Dear Readers:
Now you can register online for a free seminar hosted by CBSA to learn the process of importing a car from the US.
"There will be importing seminars for the Canadian public who are interested in learning the process of importing cars into Canada and we're providing them at no charge," CBSA trade compliance officer Alan Barrados said. See complete article at http://www.cbc.ca/consumer/story/2007/11/26/bc-carseminars.html#skip300x250
CBSA will advise you to " check the Transport Canada list online before heading south to shop."
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
8 comments:
Just to add to all this BMW import Pain. Purchased a 2006 325i in December and brought it across the border. You all know the story about RIV not excepting the US recall letters. So I discussed with BMW Canada and the said that this Model (E90) would require DRL, Child restraint kit and an instrument cluster. Why the Instrument cluster?? It has programming instructions that interface with the DRL and needs to be replaced So, I am to pay $500 for DRL $1,100 for the cluster part and $800 for the programming. Yes I'm pissed off! Does anyone know about this? Can anyone find technical information that the cluster must be replaced inconjunction with the DRL? Or have I just been had by BMW dealer and BMW Canada!
Please see this posting from http://www.carswithoutborders.com
My brother imported a 2007 BMW 328i Hardtop Convertible just weeks before this whole mess started with BMW Canada.
He did not have to deal with a Canadian BMW dealership at all. The US dealer supplied him with a service department printout of any recalls that were performed, this printout stated at the bottom that there was no outstanding recalls at that time.
He paid his transport company an extra couple of hundred dollars to act as his broker as well. They did all the necessary paperwork to get the car through customs and delivered it to his house. He turned on the daytime running lights himself... all new BMW's are done through the driver accessible adjustments.
He then took it to Canadian Tire so they could inspect it to make sure it meets the Canadian Standards. The guy at Canadian Tire told him the only thing they check for is to make sure the daytime running lights are working. Other than that, he told him the US cars are the exact same as the Canadian cars. It was at Canadian Tire for 10 minutes.
He bought the car with 500 miles on it so it was technically a "used car". If you import a "used car" into Canada from the United States you DO NOT have to have the instrument cluster changed as long as it has both MPH and km/h readings.
You only have to change out the instrument cluster so that the main readings are km/h if you import a "new" car. Used cars are ok aslong as it display both readings, even if the km/h are the small ones on the inner part of the dial.
By the way, don't blame the conservative government... the liberals made up the RIV department and put them on the destructive course of helping the auto manufacturers ripoff the Canadian public. Lets hope that the Conservatives put an end to it or at least change it so its fair.
From my experiences, the letter of compliance could mean a work order completed to do the retrofit/modifications required. It doesnt have to come from BMW Canada.
I cant be sure but you can ask for the recall letter from BMW Canada before the work order is completed.
Does anyone has luck showing the CARFax report without the need for a recall letter?
Direct from the horse's mouth (RIV)in response to our questions:
--------------------
Please note: Information regarding admissibility and recall information is only provided by BMW Canada.
This list is based on information supplied to Transport Canada and The Registrar of Imported vehicles by the Vehicle manufactures on a voluntary basis. Therefore, they do not have to provide it under any circumstances.
Moreover, if a manufacturer fails to supply any compliance or modification information at all on a particular make or model; the vehicle is also deemed inadmissible.
This information is under the control of the manufacturer, and therefore must be obtained directly from them.
If you wish to import any BMW into Canada then, please contact an authorized Canadian BMW or MINI Retailer to request a letter of admissibility and for information regarding the exact nature and costs of modifications required. The modifications vary by model and may be expensive. ALL modifications MUST be performed by an authorized Canadian BMW or MINI Retailer and must be completed before a recall clearance letter can be issued by BMW Group Canada. Prior to reviewing your request for a letter of admissibility, the following information must be
provided:
- Model
- Model year
- 17-digit Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
An official letter of admissibility from BMW Group Canada must be presented to a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer at time of importation. In addition, the official recall clearance letter obtained from BMW Group Canada once the required retrofits have been completed and documented by an authorized Canadian BMW or Mini Retailer must be presented to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles in order to properly register a vehicle.
Please note: BMW, Transport Canada and The RIV have all agreed that if you can prove that you've purchased the BMW BEFORE November 26th, BMW will issue a letter of admissibility free of charge.
You can contact BMWs Customer Relation department at 905-683-1200 for a letter.
Please be aware that as of June 1, 2007, BMW has initiated a new policy regarding recalls. We can only accept a letter from BMW Canada's head office typed on their official letter head. To obtain a recall document when you take your vehicle to an authorized BMW dealership, have it undergo a visual inspection, complete all recalls, and pay a fee of $500. At that point, BMW North America will issue a recall letter directly to you. The RIV will also automatically receive a copy of said letter directly from head office as well.
Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act the responsibility for bringing an imported vehicle into compliance with Canadian safety regulations lies entirely with the importer; the RIV cannot be held responsible for any reason should the importer fail to complete the process successfully. Any information provided by the RIV is strictly based on the facts presented by the importer and reliance upon such information is at the importer's discretion.
The information contained in this email is intended to assist individuals interested in importing a vehicle from the United States, and contains information on the admissibility of various makes, models, model years and class of vehicles provided by the original equipment manufacturer. This information is contained on the List of Vehicles Admissible Form the United States which is available to the public on our web site at www.riv.ca or directly at:
http://www.riv.ca/english/US_vehicle_admissibility.pdf
The admissibility of any particular make, model and model year of vehicle can only be ultimately determined by a) the presentation of the vehicle to Canada Customs at the time of importation, b) the decoding of the VIN contained on the vehicle import form - form 1 as presented to Canada Customs, and c) the successful completion of the federal inspection.
Here's the latest!
Thanks for the information it was helpful. BMW Canada has informed me and after several call it is true, " Letter of Admittants, must come from a Canadian (your local) BMW dealership. $350 for them to e-mail or fax the letter and it IS required at the border. After this you MUST bring the vehicle to THAT daelership for a recall inspection and a recall letter will be provided after an inspection. They will keep your vehicle for approx. 5 days. Thie will cost an ADDITIONAL $500. SO that's an $850BMW tariff!!! I asked why can't I get a recall letter of verification from the dealership in Phoenix where I am buying the vehicle (hense proving no additional costs to BMW Canada), they said they have DIFFERENT recalls and specifications.
The woman I spoke to at my dealership told me it is BMW Canada's way of curbing the flow of US buyers. AAAHHHH YA! Thanks BMW you ...t heads.
Thank you to all for your ongoing updates. You only confirm what we have suspected...that this is a money-grab and a blatant effort to prevent Canadians from purchasing their BMWs in the U.S.
If you are interested in obtaining information on how you can participate in a class-action laws suit to recoup your expenditures (BMW costs), please e-mail us at info@ucanimport.com. We will forward your information to the law firm who will be in touch with you.
Thank you.
When did BMW become its own country, as it apparently has the right to add illegal tariffs to a so called FREE TRADE environment. This is a 6% tax on my purchase!
I was at BMW Chandler Scotsdale (Phoenix) the assistant manager said they had been informed about the $500 but the charge ($350)for the letter of admissibility is news to him. US BMW informed them of the $500 cost only. I, as apparently you, was F'n pissed. I asked if he could check my (already payed for) 1999 BMW M3 for recall notices and he did. I then asked if I could have a copy showing there was no additional recals and he said, "We (BMW - Chandler) are not ALLOWED to do that. We (BMW - Chandler) have been specifically told by BMW USA that they can not put that information on BMW letter head." << Seriously almost verbatum. I asked why ( because as you noted my first idea was get it in writing and then file a civil suit), he told me he didn't know why and was not permitted to discuss it further with clients.
If that doesn't sound like an illegal act I don't know what does. Truthfully, I understand why they want the check (so BMW Canada doesn't end up paying the bill) but don't these corporations have an agreement to pay each other back. And if not, why not simply demand a letter showing all existing recalls are complete. The check took 20 seconds!
COUNT ME IN, AND I WILL SWEAR IN COURT WHAT WAS TOLD TO ME!
I just payed BMW - Boundary, Burnaby BC $350 for the letter of admissibility. (an e-mail saying it is admissible)
Grant
Generally, when a company treats me like crap, I take my business to another company. It's not like there are no other luxury car options out there.
If you want to complain, complain to BMW-usa, BMW-canada, and your local BMW dealership, and be sure to let them know that the additional costs associated with purchasing a US-BMW and importing it into Canada are excessive and will lead you to choose an alternate car manufacturer.
If you're not willing to vote with your feet, at least stop using the internet to complain.
Post a Comment