Just spoke with an agent at transport Canada, she informed me that any vehicle that has been modified and is not in origional condition, ie body kit, is not admissable and will be turned away at the border. Does anyone have experience with this, know someone I can talk to for clarification?

 

Never heard that. What does she mean by "not in original condition"?

If the vehicle is on the admissable list it is allowed into the country.

http://www.riv.ca/english/html/how_to_import.html


My 05 WRX from the US had a bunch of mods on it, i had no problem bringing it in (well not related to the mods anyway).

 

It wouldn't make sense that a car being imported would not be allowed to be modified. You have to have certain modifications made to bring it to Canadian specs, that's it. I suggest you call back and speak to someone a bit higher than her. As long as the required mods are made and the car passes the provincial Saftey and E-test, you should have no problems.

 

I've since spoken to some customs officers at the border as well as a few automotive importers, and they have assured me it wont be a problem. The lady I spoke to didn't know what she was talking about, or was mis-quoting a regulation that may or may not be in force.

 

I would not even mention that the car has been modified unless asked. I'm sure there is not a problem with bringing it over but if you give them border guys something to look into they will take forever and waste your time. possibly turn you around for no reason without cause. Them border people just want some entertainment for no reason.

Most likely they will not even know what an rx7 looks like and when they see yours with the fortune kit they will most likely think nothing different. Just tell them it was just painted recently.

hope they treat you well.

I have to cross them BC borders frequently and it sucks sittin there while they take there time to strip search my car as they cant understand why I go over the border to meet my inlaws! Pain in the ***!

Good Luck

 

I feel the same way, the border really makes me leary. I plan to do exactly as you suggest, the less I have to interact with them the better.

 

Just be cool and make some small talk. Treat them with some respect based on their position and all the **** they have to deal with. If you don't act/talk/look like a punk, they'll be reasonable and won't screw you on things relating to "the spirit of the law" - or simply said - they won't read too much into what the law intends.