Importing from Canada to the US???

[1of6]

I'm thinking about listing my 1987 Doka for sale...I know I'm going to be fielding a lot of questions from potential US buyers. Just so I can compile all the pertinent information, what exactly will they need to know about the vehicle to determine if it is a candidate for importation?
It's a 1987, 2.1L (MV code) gas engine, 4 speed manual. The engine was replaced by a previous owner and as far as I can tell all the emissions equipment was retained. Thanks if you can assist!
_________________
1958 Beetle, sold
1964 Cabriolet, sold (avatar)
1973 Westphalia, sold
2002 Turbo Beetle GLX, sold
1992 4 door Double Cab Transporter
1987 3 door Double Cab Transporter

[Wildthings]

What does the emissions placard say? Is it a US, Canadian, or other model?

[1of6]

Can't find an emission decal on the vehicle. I do know that it was brought over by the original owner who purchased it new in Belgium.
_________________
1958 Beetle, sold
1964 Cabriolet, sold (avatar)
1973 Westphalia, sold
2002 Turbo Beetle GLX, sold
1992 4 door Double Cab Transporter
1987 3 door Double Cab Transporter

[Wildthings]

I believe you have to prove it meets the pollution standards for its original place of sale, so you need to find out what those standards were. The Catch 22 though is if there where no standards then it is impossible to meet them. No expert here by any means though, just talking out of my a**. You need to talk to the DMV people in the state you wish to import it to and likely to the feds as well.

[Alaskaberrys]

Both our VW’s are imported with two different outcomes.

The 25 year old exemption from DOT rules will apply. As long as the the replaced engine is similar enough to the original, i.e. not originally a diesel and now a gasser you shouldn’t have any problems there - except perhaps California buyers. We imported our unmodified 25-1/2 year old Canadian 2.1L Westy w/o a hitch, KM odometer and all. A reasonable 2.5% import tax across the Washington border for eventual Alaska plating.

But. Your Doka will likely be reconginzed as a “truck” (hard to argue) which unfortunately is therfore “commercial” (crazy) and the new owner will be paying an unreasonable 25% import tax on the number listed on bill of sale. Ask me how I know Some Doka owners have breezed through with the 2.5% tax but Washington customs seem to be noticing it now. Just FYI.

Good luck!
_________________
'91 Westfalia, Bordeaux Red Pearl 2.1L 2wd Auto
'91 T3 Syncro Doka, Escorial Green 1.9L TD AAZ “Gremian” (to provoke, irritate, exasperate, vex...)

[elizer]

Alaskaberry is correct.

HS form 7 - dot form saying its 25 years old
EPA form stating it is over 21 years old to be exempt

And then the 25% tax at the border if you are driving it across.

If it is titled as anything other than a truck than some might let it slide. It all depends.

I shipped mine into a port and paid a nominal fee for an importer to do all the leg work for me. Also if the buyer is having it shipped into a port then they have to hire an importer unless they have a DOD or other Fed ID to enter the port to pick the van.

[1of6]

Thanks for the advice all, very much appreciated!...25%...YIKES!!!
_________________
1958 Beetle, sold
1964 Cabriolet, sold (avatar)
1973 Westphalia, sold
2002 Turbo Beetle GLX, sold
1992 4 door Double Cab Transporter
1987 3 door Double Cab Transporter

[WestyBob]

[Abscate]

and CA will be a hassle - no smog exemption.

You can avoid all this by selling where-is and let the buyer take ownership of it of course.
_________________
.ssS!

[Alaskaberrys]

[1of6]

I'm genuinely grateful for all the help but here's one more scenario. I'm thinking that I want to find a Triumph TR6 of equal or lesser value than my Doka...if I were to accept a US Triumph in trade, would the purchaser be subject to the full arbitrary value of the Doka or would he or she be taxed only on the amount of cash that exchanged hands?
_________________
1958 Beetle, sold
1964 Cabriolet, sold (avatar)
1973 Westphalia, sold
2002 Turbo Beetle GLX, sold
1992 4 door Double Cab Transporter
1987 3 door Double Cab Transporter

[Abscate]

[elizer]

It is the value of what he purchased the Doka for. The triumph is a separate transaction. But then again you could have a bill of sale for "$500" for the doka and do a side deal for the triumph. I don't know how much the customs official would dispute it.

I would just pay the tax but can see why people would try to skirt a 25% tax.

[Abscate]

[elizer]

I do not disagree. I pay the taxes for what I pay for. Here in VA people like to put a ridiculous sales price on their title transfers so they get assessed a lower tax. They rarely get disputed though.

If it does get disputed by the CBP it will be more than the headache of the 25% tax.

[0to60in6min]

as for some consolation on the "chicken tax"...

I heard that here in Oregon, if you have commercial truck on the DMV paperwork (which my Doka has)... the license fee is lower... I am not sure about other states... check it out.

for reference we paid $125.00 (including license plates purchase) in Oregon for 2 years for the Doka... $110.00 for one year for a tintop vanagon GL in California.

[termuehlen]

[Abscate]