Here is a cautionary tale from CTV News Winnipeg.

Winnipeg man slapped with $46K bill to bring dream car into Canada

https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/arti...r-into-canada/

A Winnipeg man is sending a warning to Canadians after he found himself caught in the middle of the Canada-U.S. trade war – a war that could cost him more than $46,000.

Pat Fletcher has spent a lifetime restoring classic cars in Winnipeg. But the 77-year-old car enthusiast has had a lifelong dream to own one car in particular – a 1968 Dodge Charger RT.

“When I was 15, I had a Charger,” he told CTV News. “I always wanted to get this Charger RT… It’s the best one out there, and they’re hard to find.”
Which is why he was so excited when he found one down in Texas, buying it for US$98,000 on March 10. But his dream quickly turned into a nightmare when he tried bringing the car back home.

 

Gorgeous RT. Sorry to hear this. Thanks for sharing.

 

Yes anyone crossing with a nice old car could be in for a hassle going in either direction. They are clamping down and checking vin numbers and running them.

 

Buying used cars always has wrinkles. I personally think sales tax between individuals is unconstitutional.

 

I agree, every time a car is sold the gov gets money. FOR WHAT I ask????

 

You are mistaken about the controlling case law. I will spare you the actual case text and post a summary:

Supreme Court abolishes physical presence requirement for sales tax collection

 

Can you please read that article and tell me what it says?

 

If you scroll down a little when looking at the original link, you'll see that the man actually got his car with the help of a broker. It doesn't say what the broker did differently or how much it cost him, but the man is happy so that's the main thing.

 

That's a bummer.

 

???

 

The second article says it didn't cost him any tariffs to bring his car into Canada. However, the tariff laws are expected to change April 2.

 

I looked at the first link and I thought the guy didn't get his car into Canada. Did he finally get it imported?

 

He did, what a state of affairs.

 

I didn't see any second article linked above but here's the rest of the story. It sounds like it was his mistake and he probably should have hired a broker to begin with

https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/arti...border-battle/

 

What a fiasco. At least he got his car.

 

The moral of the story, he should have used a broker to bring a car into Canada. Yes the border agents got it wrong but the fee for a broker would have made this much smoother. I would not buy a car from the US without a broker especially in this time of tariff uncertainty.

I just sold my SS454 Monte Carlo to a buyer in the US and the broker made the process easy.

 

The gentleman was finally able to import his car.
Here’s a link.
https://www.ctvnews.ca/winnipeg/arti...p-from-broker/

 

I brought my 68 up from Texas to my home just north of Toronto in 2010. I bought it from pics on the net from a dealer. The dealer was extremely helpful and I used a broker that was associated with the shipping company. The trip up and brokerage fees totalled 1185 Canadian. I had it up in 6 days from the day the transport arrived at the dealer. I am sure the prices have gone up some, but still a ton less than the agrivation and extra this guy paid.

 

I think you may find things a bit different here in 2025.

 

Yes, I recognize that. My point being that a broker smooths the process.

 

Granted, but MY point was that although a broker may still smooth the process, the process itself is surely a lot rougher now and won't be getting easier (or cheaper) anytime soon.