[jeeplaw]

Guys,
In an effort to buy my first V, I came across a great deal with a fellow forum member. I'm curious if there is anyone else here who has imported a used late model CTS(V) into the US from Canada? If so, any tips/hints/things to watch out for, etc? Not sure if it makes more sense to fly into Canada and do the deal there, or have the seller come over to North Dakota and do it there. My gut says that it may make more sense to go over the border and transact there, but what would be the best way to get temp plates/ins and drive it back? I'm fairly sure i'd have to temp register in the province, but I'd be paying sales tax to register and then also sales tax to register back in TX. Not sure that's the best way to go about doing that.

Any help would be much appreciated!

 

[OldRoadDawg]

Importing from Canada

NHTSA Import Guidelines

 

[stupidfast]

Guys, In an effort to buy my first V, I came across a great deal with a fellow forum member. I'm curious if there is anyone else here who has imported a used late model CTS(V) into the US from Canada? If so, any tips/hints/things to watch out for, etc? Not sure if it makes more sense to fly into Canada and do the deal there, or have the seller come over to North Dakota and do it there. My gut says that it may make more sense to go over the border and transact there, but what would be the best way to get temp plates/ins and drive it back? I'm fairly sure i'd have to temp register in the province, but I'd be paying sales tax to register and then also sales tax to register back in TX. Not sure that's the best way to go about doing that. Any help would be much appreciated!

be very careful that you get all the import costs before you make a deal. I know people who have imported into Canada that wound up paying many thousands to make it compliant with Canadian laws. Ate up any savings and then some.

 

[jeeplaw]

Agreed. Already looked into the paperwork, have compliance letter coming hopefully soon. If that checks out, i'm good to go. I can't imagine a 2012 CTSV for the Canadian market would be any different than the US version. On the dash it's easy enough to switch KM/h over to MP/H.

What I'm trying to figure out in the short term though, is how to get temp plates in Canada to drive it back to Texas where it will be registered. Have a road trip planned and needless to say, have never done it while importing a car before

----------

Agreed. Already looked into the paperwork, have compliance letter coming hopefully soon. If that checks out, i'm good to go. I can't imagine a 2012 CTSV for the Canadian market would be any different than the US version. On the dash it's easy enough to switch KM/h over to MP/H.

What I'm trying to figure out in the short term though, is how to get temp plates in Canada to drive it back to Texas where it will be registered. Have a road trip planned and needless to say, have never done it while importing a car before

 

[gohawks63]

On the dash it's easy enough to switch KM/h over to MP/H.





On the dash it's easy enough to switch KM/h over to MP/H.

I'll have to check, but I believe it's only the speedometer that changes. The temp and boost will remain metric. Oil pressure is available by scrolling through the DIC, but not sure if that switches.

Probably not a deal breaker, but wanted to mention it. Good luck.

 

[OldRoadDawg]

What I'm trying to figure out in the short term though, is how to get temp plates in Canada to drive it back to Texas where it will be registered. Have a road trip planned and needless to say, have never done it while importing a car before

In many states (not sure about Texas) you can purchase a '1 trip permit', '10 day temp moving permit' or something similar in advance, that you can affix to the vehicle purchased in Canada. Virtually all U.S. states are in reciprocal agreements and will honor the permit as you travel back to Texas and apply for permanent registration.

Provided that all your import/export documentation is in order, a temporary travel/moving permit from Texas would probably be accepted in Canada as well, the same as if you were traveling there as a tourist with permanent Texas registration.

 

[jeeplaw]

That's my goal, get the 1 trip permit to get it back to texas, drive to the dmv, get it inspected/registered and be good to go. I don't think I'll have an issue doing it that way, thanks for the suggestion on that.

 

[seeet vv]

check that navigation is the same disc or be prepared to purchase a new one few hundred $.

 

[RJH20dog]

I just did this with my V about two weeks ago. Picked up in Calgary and drove home to Olympia, WA. You have a couple options. First and most expensive would be to use an importer. Second is to import yourself (not hard at all), but you have to make sure you have all your paperwork (bill of sale, signed registration, compliance letter, etc.) My guess is you may need to have the airbag light changed over from international to US. Dumbest thing in the world, but I spent over a month figuring out the details. If that's the case, you'll need to get a software update done at a Caddy dealership in the US, then return to a customs BP office to get the paperwork necessary to get your car titled in the US. Pain in the butt, but well worth the $10k+ in savings. Let me know if you need more info.

 

[10-M6]

Pain in the butt, but well worth the $10k+ in savings.

Considering the 30% exchange rate it can compensate for your time invested. Not so good for us Canadians trying to bring any cars "North".

 

[tinman]

Radar detectors are illegal in some Provinces.

 

[the blur]

I tried to import a 96 Impala. It couldn't be done. The emissions were not USA compliant.

 

[jeeplaw]

Yea, i decided against doing the import. Fantastic deal for a BUILT V in Canada if anyone is interested Ended up buying my V in Connecticut and shipping it to Texas

 

[Nlu]

RJH20dog:

This is a long shot but I am hoping you see this thread reply... I am a new member and cannot PM yet.

I am buying a V-wagon from Calgary, and trying to bring it home to Texas. I have been to two GM dealers in Calgary, trying to get the airbag light switched over from the Canadian pictogram to the US "on/off", and have had no luck.
I ran across a post of yours where you mentioned that you imported one into Seattle.
I'd really appreciate any help you could give me for how you were able to get this airbag issue resolved. I am currently stuck in Canada, and US customs tells me that I cannot bring the car over until that light is changed over...

Thank you so much!

I just did this with my V about two weeks ago. Picked up in Calgary and drove home to Olympia, WA. You have a couple options. First and most expensive would be to use an importer. Second is to import yourself (not hard at all), but you have to make sure you have all your paperwork (bill of sale, signed registration, compliance letter, etc.) My guess is you may need to have the airbag light changed over from international to US. Dumbest thing in the world, but I spent over a month figuring out the details. If that's the case, you'll need to get a software update done at a Caddy dealership in the US, then return to a customs BP office to get the paperwork necessary to get your car titled in the US. Pain in the butt, but well worth the $10k+ in savings. Let me know if you need more info.

 

[VT5]

I just did this with my V about two weeks ago. Picked up in Calgary and drove home to Olympia, WA. You have a couple options. First and most expensive would be to use an importer. Second is to import yourself (not hard at all), but you have to make sure you have all your paperwork (bill of sale, signed registration, compliance letter, etc.) My guess is you may need to have the airbag light changed over from international to US. Dumbest thing in the world, but I spent over a month figuring out the details. If that's the case, you'll need to get a software update done at a Caddy dealership in the US, then return to a customs BP office to get the paperwork necessary to get your car titled in the US. Pain in the butt, but well worth the $10k+ in savings. Let me know if you need more info.

RJH20dog:

This is a long shot but I am hoping you see this thread reply... I am a new member and cannot PM yet.

I am buying a V-wagon from Calgary, and trying to bring it home to Texas. I have been to two GM dealers in Calgary, trying to get the airbag light switched over from the Canadian pictogram to the US "on/off", and have had no luck.
I ran across a post of yours where you mentioned that you imported one into Seattle.
I'd really appreciate any help you could give me for how you were able to get this airbag issue resolved. I am currently stuck in Canada, and US customs tells me that I cannot bring the car over until that light is changed over...

Thank you so much!

@RJH20dog @Nlu

Can either of you provide more info on the passenger airbag light being non-conforming for import to the US from Canada. I'm trying to sort this out as well.

 

[FTSS]

One has not logged since the day they posted. The other has not been on for 2 years. You may try your luck sending them a PM (called a 'Conversation' on here - click on your peach V avatar).
You'll be way ahead starting a new thread. And be sure to provide enough description to compel worthwhile replies (model / year, what you've searched on your own so far, etc.)

And welcome to the Cadillac Forum.

 

[OldTeddyBear]

Many of the airbag lights are in the overhead console. If so get an American light and swap it before heading to the border. If it is on the speedo display you may have to pick up s US model to swap. Check your local dealer to find out.

Also check to see if there is a milage loophole to save on taxes. For Canadian imports I think that you have to have owned and driven ~500 miles to meet the requirements.

 

[VT5]

One has not logged since the day they posted. The other has not been on for 2 years. You may try your luck sending them a PM (called a 'Conversation' on here - click on your peach V avatar).
You'll be way ahead starting a new thread. And be sure to provide enough description to compel worthwhile replies (model / year, what you've searched on your own so far, etc.)

And welcome to the Cadillac Forum.

I'm unable to PM, that function is not currently enabled for me. I did manage to find RJH20dog on another forum and PM'd him there. We'll see what happens.

Many of the airbag lights are in the overhead console. If so get an American light and swap it before heading to the border. If it is on the speedo display you may have to pick up s US model to swap. Check your local dealer to find out.

Also check to see if there is a milage loophole to save on taxes. For Canadian imports I think that you have to have owned and driven ~500 miles to meet the requirements.

Thanks for the info, I'm trying to confirm that it is only the light that needs to be swapped out and not something that needs to be programmed. I had a friend who works at a dealership look into it and he believes that it's a swap of the light as you mentioned so that's consistent. I'll have to try and find someone who is parting out an American CTS V and buy it off them.

 

[FTSS]

I'm unable to PM, that function is not currently enabled for me. I did manage to find RJH20dog on another forum and PM'd him there. We'll see what happens.

It may be a minimum post count deal. I'm glad you made contact.