Can I sell U.S. purchased car in Canada if I have a valid work permit to be in Canada?

I will be in Canada for minimum 1 year with a valid work permit. In case if I cannot come back to Canada and would like to sell my car in Canda, what would be options to sell the car and process I have to go through?

Thanks,

Lily

I am not familiar with the particulars of temporary importation of vehicles attendant temporary status in Canada, such as status pursuant to a work permit, although I know that the vehicle may be imported temporarily without going through the formalities imposed by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles process if an individual is temporarily in Canada pursuant to a work permit for less than 36 months.

But the vehicle may also be imported permanently, and I don't think foreign temporary workers are prohibited from doing this, subject, of course, to the formal requirements and restrictions for importing vehicles, as well as the applicable tax consequences. Additionally, there are reporting requirements (which are in turn part of the RIV requirements) for exporting the vehicle from the U.S. (This is mostly an anti-theft requirement.)

If the vehicle is imported pursuant to the formalities administered by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles, it can be sold in Canada, subject to certain tax consequences (and perhaps some time limitations -- been a little while since I visited the particular formalities involved).

Among sites to consult regarding importation of a vehicle into Canada, see the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) site, and the CBSA "Importing a Vehicle Into Canada site.

Note too, a purchaser in Canada can also go through the formalities of importing a qualified vehicle (in compliance with RIV of course, and again subject to applicable tax consequences). Obviously this would reduce the amount the seller could obtain for the vehicle. It would be comparable to any Canadian purchasing a used vehicle in the U.S. and importing it into Canada . . . thus the vehicle probably would have to be physically taken to a POE, properly exported from the U.S. and then brought into Canada per the RIV process.

Yes, that is why I made reference multiple times to the fact that there are tax consequences. While the tax consequences (federal duty and provincial taxes, and other fees) can be substantial, the difference in sales price, however, can also be significant enough to make it worthwhile. (I know several people who buy their cars in the states and import them, precisely because despite the tax consequences the net cost is still substantially less for certain vehicles.)

Bottom-line, still, the answer to the OP's questions (can I sell my vehicle in Canada? and if so, what process? do I need to go through) is that yes, an American vehicle can be sold in Canada if the vehicle is properly imported, and to learn about properly importing the vehicle, again see the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) site, and the CBSA "Importing a Vehicle Into Canada site.

PMM wrote: As the OP is not a settler, can't use the duty free provisions IF He intends to export the vehicle from the US and then import it into Canada, s/he will be subject to duties, (probably 0) taxes, green levy , depending on the province HST/PST.

Note, even a settler cannot import vehicles entirely without tax consequences. While an arriving settler may import a vehicle attendant actually settling in Canada and duty and other taxes are waived, subject to the applicable process and its conditions (which may include things like modifications to make the vehicle comport with Canadian regulations, restrictions distinguishing between an owned vehicle versus a newly purchased one, among other restrictions), there is a time limitation restricting when that vehicle may be sold in Canada (otherwise various tax consequences may apply).

And, again, even if the OP does not initially import the vehicle through the RIV process (but rather temporarily imports it as allowed for those entering Canada with temporary status), the individual can offer the vehicle for sale in Canada so long as there is no misrepresentation as to the need to import it and the purchaser goes through the process to properly import the vehicle.



But in terms of the OP's questions, to be clear:

-- can I sell my vehicle in Canada?

The answer is yes.

-- what is the process?

The answer is that you must first properly import the vehicle (which includes properly exporting the vehicle from the U.S.), and to learn about doing that (including information as to costs involved) see the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) site, and the CBSA "Importing a Vehicle Into Canada site.

Or the prospective purchaser in Canada must go through the process of exporting and importing the vehicle.

And, no, it is not free.