I've decided to bite the bullit and take my Mini back to Canada. I bought it new in Florida (2007) but I have used it very little, 6800 miles. This may be expensive but it would be complicated if I sold mine here and then tried to buy a replacement as good as I have in Ontario. I have made an appointment with Elite Mini East in Ottawa to have it modified to Canadian Standards, plus a recall clearance letter ($500.00). The speedometer has to be replaced to indicate KM and MPH. ($1000.00 to $1200.00) and the computer has to be changed... running lights, etc. (800.00 - $900.00) There is also a Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) registration fee of $204.75. After the BMW/Mini modifications then I have to take it to Canadian Tire to have an E-Test and final inspection, then when this is finalized I have to have it registered in Ontario and pay the 13% HST plus and additional 6 1/2 % duty because it is not built in the U.S or Canada. (I may have to pay this at the border?). Anyway, I am determined to do this....and I'll let you know my progress. I plan to return to Canada April 15. If anyone has any constructive comments I would appreciate them. 'Talk to ya later.

 

As soon as you said "Take it to Canadian Tire" you lost me. It's a great store, don't get me wrong, if you are shopping for stuff. But I wouldn't take my MINI there if you held a gun to my head. That's a lot of mods to have to do just to drive it in Canada. I would seriously look at the alternatives. See if there is a MINI in Canada that most resembles the one you have now. If you lost money it would not be as much as the mods cost and you'd have a new car to boot! IMHO

Buck

 

That just seems crazy to do all of that to get your car in the country. The speedo shows kph already so why the need for a swap? The computer can be programmed to mph too int he menu settings. Daytime running lights can be on by way of the user's menu as well. The near 20% in taxes is a lot to swallow; so the car is worth $20K, the taxes alone are about $4k? I don't know the canadian MINI market but I would suspect with all of these costs a $6,000 fee to get the car into the country is more than a sell and repurchase. Not trying to be negative but real.

 

Hi, I imported a used Nissan Maxima in 2005 into Canada from the USA when I moved there.

The importation of a used car from USA to Canada isn't all that complicated, there are many websites that detail how one goes about this.

The most important part is that you must make sure that your car is importable (one can find out the list of cars on the Canadian transportation agencies website). Most likely a MINI is importable if there are already available in Canada.
One needs to obtain a manufacturer's "free of recall letter", it is free if you call up MINI (it is free for any make).
You then have to fill out a form (super easy less than 5 minutes) and send it to USA border customs and make an appointment with them at least 3 days prior. Once at the border they just look and match VIN and let you go.
Once on the Canadian side, things get more dicey, but not really. They look at your car and pull out a blue book and look up your car and based on the number ask you for a check (for duties and tax). It isn't too exorbitant, especially since your car is 4 years old (they don't base it on what you paid for it).
They give you some forms and such that asks you to modify your car if needed.
For most cars, the only modification needed is the daylight running lights. It is about 150-300 dollars depending on where you go (or you can even do it yourself).
Unless things have radically changed you do not need to modify your speedometer. Yours already has a kph reading (doesn't have to be the dominant one).
Most likely you do not need to modify your computer either. The main thing the customs is looking for is safety, such as bumper heights, dimensions, clearance.
You can do the modifications after you are inside Canada, they give you more than few months. After modification you take it to a Canadian Tire (or other designated shop) to get it certified (this takes couple hundred or so dollars). That is it!

Going through the dealer/trader is great though...a lot less hassle, but you do pay the price and at times they do gouge you.

I wish I could've seen this earlier. Anyways, good luck.

I miss Canada.

Alex

p.s.-You can also import the car after being inside Canada (without any Canadian papers). As in not declaring that you are importing it then simply go to a border station once you are inside Canada (ones that vehicles can be imported through, the major ones) and start the importing process (from the USA and Canada). You have to make it official otherwise you won't be able to get insurance or registration.


p.p.s.-just did some light internet search...disregard my experience with the NISSAN. It seems that the customs/Canada transport and BMW really really screw owners of MINI. Ridiculous...$500 dollars for a piece of a letter and much dollars for other unnecessary modifications.

 

If I'm not mistaken, he has no choice but to do so. I was told that Crappy Tire is the only place sanctioned by Transport Canada to do the E-test.

 

Thanks Minibeagle, I still say yikes! I would hope they are better now, but several years ago it was a given that Can Tire did not have a good rep.

Buck

 

Why dont you " borrow " the speedo etc and after inspection re install the orignal equipment ?

 

That ain't how it works. BMW/MINI will not sign off on US MINI unless they do all the installs themselves for speedo, etc.

 

.....further update. I mailed the origional Certificate of Title to the U.S. Customs office (suppose to be 72 hours in advance of your arrival) which worked out because they received it on the 12th and I arrived at the border on the 14th. You have to check in at the U.S. Export Control, took me a bit to find the right building. The officer checked the vin # and licence plate and away I went. Then on to the Canadian Border and I told them that I was importing the Mini, and off to door #2 in yonder building. A young lady official looked after my case, she valued the Mini with the Red Book... seemed a fair price. I paid for the R.I.V. fee $220.00. Then I paid the duty 6 1/2%, then the Air Conditioner Excise Fee $100.00, then the 5% GST. The 8% PST will be paid when I finally register the vehicle in Ontario.
All the people I met with were very pleasant and helpful. The forms were made out for me and I just had to sign and pay....! That's really what it is about....taxes. Now on to Elite Mini in Ottawa... 'Talk to you later.

 

I didn't realize you had to pay sales tax (GST & PST) on a car you "already own"? I assume that's the same for Canadians registering their cars in the U.S......but dear god that's the biggest load of BS I have ever heard. The $220 fee is standard on both sides of the border, but this sales tax thing is ridiculous.

It kind of sucks that MINI is one of the few cars in the world that doesn't have mph/kph on the speedo.....but that's BMW for you.

Well, you certainly seem to be taking it well. Welcome to Canada.....and at least maybe you'll save a few bucks on health care bills.

 

For a 2007 mini some Speedo's already have KM/h and M/hr up until 2008.

I am planning to import a 2011 Mini and would like to know if anyone truly knows what has to be modified by BMW canada in order to pass the safety at Canadian Tire?

The Speedo already has KM/h there is also a feature to turn on DRL, and all other safety features are same as Canada?

 

Friday, I can't see where there would be anything else that had to be changed. Emission equipment is the same on both sides of the border, so that won't be a problem. And as you say, if the later model MINI's have mph/kph (I know the 05 and 06 models only came with one or the other) and the ability to turn on the daytime running lights, then you should be fine.

A local Chev dealer had brought some used cars in from the States last year and one of them was a Cooper S. I was talking to the sales manager and the only thing they had to change was the running lights and the speedo.

 

....further update! Elite Mini in Ottawa installed the new speedometer (in Km only) - $1099.33 part, $171.00 labour. Then they performed all necessary programming in relation to do the Canadian compliance. This changed the computer over to Km, Celcius, etc and day time running lights. - this took 5 hours - $570.00 labour. They are also going to supply me with the complience letter ( indicating no recalls) which is $500.00 plus tax. Total bill $2644.57 including taxes. Elite Mini in Ottawa is an efficient, well organized and professional dealership. I have no complaints.
Now I have to take the R.I.V. form 2 to Canadian Tire for the Federal complience Inspection (Canadian Tire is the designated inspector) and an E test and Safety Inspection. If they pass the vehicle then the form is sent to RIV and a Canadian Certification Label shall me mailed to me. Then I presume I can have the vehicle registered in Ontario.
Elite installed my front license bracket - no charge.
'Talk to you later.

 

It seems to me that something is very wrong here.

Your digital speedometer can easily display KM/Celsius. It is very easy to activate the daytime running lights.

I don't see anything they did that they had to do?

 

- further update.....Canadian Tire completed the Safety Inspection and the E Test. They also passed the R.I.V. form 2 and faxed it away to RIV. Total charge - $129.94 Then off to the Insurance Company (the insurance cost is about half as much as Florida), then off to the License Bureau. Here you need the Border Receipt or your Invoice if a recent purchase. The E Test, the Safety Inspection and the RIV Forms 1 and 2. Plus your Drivers License. I was charged the fee for the license plate and the 8 % P.S.T. And I am free to go. I then cancelled my Insurance in Florida and mailed the Florida Plate to the Dept. of Motor Vehicles in Tallahassee.
So that is it. It cost me roughly $4000.00 to bring my Mini to Canada. This is not including the H.S.T. (13%) which I would have had to pay if I purchased a replacement car in Ontario. It was relatively easy to do and fairly quick...12 days. One thing .... the $500.00 compliance/recall letter that BMW requires you purchase...neither the Canadian Tire or the Licence Bureau required it!!?
Anyway I am glad to have my Mini here to enjoy this summer. I hope I helped someone make up there mind if they are going to import their Mini.