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Hiya folks,
I'm about to repatriate to the US of A in about two weeks after years in Canada, and my wife and I will be bringing our two 240's with us. We have a '79 242GT that has lived its entire life in the Great White North, and an '86 240DL that I imported from the US when I came to Canada. I've looked at both the EPA and DOT's websites, and, as far as I can tell, the '79 is old enough to be exempt from either department's regulations and the '86 is a US spec car, making it no problem either.
Am I reading this right? Just what I want is to pull up to the border and be told I can't take my beloved 242. Any affirmations or warnings are greatly appreciated. I'm sure someone on the board has done this before!
thanks, as always,
Nate
ps--I'm moving to Ohio, to an area where there are no emissions tests. So don't worry about that.
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I've imported many Volvos into Buffalo from Ontario, main issues for customs folks are whether the car has hardplates showing that it is USEPA compliant, and you'll need to show them sticker or hardplate that shows USDOT compliance (I have only imported 700s, but you probably need to look at your doorposts for sticker) The other biggie from Canada is speedo, that have to be MPH over Km. Best to make a call to the border crossing that you will be using to avoid surprises
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What part of Ohio? There are emissions in some parts of the state...
You'll have to check out the Buckeye Volvo Club!
-Ryan
--
Athens, Ohio
1990 245 DL 133k M47, Cibié E-codes, Now with working wipers!
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club
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We're moving to Orrville...About 30 minutes mostly west of Canton; an hour south of Cleveland. Where does the Buckeye Volvo Club have meets?
Nate
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The Club usually meets at a Volvo dealership in Columbus, but occasionally meets elsewhere in the state. Check out our Web site for info and updates:
www.buckeyevolvoclub.org
Good luck on your move.
--
Mike F - 1984 244 DL - 265,000 miles
Original engine, transmission, drive train, alternator, starter
Undergoing reconstructive surgery with POR-15
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I bought a used truck in NB from a dealer and brought it across the border in Maine in 2002 -- the dealer sent me to a shop up there to have the Kms speedometer/odometer converted to miles. I was told this was a condition of importing the vehicle -- though I don't remember anyone caring at the border or when registering the truck in Va. But you'd want to check that. You're likely to find shops near the border, on the Canadian side, that specialize in that.
As it turned out, the shop that did the conversion messed it up -- the needle drags and I have to give the dashboard a whack to get it unstuck.
Many years earlier, I had a helluva time getting my Canadian car down here ... got hung up at the border for 2 days waiting for the automaker to fax a statement confirming it met US emission standards. I assume the process is smoother now, but of course you don't want to assume anything at the border.
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if i were you i'd call customs and see what kind of red tape you'll have to deal with. i read the little paper re: importing a car into canada frome the USA and it looks like a hassle. don't just show up, do your homework. just my 2 cents though, good luck.
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Actually, once your car is 15 years old, it's quite simple to come into Canada from the USA. All you need is a safety and an emissions test. I did that. And I have (mostly) done my homework. I'll probably give them a call too just to confirm, but I thought I'd ask on here before waiting on hold forever.
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I don't think it's quite so simple, and not fifteen years, either. See, for example:
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm#exceptions
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada01192007.htm
--
David Brick, Santa Cruz CA, 1988 245
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Thanks for the links.
Canada is 15 years so you don't have to be on the registry of imported vehicles. That's in Canada. The US is different.
From the link you sent:
"Motor vehicles not more than 25 years old must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) motor vehicle safety standards that were in effect when these vehicles were manufactured."
From the EPA website:
"If the vehicle is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation."
My '79 is 28 years old. Golden. The '86 is US spec and has the stickers.
I chatted with a very talkative customs guy yesterday while crossing the border who said I shouldn't have any problems. It isn't super simple, but it isn't rocket science either, especially when the cars are old.
Nate
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Might be worth a second call, talk to someone else, just to be safe...
Between two separate calls to our local DMV, I recently got two different answers about what I need to get a set of temporary tags for a 245 we're buying in New Jersey.
-Ryan
--
Athens, Ohio
1990 245 DL 133k M47, Cibié E-codes, Now with working wipers!
1991 745 GL 290k (Girlfriend-mobile)
Buckeye Volvo Club
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