Cavendish
01-25-2006, 09:44 AM
For anyone looking to purchase a Scion from the US, stand on my shoulders.
Many new Scion Xb's in Canada are over priced for the individual with the purchasing power to buy the vehicle with cash. To give you a taste of the disparity in pricing, let me give you a real world example:
2006 Scion Xb (Base model) from the US: $20,700 CDN
2006 Scion Xb (Base model) from Vancouver: $ 26,800 CDN
The Vancouver vehicle price is based upon a price of $23,500, the average selling price c/o Autotrader. The US vehicle price includes absolutely every cost associated with importing it to the safety of your garage @ an exchange rate of 1.12. If you have the ability to pick up the vehicle yourself and pay via wire-transfer or credit card, it truly can be much easier process than you think (especially for a $6000 savings :))
I've laid out the following sequential steps of my process (I don't profess this to be a perfect action plan, but it's close):
(1) Check admissibility of the new vehicle through Transport Canada - The Scion Xb is
- http://www.riv.ca/english/html/us_vehicle_admissibility.html
- 1-888-848-8240
(2) Contact the Canadian manufacturer to determine if they will honor the warranty. Toyota will not honor it in Canada, only the US. You have two options:
- Tow the vehicle to the US for repairs
- Bear the out of pocket expenses – which will offset the savings achieved from importation anyways and hell its a Toyota not a Ford
(3) Locate a dealership that will sell to a Canadian citizen without a US residency - stick to dealers along the border who do this for a living and aren't bound by auto dealer association agreements (you'll find one)
(4) Place deposit with US dealership to reserve vehicle ($500 via credit card)
(5) Notify US Customs of the vehicles permanent exportation 3-business days in advance of crossing the border with the following:
- Recall Clearance Letter
- MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Ownership)
- Note: Experienced dealerships should facilitate this entire process by obtaining both documents and faxing them on your behalf rather than you physically having to wait 3 days in the US for US Customs to clear the vehicle. You will have to present a physical copy of the MSO at the time of crossing.
(6) Arrange for insurance to transport the vehicle into Canada for vehicle registration (2-day insurance runs at approx. $49)
(7) Pick up vehicle and ensure you have the following:
- Original title (MSO)
- Sales receipts
- Statement of Compliance label
- Recall Clearance Letter
- 3-day Travel pass (temporary registration for legal transportation – approx. $10 US)
(8) Drive to border
(9) Provide the following to custom officials:
- Title documents (MSO)
- Temp. Registration (Travel pass)
- Sales receipt
- Statement of Compliance Label
(10) Complete Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 (provided by Canada Customs)
- Keep this form in the vehicle until it is licensed
(11) Pay the RIV fee of $209, excise tax of $100 for vehicles with A/C and Vehicle GST
- GST is calculated after currency exchange
- RIV fee must be paid by credit card
(12) Once at home you’ll receive a letter within 10 days from RIV with your federal inspection document (Form 2) which details what must be done to bring your vehicle into compliance
(13) Go to a Canadian Tire to receive both modification and a federal inspection
- Scion Xb's only need day running lights @ $210 and CTire will charge $102.95 for inspection
- Canadian Tire will stamp your Form 1 once your vehicle has passed inspection
(14) With stamped Form 1 in hand, get vehicle registration, insurance and pay PST at your local auto broker
- PST is based upon post-exchange purchase price with RIV and excise tax
(15) Within approx. one week, you will receive a Canadian Certification label with instructions on where to affix it to your vehicle
Don't be daunted by the list. In the hands of an experienced dealer and a review of www.riv.ca, your on your way.
I wonder if the new Scions in Canada are getting taxed twiced - when the CDN dealer purchases it in the US and then when you purchase it from them - hence the higher cost of buying it locally?
Ciao
Many new Scion Xb's in Canada are over priced for the individual with the purchasing power to buy the vehicle with cash. To give you a taste of the disparity in pricing, let me give you a real world example:
2006 Scion Xb (Base model) from the US: $20,700 CDN
2006 Scion Xb (Base model) from Vancouver: $ 26,800 CDN
The Vancouver vehicle price is based upon a price of $23,500, the average selling price c/o Autotrader. The US vehicle price includes absolutely every cost associated with importing it to the safety of your garage @ an exchange rate of 1.12. If you have the ability to pick up the vehicle yourself and pay via wire-transfer or credit card, it truly can be much easier process than you think (especially for a $6000 savings :))
I've laid out the following sequential steps of my process (I don't profess this to be a perfect action plan, but it's close):
(1) Check admissibility of the new vehicle through Transport Canada - The Scion Xb is
- http://www.riv.ca/english/html/us_vehicle_admissibility.html
- 1-888-848-8240
(2) Contact the Canadian manufacturer to determine if they will honor the warranty. Toyota will not honor it in Canada, only the US. You have two options:
- Tow the vehicle to the US for repairs
- Bear the out of pocket expenses – which will offset the savings achieved from importation anyways and hell its a Toyota not a Ford
(3) Locate a dealership that will sell to a Canadian citizen without a US residency - stick to dealers along the border who do this for a living and aren't bound by auto dealer association agreements (you'll find one)
(4) Place deposit with US dealership to reserve vehicle ($500 via credit card)
(5) Notify US Customs of the vehicles permanent exportation 3-business days in advance of crossing the border with the following:
- Recall Clearance Letter
- MSO (Manufacturer’s Statement of Ownership)
- Note: Experienced dealerships should facilitate this entire process by obtaining both documents and faxing them on your behalf rather than you physically having to wait 3 days in the US for US Customs to clear the vehicle. You will have to present a physical copy of the MSO at the time of crossing.
(6) Arrange for insurance to transport the vehicle into Canada for vehicle registration (2-day insurance runs at approx. $49)
(7) Pick up vehicle and ensure you have the following:
- Original title (MSO)
- Sales receipts
- Statement of Compliance label
- Recall Clearance Letter
- 3-day Travel pass (temporary registration for legal transportation – approx. $10 US)
(8) Drive to border
(9) Provide the following to custom officials:
- Title documents (MSO)
- Temp. Registration (Travel pass)
- Sales receipt
- Statement of Compliance Label
(10) Complete Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 (provided by Canada Customs)
- Keep this form in the vehicle until it is licensed
(11) Pay the RIV fee of $209, excise tax of $100 for vehicles with A/C and Vehicle GST
- GST is calculated after currency exchange
- RIV fee must be paid by credit card
(12) Once at home you’ll receive a letter within 10 days from RIV with your federal inspection document (Form 2) which details what must be done to bring your vehicle into compliance
(13) Go to a Canadian Tire to receive both modification and a federal inspection
- Scion Xb's only need day running lights @ $210 and CTire will charge $102.95 for inspection
- Canadian Tire will stamp your Form 1 once your vehicle has passed inspection
(14) With stamped Form 1 in hand, get vehicle registration, insurance and pay PST at your local auto broker
- PST is based upon post-exchange purchase price with RIV and excise tax
(15) Within approx. one week, you will receive a Canadian Certification label with instructions on where to affix it to your vehicle
Don't be daunted by the list. In the hands of an experienced dealer and a review of www.riv.ca, your on your way.
I wonder if the new Scions in Canada are getting taxed twiced - when the CDN dealer purchases it in the US and then when you purchase it from them - hence the higher cost of buying it locally?
Ciao