Importing a Nissan Silvia S15 Spec R
 

Hey guys,

Im going through the final stages of purchasing my S15 Spec R from Japan and I was looking to start planning costs once it's arrived here.

Has anyone imported a Nissan Silvia S15 before? I'd like to find out how much you paid at the border & Broker (GST, PST and Duty). Im unsure if the PST and duty is calculated from the sale price e.g what I bought it for at the auctions in Japan or from a market evaluation, ICBC and my broker are telling me conflicting info.

Im aware of the other charges as well but feel free to post them if you know them, just in case ive missed something.

Im looking to make a guide once its here to help more people import and this info will help a bunch!

Cheers

I made some calls and spoke to ICBC several times and got some numbers. If anyone is interested in importing a Spec R, this is what you can run from:

1. Purchase price of the car including commission, shipping and fees in Japan – 12,500CAD
2. Customs broker in BC – 262.5CAD incl GST
3. Customs Excise fee – 100CAD
4. Customs Duties – 6.1% of sale price (9100CAD) – 555CAD
5. Customs GST – 5% of sale price (9100CAD) – 455CAD
6. PST – 7% of Sale price (9100CAD) - 637CAD
7. Insurance & on-road costs – 2000CAD
8. CFIA inspection fee – 45.15CAD incl GST
9. Dock Charges - 125CAD
10. Temporary Operators Permit (from ICBC to drive from the dock to home) - 40CAD for 2 days
11. Gas to drive it home – 60CAD
12. Work to safety the car – 1500CAD

You can also declare the vehicle yourself to CBSA on Main St & Terminal once it arrives and the CFIA Invasive Species has passed.

Then you will pay the customs, and GST at the counter and youre on your way.
Pick it up at the dock yourself once you've cleared yourself and set an appointment at the Port. Make sure you have your temp operators permit of course and go get your out of province inspection done within the same day to make use of the permit (technically has to be on the way home so to speak). Insure it after and you're done (this is where you'll pay the PST).

This will save you from having to pay a local broker to do essentially all the paper pushing.

^ At the time I imported my car, I didn't have any time to take off work to self-clear, and my import broker included pushing all the paperwork through. There is a guy on this side that will pick up your car from port, run it through inspection (repairs are extra cost), show that inspection is done to ICBC, and delivers for $500. Car moves around town on his own RHD flatbed that has a deck specifically for lowered cars.


Saved me a huge pain in the ass trying to self-clear, find a shop, and take time off work to deal with all the shit.

Yeah, good point. I was originally going to do this but I honestly cant be f***ed now. I'll be sure to get the temp permit ahead of time for sure.

Sounds like a sweet deal! I already have planned to just get the car home first and wait til winter is over (Plus repair costs, PST and the inspection is going to be a couple of grand I dont have at the moment).

I'll be taking it to Nickel Automotive unless told otherwise!?

What importer did you use? I'd like to know how the OOP inspection goes with nickel automotive, I'm looking to import an S15 as well

I ended up getting a S15 spec R this summer but luckily for me it was from ontario. However, doing the OOP was simple and I was out the door ready to insure it instantly.

The OOP is very basic, pretty stupid IMO. Just another cash grab.

As for Nickel Automotive, I brought my S15 to Nick for repairs. He knows his stuff about these cars and really taught me a lot. Highly recommended. He has a pretty cool S14 drift car outside his shop as well.

Im using a friend from New Zealand (Where im from). He runs an exporting business in Japan and normally only imports to Aus, UK and NZ but figured he'd give it a go for Canada. I can put you in touch if you like?

Hopefully it should go well, I know Nick personally and I know he doesnt f%%K around so I dont foresee any issues!

Ben from Fraser Valley Imports

Bingo. Ben really does know his stuff as well.