Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
06-03-2008, 11:01 AM
#1
Audi Forum - Posts like an S6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oakville
Posts: 1,155
Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
here's how it went. Make sure your car is on the transport Canada approved list (link below), and that there are no big $$$ safety modifications that need done. Then when you buy...
1. fax title to US headquarters of the manufacturer requesting RECALL CLEARANCE LETTER (received next day from Audi USA)
2. fax title to your chosen US border crossing 72 hrs before you get there
3. get dealer to install temp plate for trip home and so you can drive the car while you're getting it registered here (30 days on mine...s/b free or $10)
4. cross US border with title, bill of sale and identification - 2 mins...all they do is stamp your title
5. cross Canadian border with same docs, and stamped title - 10 mins...they fill in FORM 1 for you and give you a copy. Then they levy the following charges based on purchase price converted to CDN$ at previous day's BankofCanada.com USD/CAD rate
a) 6.1% duty on total car value if built outside of North America (link below for a good list of qualifying 'imports' that are built in N.A...I'm importing a Lexus RX350 next year, and happily its made in Cambridge ON.)
b) 5% GST on total amount including the duty
c) $100+gst for Air Conditioner
you now have 45 days to complete the rest of the steps (or until your temp plate expires)
6. fax FORM 1 to Registrar of Imported Vehicles RIV: How to import a U.S made vehicle into Canada and while you're at it, pay your RIV fee online ($195+tax)
7. fax RECALL CLEARANCE LETTER to RIV.ca. RIV will then email or fax you FORM 2 (INSPECTION FORM)
8. take car to RIV approved locations for Federal Inspection (free - part of RIV fee). Takes 10 minutes.
9. take car to MTO approved location for Emissions test ($40) and Provincial Safety Inspection ($90-110)...issued certificate if you pass
10. take ALL your docs to an MTO office to get your plates/register the car in your name. They will levy the following fees
a) 8% GST on C$ value of car
b) $74 for license
c) $10 for paperwork
questions? fire away...
references:
Transport Canada Admissibility List
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...list/VAFUS.pdf
List of Duty Free 'Imports'
Duty Free Cars | BORDER DEALS
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
here's how it went. Make sure your car is on the transport Canada approved list (link below), and that there are no big $$$ safety modifications that need done. Then when you buy...
1. fax title to US headquarters of the manufacturer requesting RECALL CLEARANCE LETTER (received next day from Audi USA)
2. fax title to your chosen US border crossing 72 hrs before you get there
3. get dealer to install temp plate for trip home and so you can drive the car while you're getting it registered here (30 days on mine...s/b free or $10)
4. cross US border with title, bill of sale and identification - 2 mins...all they do is stamp your title
5. cross Canadian border with same docs, and stamped title - 10 mins...they fill in FORM 1 for you and give you a copy. Then they levy the following charges based on purchase price converted to CDN$ at previous day's BankofCanada.com USD/CAD rate
a) 6.1% duty on total car value if built outside of North America (link below for a good list of qualifying 'imports' that are built in N.A...I'm importing a Lexus RX350 next year, and happily its made in Cambridge ON.)
b) 5% GST on total amount including the duty
c) $100+gst for Air Conditioner
you now have 45 days to complete the rest of the steps (or until your temp plate expires)
6. fax FORM 1 to Registrar of Imported Vehicles RIV: How to import a U.S made vehicle into Canada and while you're at it, pay your RIV fee online ($195+tax)
7. fax RECALL CLEARANCE LETTER to RIV.ca. RIV will then email or fax you FORM 2 (INSPECTION FORM)
8. take car to RIV approved locations for Federal Inspection (free - part of RIV fee). Takes 10 minutes.
9. take car to MTO approved location for Emissions test ($40) and Provincial Safety Inspection ($90-110)...issued certificate if you pass
10. take ALL your docs to an MTO office to get your plates/register the car in your name. They will levy the following fees
a) 8% GST on C$ value of car
b) $74 for license
c) $10 for paperwork
questions? fire away...
references:
Transport Canada Admissibility List
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/impor...list/VAFUS.pdf
List of Duty Free 'Imports'
Duty Free Cars | BORDER DEALS
Last edited by sakimano; 06-03-2008 at 11:41 AM.
07-13-2008, 03:46 AM
#4
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: calgary,canada
Posts: 3
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
Hey peeps, just wondering how long it usually takes (timewise, after you've crossed the cdn border) to get the vehicle registered? So basically, are you good to take the vehicle in for inspection as soon as you arrive to Canada, or do you have to wait for any docs to be mailed to you prior to inspection?? And does warranty automaticly apply (if available), or do you have to pay Audi a visit?
Any input would be appreciated.
Al.
Any input would be appreciated.
Al.
Last edited by audicrazy; 07-13-2008 at 03:48 AM.
07-13-2008, 03:52 AM
#5
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: calgary,canada
Posts: 3
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
I was looking into importing a 2007 Rs4, but from the looks of it, by the time i pay duty, gst, fees, etc.. i'm better off just buying a canadian one! What gives?? I think sales are just slow here now..
07-22-2008, 09:29 PM
#6
Audi Forum - Posts like an S6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oakville
Posts: 1,155
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
also, the key difference about the US market is the availability of cars....there are a few dozen 2007-2008 preowned RS4s for sale at all times in the US, and about 6 for sale in all of Canada.
07-22-2008, 09:34 PM
#7
Audi Forum - Posts like an S6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oakville
Posts: 1,155
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
Hey peeps, just wondering how long it usually takes (timewise, after you've crossed the cdn border) to get the vehicle registered? So basically, are you good to take the vehicle in for inspection as soon as you arrive to Canada, or do you have to wait for any docs to be mailed to you prior to inspection?? And does warranty automaticly apply (if available), or do you have to pay Audi a visit?
Any input would be appreciated.
Al.
Any input would be appreciated.
Al.
day 1 picked up car
day 1 crossed borders (form 1 filed)
day 5 faxed stuff to RIV.ca
day 5 received form 2 on email from RIV.ca (for inspection)
day 8 had federal inspection done
day 10 had provincial inspection done
day 17 received RIV/Transport Canada sticker in the mail and was eligible to register with MTO
I chose to wait another 2 weeks because I had a 40 day temp-plate on my car, and didn't feel the need to rush over to the MTO and give them $3500 in PST!
day 32 registered at MTO
The Audi warranty is always active. I added my car to my other Audi with Audi Canada's client registration (their customer service people are awesome by the way). One week after bringing the car into Canada (and well before it was plated in Ontario) I took it to Audi to have them check a funny steering noise. They checked it out, topped up the steering fluid and gave it back to me in 20 minutes, washed.
Cheers
Last edited by sakimano; 07-22-2008 at 09:37 PM.
10-06-2008, 05:19 PM
#8
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
Hi,
I just wanted to add to this thread my recent experience of importing an Audi S4 Cabrio from the states (Michigan). The steps were all as decribed above overall, and all went smooth except for a couple of minor "snags". I will list them here as others that are thinking to do the same might learn something from them.
I was able to go and see the car before I have bought it as I live in Toronto and the car was only 350 km away in Rochester Hills MI at their Audi dealership.
So...I went there on a Friday afternoon, test-drove the car, loved it instantly and I left a deposit for it before I came back the same day. I have also agreed with the dealer to have the glove box compartment door replaced as it had a broken hinge and he was also going to turn on the DRL and obtain a recall clearance letter for me. I returned a week later with a certified cheque for the remaining balance and picked up the car with temporary 14-day licence plates issued by the dealership.
I was travelling back with my girlfriend, and she stayed in the car while I went to do the legal forms inside the customs office. The reason why I am mentioning this is because while I was filling out paperwork and paying my taxes inside, the officers in the parking lot were conveniently questioning my girlfriend outside in the parking lot about where I had the funds to pay for the car from... and about how much do I make a year... and implying that I was committing fraud by not declaring the actual amount that I have paid for the car... and whether she wasn't somehow hiding something under her clothes... and a bunch more that could have all been avoided. My advice to anyone that may bring back a car and is accompanied by someone else is to stay together and lock the car outside while paying the taxes inside.
I would also recommend that if you live in the GTA area, once you have all the documents to be submitted to RIV and have paid the $205 RIV fee, to personally go to their office in Mississauga and they will process your application on the spot and they will give you the "FORM 2" that Canadian Tire will require to perform your inspection.
The other inconvenience I had, was that in the two weeks period that I have had the Michigan temporary licence plate, I got pulled over by the police, and I was handed a ticket for failing to register the vehicle after taking possession.
I was told by the officer that it is not ok for a Canadian citizen to drive around in a car with US licence plates and that the allowed time to register a car is 7 days from the time you receive it (buy it). If you look at your Ontario car registration it specifies this on it, but I don't think it applies to cars that are in the process of being imported.
The funny thing is that 3 hours later I got pulled over by another patrol for the same reason, but this time they seemed to be ok with the fact that I was importing a car from the US and all they cared about was to see that all the papers were ok and the temp plate was not expired.
The next day I went to the MTO and got my permanent plates and now I have to go to court to fight for that ticket. This is a great way to waste some of my time and some taxpayer money. I would advise others to try and register their cars ASAP after passing all the inspections in order to avoid police officers that interpret the HTA the way they want to.
I hope this wasn't too boring.
Cheers,
Andrei
I just wanted to add to this thread my recent experience of importing an Audi S4 Cabrio from the states (Michigan). The steps were all as decribed above overall, and all went smooth except for a couple of minor "snags". I will list them here as others that are thinking to do the same might learn something from them.
I was able to go and see the car before I have bought it as I live in Toronto and the car was only 350 km away in Rochester Hills MI at their Audi dealership.
So...I went there on a Friday afternoon, test-drove the car, loved it instantly and I left a deposit for it before I came back the same day. I have also agreed with the dealer to have the glove box compartment door replaced as it had a broken hinge and he was also going to turn on the DRL and obtain a recall clearance letter for me. I returned a week later with a certified cheque for the remaining balance and picked up the car with temporary 14-day licence plates issued by the dealership.
I was travelling back with my girlfriend, and she stayed in the car while I went to do the legal forms inside the customs office. The reason why I am mentioning this is because while I was filling out paperwork and paying my taxes inside, the officers in the parking lot were conveniently questioning my girlfriend outside in the parking lot about where I had the funds to pay for the car from... and about how much do I make a year... and implying that I was committing fraud by not declaring the actual amount that I have paid for the car... and whether she wasn't somehow hiding something under her clothes... and a bunch more that could have all been avoided. My advice to anyone that may bring back a car and is accompanied by someone else is to stay together and lock the car outside while paying the taxes inside.
I would also recommend that if you live in the GTA area, once you have all the documents to be submitted to RIV and have paid the $205 RIV fee, to personally go to their office in Mississauga and they will process your application on the spot and they will give you the "FORM 2" that Canadian Tire will require to perform your inspection.
The other inconvenience I had, was that in the two weeks period that I have had the Michigan temporary licence plate, I got pulled over by the police, and I was handed a ticket for failing to register the vehicle after taking possession.
I was told by the officer that it is not ok for a Canadian citizen to drive around in a car with US licence plates and that the allowed time to register a car is 7 days from the time you receive it (buy it). If you look at your Ontario car registration it specifies this on it, but I don't think it applies to cars that are in the process of being imported.
The funny thing is that 3 hours later I got pulled over by another patrol for the same reason, but this time they seemed to be ok with the fact that I was importing a car from the US and all they cared about was to see that all the papers were ok and the temp plate was not expired.
The next day I went to the MTO and got my permanent plates and now I have to go to court to fight for that ticket. This is a great way to waste some of my time and some taxpayer money. I would advise others to try and register their cars ASAP after passing all the inspections in order to avoid police officers that interpret the HTA the way they want to.
I hope this wasn't too boring.
Cheers,
Andrei
10-06-2008, 09:59 PM
#9
Audi Forum - Posts like an S6
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oakville
Posts: 1,155
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
I think you'll get off the ticket...it's IMPOSSIBLE to register the car in 7 days, as you have to wait for RIV.
This car must be a few years old...the new ones have a little switch for DRL right on the dash.
re the going to RIV.ca office in Etobicoke (near Mississauga border)...you can phone them and they'll email you the form instantly. I told the guy I was faxing it in, and he emailed it that afternoon.
I just wanted to add to this thread my recent experience of importing an Audi S4 Cabrio from the states (Michigan). The steps were all as decribed above overall, and all went smooth except for a couple of minor "snags". I will list them here as others that are thinking to do the same might learn something from them.
I was able to go and see the car before I have bought it as I live in Toronto and the car was only 350 km away in Rochester Hills MI at their Audi dealership.
So...I went there on a Friday afternoon, test-drove the car, loved it instantly and I left a deposit for it before I came back the same day. I have also agreed with the dealer to have the glove box compartment door replaced as it had a broken hinge and he was also going to turn on the DRL and obtain a recall clearance letter for me. I returned a week later with a certified cheque for the remaining balance and picked up the car with temporary 14-day licence plates issued by the dealership.
I was travelling back with my girlfriend, and she stayed in the car while I went to do the legal forms inside the customs office. The reason why I am mentioning this is because while I was filling out paperwork and paying my taxes inside, the officers in the parking lot were conveniently questioning my girlfriend outside in the parking lot about where I had the funds to pay for the car from... and about how much do I make a year... and implying that I was committing fraud by not declaring the actual amount that I have paid for the car... and whether she wasn't somehow hiding something under her clothes... and a bunch more that could have all been avoided. My advice to anyone that may bring back a car and is accompanied by someone else is to stay together and lock the car outside while paying the taxes inside.
I would also recommend that if you live in the GTA area, once you have all the documents to be submitted to RIV and have paid the $205 RIV fee, to personally go to their office in Mississauga and they will process your application on the spot and they will give you the "FORM 2" that Canadian Tire will require to perform your inspection.
The other inconvenience I had, was that in the two weeks period that I have had the Michigan temporary licence plate, I got pulled over by the police, and I was handed a ticket for failing to register the vehicle after taking possession.
I was told by the officer that it is not ok for a Canadian citizen to drive around in a car with US licence plates and that the allowed time to register a car is 7 days from the time you receive it (buy it). If you look at your Ontario car registration it specifies this on it, but I don't think it applies to cars that are in the process of being imported.
The funny thing is that 3 hours later I got pulled over by another patrol for the same reason, but this time they seemed to be ok with the fact that I was importing a car from the US and all they cared about was to see that all the papers were ok and the temp plate was not expired.
The next day I went to the MTO and got my permanent plates and now I have to go to court to fight for that ticket. This is a great way to waste some of my time and some taxpayer money. I would advise others to try and register their cars ASAP after passing all the inspections in order to avoid police officers that interpret the HTA the way they want to.
I hope this wasn't too boring.
Cheers,
Andrei
This car must be a few years old...the new ones have a little switch for DRL right on the dash.
re the going to RIV.ca office in Etobicoke (near Mississauga border)...you can phone them and they'll email you the form instantly. I told the guy I was faxing it in, and he emailed it that afternoon.
I just wanted to add to this thread my recent experience of importing an Audi S4 Cabrio from the states (Michigan). The steps were all as decribed above overall, and all went smooth except for a couple of minor "snags". I will list them here as others that are thinking to do the same might learn something from them.
I was able to go and see the car before I have bought it as I live in Toronto and the car was only 350 km away in Rochester Hills MI at their Audi dealership.
So...I went there on a Friday afternoon, test-drove the car, loved it instantly and I left a deposit for it before I came back the same day. I have also agreed with the dealer to have the glove box compartment door replaced as it had a broken hinge and he was also going to turn on the DRL and obtain a recall clearance letter for me. I returned a week later with a certified cheque for the remaining balance and picked up the car with temporary 14-day licence plates issued by the dealership.
I was travelling back with my girlfriend, and she stayed in the car while I went to do the legal forms inside the customs office. The reason why I am mentioning this is because while I was filling out paperwork and paying my taxes inside, the officers in the parking lot were conveniently questioning my girlfriend outside in the parking lot about where I had the funds to pay for the car from... and about how much do I make a year... and implying that I was committing fraud by not declaring the actual amount that I have paid for the car... and whether she wasn't somehow hiding something under her clothes... and a bunch more that could have all been avoided. My advice to anyone that may bring back a car and is accompanied by someone else is to stay together and lock the car outside while paying the taxes inside.
I would also recommend that if you live in the GTA area, once you have all the documents to be submitted to RIV and have paid the $205 RIV fee, to personally go to their office in Mississauga and they will process your application on the spot and they will give you the "FORM 2" that Canadian Tire will require to perform your inspection.
The other inconvenience I had, was that in the two weeks period that I have had the Michigan temporary licence plate, I got pulled over by the police, and I was handed a ticket for failing to register the vehicle after taking possession.
I was told by the officer that it is not ok for a Canadian citizen to drive around in a car with US licence plates and that the allowed time to register a car is 7 days from the time you receive it (buy it). If you look at your Ontario car registration it specifies this on it, but I don't think it applies to cars that are in the process of being imported.
The funny thing is that 3 hours later I got pulled over by another patrol for the same reason, but this time they seemed to be ok with the fact that I was importing a car from the US and all they cared about was to see that all the papers were ok and the temp plate was not expired.
The next day I went to the MTO and got my permanent plates and now I have to go to court to fight for that ticket. This is a great way to waste some of my time and some taxpayer money. I would advise others to try and register their cars ASAP after passing all the inspections in order to avoid police officers that interpret the HTA the way they want to.
I hope this wasn't too boring.
Cheers,
Andrei
10-07-2008, 01:11 AM
#10
Audi Forum - Posts like an A1
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Toronto
Posts: 2
Re: Imported 2007 S4 - Here's my experience
My car is a 2005 S4 Cabrio...I am not sure if my car has a switch inside for the DRL...i just asked the dealer where i got it from to turn them on for me.
I also called a dealer in Canada (Agincourt Audi) and they said it would be around $150 in labour to turn them on. Its probably like a 5 min job for them and an easy way to make a quick buck.
About the ticket...I would be very surprised and upset if i don't get off, but i really don't think that it was necesary....its not like i would drive my car around without plates after my temps expired. Just a big waste of time and money.
Anyway...the important thing is that i managed to get the car across safely and i managed to register it in time....all there is left to do now is enjoy it
I also noticed that people at RIV operate more efficiently now....I brought a bike over from the US last year in July and at that time, although the process was the same, i remember that things mooved a lot slower then.
I also called a dealer in Canada (Agincourt Audi) and they said it would be around $150 in labour to turn them on. Its probably like a 5 min job for them and an easy way to make a quick buck.
About the ticket...I would be very surprised and upset if i don't get off, but i really don't think that it was necesary....its not like i would drive my car around without plates after my temps expired. Just a big waste of time and money.
Anyway...the important thing is that i managed to get the car across safely and i managed to register it in time....all there is left to do now is enjoy it
I also noticed that people at RIV operate more efficiently now....I brought a bike over from the US last year in July and at that time, although the process was the same, i remember that things mooved a lot slower then.
