germany car seats

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vanessa mciver

Guest
I am wondering about buying a car seat in Germany and bringing it back to canada. I know the same model is sold here but for twice as much. Is it possible to use the car seat here?
 
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TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador
Which car seat are you referring to? German car seats meet ECE standards, not CMVSS standards so there are differences even if the same model.

Additionally it is illegal to import or use a non-CMVSS car seat in Canada. You can be ticketed and I believe some provinces won't allow you to continue on your way until a legal seat is brought for the child (I think Alberta is one that does this at their seat checks).
 

Adventuredad

New member
I'm curious why you want to puchase a German seat? They do make fantastic cars but are just like Canada 30 years behind regarding car seat safety.

Once again it's not illegal to import a foreign car seat in Canada. It works perfectly fine to go through customs and pay the fees. This been verified in person and also by triple checking with Canadian customs. In theory a fine is possible just like in US. In reality it's about as likely as an asteroid landing in your front lawn.

This is just like the US myth that insurance might not apply if you are using a non FMVSS seat. Insurance will of course be valid regardless what seat you have or even if your child is unrestrained.
 

TechnoGranola

Forum Ambassador
Once again it's not illegal to import a foreign car seat in Canada. It works perfectly fine to go through customs and pay the fees. This been verified in person and also by triple checking with Canadian customs.

It states it right here on the Transport Canada web page that it is illegal to import http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/motorvehiclesafety/safedrivers-childsafety-notices-2007c09-menu-353.htm

And on Health Canada's web page it states that car seats are a regulated item and must bear the national safety mark to be brought into Canada http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/cps-spc/advisories-avis/out-ext/index-eng.php
 

tiggercat

New member
As Techno said, it is illegal to import or use a seat in Canada that does not bear the National Safety Mark. There are plenty of safe, legal options available in Canada at a variety of price points, we would be happy to help you select one that will work well for your family.
 

tiggercat

New member
I'm curious why you want to puchase a German seat? They do make fantastic cars but are just like Canada 30 years behind regarding car seat safety.

Once again it's not illegal to import a foreign car seat in Canada. It works perfectly fine to go through customs and pay the fees. This been verified in person and also by triple checking with Canadian customs. In theory a fine is possible just like in US. In reality it's about as likely as an asteroid landing in your front lawn.

This is just like the US myth that insurance might not apply if you are using a non FMVSS seat. Insurance will of course be valid regardless what seat you have or even if your child is unrestrained.

If it isn't illegal, how would it be possible to get a fine? A fine is an infraction for breaking a law.

You are giving incorrect information. Just because you may get away with breaking the law occasionally doesn't mean the law doesn't exist.
 
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bpirof

New member
Even if it's not illegal to bring them into Canada, it's illegal to use them. I live in the us verrrrry close to a major Canadian border, my town is a huge shopping area for Canadians avoiding their much higher sales tax... Many of them will buy a travel system and try to sell the carseat on craigslist or Facebook bst groups bc they can't bring it back but they want the stroller
 
Once again it's not illegal to import a foreign car seat in Canada. It works perfectly fine to go through customs and pay the fees. This been verified in person and also by triple checking with Canadian customs.

I live in a border town, and our Canadian customs regularly confiscate non-Canadian car seats at the border.
 

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