How to Import a Car from the USA to Canada: Complete 2026 Guide

Thinking about buying a vehicle south of the border and bringing it home? You're not alone — every year, thousands of Canadians import a car to Canada from the USA because of better pricing, larger inventory, or hard-to-find models. The savings can be significant, but the process involves the U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Transport Canada, and the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).

This complete 2026 guide walks you through every step — from confirming admissibility to driving your new vehicle home legally registered.

Step 1: Verify the Vehicle Is Admissible to Canada

Before you spend a dollar, check whether the vehicle is eligible for import into Canada. Transport Canada maintains an official list of inadmissible vehicles — most often, U.S. models that don't meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) or were not certified for sale in Canada.

A few quick checks:

• Age rule: vehicles 15 years or older are exempt from RIV requirements
• Brand and model: some U.S.-market vehicles (certain SUVs, trucks, and luxury models) are not admissible
• Recalls: all open recalls must be cleared by the manufacturer before the vehicle can be imported

You can verify admissibility on the RIV website using the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). If the vehicle is not admissible, you will not be able to register it in Canada — no matter how much paperwork you complete.

Step 2: The 72-Hour Rule — U.S. Export Filing

This is the single most important rule, and it's where most DIY importers fail.

Required for AES filing:

• Original Certificate of Title (clean, not photocopy)
• Bill of Sale
• VIN
• Buyer's full name and address
• Port of export

After AES filing, you receive an Internal Transaction Number (ITN) — this number must be presented at the U.S. port of exit alongside the original title. Without the ITN and the 72-hour wait, CBP will turn you away at the border, and you'll have to start over.

Tip: plan your border crossing for a weekday morning. Some U.S. ports have limited hours for vehicle exports.

Step 3: Required Documents for the Border

Have these ready before you head to the crossing:

• Original Certificate of Title (U.S. — must be in your name or signed over to you)
• Bill of Sale with VIN, sale price in USD, seller and buyer details
• Recall Clearance Letter from the original manufacturer (confirming all recalls resolved)
• Statement of Compliance label or manufacturer letter (proves the car meets U.S. or Canadian standards)
• Photo ID / Passport
• Proof of insurance (you'll need temporary insurance to drive in Canada)

Missing even one of these documents can mean a wasted trip — the vehicle stays at the border or returns to the U.S.

Step 4: Crossing the Border into Canada

At the Canadian port of entry, you present everything to CBSA. The officer will:

1. Verify the AES filing and 72-hour compliance
2. Inspect the documents
3. Complete Form 1 — Vehicle Import Form (for RIV-eligible vehicles)
4. Calculate and collect duties and taxes
5. Issue you a stamped Form 1, which is your authorization to take the vehicle home

What you'll pay at the border

The RIV fee is non-negotiable for any vehicle under 15 years old. It funds the inspection and compliance system.

Step 5: RIV Inspection and Provincial Registration

You're not done yet. Within 45 days of importing, you must:

1. Have the vehicle inspected at a Canadian Tire location (RIV's nationwide inspection partner)
2. Receive Form 2 — Inspection Form confirming the vehicle meets CMVSS
3. Register and plate the vehicle in your province (Ontario, Quebec, BC, Alberta, etc.)
4. Get a provincial safety inspection if required by your province (Ontario and BC require this)
5. Obtain Canadian insurance

Without Form 2, you cannot legally register, insure, or drive the vehicle long-term in Canada.

Total Cost: What to Budget

For a typical $25,000 USD vehicle made in the United States, expect:

• Vehicle price: USD $25,000 (~CAD $34,000 at current rates)
• GST 5%: ~CAD $1,700
• PST/HST: varies by province (CAD $0–$5,000)
• Excise tax: CAD $100
• RIV fee: ~CAD $367 (incl. tax)
• Inspection: CAD $0 (RIV inspection at Canadian Tire is free; provincial safety extra)
• Broker fees: CAD $0–$300 depending on complexity

Total cost of importing: roughly CAD $36,000–$41,000 for a $25,000 USD vehicle, depending on province.

Why Use a Licensed Customs Broker?

Many people try to import a car alone — and many run into trouble. Common DIY mistakes:

• Missing the 72-hour AES filing
• Incorrect HS classification leading to wrong duty calculation
• Forgetting the recall clearance letter
• Confusion over CUSMA vs non-North American origin
• Missing the 45-day RIV inspection deadline

A licensed Canadian customs broker handles AES coordination, document review, CBSA submission, and RIV registration — so the only thing you do is drive across the border.

Frequently Asked Questions