We have just recently (end of March 1996) immigrated from the States toCanada as a landed immigrant. The process was rather straight forward but time consuming (about 2-3 weeks)! We went through the Pembina (US)/Emerson(CDN) post between North Dakota and Manitoba.

1) The first step is to check with Transport Canada (Registrar of Vehicle Import) to determine if the model and make of your car complies or can bemodified to comply with the Canadian safety standard. For late US models,most only need a Daytime Running Light, a child-seat Tether Anchorage Kit and some metric labels to be installed. You would need the VIN number when you call for them to verify if the car can be imported.

2) The following has been an issue of extensive debate. Under the US Law, you are supposed to notify and obtain a clearance from the US Customs at theport of entry/exit. However, we have tried to contact the local Dept. of Commerce, US Customs, USIA (US Information Agency) and the Pembina Customs Post. Their response was basically "Huh?! What are you talking about - I have no time to deal with you - Go AWAY!". So, we basically proceed and drove through the US Customs post. You may not want to do that .. depends on your conscience - I guess.

3) One more complication in our case. Our 1994 Toyota Corolla still have 3.5 years of loan to be paid off. We called our Bank and discussed the situation with them. Our bank were more interested in our previous payment history and rating history with them, rather than where we take the car to. However, you will need to proof the ownership of vehicle when you go through Canadian Customs, either a Bill of Sale or Vehicle Title. Depending on the State of Residency, you may or may not have possession of the Title. For example, in Kansas the Owner holds the Title with a Lien stated on the Title. Across the stateline in Missouri, the Bank holds the Title. However, our Bank were more than willing to release documentation of ownership to us if we need it. The bottom line is - the loan is more between you and your Bank and how much they trust you!

4) VERY IMPORTANT! Arrange with your US Insurance company to allow at least a minimum of 2 weeks continue coverage beyond the time when you land. In my case, Farmer's Insurance was willing to insure me up to 30 days after leaving the original place of residency. However, your mileage may varies depending on your insurance company. The reason is one will not be able to obtain insurance without the properly safety inspection (both Federal andProvincial) being done! (At least in Manitoba where the province runs the Auto Insurance (AUTOPAC)).

5) Proceed to the border post with the car, proof of ownership and CDN$210.00 (Cash, Visa, Mastercard) (CDN$260.00 in Quebec). The border agent will fill in Form 1 : Foreign Vehicle Import Form (KA22). Make sure he stamps, dates and signs all the approriate places. You should have 2 copies before you leave the post (White and Gold). Make sure you include the fair market value of the car as part of your inventory list (side note : make agood listing of your inventory and save yourself LOTS of aggrevation and time!).

6). One will need to provide 'The Proof of No Recall' letter to Federal Inspection Centre before they will aprove it.

7 ). Unpack your stuff and wait patiently for a package from Registration of Import Vehicles (RIV) within 10 days (Yeah Right -- Took more than That!)At the meantime, you may want to change your US Driver's License to a Canadian Driver's License, it should be plain-straight forward (no additional test in Manitoba, only Eye Test in Ontario).

In the package, you will find a list of Federal (NOT Provicial) Inspection Centres and Form 2 : Vehicle Modification and Inspection Form. Take your car to the nearest Federal Inspection Centre and have the service manager examine the car and determine what needs to be done to comply with theFederal standard.

Contact your nearest Authorized Dealer or garage (could be the same Federal Inspection Centre - most of them are dealers anyway) to modify the vehicle(It costed us about $300.00 to bring everything up to Canadian Safety standard). Have them sign and fill in the modification history section ofForm 2.

Bring the car back to the Inspection Centre after the modification. The Service Manager (or agent) should then stamps, dates, signs both Form 1 and Form 2! They will fax Form 2 to RIV and you will receive a small compliance sticker in the mail in a few weeks! The sticker is suppose to go onto the vehicle as a proof of "Canadian Road Worthiness". There should be no cost to you for the Federal Inspection as it is included in the $210.00 you paidat the border.

At the same time, you may need to do a Provicial Safety Check (about $40.00in Winnipeg, MB) to be able to obtain Registration and Insurance. This may vary in different provinces. In Manitoba, you need both inspection to be able to buy insurance and register your vehicle. At the time of the registration, the White copy of Form 1 will be collected. You get to keep the Gold copy!

As you can see, it is straight-forward but time consuming, escpecially when you are still recovering from the move! Plan ahead and act on it quicky is the key, you have a max. of 45 days to comply after the day you landed.

In our case, we were able to obtain a loan from a Canadian bank to pay off the US loan. The exchange rate may be a bit high but interest are lower here and you get to establish your Canadian credit history. Again, the ability to obtain a Canadian loan depends largely on your previous US loan history. Your mileage may vary..

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