Importing modified Camaro

[Trackman]

Any Canadians out there recently import a U.S. car that has been modified? I have purchased vehicles south of the line before but not a modified version. Transport Canada suggests it is not a good idea . I think it will come down to the mood the officer is in at the border.....

[Meltdownaverted]

good luck, not the easiest thing to do.

how modified

[abaucom21]

I have imported two cars from the states into Ontario and actually pretty simple if you spent a few weeks in advance to get your paper work in order. As I recall, at the border all they did was check the paperwork, and only inspection they did was look at the vin #. Once you clear the border (pay fees) you might have to get the auto inspected (Clean Air inspection here in Ontario). They check lights, breaks, and emissions. Depending on your mods emissions might be a hang up. If the state you are importing from has a required emissions testing requirement, best to have the auto inspected there first. If it passes state emissions test, should not have an issue passing provincial test. Key is your mods. I have a friend here who has some modes on his auto, and to pass Clean Air inspection he has to put back on some orignal parts.
Below is a link to Alberta testing clinics.
http://www.transportation.alberta.ca/888.htm
Best bet is to go to a testing clinic, in person, tell them you want to import an auto, and what tests & testing results are required to pass. Do not mention the word mod! Then have those same tests done in the state where it is currently located. If the state does not require testing, a dealership in that state can run the test for you.
No problem importing at the border as long as paperwork is in order (including letter from GM auto has no outstanding recalls [could take a few weeks] and title info is received at the border about 3 days in advance of your crossing.
Good luck.

[abaucom21]

One last note: It does depend on which border crossing you go through, plus your inspector. When I moved into Canada back in 2003, I crossed over at Detroit. There, inspectors were power crazed assholes. As I was US coming to Canada on a work permit, all I had to have was work permit paperwork reviewed (serious attitude) and personal property inspected which consisted of auto title, a U-haul trailer full of "approved house plants", electronic equipment, and five cats in the car. I had a 3-ring binder of paperwork on everything including cats, houseplants, electronics, etc. Inspector and myself went to do physical inspection. I did not have cats in their carriers, they were bouncing off the windows. Apparently inspector had a fear of my five furry travel companions, got within 10 feet of the auto, he turned pale and frooze. Looks good to me he said, that was the inspection. Could of had a trailer full of pot plants. On other hand, back in late 2004, when I became a permanent resident, I had to drive back to states (at the 1000 Island crossing) make a U-Turn on the US side, so I could officially drive back accoss the border and be a "landed immigrant". No issue on the Canada side but when stopped at border on US side, was asked purpose of my visit, I told border person I was only turning around to go back to Canada so I could offically be a landed immigrant. You would have thought I had just been caught burning the US flag. Was told to pull over and they fully inspected my car. Happy they did not start pulling off my door panels. Abuse of power, yes. On other hand, at 1000 Island crossing, I was importing my Riviera that I had recieved when my aunt died in 2005. All paper work in order. On the Canada side went in to process. Border officer saw where I worked. He asked if I knew such-n-such. Yes, I worked with her almost evey day and she was such fun to deal with. Turned out she was his mother. I was processed in 25 mins., only import fee required, no taxes required. Final Riviera inspection required I go to Canadian Tire of all places. Turned out the Riv. did not have a child restraint bracket bolted behind the rear seat. Inspector pulled one from stock (less than $6.00) threw it into trunk. He said regulations require I have the child restraint bracket "in the car" not "installed" in the the car. Only issue I had when I officially imported my 1996 Sebring, was day-time running lights. Car passed inspections without day time running lights but people get tickets in Ontario without day time running lights. A year after officially importing the Sebring had dealership install day time running lights at a cost of about $450. Suggest your Camaro from the US have day time running lights or you might get a ticket even after you import the car to Canada. Police don't care, you either have the lights or not. You can research but unless the car you import is more than 20 years old, must have day-time running lights.
My advice when importing a car from US to Canada, cross and process at one of lessor used border crossings where you might meet more friendly border officials. Importing a US car into Canada at the border is not complex as long as you give yourself about 3 weeks to get your documents in order. Just because you can import at the border does not mean you can register that car in your province. You must have that auto inspected in your province.
One last short story. A few years ago a retired Canadian friend of mine has a condo in Florida. He bought a new Mercedes convertible in Florida. Found out two years later he must get the Mercedes registered in Ontario. This conv. was not on the Canada approved list. Would cost him close to $3000 to have Canada bumper modifacations. He bought this new Mercedes conv., at a Florida dealership, close to $25,000 less then he would of paid in Canada. Short story, he no longer drives the Mercedes conv. to Canada, just leaves it with his Florida condo.

[Trackman]

I will be doubling the HP so yes it will be slightly modified. I have imported lots of stuff in the past and it seems to be the luck of the draw of who you get at the border. Once I get thru customs I am not worried about emissions. I will be very sad and broke if I have to return the car to the US and take the goodies off or sell it.

[Parag]

save the stock stuff, might have to pass a somewhat stock car through then remod it

[Meltdownaverted]

Or I can bring you in a nice SLP ZL600 have one on order right now