Thursday, March 27, 2008

Import a Volvo from the US

Avoid Paying Volvo Compliance Fees - Possible Loophole for Importers

UCanImport has learned that RIV will accept a Provincial Inspection in place of a Volvo Letter of Compliance. This was confirmed by a recent Volvo importer who received their Form 2 after first completing the inspection required for their Province of residence.

Here's what UCanImport advises:

1. Read comments from UCanImport subscriber: "Anyhow i contacted RIV and said if a shop on the RIV list performs the provincial & federal inspection, why do i need a Volvo safety compliance letter. they said u dont. they said the provincial inspection is good enough. that inspection specifically checks the car for faulty brakes, tires, etc as long u pass that you're good. I'm now licensed and enjoying my ride."

2. Locate a Provincial Inspection Centre for your province of residence by searching the UCanImport blog. You do not need a Form 2 for the Provincial Inspection.

3. Complete the Provincial Inspection for your Volvo import.

4. Send RIV a copy of the completed Provincial Inspection Report, and request Form 2 so that you can complete your Federal Inspection. Federal Inspection Centre listing is available in the UCanImport Resources Library.

Please let us know if this loophole is successful.

6 comments:

Unknown said...

I talked to RIV today and they said no way, no how...

It aint gonna happen, not without compliance letter. Even if you are 10000km away from a dealer...

UCANIMPORT PUBLICATIONS said...

Thanks Mike. This may be been an oversight by RIV and fortunately one Canadian so far got through without the additional expenses.

Be advised UCanImport readers.

Anonymous said...

there is NOTHING that says you need a compliance letter in the RIV legislation from the OEM.
the safety compliance aspect is to make sure your vehicle is outfitted to canadian standards. Canadian tire checks to make your vehicle is compliant. now as we all know they are just a bunch of high school kids, but it doesn't take a genius to figure out if u have daytime running lights and a childs seat anchor.this is a volvo money grab.i make a living on importing over a 100 vehicles a month, from the usa and japan. don't get screwed . screw the dealer. when the dollar was the other way around, remember these dealers were selling to the USA
hundreds of vehicles per month.

why should Volvo, BMW or Mercedes dictate to RIV that they have the last say when it comes to compliance. remember in 2007 these auto manufacturers had no problem allowing you to import. but when the new 2008 RIV list came out, these manufacturers stupidly dictated to RIV that they would not supply any details to transport canada. why did transport canada simply say , no details, then no imports... for anyone including the dealers and distributors of those vehicles.

remember also that the dealer is not authorized by transport canada to issue a compliance letter.if they were, then you would be able to get it certified at the dealer and not have to go to canadian tire. RIGHT open your your people and speak out.
explain when you call RIV that having the dealer check your car and having cdn tire check your car, is useless and redundant. one inspection is enough, and the only one that RIV chose to do it , was canadian tire.

Unknown said...

Well I successfully completed ( FINALLY) importing and registering my 03 S60 in Canada, from the USA, and I did NOT pay the exhorbidant shopping in the USA penalty imposed by the Canadian dealers to get compliance letter.

I will be making a big deal of it notifying the local media when I get some time.

Anyway, I called the Volvo USA and talked VERY nice, explained the predicament and got the North American Letter, Based on the fact, that the owners manual clearly states that the Vehicle was manufactured for Canadian and USA Standards!
Anyway, its done, and I simply would have let the car rot in my garage before I would pay the extortion money....

Anonymous said...

RIV document states the following:
"Effective January 1st, 2008, if you wish to import a U.S. compliant Volvo vehicle into Canada, you will have to contact Volvo Cars of Canada at 1-800-663-8255 to determine if the vehicle is admissible for importation, and to request the letter of admissibility required at the time of importation."
It says "if the vehicle is US compliant". If the Owner's Manual indicates that the vehicle is US and Canada compliant, as Mike said, then there shouldn't be any problem.

UCANIMPORT PUBLICATIONS said...

Mustafa, all you require is a Letter of Admissibility from Volvo Canada and a Letter of Compliance from Volvo of North America. With proof of compliance you can avoid having the inspection performed at a Volvo dealership.

If you'd like to see samples of these letters, please send us an e-mail at info@ucanimport.com