Crossing the Border without a travel permit?

[Marsh]

I'm getting ready to import a used car this weekend. I had everything worked out, including an Ontario travel permit (I was told it was no problem by my local office). So today I went down to get the permit and was refused and told they cannot issue a travel permit until the car is registered with RIV, which I can't do until I'm at the border.

So my question is what have people who've driven across done. If I throw plates from another car on, then isn't customs going to make a stink about a the plates not belonging to the car?

I planned on crossing on Sunday, so I can't just park at customs and go get a permit (not to mention I have to wait for paperwork to arrive in the mail).

Thanks in advance.

[Maddog]

When I picked up my car from Utah, I just got a transit permit from the Utah DMV. I'm not sure if it's the same for all states, but in Utah they had a local & out-of-state permit. I took the out of state permit and drove the car to Buffalo NY. I called MTO before I had left, and they said I can use the same Utah permit to get the car home, which I did without any problems.

So where ever you are picking up the car, just get a permit from their DMV.

[Marsh]

Well the girl at MTO suggested that and I looked her in the eye and said "Can I drive a car in Ontario with a Florida trip permit?" She said no.

[Do It Sidewayz]

make sure that you can come accross on Sunday.

I believe you need to come across during normal business hours.

And have you had the ownership for the car at the border for 72 hrs??

I trailered when i brought my car across...but i have heard of people buying brand new cars in Buffalo, and the dealer in the US giving them a trip permit.

[13inches]

I know of an S2000 that came up on PA temp plates and was driven around Ontario on them while the rest of the work was being done.

I also know of a Miata that came up on the owners current Ontario plates that he brought down with him and no questions were asked.

Either way, good luck.

[P90Puma]

and no questions were asked.



My experience as well. Once you get to the border, noone cares. Only issues you could possibly have is if you get pulled over on the way to the border.

I used the original owners plates, and sent them back.

[Marsh]

Excellent thanks for the reply guys.

BTW From New York crossings (ie under the Buffalo office) you have to cross during business hours. BUT in Detroit you can cross 24/7 at the bridge. It only adds an hour to the journey (since I'm stopping buy the gap on the way home) but it saves me and extra hotel and a lost day of wages.

[ScotcH]

Excellent thanks for the reply guys.

BTW From New York crossings (ie under the Buffalo office) you have to cross during business hours. BUT in Detroit you can cross 24/7 at the bridge. It only adds an hour to the journey (since I'm stopping buy the gap on the way home) but it saves me and extra hotel and a lost day of wages.


Remeber the 72 hour rule for the title at the border though!

[P90Puma]

Remeber the 72 hour rule for the title at the border though!

I faxed mine a week in advance.

Marsh, what did you buy?

[Marsh]

I bought a '95 M-edition. It's a little twitchy and needs shocks, but I think it will be a quick car once it's sorted.

BTW I faxed the paper work to both Lewiston and Detroit days ago.

[BGregovski]

Hey Marsh,

Not sure if your gone to get your new car already but they guys are right about getting the temp tag from the state you purchased it in (FLA I think) and they are legal in Ontario for the life of the tag...eg 10 day permit or like PA they are 30 days. Keep all your paper work with you and have at least a temp insurance slip for the new vehicle. Also you can use ON plates that you own but no longer own the vehicle they were attached to, eg I still have the plates I used on my pathfinder and sold it 4 yrs ago....I could attach them to a vehicle of the same class for 6 days. Marker still in my name..thats why/how people use their own plates as a temp tag.Just make sure the plates do not come back to a different vehicle = bad day. Section 11 HTA covers the temp useage...along with parts of section 7

hope this make things clear

Brad

[timewarp9]

US. Customs for export of car: 313-226-3161

Fax paperwork 72 hours prior to: 313-226-5347

Check if recieved call: 313-226-3139

Jon
Time Warp Racing

[Marsh]

WHAT I WAS TOLD

OK, after much trouble and woh, the car is in the country. This is what the customs agent told me. When you check in with Canada customs they issue you your "form1" showing that you've started the imort process and paid GST etc. The form1 allows you to drive the car, legally, any where in Canada. No permit of any kind is needed in addition to the form one. He suggested I keep the Florida tag on to reduce my chances of getting pulled over and having to show documents to the police officer. That's exactly what I did, except I moved the Florida temp up to the front window, where an Ontario temp would normally go.

BTW the Florida out of state temp was $5 and the didn't ask me for state sales tax (as others had reported I would need to pay).

[P90Puma]

WHAT I WAS TOLD

OK, after much trouble and woh, the car is in the country. This is what the customs agent told me. When you check in with Canada customs they issue you your "form1" showing that you've started the imort process and paid GST etc. The form1 allows you to drive the car, legally, any where in Canada. No permit of any kind is needed in addition to the form one. He suggested I keep the Florida tag on to reduce my chances of getting pulled over and having to show documents to the police officer. That's exactly what I did, except I moved the Florida temp up to the front window, where an Ontario temp would normally go.

BTW the Florida out of state temp was $5 and the didn't ask me for state sales tax (as others had reported I would need to pay).

Pics? What issues did you have?

[Marsh]

The full story is here:
http://www.wosca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=517

[P90Puma]

The full story is here:
http://www.wosca.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=517

Pretty eventful, good read. Can't wait for the gap this year after that description.