is enough to simply print out the statement from SSA about no SSN for DL and bring it to the liscence bureau? Or will they require an official letter from SSA with my wife's name on it stating that she is not eligible for SSN.
Thanks,
Peter
MaggieA
Posts: 150
Joined: Sun Oct 31, 2004 4:06 pm

Post by MaggieA »

Specific instructions for the SSN-less in Georgia are provided here:

http://www.dmvs.ga.gov/drivers/otherNations.asp
pl091000
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Oct 28, 2004 7:18 am

Post by pl091000 »

Thanks Maggie, just what i was looking for.
neilmck
Posts: 4
Joined: Mon Nov 01, 2004 11:16 am

Post by neilmck »

I recently imported my car from California/US to Ontario/Canada. Here are the links that describe everything you need to do. There are certainly differences for other states and provinces, but the general process would be the same. Suggest you read through all the material before doing anything - there's lots of interdependencies and timing. Also note you will not have to pay any GST/PST if you've owned the car for more than a year.

Export from US
http://www.customs.gov/xp/cgov/export/e ... ehicle.xml

Export from California
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/vr/export.htm

Importing to Canada
http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html

Getting insurance in Ontario (needed before licensing the car - insurance company will do this but you have to ask - its not their normal practice to insure a car not yet titled in ontario)
www.kanetix.com

Getting your California records to show to Ontario when you apply for a drivers license here:
http://www.dmv.ca.gov/forms/inf/inf1125.htm

Licensing it in Ontario
http://www.mto.gov.on.ca/english/dandv/ ... outcan.htm
wildcard
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 3:17 pm

Post by wildcard »

Got my DL in Florida but I had to surrender my BC License. Also, they pinned the expiry date of the Florida DL to the expiry date of my I-94 (TN). Anyone know how I can renew my Florida DL (before it expires) with my new TN yet? which I'll get at the border. Can I just claim I'm a B-2 and they'll renew it?
nelsona
Posts: 18314
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Post by nelsona »

DL renewal is a difficult issue for TNers, since they renew every year.

basically, you won't be able to get a renewal until you get your new I-94.

<i>nelsona non grata... and non pro</i>
wildcard
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 3:17 pm

Post by wildcard »

I just went to the Florida DMV website and it said when Canadian citizen's renew, a renewal license will be issued for 2 years.

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/ddl/faqkeys.html#CanCit

jfd5356
Posts: 64
Joined: Wed Mar 30, 2005 10:19 am
Location: Nova Scotia
Contact:

Post by jfd5356 »

Neilmck,

Did your car need any changes made to it to conform to Canadian standards? If so, what were they? Can you address this issue.

Thanks.

jo
wildcard
Posts: 15
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 3:17 pm

Post by wildcard »

Anyone know of a national insurer who will recognize driving experience in Canada? I'm being charged high premiums because I've only had my US license a short while.
nelsona
Posts: 18314
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Post by nelsona »

Your best bet is not to go national, but to go to a local broker, who will be able to override the built-in premium hikes.

I saved $800/yr just by making one phonecall.

<i>nelsona non grata... and non pro</i>
brians
Posts: 7
Joined: Wed Jun 08, 2005 2:24 pm

Post by brians »

Can someone shed some light on the tax implications of importing a car from the US (WA state) to Canada (Ontatio)? I've read many documents and I'm getting lost in the legal wording.

Specifically, the following memo: http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/E/pub/cm/d9-1-11/README.html indicates that the importation of a vehicle by a former Canadian resident who is returning to Canada and who has been away for more than 12 months is <b>not</b> subject to tariff taxes specified by tariff item 9897.00.00.

I've also read in an earlier post that if you've owned the car for longer than a year that I won't have to pay GST or PST.

If all this is true then exactly what taxes are you subject to when importing a vehicle in my situation?
nelsona
Posts: 18314
Joined: Wed Oct 27, 2004 2:33 pm
Location: Nowhere, man

Post by nelsona »

The right to import, Duty and GST/PST are 3 separate issues.

You might want to read the Plain english:

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4140/README.html

Anything (including a car) which is worth more than 10K is subject to duties and/or GST when returning to canada:

http://www.cbsa.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/rc4105/rc4105-e.pdf


PST is usually charged when you register your car with the DMV.

<i>nelsona non grata... and non pro</i>
Post Reply