Repatriating a Canadian C2....

[Jim V.]

Any experts out there on what is involved (taxes, headache, hassles, bureaucracy, bribes...etc) in bringing a newly purchased C2 over the US border back to Illinois?.....

Thanks
JimV

[John H.]

Re: Repatriating a Canadian C2....

Jim -

I bought my '69 Z/28 from a Canadian owner six years ago, and there was no hassle involved as 1) It was built in the U.S., and 2) Was over 25 years old. The owner brought it across the border at Port Huron, Michigan, and I met him at the U.S. Customs. All they required was the Canadian Registration (equivalent to a U.S. title), a bill of sale that showed the price and signed by both of us, and for $5.00 Customs generated an "Informal Entry Certificate". That's the piece of paper you need to present to your DMV along with the Canadian Registration in order to register the car in the U.S., and it's at that point that you'll get nicked for your state's Sales/Use tax.

I called ahead to U.S. Customs at the border crossing we planned to use ahead of time to find out EXACTLY what they'd need from both of us, and it went very easily; suggest you do the same. The only potential hassle at U.S. Customs was the 50 truck drivers lined up down the hall with their brokerage papers in hand waiting to get to the desk, but the Customs guys took pity on us and waved us to the head of the line

[Wayne M.]

Was it a '67, and if so, did your get the ....

photocopy of the GM Canada microfilm import records, showing about 20 other cars in the same VIN range ? GM stopped providing the info in this format about 10 years ago, but your previous owner may have gotten it.

[Jim V.]

Re: Repatriating a Canadian C2....

Thanks John. Was is necessary to have the canadian present? Is there a reason I couldnt just bring it over with the appropriate paperwork (canadian registration and bill of sale)?

thanks again
Jim

[Jim V.]

Re: Was it a '67, and if so, did your get the ....

Wayne, are you saying that I need a copy of the original export papers from US?

Thanks

[Wayne M.]

NO no, just nice to have documentation for ...

your personal files. The guys at the border don't give a dang about this. The beauty about Canadian-delivered (from US factory) cars [and this includes other GM products] is that GM Canada recorded all the option codes upon arrival. It's the documentation that SHOULD be there for all our Corvettes from St.Louis, but alas is not.

[Jim V.]

I C....

Was this just during a certain period (1967),or all canadian bound GM vehicles up to about 10 years ago?

[Michael W.]

Re: I C....

All GM cars had information recorded, up to and including today's cars, as far as I know. The newer cars have far more details on files than the older ones.

[John H.]

Re: I C....

Jim -

If the car was sold new in Canada (as my Z/28 was), GM of Canada has all the original documentation on it and will provide it in a nice authentication letter format for about $35.00. Call George Zapora at the GM of Canada Oshawa headquarters Vintage Desk at (905) 644-3387 or (905) 644-4080 between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM Eastern time with your VIN and he'll fix you right up.