I'm about to move to Canada to work and was wondering if at all conceivable to ship my Chimaera over with me. I'll be on a work permit rather than a Permanent Resident.
Any one had any experiences/problems?
cheers
Ross

Cheers
Only 13 years old. We're all coming over to Toronto in a month or so

Must be 15 years old or older to the month of manufacture (not model year). They need supporting evidence of age. Your car unfortunately can not come in.

Are you coming temporarily, or is this a permanent move?

I have seen that happen! The general rule for Canada is that vehicles cannot be imported (aside from a list of US cars) until 15 years after its manufacture. Then it may still has some provincial hurdles to jump and these will vary from province to province.

However, you should be exempt http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/roadsafety/safevehicles-im... See below. You can bring in the car as a "visitor" along with you. However, you cannot sell it. As the car will be in a province for more than 3 months, you will probably be required to registered there.

Your biggest issue may be insurance. Contact the two governments and insurers before you get here.

L.

VISITORS AND TOURISTS TO CANADA

Under Section 7(1)(b) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a motor vehicle may be admitted temporarily into Canada without complying with the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations if it is to be used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor or a person passing through Canada to another country. Persons entering under a work permit or student visa will be considered as visitors for the application of this section of the Act. Any change in the status of the person entering the vehicle may invalidate the use of this section of the Act. The vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada and cannot remain in Canada for a period longer than the time constraints listed on the work permit, student visa or any other Customs documents. Once these time limits are exceeded, the vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary entry under section 7(1)(b) of the Act and must be exported. As the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency also has requirements concerning the importation of vehicles, you may contact them at the address listed below.

Thought about that but just had £5k on a new chassis & outriggers plus repairs after returning from Swissyland. Reluctant to let go

It did occur to me that the US / Canadian system for measuring vehicle age, and that of the UK are very different.

The US & Canada age a vehicle based on the official date it was built in the manufacturer's factory.

People in the UK age a car from when it was first registered.

A car registered on 1st August 1992 could have been built on 23rd June 1991.

The best thing to do in the case of this Chimaera is to find the date of true manufacture if records still exist - it could tip the balance and make importation far, far easier.

I live in Bronte (Bronte and Dundas). I'll have a look out for the Brit show

Update on TVR - imported no problem what-so-ever. Just needed to drive down to Pearson to clear customs. Took about 15 minutes. As I am over on a work permit it doesn't need testing to Canadian standards (although just passed UK MOT, new brakes, tyres, suspension, outriggers, chassis repair!). Insurance will be $700

PS thinking of bringing in a Cerbera now they've just turned 15 years old now... very tempting to find one with a bust engine then do the LS2 conversion....

Insurance is for <4000km a year and stored in a garage. I needed to show that I have two other cars (me and missus) and that the TVR not being used for everyday use

Customs guy indicated that I can sell after 15 years (if I want) or it then falls into the classic category and can stay

It came by container. Company paid. I'll ask them if they have a price paid as the same company had a 40' container for household stuff

I used Wilsons Insurance Brokers, Telephone: 0161874 7979. Underwritten by Catlin.