Canadian Toyota Block Heater "imported" to the US

[tebtengri]

Not many block heaters in my area but I suppose most other spots do have them.

To OP - One thing I’ll note about the border - they almost never care but it makes absolutely no sense to me to try to sneak something through. Half the time they will wave you through anyway and the rest you’ll just have to pay a small amount of tax. I do t understand why it’s an issue to simply declare it and pay the small fee if they make you. It eliminates all the worry.

I was looking for maybe someone who had done something similar, declared it, and was told "don't bother" or got hit with whatever % import duty.

I value my ease of entry and exit enough I'll declare it, they'll probably say "good idea to get one installed" then wave me through. Especially considering the border crossing near me has no NEXUS lanes afaik(way too small to need them)

 

[honeeagle]

tell them, have the receipt in hand , you are allowed a couple of hundred bucks anyway.I cross all the time 90% of the time you get a wave through 'have a nice day' even with a car full of christmas presents

 

[Snagglefoot]

Eisinger Chevy in Kalispell, North Dakota installed a block heater in my brand new 2008 Chevy Suburban. Although the mechanic drained the radiator, that was only about 1/3 of the fluid. When he punched out the freeze plug, the rest of the coolant poured out. The block heater insert has lasted 16 years so far.

 

[tebtengri]

Eisinger Chevy in Kalispell, North Dakota installed a block heater in my brand new 2008 Chevy Suburban. Although the mechanic drained the radiator, that was only about 1/3 of the fluid. When he punched out the freeze plug, the rest of the coolant poured out. The block heater insert has lasted 16 years so far.

I'm in Williston, Toyota dealer is a ways off, I'm calling them too.

Actually fly down to NC to pick up the car today. Hopefully the storm there doesn't delay me too long

 

[k1xv]

I would only worry about a US import duty if, on the Canadian side, I applied for a refund of the Canadian sales tax.

In fact, you "used" the block heater in Canada as soon as you drove off with it installed. A block heater is a back up device to protect your engine in the event of cold weather. It can get pretty cold in Ontario any time of year. Its kind of like buying insurance, which is considered used so long as it protected your interests, whether you had a claim or not.

 

[Snagglefoot]

Eisinger Chevy in Kalispell, North Dakota installed a block heater in my brand new 2008 Chevy Suburban. Although the mechanic drained the radiator, that was only about 1/3 of the fluid. When he punched out the freeze plug, the rest of the coolant poured out. The block heater insert has lasted 16 years so far.

Whoops, Kalispell, Montana, not North Dakota. Doh.

 

[PWMDMD]

Wait, what? I don't even understand what the imagined issue is here. Border people don't give a hoot about your engine heater. It wouldn't even occur to me to worry about this and I'm really good at worrying about all kinds of situations.

 

[02SE]

The item in question is here

https://www.toyota.ca/toyota/en/connect/4354/toyota-heating-accessories

What, if anything would I need to do coming back into the US after installing it? I could probably just not say anything but I don't want to risk my NEXUS and those cameras are pretty high res and would possibly flag the differences.

Obviously not smuggling, just getting something paid for and installed in Canada. If it's cheaper to import and install in the US, I'll do that.

Which Toyota model is this for?

As for the Border, I can't imagine a block heater being an issue.

 

[Number_35]

Good move to get a block heater!

I would declare it at the border, and take my lumps. I'd be very surprised if they actually wanted to charge you duty on it.

The block heater was likely manufactured in Canada or the US, and so would be duty-free. Therefore, at most they would charge duty on the installation labour.

 

[TomYoung]

I have a friend who had a block heater installed at Canadian Tire, then drove back to the states without declaring it. He is still in prison.