Apparently the car has to qualify under the Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV)program. It might have to be modified and have to pass the federal inspection from RIV.
You will need day time running lights. You can get the module at Canadian Tire for a couple hundred bucks or in my case, I had a friend wire up the key when so that when the ignition is on my low beams would light up. That's pretty much all that I had to do to pass the RIV inspection. Canadian Tire is the only place that will carry out an RIV inspection for Transport Canada. If you are going to get it shipped up, go through a customs broker. You will pay a small fee of a couple hundred dollars to the broker, but they know exactly what to do, expecially with the paper work. I used PF Collins here in Newfoundland. If you drive it up, I think you fill out some papers at the border. A friend of mine imported a Liberty Diesel from Florida and he had no problems. He had to fill out some papers at the border and that was pretty much it. I hope this helps you a bit.
I ran a wire from the key to the fog light solenoid to turn on my fogs with the key(see DIY). Gen 1's are not allowed to be imported to Canada because of different front bumper regs.
You need to fax the import work sheet, the registration/title, etc. to the border crossing you're going to use at least 72 hrs before you get there with the car. You pay GST, $100 for a/c and any other charges they want at the border. Once you get home you need to pay RIV their fees (Internet is fastest) and fax them the paperwork they require to their numbers. If they screw you around (I faxed the papers 7 times before they acknoledged receiving them) call your MP and ask him to straighten them out. You pay RIV about $270 and Cdn Tire gets a whooping $27 for the inspection.
If the title doesn't say 'clear' on it you'll need a letter to clear it. Info at riv.ca
I've imported 2 Vipers and a Stealth from the US. Pain in the ass, but worth it.
Daimler Chrysler will cancel any warranty when you cross the border. They said it was to'discourage' cross-border shopping. Actually, I think it's just to rip you off ... since they don't refund the money, they keep it.
Hi
I imported my viper back in winter of 05, I had TFX International pick it up from Tator's in NY where I had the recall work and letter, and daytime running light module installed ($90.00 chrysler part) and had the car serviced. I sent over the original copy of the off the title and a copy of the bill of sale to TFX and they delt with all the paper work and importing etc. And I paid TFX when they arrived at my door with my viper, really easy.
Once in Canada take it over to CanadianTire to have the car check out, basically they just look for the daytime running lights and a copy of the recall clearance letter and thats that they send it off and you get your sticker a few weeks later to attach to your inner door panel.
Upon registering your car you pay PST on the invoiced price of the car and your GST and other stuff gets paid at the border by the shipping company and you pay them back upon delivery.
In July I faxed the paperwork to the wrong border crossing because of the cookies in my computer. Oops, wrong place (send to the border crossing you'll be using) and they threw my paperwork in the garbage. No "contact phone call" either, so I showed up at the border and was informed that I had to wait 72 hrs. If you cross the border before the paperwork is done the US seizes the car and you get a $5,000 fine.
It's easy enough to do as long as you understand the instructions and requirements and follow the "rules". If you don't understand, phone and ask! That'll pay off in the long run.
When I bought my Stealth R/T TT outside of San Fran. I was given incorrect info from ICBC (insurance agent) and registered the car in Calif. They refused to give me a "certified copy" of the Title, charged me $520 tax and took my title giving me a new registration. BC also decided to add an 'extra' used car luxury tax at $55,000 of $1200, which they didn't have in Feb.
Got to the border and found out that since I had NO clear title and NO "certified copy" of the Title I had to wait a month to bring the car into Canada.
Although it's illegal for California to register my car there (had to use sellers address) they did it anyway and took my money. Seller went to DMV and they apologized, wrote a letter and even called the US export, but NO title. Sympathetic Supervisor next day "bent the rules to save me a HUGE pain in the ass, thank you!
I've bought 3 supercars in the US (all highly modified) and plan to go back and buy more.
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