Topic: Bring in Used Volvo from S.Korea to Canada

[legene]

I have a 2007? 2008? Volvo which I purchased from S.Korea while I was living there. It's brand new and barely used car. I'm wondering if there's anyway for me to bring the car to Canada so I can drive it here. I know if the car is Korean brand and made in Korea, I won't be able to bring it to N. America because they build the car completely different for exporting cars even tho it's same brand. However, the car which I bought from Korea is Volvo, not Korean brand! any ideas or where should I ask for some answers? Costs? etc...

[tpl]

This says it all.

VEHICLES PURCHASED OUTSIDE CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles imported into Canada comply, at the time of importation, with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971.

Vehicles acquired in foreign countries other than the U.S. and designed, built, tested and certified to meet either all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or all applicable United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a statement of compliance label affixed by the original manufacturer, as required by the Regulations, may be eligible for importation into Canada provided the vehicle has not been altered and the certification from the original manufacturer is maintained, which may be subject to verification at the time of importation.  A vehicle imported under these conditions will be subject to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program which may be accessed at the following web site: http://www.riv.ca.

Please contact Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, at 1-613-998-8616 for further information.

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-importation-other-than-index-446.htm

[Cord]

I wonder what the justification is for not letting in a 2 year old vehicle that doesn't meet Canadian standards but then allowing it on the road once it's a 15 year old beater.

[tpl]

I wonder what the justification is for not letting in a 2 year old vehicle that doesn't meet Canadian standards but then allowing it on the road once it's a 15 year old beater.

The justification was in part the Autopact. In part political lobbying from the CAW.  In part a genuine belief that foreign cars are not safe on our roads.  In part to stay in step with the USA although until recently they have allowed vehicles to be brought in and modified in the USA unlike Canada. The 15 years thing is probably because the gov believed there would be just a few "historic vehicles" brought in...in those days when few vehicles lasted that long. In fact some provinces are lobbying for the 15 years to go up to 25  years.

Overall it boils down to "managed trade" not free trade and is a non-tariff barrier.  Just like Korea has on foreign cars which the CAW complain about all the time.