Posted on: 12-05-05 18:56:17
Friends,
I landed in Canada from US by road in Nov 2004. One big mistake I made was that I took my own car with me. I was under the impression that if I include my car in the list of goods to follow, I can get the car back to the US and will have to complete the import formalities when I finally go to reside in Canada. (which is sometime next month)
However at the border I was forced to import the car. I was told that I can send RIV the importing fees by mail.
I was in Canada for a couple of days and came back to the US in the same car.
In Dec 2004, RIV sent a letter \"Notice of Late Payment\" to my Canadian address. The letter mentioned that the date of compliance for this car is end of Dec 2004 and I need to finish all the formalities including modifying the car to meet Canadian standards by end of Dec 2004.
Unfortunately my Canadian contact gave me this letter a week ago.
Questions:
1. Has anyone been in such a situation before? How did he/she tackle it?
2. Does someone know how much fine I will have to pay?
3. How much will it cost to modify a Honda Civic (2002), including inspection
etc.
4. To avoid hassles and fines, can I sell the car in the US and buy a
new/used car when I reach Canada. Is this advisable.
Thanks in advance for your help and advice.
P.S. *** Did post this in the USA FOLDER of this websit. No response. I guess this is the correct forum
Quote:Your best bet is to call the RIV at their 800 number and tell them honestly what has happened and what you should do next.
Orginally posted by cimmigrant
1. Has anyone been in such a situation before? How did he/she tackle it?
As far as RIV is concerned, you have imported a car and have not completed the required formalities, nor paid the required fee.
This makes your car illegal in Canada and they can order it to be impounded by the law enforcement authorities when it enters Canada next.
I don't think they will actually order it to be impounded so soon, but they can !
Quote:Call and ask.
2. Does someone know how much fine I will have to pay?
Quote:You can make the modifications in the US (most of them, at least).
3. How much will it cost to modify a Honda Civic (2002), including inspection
etc.
I know that you can have DRL installed in the US.
As for the inspection, that can only be performed at an authorised center within Canada (RIV would have sent you a list of authorised centers - also available on their website, I believe).
Which means that you will have to drive the car back into Canada from the US and pass through Customs inspection.
At that point, unless you have something from the RIV that says it is ok to do so, customs may not let it go through.
Quote:Sure, you can sell it and notify RIV of the sale.
4. To avoid hassles and fines, can I sell the car in the US and buy a
new/used car when I reach Canada. Is this advisable.
That will get them off your back.
Just because you had included something in your original GTF list, doesn't mean you have to bring it along.
I think most of your questions/problems can be solved by a simple call to RIV, instead of losing more time here
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
Thank you sir. This helps a lot. As suggested I will call RIV and clarify the issue. This will help me know the amount in fines, etc I will have to pay.
After talking to the RIV, I will still need the following information to decide the best approach (i.e. sell car in US or drive to Canada)
Does any one know the amout (USD) including expenses it will take to modify the car to meet. Thiw inaddition to the fines charged will help me make the best financial decision.
Thanks and Regards
