Date:         Sat, 5 Apr 2014 18:00:03 -0400
Reply-To:     James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         James <jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Kombi's last wishes
In-Reply-To:  <BLU177-W1634D46464F9A913D070CEE06E0@phx.gbl>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

No, forget what I said below - they're changed the import rules again, since I last dealt professionally with this a decade ago, and Frank is right - unless the vehicle was built to Canadian (or US) standards originally, it cannot be imported into Canada.  The old rules about being able to modify vehicles to meet the standards prior to import (or in a bonded facility after arrival) have been eliminated.
 
Those Brazilian combis really aren't coming to Canada anytime soon.
 
There is a proposal floating around Ottawa to expand the restriction so that a vehicle built to meet EU, Japanese, or Australian safety standards would also be import-qualified.  Canadians on the list, you may wish to write your MP!
 
James
 
> Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 17:17:51 -0400
> From: jk_eaton@HOTMAIL.COM
> Subject: Re: Kombi's last wishes
> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> 
> Well, there is one other exception - a vehicle that can be modified to meet Canadian standards can be imported if less than 15 years old, IF you pay to have the modifications done before licensing.  That opens the door to private imports of vehicles from places that 'almost' meet Canadian standards - hence the grey-market Mercedes and other German cars that come in, and all the late model Japanese sports cars.  They can be easily modified (sometimes as little as replacing safety stickers) to meet Canadian standards.
>  
> That won't be true of a Brazilian T2, however, since crash-worthiness isn't something you can easily retrofit!
>  
> James
> Ottawa, ON
>  
> > Date: Sat, 5 Apr 2014 07:38:19 -0500
> > From: RAlanen@AOL.COM
> > Subject: Re: Kombi's last wishes
> > To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> > 
> >         You betcha they check.  When you import a vehicle into Canada you need to IMPORT it through customs where you will get a document which will allow you to bring it to your local DMV and get it registered.  So here’s the kicker, only vehicles that were manufactured and approved for use in Canada can be IMPORTED, UNLESS, they are 15 years old or older.  That Brazilian Kombi is NOT coming to Canada for at least 15 years !
> > 
> > 
> > On Apr 4, 2014, at 11:00 PM, Automatic digest processor <LISTSERV@GERRY.VANAGON.COM> wrote:
> > 
> > > I'm in Canada. Would Customs really check the VIN :)
> > 
> > 
> > 
> >              Please note that I will be away from my business travelling from December 02 until April 30, 2014.  Parts orders will be processed although not as quickly as usual.  I will always be available for contact by E-mail.  If you phone your call will be addressed by Joe Wallace here and he will either call you back or advise you to contact me directly by E-mail. Details of this adventure are on our Travel Blog: http://frankcondelli.com/travels/
> > Cheers, 
> >    
> > Frank Condelli
> > Almonte, Ontario, Canada
> > '87 VW Westy, '00 Kawasaki 250 Sherpa, "98 Ducati 750 Monster & Lionel Trains (Collection for sale)
> > Frank Condelli & Associates - Vanagon/Vanagon Westfalia Service in the Ottawa Valley
> > BusFusion a VW Camper camping event, Almonte, ON, June 05 ~ 08, 2014
>