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A question many people who are preparing to enter Canada for the first time ask is: Can I import my car into the country? Well, yes, you can, but there are many important aspects to the issue that you should know.
If you are shipping a vehicle in from any country except the United States, the biggest consideration is cost. Is it really worth it to bring it in, when you will likely be able to buy a similar model car for less than the value of the car plus shipping?
Even if you are driving in from the United States, the matter is not quite cut and dried. Canada has fairly stringent requirements about the vehicles that can be allowed into the country.
Next on your to-do list is making sure your vehicle can be modified to meet Canadian requirements. There are several differences between the vehicles sold in Canada and the US, but there are a few we need to highlight:
- Speedometer and odometer: Canada follows the metric system, so the speedometer and odometer must be converted to indicate units in kilometres rather than miles.
- Daytime running lights: In Canada, it is mandatory for vehicles manufactured after 1988 to have daytime running lights, which have been proven to reduce accidents. The US has no such provision and only a small percentage of vehicles have this feature.
- Infant restraint kit and child tether anchorage, for most passenger cars manufactured after 1988.
For typical modification requirements for individual vehicle models, you can check the Registrar of Imported Vehicles site ( www.riv.ca), or call the agency at 1-888-848-8240.
Before driving into Canada, you must contact the auto manufacturer or authorized dealer of your vehicle to obtain a recall clearance letter. This document is essential to pass the federal inspection.
Make sure you have all other required documentation: title documents, registration, sales receipts and statement of compliance label, apart from the manufacturer's recall clearance letter. US Customs requires notification of all self-propelled vehicles being permanently exported from the United States. Their regulations state that at land border points: - The required documentation must be submitted to US Customs at least 72 hours prior to export; and
- The vehicle must be presented to US Customs at the time of export. US Customs recommends that you contact the port of crossing directly to determine exact documentation requirements and hours of operation.
Once you are at the border, you will need to:
- Produce your title documents, registration and sales receipts.
- Complete Vehicle Import Form – Form 1, which Canada Border Services Agency will provide. This requires a Canadian mailing address. This form must be kept in the vehicle until it is licensed.
- Canada Border Services Agency will check your vehicle against Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. They will also verify the public VIN and manufacturer's statement of compliance label on the vehicle to make sure they match.
- Canada Border Services Agency will collect your nonrefundable Registrar of Imported Vehicles' fee of $209 in all provinces except Quebec where it is $224.
Within 10 days of entering Canada, you'll receive a letter from RIV with your inspection document (Form 2) which details what must be done to bring your vehicle into compliance.
It is your responsibility to complete the necessary modifications within 45 days. Most people choose to do this at Canadian Tire, which is contracted by RIV to perform provincial inspection.
Make sure you keep receipts for parts and labour, to present at the inspection, along with Form 1, Form 2 and the recall clearance letter.
When you pass the inspection, the inspection centre will stamp your Form 1, that you will have to present to the provincial or territorial licensing authority, which may require additional testing.
Within approximately one week of passing the federal inspection, you will receive a new Canadian Certification label with instructions on where to affix it to your vehicle.
If the vehicle fails the inspection, you'll have to pay additional charges for another inspection. If the vehicle cannot pass the inspection within the 45 days, it will have to be exported back to the United States. Related: Seeing the light on traffic safety |
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