Buying a vehicle from another country can open the door to deceit if the buyer deals with unscrupulous customs intermediaries. A head of a specialized center on autocriminology explained this risk to socialbites.ca, highlighting how the process can go wrong for those who aren’t careful.
He noted that a buyer may fall victim to tampering with the original payment paperwork, the so-called invoice, which customs uses to calculate duties. In some cases, unscrupulous brokers present the buyer with a seemingly legitimate invoice that lists the car at its full price, while at customs an altered invoice appears that reduces the declared value by as much as half.
The lower invoice can surface during customs checks, and the buyer may be pressured to make additional payments to keep the electronic title from being canceled. At the same time, brokers often prefer to channel full payments to individuals rather than to their companies, making it very difficult for the buyer to prove that the funds were sent for customs clearance rather than other purposes.
To lower the risk during remote car clearance, the expert advised creating a formal contract with the broker and using electronic document management. He also recommended transferring customs payments directly by those official customs details rather than through informal channels, and ensuring all steps are traceable and verifiable.
The discussion also touched on market trends, noting that certain models were expected to rise in price on the secondary market after import. This context underscores the importance of careful due diligence and secure, transparent procedures when buying abroad to protect investment and avoid costly surprises later on.
In practice, buyers should insist on a written agreement that specifies the duties and responsibilities of each party. They should verify the broker’s credentials, confirm the identity of the intermediary, and request a complete, itemized invoice that matches the car’s actual purchase price and the expected duties. Keeping a clear record of all communications, payments, and document versions helps reduce the risk of misunderstandings and potential fraud. If possible, buyers can also request direct access to the customs portal for real-time status updates and maintain copies of every document for future reference. By taking these precautions, a remote purchase can proceed with a higher degree of certainty and protection.