Automobile Importation: Read here 1st before asking.

B15SENTRA

New member
Skyline GT-R Info, Read here 1st before asking.

STICKY!!!!!!

In response to the numerous newbie posts ask about skylines & importing them
from Japan I have created this thread to answer some questions. Those who hav a clue can add to this thread. Newbie should read it and shut up, don't post any stupid questions or comments. Here we go:

Step 1: SEARCH!!!!!

Step 2: Read

Vehicles that are not in Canada or the USA or not designed to conform to US and/or Canadian safety standards cannot be imported into Canada. More precisely, vehicles that were deisgned and built for use and sale in Canada or the United States. That means Cars that are in ANY other country cannot be imported into canada for use on public roads.

There is a Canadian Registrar of imported Vehicles that has a list of Vehicles that cannot be imported into Canada, if the car you want is on that list; FORGET IT!

Here is an excerpt obtained from the Transport Canada Website:​

Importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States

Revised December 2002 Subject to revision without notification

The illegal importation of a motor vehicle into Canada is a criminal offense. Inadmissible vehicles will be denied entry into Canada and will be detained. All storage and disposal fees are the responsibility of the importer.

Please read the following carefully.


VEHICLES PURCHASED OUTSIDE CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles imported into Canada comply, at the time of importation, with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971.

Vehicles acquired in foreign countries other than the U.S. and designed, built, tested and certified to meet either all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or all applicable United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a statement of compliance label affixed by the original manufacturer, as required by the Regulations, may be eligible for importation into Canada provided the vehicle has not been altered and the certification from the original manufacturer is maintained. Please contact Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, at 1-613-998-8616 for further information.

VISITORS AND TOURISTS TO CANADA

Under Section 7(1)(b) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a motor vehicle may be admitted temporarily into Canada without complying with the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations if it is to be used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor or a person passing through Canada to another country. Persons entering under a work permit or student visa will be considered as visitors for the application of this section of the Act. Any change in the status of the person entering the vehicle may invalidate the use of this section of the Act. The vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada and cannot remain in Canada for a period longer than the time constraints listed on the work permit, student visa or any other Customs documents. Once these time limits are exceeded, the vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary entry under section 7(1)(b) of the Act and must be exported. As the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency also has requirements concerning the importation of vehicles, you may contact them at the address listed below.


ADDRESSES

Transport Canada
Vehicle Importation
Tower "C",
Place de Ville,
330 Sparks Steet,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

CANADA
Telephone: 1-613-998-8616

Toll Free: 1-800-333-0371

Fax: 1-613-998-4831

REVISED MAY 2001
THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS REFLECT CURRENT LEGISLATION
 
You will note that there is an exception to this rule:

"The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured"

This is an expensive exception, most of the the newbie readers and 18 year old punks that don't. Stop dreaming!!! Get a civic and some L.E.D washer nozzles.

Getting a car into canada is a very difficult even under the best of circumstances.
If you have the dough and want a RHD Car then here are some links to site that I have found that do import vehicles from overseas. Use at your own risk:

Importconcern.ca
JNS-Imports.com
CanadianGT-R.com
 
Here's is more info from Transport Canada for importing from USA:

What to do
before you import

Make sure your vehicle is admissible and can be modified to meet Canadian requirements by checking Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States . This program covers passenger cars, trucks, vans, jeeps, chassis cabs, trailers, motorcycles and snowmobiles less than 15 years old; off-road vehicles manufactured after May 1, 1988 and buses manufactured after January 1, 1971.
Check the list on this web site for typical modification requirements, or you can call us at 1-888-848-8240.
Contact the original equipment manufacturer or authorized dealer of your vehicle to obtain a recall clearance letter. You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.
Obtain information from the manufacturer or authorized dealer on costs and availability of parts for the required modifications. Some manufacturers require an authorized dealer perform the modifications. Remember that the costs of the mocifications are your responsibility.
Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency, responsible for assessing and collecting duties and taxes, can be reached at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or (506) 636-5064 (outside Canada).
Make sure you have the required documentation: title documents, registration, sales receipts, statement of compliance label and manufacturer's recall clearance letter.
Find out about any additional provincial or territorial requirements, such as safety inspections and emissions tests.
Arrange for insurance on your vehicle.
Present your vehicle alng with original title document to U.S. Customs prior to entering Canada. Visit the U.S. Customs website to obtain detailed information and contact information on U.S. ports.
If you are importing a trailer, you may call RIV to have your Vehicle Identification Number verified ahead of time.
What to do
at the border

Produce your title documents, registration and sales receipts.
Complete Vehicle Import Form – Form 1, which Canada Customs will provide. This requires a Canadian mailing address. This form must be kept in the vehicle until it is licensed.
Canada Customs will check your vehicle against Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. They will also verify the public VIN and manufacturer's statement of compliance label on the vehicle to make sure they match.
Canada Customs will collect your nonrefundable Registrar of Imported Vehicles' fee of $182 in all provinces except Quebec where it is $197.
Payment for teh RIV fee may be made directly to Canada Customs with any major credit card. Canada Customs dies not accept cash or cheques for the RIV fee. If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, Canada Customs will provide you with a payment envelope which must be mailed to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. Please note that all personal cheques will be held for ten business days in order to allow them to clear the bank. This will use up a portion of your 45 day time limit.
Remember that payment of fees and receipt of the Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 does not warrant that your vehicle is capable of being brought into conformity with all applicable federal and provincial or territorial laws.
The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will not issue a federal inspection form or any specific modification information for a vehicle with an unpaid file. It is important that you do not proceed with any modificaitons on your vehicle until you receive this federal inspection form. If the file remains unpaid for 14 days after importation, we will send the importer a reminder of notice.


What to do
after the vehicle enters Canada




Within 10 days, you'll receive a letter from RIV with your inspection document (Form 2) which details what must be done to bring your vehicle into compliance.
It is your responsibility to complete the necessary modifications within 45 days. You may have the modifications done by the mechanic or garage of your choice. However, we recommend that you contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer to discuss appropriate parts or warranty issues. Make sure you keep receipts for parts and labour, to present at the inspection, along with Form 1, Form 2 and the recall clearance letter.
The RIV has contracted with Canadian Tire, with 430 locations across Canada, to perform our federal inspections. In many cases, Canadian Tire can perform certain modification work, as well as performing the provincial inspection.
When you pass the inspection, the inspection centre will stamp your Form 1, that you will have to present to the provincial or territorial licensing authority, which may require additional testing.
Within approximately one week of passing the federal inspection, we will send you a new Canadian Certification label with instructions on where to affix it to your vehicle.
If the vehicle fails the inspection, you'll have to pay additional charges for another inspection. If the vehicle cannot pass the inspection within the 45 days, it will have to be exported back to the United States.
If you are having trouble meeting the 45-day deadline or other questions, we may be able to help. So call us at 1-888-848-8240.
Numbers
you'll need

Registrar of Imported Vehicles
1-888-848-8240

Hours of service
Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (EST)
Sat. and Sun.: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Canada Customs and Revenue Agency
In Canada: 1-800-461-9999 (English) ; 1-800-959-2036 (French)
Outside Canada: (506) 636-5064 (English) ; (506) 636-5097 (French)
www.ccra-adrc.gc.ca

Transport Canada
In Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Outside Canada: (613) 998-8616
Fax: (613) 998-4831
www.tc.gc.ca
 
Modification & Inspection Requirements for Passenger vehicles​


1.Recall clearance letter
2.The vehicle must bear a manufacturer's valid statement of compliance label at the time of
importation, otherwise a manufacturer's latter of compliance will be required.
3.The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will mail a Canadian statement of compliance label to you
after passing the federal inspection.
4.Valid alpha-numeric 17-digit VIN
5.Metric speedometer and odometer labels (provided by inspection centre)
6.Daytime running lights, if manufactured after November 1989
7.Infant restraint kit, if manufactured after 1988
8.Child tether anchorage, for most passenger cars manufactured after 1988
(refer to Admissibility List)
9.8 km/hour bumpers (refer to Admissibility List)
10. French supplementary restraint system label for airbags that require periodic maintenance
 
Explanation of the "Recall Clearance letter" Mentioned in previous post:

A recall clearance letter must be presented in order to pass the federal inspection. Contact the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) or dealer for your vehicle to obtain the document, as well as information on modifications costs.
 
this is a good thread and i do agree jsut too much damn hype on the SKYLINE. Don;t get me wrong the car is great and i drove my buddy's a few years back.
 
Better read this!

Dont you think that if I said that I'll be importing Skylines here in Quebec that I've done my research before? THEY can be imported. You just have to know to which door to knock! So before telling someone to shut up, better make sure that you are damn sure about what you say!
B15SENTRA said:
STICKY!!!!!!

In response to the numerous newbie posts ask about skylines & importing them
from Japan I have created this thread to answer some questions. Those who hav a clue can add to this thread. Newbie should read it and shut up, don't post any stupid questions or comments. Here we go:

Step 1: SEARCH!!!!!

Step 2: Read

Vehicles that are not in Canada or the USA or not designed to conform to US and/or Canadian safety standards cannot be imported into Canada. More precisely, vehicles that were deisgned and built for use and sale in Canada or the United States. That means Cars that are in ANY other country cannot be imported into canada for use on public roads.

There is a Canadian Registrar of imported Vehicles that has a list of Vehicles that cannot be imported into Canada, if the car you want is on that list; FORGET IT!

Here is an excerpt obtained from the Transport Canada Website:​

Importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States

Revised December 2002 Subject to revision without notification

The illegal importation of a motor vehicle into Canada is a criminal offense. Inadmissible vehicles will be denied entry into Canada and will be detained. All storage and disposal fees are the responsibility of the importer.

Please read the following carefully.


VEHICLES PURCHASED OUTSIDE CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles imported into Canada comply, at the time of importation, with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971.

Vehicles acquired in foreign countries other than the U.S. and designed, built, tested and certified to meet either all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or all applicable United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a statement of compliance label affixed by the original manufacturer, as required by the Regulations, may be eligible for importation into Canada provided the vehicle has not been altered and the certification from the original manufacturer is maintained. Please contact Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, at 1-613-998-8616 for further information.

VISITORS AND TOURISTS TO CANADA

Under Section 7(1)(b) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a motor vehicle may be admitted temporarily into Canada without complying with the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations if it is to be used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor or a person passing through Canada to another country. Persons entering under a work permit or student visa will be considered as visitors for the application of this section of the Act. Any change in the status of the person entering the vehicle may invalidate the use of this section of the Act. The vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada and cannot remain in Canada for a period longer than the time constraints listed on the work permit, student visa or any other Customs documents. Once these time limits are exceeded, the vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary entry under section 7(1)(b) of the Act and must be exported. As the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency also has requirements concerning the importation of vehicles, you may contact them at the address listed below.


ADDRESSES

Transport Canada
Vehicle Importation
Tower "C",
Place de Ville,
330 Sparks Steet,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5

CANADA
Telephone: 1-613-998-8616

Toll Free: 1-800-333-0371

Fax: 1-613-998-4831

REVISED MAY 2001
THE ABOVE RESTRICTIONS REFLECT CURRENT LEGISLATION
 
skyline_tuner said:
Dont you think that if I said that I'll be importing Skylines here in Quebec that I've done my research before? THEY can be imported. You just have to know to which door to knock! So before telling someone to shut up, better make sure that you are damn sure about what you say!


Wow. It mentions the 15 year rule in there which is your only point of contention. So just calm the F down. Alright.
 
skyline_tuner said:
Dont you think that if I said that I'll be importing Skylines here in Quebec that I've done my research before? THEY can be imported. You just have to know to which door to knock! So before telling someone to shut up, better make sure that you are damn sure about what you say!
B15SENTRA has given us weblinks, and phone numbers. Why don't you do the same, and teach us newbs the easy-1-2-3 to import?
 
soyabean said:
B15SENTRA has given us weblinks, and phone numbers. Why don't you do the same, and teach us newbs the easy-1-2-3 to import?

Cuz then every single r32 will be riced out by ppl in mtl.
 
XxJDMCivicxX said:
Cuz then every single r32 will be riced out by ppl in mtl.
imagine seeing a skyline with led washer nozzle's, altezza and undercar neon's.
i bet they would even put "type-r" sticker on it
 
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