I recently imported my CSVT from Canada into the U.S.A (Michigan). When I was preparing to do this I couldn't find anything on the internet to help me out and I had a ton of questions that I couldn't get answered. I tried calling the border patrol as well as Michigan's secretary of state and it seemed like everytime I did I would get a different answer. So I figured I'd write up some instructions for people just in case they need them. This only applies to cars that were originally built in the U.S (all SVT Contours) or have a U.S counterpart.
The only thing you really have to do before hand is call the manufacturer of the car you're importing and ask them for a letter stating that the car you're importing meets all D.O.T and E.P.A standards (you'll need the VIN). Below is what my letter looked like...
Once in Canada, the owner should have a Canadian sellers/buyers packet. That's just pretty much their title, which both the buyer/seller sign it saying you're the new owner. You'll need this signed correctly to get the car back across the border. Once you get to the border just let them know you just bought this car and they'll have you pull aside and ask to see the "title" as well as the letter from the manufacturer. The border patrol will process those documents and you'll have to fill out one form, they'll sign that one form, and you'll be on your way. It was really a lot easier then I thought it would be.
Don't try to have the owner drive the car to the U.S and you just do the transfer here, you need that one form filled out and signed by the border patrol in order to register the car here.
Also, you don't have mess with changing/worrying about the gage cluster being in KM, no matter what the border patrol tells you on the phone, they never even checked it. Also, at least in Michigan, the secretary of state doesn't convert your odometer from KM into miles, so be sure to do that before hand on the title from Canada.
Sorry for the long write up. Like I said, I imported into Michigan so I can't guarentee if other states are the same.
The only thing you really have to do before hand is call the manufacturer of the car you're importing and ask them for a letter stating that the car you're importing meets all D.O.T and E.P.A standards (you'll need the VIN). Below is what my letter looked like...
Once in Canada, the owner should have a Canadian sellers/buyers packet. That's just pretty much their title, which both the buyer/seller sign it saying you're the new owner. You'll need this signed correctly to get the car back across the border. Once you get to the border just let them know you just bought this car and they'll have you pull aside and ask to see the "title" as well as the letter from the manufacturer. The border patrol will process those documents and you'll have to fill out one form, they'll sign that one form, and you'll be on your way. It was really a lot easier then I thought it would be.
Don't try to have the owner drive the car to the U.S and you just do the transfer here, you need that one form filled out and signed by the border patrol in order to register the car here.
Also, you don't have mess with changing/worrying about the gage cluster being in KM, no matter what the border patrol tells you on the phone, they never even checked it. Also, at least in Michigan, the secretary of state doesn't convert your odometer from KM into miles, so be sure to do that before hand on the title from Canada.
Sorry for the long write up. Like I said, I imported into Michigan so I can't guarentee if other states are the same.