Importing a Tacoma/Tundra from Canada/Mexico

If dude is getting the vehicle for significantly less that fair market value, would ADD be a concern? Or is this not an issue since its between private sellers? I would assume that since the vehicle is being imported, all applicable customs laws would apply.

 

Also be advised that if the Tundra was built in the US but destined for MX sale, it may not have the required emissions equipment to be EPA compliant. Do not assume that a MX-intended Tundra is identical to a US Tundra until you confirm!

 

NAFTA should cover the duties on the import although you will still have to pay all of the different taxes and BS.

Very good point. Buyer should first find out if the vehicle is a US version (labeled) or non-US. COO does not necessarily determine compliance depending on the intended market. If it is a US version vehicle (and hopefully for this guys sake it is), it should be relatively straight forward as mrbadwrench detailed earlier in the thread.

If it is not a US version, you'll need to use an ICI and they'll need to make the vehicle EPA compliant within 120 days (additional time can be granted but not to exceed 180 days) of importation. This isn't a cheap process.

FWIW, vehicles generally at least 21 years old are free from these provisions and can be imported without change. Skyline anyone?!

 

25 years. So right now 1991s and earlier are currently eligible.

Except in California, because many foreign vehicles will not pass SMOG.

 

I don't know what kind of price the OP is getting on this Tundra, but unless it's really cheap this is a lot of effort for a mediocre 11 year old pickup truck.

The only vehicles I import are ones I can't get here in the US! Then it's worth the trouble.

 

Keep in mind, the 25% tax on the value is the value of the truck in US soil. The VALUE of the truck in US SOIL.

Not the price YOU paid for it, in Mexican Pesos or Mexican pesos converted to US currency or US money you paid for in Mexico.

 

How is value determined then?

And smog is no problem. I know a guy...

 

I am not sure - Depending what California uses - Kelley Blue Book or NADA or any other reputable car value book.

 

And it is really cheap which brings me back to HOW DO I CHECK THE HISTORY? How do I run a VIN check or carfax or similar on a Mexican truck?

 

I doubt that's true. When you buy a used car from private and go to the DMV here and they make you pay the use tax (sales tax on a used vehicle) it's simple 8% of your purchase price

 

He is incorrect. Value is determined by transaction price.

Merchandise imported into the United States is appraised for customs purposes in accordance with section 402 of the Tariff Act of 1930, as amended by the Trade Agreements Act of 1979 (19 U.S.C. §1401a, the “value law”). The implementing regulations are contained in Part 152 of the CBP Regulations (19 CFR Part 152). The primary method of appraisement is transaction value, which is defined as “the price actually paid or payable for the merchandise when sold for exportation to the United States,” plus amounts for certain statutorily enumerated additions to the extent not otherwise included in the price actually paid or payable. See 19 U.S.C. §1401a(b)(1). When there is no transaction value, the other valuation methods (transaction value of identical or similar goods, deductive value, computed value, and the fallback method), are to be applied in sequence.

 

You got it! See above.

 

That I don't know, sorry. Never done a VIN check for an import. There may not be one for Mexico.

 

Ok, so to recap:
1) Thanks to NAFTA I might be exempt from the 25% tariff but if not that's fine because it's only n extra grand.
2) I have a guy to smog anything for me so no probl me there either in case it's not already compliant.
3) seller has Mexican titulo limpio and can either meet me at the Mexican side of the border or in the US.

Now how do I check the title and vehicle history. How do I look for prior owners? Accidents? That it wasn't written off or stolen?

 

I stand corrected.

I realized its probably different for importation of vehicles.

I know here in Texas, we pay a tax based on the value of a vehicle when purchased, not on the actual transaction price.

That is for local, transactions.

Exportation/importation is different I guess.

 

Okay, but once you get US title on an import and then run a vin search, what does the carfax say about the time between rolling off assembly line and your acquisition and what's it say about prior owners etc?

 

Vehicular registration and VINs do exist in Mexico.

Last time I checked, Vehicular registration was not obligatory.

I believe Vehicular registration and VIN tracking is in its infancy in Mexico.

 

it will probably be blank or NOT found

 

I'm going to get the VIN from the seller and run a US carfax search to see if it was ever sold/registered in the US.
Prior damage I am confident I can uncover when I go check it out in person

 

It says nothing. Blank time period.