Importing from Canada

ckrock946 · Post by **ckrock946** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 8:26 pm

I live five minutes from the border and found a good deal on an r/t. The only problem is importing it. Or will that even be a problem? Was there any differences besides the bux goodies between a,erican and Canadian neons. They were all made in Belvidere right?

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:47 pm

Some 1GN's sold in Canada were made at the Toluca, MX plant. As far as I know, all 2GN's were made at Belvidere. I know that importing a US-sold Neon to Canada would require modifications for certification by Transport Canada but I'm not sure of the other way around. Obviously, a Canadian-spec Neon will will have the kilometres in larger type than the miles on the speedo.

Ramroid · Post by **Ramroid** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 10:57 pm

As far a I know, you need to get a letter from the manufacturer stating whether or not the car is up to us DOT specs. If not, the corrections need to be made. Once they are, the car must be inspected once again. Then more paperwork is needed, and depending on how you plan to ship it over, can be a massive pain in the ass. I imported a Euro spec BMW M3 a few years back and it wasn't up to snuff DOT wise.

Just has to be DOT approved, and paper work filled out. Isn't too difficult, just full of red tape and migraines.

ckrock946 · Post by **ckrock946** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:37 pm

Ok thanks, yeah I'm hopping to get it tomorrow. It's an 02 but the paint isn't the greatest so I just wanna do a full r/t swap (head and manifolds, swaybars, rear disks, wheels, leather interior (not seats), full exhaust (wider diameter from catback?), cluster (because it looks cooler) transmission if it's different, is it?, and any other goodies) into my 05 sxt and get Sykes ecu to spec up my ecu for the butterflies... I can park it at my uncles place and then bring it over if it passes DOT... Otherwise I'm doing a 30 minute drive swap

Ramroid · Post by **Ramroid** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:41 pm

ckrock946 wrote:Ok thanks, yeah I'm hopping to get it tomorrow. It's an 02 but the paint isn't the greatest so I just wanna do a full r/t swap (head and manifolds, swaybars, rear disks, wheels, leather interior (not seats), full exhaust (wider diameter from catback?), cluster (because it looks cooler) transmission if it's different, is it?, and any other goodies) into my 05 sxt and get Sykes ecu to spec up my ecu for the butterflies... I can park it at my uncles place and then bring it over if it passes DOT... Otherwise I'm doing a 30 minute drive swap

If you can, but the car. Part it out in Canada, then drive the car to your place. It'd be MUCH less of a headache.

ckrock946 · Post by **ckrock946** » Fri Sep 13, 2013 11:59 pm

In the end I want to put the parts from my sxt that I swapped out onto the r/t and sell it to vet my money back... Hopefully give myself a free r/t swap

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sat Sep 14, 2013 3:21 am

Ramroid wrote:Just has to be DOT approved, and paper work filled out. Isn't too difficult, just full of red tape and migraines.

Thanks, this is what I figured but didn't know for sure and you certainly explained it better than I could have.

MichNeon · Post by **MichNeon** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 3:52 pm

It seems that the Canadian regs are very similar to the US regs, or we wouldn't see so many Canadian cars here. My 95 is a Canadian market model. I bought it from a used car lot in Roseville, Mi. Most of the cars on that lot are Canadian models.

ThatKevin · Post by **ThatKevin** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 5:20 pm

I'm not sure how it works going to the states, but importing an american car into Canada is a pain in the ass. My dad has done it quite a few times.

1. Have all paperwork in order AHEAD of time
2. Notify the border of what you're doing
3. cross the border, deal with customs, pay taxes
4. bring it to a certified shop to get it inspected
5. add minor stuff like day time running lights
6. insure and plate it

We have the same regulations when it comes to safety and emissions, with the exception of really small stuff. We build cars here and ship them over to you guys, just like you build cars there and ship them over here.

NickKo · Post by **NickKo** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 7:23 pm

I have seen a few (uncommon) Canadian model Neons here 'locally', both on the road and in the local junkyards, which means it must be 'doable'.

- Nick

Midnight_Rider · Post by **Midnight_Rider** » Sun Sep 15, 2013 11:15 pm

^^I used to see a white 2GN Chrysler Neon LX around Lafayette, IN years ago... wonder what happened to it?[/off-topic]

ckrock946 · Post by **ckrock946** » Mon Sep 16, 2013 10:28 pm

Well I called the Chrysler rep and she said that I don't need a compliance letter because it should have EPA and dot stickers on the car... So I should have to just file for entry with border patrol and it will be mine. The plan is to have it at my house by Sunday, will keep you all posted, thanks for the help