Anybody here know about importing a race car from Canada?

mikecolangelo

mikecolangelo

Well-known member
Hi,

Does anyone here have recent experience with importing a race car from Canada into the states? I'll check the Customs web sites (both US and Canada) but it'd be great to hear about someone's recent first hand experience doing this.

Anything special I need to know? Do I need a title or will a Bill of Sale suffice? No beer in the trunk? :biggrin:

Anything else?

Thanks in advance!
 
Mike- Three years ago I purchased my PRO-7 race car from Mission. British Columbia. The owner provided me with a bill of sale although that was never needed (it had no title). I told the customs officer at the border gate that race cars have an allowance in the custom regulations and are not treated as a passenger vehicle due to DOT requirements. A passenger car will have duty fees. He was not aware of this allowance and asked me to enter the main customs building. I went in while my wife waited with the car. The first customs agent was also not aware of this so I asked him to ask another agent which was aware of the allowance. At this point they told me to have a good day eh. A local friend of mine that just bought a stock car from Canada two weeks prior to me had almost the exact same occurrence and told me this may happen as it did. I would get a bill of sale if your possible car has no title. If it has a title get that also. I do not remember where in the regulations it stated this exemption is but I know it is there. Good luck...
 
I did a quick google search and found the following links that may be of some assistance.

This one talks about the two classes of race vehicles that may be imported. I'm not sure if a CRX si that has been converted from a street car to a race car qualifies as a vehicle purpose built for racing or one converted to. You'll have to decide that with customs.

http://vehicleimport.blogspot.com/2007/12/how-to-import-race-car-permanently-to.html

This one has details and a copy of the form you're supposed to file with DOT. Under the heading "What vehicles can be imported" there's a link called "Information for racing"
http://204.68.195.151/cars/rules/import/

And finally he're the customs and border patrol website which points back to the page above.
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml

Its probably not the answers you're looking for but maybe it can get you on the right track.
 
Guys, thanks for the info.

Regarding the NHTSA rules regarding importing a production car turned into a race car, it says that I can only import the car on a temporary basis for up to 5 years (if duties are paid), then I would have to export the car or destroy it. How lame is that!
 
Yes, I'm sure there's a task force knocking on doors...following up on all the imported race cars that are at their 5 year limit. ;)
 
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