Everything You Need To Know About Shipping A Firebird From America To Canada
The Pontiac Firebird was one of the iconic muscle cars of the 1970s and 1980s, and with its sleek lines and big engine power, it's no wonder it's still sought after today by automotive enthusiasts.
Legal Requirements
Importers should be aware that vehicles imported for personal use are generally exempt from all tariffs, taxes, customs duties, etc., as long as they are properly declared at the time of entry.
That said, there is one very large caveat: All cars manufactured after 1988 must have an EPA or Transport Canada compliance label affixed to them.
For most cars manufactured before that year, no such label will exist. So unless you can prove beyond a shadow of a doubt that your classic car meets Canadian safety standards (usually by way of registration papers), you'll likely end up paying somewhere between $1,000 and $3,000 in fees upon importation if it's allowed in at all.
To determine whether or not your vehicle is one of these, you'll need its VIN. Most VINs are 17 characters long; they're found on a tag attached to either (or both) of your car's front doors -- though modern cars may have them printed on their dashboards as well -- but in any case should look something like WXYZ1234567890ABCDEF...
If you haven't yet found out what type of documentation is required, don't worry! There are many ways to figure that out (check with your local customs office). Most reputable import/export companies will provide all necessary documentation for importing a vehicle into Canada.
If you're buying from a private seller, ask for their EPA and CARB certificates before agreeing on a price; if they don't show them to you in advance, then proceed with caution as there may be something fishy going on.
How To Check If Your Firebird Is Qualified For Import
Start by looking up your car in ASE's database of cars eligible for import into Canada. This site is run by Transport Canada and will tell you whether your car will meet local safety standards before you try importing it yourself—or trust an intermediary service.
If you can't find your car on ASE, which should have information on almost all vehicles sold in North America, that doesn't mean it won't qualify for import under another category; look up your car on MotorMouth to confirm its eligibility.
If your car doesn't qualify under either ASE or MotorMouth, you have one final option: apply for an exemption (known as a SED in Canadian parlance) by filling out Transport Canada's online form. This is just a request for permission to import your car. It needs reasons why your specific car shouldn't fall under other categories of vehicle eligibility; all that said, Transport Canada usually grants SED requests with little or no trouble.
Insurance And Documentation
A car purchased in another country will still need its original documents before being shipped internationally, including an international title, registration, importation form, and insurance.
Before registering your vehicle in Ontario, you'll also need an RIV inspection (which costs $100-$150) at a designated CBSA port of entry. Without these documents, you won't register your car and drive on Canadian roads.
As for insurance, AutoOne cautions that you must have Canadian coverage in place before buying any vehicles from out-of-country sellers; after all, you will be importing them into Canada through customs so they could potentially get damaged or stolen during transport.
Remember that you need full coverage, including comprehensive and collision coverage—but only while you have an Ontario address listed on your license. You should also have sufficient liability insurance (the minimum requirement is $200,000).
If you're buying multiple vehicles, be sure to check with your insurer to make sure you're still covered or if there will be any additional fees or charges associated with such high-value items coming into Canada.
Cost Of Importing A Firebird
The cost of shipping a vehicle depends on several factors, but you should generally expect shipping costs to be between $1,500-$2,000 per vehicle (this cost excludes taxes and additional fees).
For small vehicles that can be shipped by land freight, you should expect around $600-$900 depending on where your car is shipped. Prices vary widely by country, so getting quotes before deciding is essential if you want to know exactly how much it will cost.
There are no import duties on vehicles from North America, so you will not be penalized with extra taxes if you import a car or motorbike into Canada. However, an importation fee is attached to bringing your vehicle into Canada, which is due at delivery time. An additional 5% tax (GST/HST) will also apply depending on your province.
Shipping And Delivery Methods
When you're shipping internationally, there are two types of delivery: door-to-door and port-to-port. Door-to-door means that your goods will be delivered right to your doorstep, but for you to take advantage of port-to-port delivery, you need special permission.
Keep in mind that international shipments can be delayed by customs officials—especially during peak times such as holidays or other busy periods. So remember not to schedule any big events before your shipment arrives.
If you need something in a hurry or know that your destination will be busy on certain days, port-to-port delivery may be more appropriate for you. The benefit of port-to-port is that your driver will meet your shipment at its arrival point from North America and then deliver it directly to you, which means that there's less risk of getting held up by customs officials.
This type of delivery is ideal if you need something quickly because there's no door fee in most cases. However, keep in mind that since there are several stops along the way, port-to-port deliveries can sometimes take longer than their door-to-door counterparts—sometimes as much as two weeks longer!
Choosing The Right Shipping Company
When choosing a shipping company, get quotes from at least 3-to 4 shipping companies before deciding who to work with. Be sure you understand any potential hidden fees that may be applied before signing on with a company, so there are no surprises later on when your vehicle arrives in Canada.
There's no shortage of car shipping companies offering services for importing vehicles into Canada, but only a handful have proven themselves as reputable over time. Working with someone that has the experience, knowledge, and great reviews is essential if you want to get your car shipped into Canada without problems along the way.
Using companies like
https://www.a1autotransport.com/ship-car-to-canada/ come in handy. This is because they will be able to walk you through every step of your importation process from start to finish, including working with customs officials on your behalf (there's no need for any additional paperwork on your part). They'll also ensure that all applicable taxes are paid in full and are up-to-date, so there are no surprises when you finally get your car.
Taking Delivery In Canada
Welcome your new ride home with open arms, not just an open pocketbook. Depending on your vehicle's cross-border history, you may have to deal with some post-delivery fees or requirements before driving off into the sunset, so try not to be overwhelmed by all of that while at the border crossing.
One major plus is that you don't pay sales tax in most states—it could save you thousands of dollars depending on how much your vehicle costs—but there are still other costs involved in having a car shipped across borders (like shipping).
It might seem scary at first but trust us: if you know what documents to bring and exactly how much everything will cost beforehand, it'll make things so much easier once your ride gets here.
Registration Of The Firebird In Canada
The new policy of not requiring US titles for imported vehicles is great news for Canadians because you can now import vehicles without them being branded as salvage or rebuilt, making them much more desirable when they come up for sale.
However, although your vehicle may have been driven in the US at some point in its life, you must still have a valid Canadian title if you want to register it in Ontario (the provincial government agency that provides car registration).
You can obtain one by applying at an OLIPALS office (lookup your closest one here). Bring your vehicle registration document along with proof of insurance and proof of residence, such as a driver's license or insurance card.
You will be asked to pay applicable registration fees (be sure you have your VIN handy when calculating how much you'll need). As well as a $25 title transfer fee for replacing your current registration with one containing both Ontario and US information.
