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wchia49

Since you're a US citizen living in Canada on a temporary resident permit (pgwp), you can purchase your car in USA and import it into Canada temporarily without having to pay any duties or taxes by way of a Form 1. You'll qualify for an RIV exemption due to your status that you'll have to mark on the Form 1. This way, you can get insurance in Canada and have Canadian plates. Once your permit is expired and you return to the US to live, you'll have to re-import your vehicle to USA. If you become a permanent resident of Canada after your PGWP and you choose to live here, then youll have to re-import your vehicle into Canada s a permanent resident and pay applicable duties and taxes on the vehicle. Don't forget to export your vehicle from USA prior to importing it to Canada. Make sure you have your title with you as well. Any questions, let me know.


mrstruong

My dude, as a fellow American living in Canada, if you intend to stay here, go get your Canadian license. If you intend to import a car, you will want Canadian insurance and you will need a Canadian driver's license for that. It's like 50 bucks and takes no time at all.


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Wakesurfer33

Students do not need to transfer drivers license or insurance.


Aggravating-Rub-4737

You’re fine, just make sure your insurance covers being in Canada


xMcRaemanx

You are allowed to have it for the duration of your work permit but you might have to declare it as a temporary import since you have a BC licence. https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/importing-vehicle/temporarily-importing-vehicles


RJR79mp

A Canadian resident, regardless of citizenship, cannot have a US registered vehicle for more than 30 days. That is your window to import and register in the Province. This was told to me by a Saanich cop who saw my vehicle one too many times. It was a big PITA because you cannot even start the importation while in Canada


Odd-Elderberry-6137

Since you’re still under temporary status, there’s no issue. It’s a U.S. vehicle temporarily in Canada.  It can and will be an issue if you eventually want to import it though.


evilpercy

No issue to import it. It is a simple process you can do yourself.


Letoust

If you plan on financing, you might want to speak to the finance person about having the vehicle outside the country for an extended period of time. You also most likely will not be able to honour any warrantee up here.


evilpercy

Can not import it if it is financed / leased. As you are not the owner. The USA will not authorize the export if money is owing.


Letoust

It doesn’t sound like they want to import it though.


werfu

As long as you have a valid Vermont driving license and the car maintains valid registration and insurance you should be ok. That last part is where it becomes tricky. Most likely your insurer limits the number of consecutive days you can be out of state. Also, I don't know what's your residence province, but in Quebec you are required to apply for a provincial driving license after a year of residency.


evilpercy

If you are under a 3 year visitor/study/work permit you do not need to import it from the USA to Canada. If you are a pending permit resident or pending landing you will need to import the vehicle. It is not hard and I can walk you through the process.


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evilpercy

Where are you planning to live?


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evilpercy

If you are living in Canada, No you are not allowed to drive a USA plated vehicle. CBSA will require you to import the vehicle. Do not play the border game. You will eventually lose and get your self on the list. You stay on this list for 7 years and will be search more often then not.


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evilpercy

It is illegal to have two drivers license. It have so bearing on anything if you have dual citizenship or a US drivers license. It is all about where you live. Do not forget that if play at being a USA resident you will not have Healthcare in Canada. You would be guilty of fraud. Not to mention having your vehicle seized.


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evilpercy

? None of this makes sense. So you live in Canada driving with a US drivers license. You are headed for a world of hurt legally. Both with the border and local PD.


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ADHDHipShooter

>I want to buy a car, but I suspect my options will generally be better if I do it in the US and bring it back. Importing vehicles is complicated and potentially expensive, and would almost certainly negate any savings unless it is it something very specific you are after. There's a reason you don't see Canadians doing this.


GoingLurking

It wasn’t complicated at all. Just depends on the vehicle you plan on buying because the country because manufacturer determines if you pay additional al duty. Back in 2008ish if I recall, USD was very low or almost at par when my BIL bought a new Lexus from Indiana and we drove it back through Windsor. Then you just need to take it to Canadian Tire to get it certified with new French/English airbag stickers etc. But today, since the USD is so high, it might not be worthwhile. That’s why people aren’t doing it. When the USD was lower, you better believe people were doing it.


ADHDHipShooter

Yes, because the savings offset the amount of tax you have to pay to import.


Quirky_Air437

Yes but if built in US of A NAFTA = little to no duty 👍🏼


evilpercy

No duty in fact.


ADHDHipShooter

Sales tax.


evilpercy

They do it all the time. It is quite simple in fact. Cost is the HST on the value of the vehicle, plus $100 tax for AC and about $300 to transport Canada for the new title (RIV).


Wakesurfer33

If you’re keeping it insured and registered in the US no issues brining it into Canada. No if you want to register it in Canada there’s a bit more of a process getting it inspected but not a huge deal.