Tom,TOMKIZER wrote:Who has towed or trailered a car from Canada to the U.S. for a car show, and what's involved at the border? I've studied the U.S. Customs web site and have concluded that if I follow their instructions, I'm better to stay at home or drive the car through the snowstorms to get to Cavallino. It can't be as complicated as they make it seem.
Any advice from those who towed a car to a U.S. car show?
Tom Kizer
I have taken a race car across the border many times. The race car usually has no title or registration and I have never had a problem. They will ask you what your purpose is for entering the U.S. Just tell them you are going on vacation and they will ask you how long. What they are mainly concerned about is any tax ramifactions if you are selling the car in the U.S. or are going to leave anything in the U.S. such as tires, waste oil etc... At every race that I have done in Canada, whether a professional race or an amature race, the series usually posts a bond for all of the competitors. In 17 years of racing in Canada the border guards have NEVER wanted to see any paperwork regarding the bonds.
I suggest that you make a list of everything that you are bringing into the U.S. and present it at the border. The race series always advises the competitors to do this. Sometimes they keep the list and most of the time they just hand it back.
In June I did a race at Mosport and had Zero issues at either border. We entered Canada at the Thousand Islands border and came back to the U.S. at the Niagra Falls border. Each crossing took less than 2 minutes.
Hope this helps.
Fred Pignataro
1972 365 GTC4
