How to import a vehicle from the United States into Canada in 2026
Importing a car or other vehicle from the United States into Canada requires checking Canadian admissibility before purchase, satisfying U.S. export requirements, declaring the vehicle to the Canada Border Services Agency, paying applicable taxes, duties and surtaxes, completing the Registrar of Imported Vehicles process where required, passing the federal inspection and then registering the vehicle with your province or territory.
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Before importing a vehicle from the United States into Canada, confirm that the exact vehicle is admissible under Transport Canada rules and the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program. For a used self-propelled vehicle exported from the United States, U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the export information and applicable ownership documents to be submitted to the port of export at least 72 hours before export, and the vehicle must be presented when it leaves the United States. At the Canadian border, declare the vehicle to the Canada Border Services Agency and provide ownership documentation and the bill of sale. Vehicles entering the RIV program must be registered in the program, cleared of outstanding recalls, modified where required and pass an authorized federal inspection. The RIV compliance process normally must be completed within 45 days of importation. Applicable GST, customs duty, excise taxes and current surtaxes can apply, and provincial or territorial taxes and registration requirements may apply afterward.
What you need
- Confirm before purchase that the exact make, model, model year and configuration is admissible for importation into Canada under Transport Canada and RIV requirements.
- The vehicle must normally have been built and certified to applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and sold at the retail level in the United States to enter the RIV program.
- Check the vehicle's U.S. compliance label and Vehicle Identification Number.
- Confirm that the vehicle has no outstanding safety recalls and obtain acceptable recall clearance when required by the RIV.
- Confirm that the vehicle has not been modified from its original certified configuration in a way that makes it inadmissible.
- Have valid ownership documentation, such as the Certificate of Title or other applicable ownership document.
- Have the bill of sale or other purchase documentation showing the transaction and vehicle value.
- For a used self-propelled vehicle exported from the United States, comply with U.S. Customs and Border Protection export requirements, including filing the required export information at least 72 hours before export.
- Present the vehicle and required U.S. ownership documentation to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the applicable port of export.
- Declare the vehicle to the Canada Border Services Agency when entering Canada.
- Complete the Vehicle Import Form, also known as Form 1, or the applicable RIV e-Form process. An e-Form prepared in advance must still be presented as required at the border and does not replace border declaration.
- Pay applicable duties, GST, excise taxes, surtaxes and RIV program fees.
- Complete any modifications required to meet Canadian safety requirements.
- Pass the RIV federal inspection at an authorized inspection centre within the applicable deadline.
- After successful federal importation, meet the separate registration, licensing, insurance and inspection requirements of the province or territory where the vehicle will be registered.
Eligibility
A vehicle purchased in the United States can be permanently imported into Canada only if it satisfies Canadian import requirements. For vehicles subject to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program, Transport Canada provides a Vehicle Import Compatibility List showing vehicles reported by manufacturers as admissible or inadmissible. A vehicle appearing as admissible is not guaranteed to complete the import successfully because modifications, recall clearance and final inspection requirements can still apply.
Vehicles that cannot be modified to comply with Canadian requirements cannot remain permanently in Canada and must be exported. A vehicle substantially modified from its original certified configuration may also be inadmissible. Flood or water-damaged vehicles are treated as junk or non-repairable for Canadian import purposes and can only enter under the applicable parts-only rules rather than for normal road registration.
Some vehicles are outside the normal RIV process because of their age, vehicle class, Canadian certification or another statutory exemption. These cases have different requirements and should be verified against Transport Canada and CBSA rules before the vehicle is purchased or transported to the border.
How to do it
- Check whether the exact vehicle is admissible in Canada. Search Transport Canada's Vehicle Import Compatibility List before buying the vehicle. Check the make, model, model year and any notes concerning modifications, certification or restrictions.
- Check the vehicle's certification and history. Verify the VIN, U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards certification label, title status and whether the vehicle has been modified. Confirm that it is not a flood or other non-repairable vehicle if you intend to register it for road use.
- Confirm recall clearance. Determine whether the RIV can obtain recall information electronically or whether you need acceptable documentation from the manufacturer or another source accepted by the RIV showing that there are no outstanding recalls.
- Estimate the full import cost before buying. Account for the purchase price, applicable GST, customs duty, excise taxes, current surtaxes, the RIV fee, required modifications, transportation, inspections and provincial or territorial taxes and registration costs.
- Obtain the title and bill of sale. Make sure you have the ownership documentation required for U.S. export and Canadian importation. The CBSA requires ownership documentation such as a Statement of Origin or Certificate of Title together with the bill of sale when applicable.
- Complete U.S. export requirements. For a used self-propelled vehicle, file the required Electronic Export Information in the Automated Export System and submit the required export documentation to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection port through which the vehicle will leave the United States at least 72 hours before export. Check that port's procedures before travelling because operational submission instructions can vary by port.
- Present the vehicle to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. At the scheduled export, present the vehicle and the required ownership documentation at the U.S. port of export and complete the U.S. export clearance process.
- Declare the vehicle when entering Canada. Stop at the Canadian border and declare the vehicle to the Canada Border Services Agency. Present your ownership documentation, bill of sale and any other required import information.
- Complete the Canadian vehicle import declaration. Vehicles subject to the federal process are documented using the Vehicle Import Form, Form 1, or the applicable RIV e-Form. A Vehicle Import e-Form can be prepared through the RIV system, but it must be presented to border officials as required.
- Pay applicable Canadian import charges. The CBSA assesses applicable duties, GST and excise taxes. Certain U.S.-origin motor vehicles are currently subject to a 25% surtax. RIV program fees also apply to vehicles registered in that program.
- Register the import with the RIV. Complete the RIV registration requirements and pay the applicable program fee. The RIV will not release the federal inspection form until the RIV registration fee has been paid.
- Complete required modifications. Make any modifications identified as necessary to satisfy Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Depending on the vehicle, requirements can involve items such as daytime running lights, immobilizer equipment, metric or bilingual labelling or other safety equipment.
- Complete the federal RIV inspection. Take the vehicle to an authorized RIV inspection centre. For a normal RIV import, required modifications and the inspection must generally be completed within 45 days after importation.
- Correct deficiencies if the vehicle fails. If the inspection identifies correctable deficiencies, have them corrected and arrange the required reinspection. Additional fees can apply. A vehicle that ultimately cannot comply must be exported or otherwise dealt with according to Canadian requirements.
- Register the vehicle provincially or territorially. After successfully completing the federal import process, take your import documents and other required records to your provincial or territorial licensing authority. Complete any provincial safety inspection, insurance, tax, registration and licence plate requirements that apply where you live.
How to import a car from the United States into Canada
Importing a vehicle from the United States involves separate U.S. export, Canadian border, federal vehicle-safety and provincial or territorial registration stages. The most important step is to confirm that the exact vehicle is admissible before you buy it. Paying for a vehicle or crossing the Canadian border does not guarantee that it can ultimately be registered for road use in Canada.
Check Canadian vehicle admissibility before you buy
Transport Canada maintains the Vehicle Import Compatibility List for vehicles purchased in the United States. The list is used by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program and identifies vehicles reported by manufacturers as compatible or incompatible with Canadian import requirements.
An admissible listing is not an unconditional approval. Transport Canada warns that a vehicle shown as admissible may still require modifications and may ultimately be unable to satisfy Canadian requirements. Importers should determine the scope and cost of required work before purchasing the vehicle.
Check the exact model and configuration
Do not rely only on the model name. Check the model year, vehicle type, certification and any annotations in the admissibility information. Vehicles assembled in multiple stages, converted vehicles and vehicles modified after manufacture can be subject to additional requirements or can be inadmissible.
Check the U.S. safety certification label
Vehicles entering the standard RIV process are generally U.S.-specification vehicles built and certified to U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. Confirm that the original manufacturer's certification label is present and that the VIN on the vehicle matches the title and other ownership documents.
A vehicle that has been modified from its original certified state can fail to qualify for importation. Transport Canada gives examples such as certain lift-kit vehicles, converted vans, stretched vehicles and motorcycles converted into trikes.
Check for outstanding recalls before importing
The RIV process requires the vehicle to be clear of outstanding recalls. Before importing, determine whether recall clearance is available electronically through the RIV or whether you need documentation accepted by the RIV. An unresolved recall can prevent completion of the federal compliance process.
Can you import a salvage vehicle from the United States
Some salvage-branded vehicles can enter the RIV salvage process if they meet the applicable federal requirements. Transport Canada states that eligible salvage vehicles must not have flood-related damage and must satisfy the relevant U.S. or Canadian safety certification requirements.
Flood or water-damaged vehicles are treated as junk or non-repairable and cannot be imported for normal Canadian road registration. Vehicles declared under the parts-only program receive a non-repairable status that cannot later be changed so that the vehicle can be licensed for road use.
Documents needed to export a used vehicle from the United States
U.S. Customs and Border Protection regulates the export of used self-propelled vehicles. This includes cars, motorcycles, ATVs and other self-propelled vehicles. The exporter must provide the required vehicle and ownership information to the U.S. port of export.
For a used self-propelled vehicle, the Electronic Export Information must be filed in the Automated Export System regardless of the vehicle's value or destination. U.S. requirements state that the filing must occur at least 72 hours before export.
For a U.S.-titled vehicle, the applicable title documentation must also be submitted according to CBP requirements. At the time of export, the vehicle itself must be presented to CBP. Importers should check the operating procedures of the specific U.S. border port they intend to use before arriving.
What documents are needed at the Canadian border
When the vehicle enters Canada, declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency. The CBSA verifies import eligibility and ownership documentation and assesses applicable import charges.
For a typical vehicle purchase, have the Certificate of Title or other accepted ownership documentation and the bill of sale. The Vehicle Import Form, commonly called Form 1, is used to document regulated vehicle importations. The RIV also provides an electronic version that can be prepared online, but the import must still be declared to border officials.
Taxes and fees when importing a vehicle from the United States
The cost is vehicle-specific. The CBSA states that eligible vehicles can be assessed for customs duty, excise tax and GST. Provincial or territorial sales taxes can also become payable when the vehicle is licensed.
Customs duty depends on factors including the vehicle's origin and tariff classification. Buying a vehicle in the United States does not by itself mean that the vehicle is of U.S. origin for customs purposes.
Current 25% surtax on certain U.S.-origin vehicles
As of August 2026, Canada's United States Surtax Order for motor vehicles remains an important cost consideration. The CBSA states that effective April 9, 2025, motor vehicles originating in the United States and covered by the order are subject to a surtax equal to 25% of value for duty. The measure applies to both new and used vehicles, including covered electric and internal-combustion vehicles.
A 2026 remission order provides relief in specified circumstances for listed commercial importers. The CBSA expressly states that this remission does not apply to personal importations. A private buyer should therefore verify whether the exact vehicle is covered by the surtax before purchasing it.
GST and provincial or territorial taxes
The CBSA assesses GST on applicable vehicle imports. The June 2026 CBSA vehicle-import memorandum states that where a vehicle is imported for registration in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario or British Columbia, the importer pays GST at importation and the provincial portion of the harmonized sales tax when licensing the vehicle. In other provinces, applicable sales tax may be collected when the vehicle is licensed.
Tax treatment can depend on the importer's circumstances, vehicle value, origin, tariff treatment and province or territory of registration. Verify the actual assessment before committing to the purchase.
RIV program fee
Vehicles registered in the RIV program are subject to a user fee. The fee funds administration of the federal import compliance program. Because fees and tax treatment can change and can depend on the import transaction, verify the current amount directly through the RIV before importing. The RIV will not release the required federal inspection form until the applicable RIV registration fee has been paid.
What happens after the vehicle enters Canada
Crossing the border is not the end of the import process. If the vehicle is subject to the RIV program, you must complete the federal compliance requirements before provincial or territorial registration.
After registration in the RIV program and payment of the required fee, complete any modifications identified for your vehicle and obtain the federal inspection form. Modifications can include Canadian-specific safety features or labelling requirements.
RIV inspection deadline
For a normal vehicle entering the RIV program, Transport Canada states that the required modifications and federal inspection must be completed within 45 days after importation. The current Transport Canada guidance provides a one-year period for qualifying salvage vehicles.
The inspection must be performed by an authorized RIV inspection centre. The purpose is to confirm that the vehicle satisfies the applicable Canadian requirements and that required modifications have been completed.
What happens if the vehicle fails the RIV inspection
A failed inspection does not automatically mean that every vehicle must immediately leave Canada. If the deficiencies can be corrected within the applicable process, the importer can correct them and arrange another inspection. Additional fees can apply.
However, if the vehicle ultimately cannot be brought into compliance, it cannot remain permanently in Canada. Transport Canada states that such a vehicle must be exported, and other enforcement or disposal procedures can apply depending on the circumstances.
How to register the imported vehicle in your province or territory
Federal importation and provincial registration are separate processes. Successfully passing the RIV process does not automatically issue a provincial registration or licence plate.
After federal compliance is complete, provide the import documents to the licensing authority in your province or territory. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may need proof of ownership, proof of insurance, the federal import record, an RIV inspection record, a provincial safety inspection and payment of provincial taxes and registration fees.
Provincial rules can also restrict vehicles that passed federal importation. Transport Canada notes that some jurisdictions impose additional restrictions on categories such as right-hand-drive or repaired salvage vehicles. Check your province or territory's rules before buying the vehicle.
Can you complete the vehicle import completely online
No. Parts of the process are available online, including checking admissibility, preparing an RIV vehicle import e-Form and completing certain RIV transactions. However, a permanent vehicle import cannot be completed entirely online because the vehicle must physically cross the border, satisfy U.S. export requirements where applicable, be declared to the CBSA and undergo the required Canadian inspection before registration.
Important checks before buying a U.S. vehicle for Canada
Before paying the seller, confirm admissibility, title status, VIN, original safety certification, recall clearance, modification requirements and estimated Canadian taxes and surtaxes. Also determine whether the manufacturer will honour the U.S. warranty in Canada because Transport Canada does not regulate cross-border manufacturer warranty policies.
Finally, check both the U.S. port of export procedure and your Canadian province or territory's registration rules. These checks can prevent purchasing a vehicle that can cross the border but cannot ultimately be registered for road use in Canada.
Frequently asked questions
Can any car bought in the United States be imported into Canada?
No. The exact vehicle must satisfy Canadian import requirements. For vehicles subject to the RIV program, check Transport Canada's Vehicle Import Compatibility List before purchasing. A vehicle listed as admissible may still require modifications, recall clearance and a successful federal inspection.
How do I check if a U.S. vehicle is admissible in Canada?
Use Transport Canada's Vehicle Import Compatibility List and verify the exact make, model, model year and applicable annotations. Also check the VIN, U.S. safety certification label, recall status and whether the vehicle has been modified.
Do I need to notify U.S. Customs before bringing a used car to Canada?
Yes, for a used self-propelled vehicle. U.S. Customs and Border Protection requires the applicable export information and documents to be submitted to the port of export at least 72 hours before export, and the vehicle must be presented when exported.
Do I need to file AES when exporting a used vehicle from the United States to Canada?
Yes. U.S. Customs and Border Protection states that Electronic Export Information must be filed in the Automated Export System for used self-propelled vehicles exported to a foreign country regardless of value, and it must be filed at least 72 hours before export.
What documents do I need at the Canadian border?
For a typical vehicle import, you should have the applicable ownership document such as the Certificate of Title or Statement of Origin, the bill of sale and the information required for the Vehicle Import Form or RIV e-Form. The CBSA may require additional documentation depending on the vehicle and import circumstances.
What is Form 1 when importing a vehicle into Canada?
Form 1 is the Vehicle Import Form used to declare regulated vehicle imports. The RIV also provides an electronic version. Preparing the e-Form online does not eliminate the requirement to present the import information to Canadian border officials.
How long do I have to complete the RIV inspection?
For a normal RIV import, required modifications and the federal inspection must generally be completed within 45 days after the vehicle enters Canada. Qualifying salvage vehicles have a one-year period under current Transport Canada guidance.
Do I have to pay tax when importing a car from the United States?
Usually, applicable federal and provincial tax rules must be considered. The CBSA can assess GST, customs duty, excise taxes and applicable surtaxes. Provincial or territorial taxes may also be payable when the vehicle is registered.
Is there a 25% tariff on U.S. vehicles imported into Canada in 2026?
Certain motor vehicles originating in the United States are subject to Canada's 25% motor vehicle surtax. It has applied since April 9, 2025 to covered new and used U.S.-origin vehicles. A 2026 remission measure exists for specified commercial importers, but the CBSA states that the remission does not apply to personal importations.
Does buying a car in the United States automatically make it a U.S.-origin vehicle?
No. The country where the vehicle is purchased and its customs origin are different concepts. Customs duty and the current U.S. motor vehicle surtax depend on applicable origin and tariff rules, not simply the location of the seller.
How much is the RIV fee?
The RIV program charges a user fee for applicable imported vehicles. Because the current amount and tax treatment should be confirmed at the time of importation, check the Registrar of Imported Vehicles directly before purchasing or importing the vehicle.
Can I import a flood-damaged vehicle from the United States and register it in Canada?
Not for normal road registration. Transport Canada treats flood or water-damaged vehicles as junk or non-repairable. They can only qualify under the applicable parts-only rules and cannot later be converted to road-registration status.
Can I import a salvage-title vehicle into Canada?
Some salvage vehicles may be eligible if they meet Transport Canada requirements and the damage was not flood-related. A qualifying salvage vehicle must complete the applicable RIV process before provincial registration.
What happens if my imported vehicle fails the RIV inspection?
Correctable deficiencies can be repaired and the vehicle can be reinspected, with additional fees potentially applying. If the vehicle ultimately cannot meet Canadian requirements, it cannot remain permanently in Canada and must be exported or otherwise dealt with according to the applicable rules.
Can I register the vehicle immediately after crossing the Canadian border?
Usually not if the vehicle is subject to the RIV program. You must first complete the federal import compliance process and pass the required RIV inspection, then meet the separate registration, insurance, tax and inspection requirements of your province or territory.
Can the entire U.S.-to-Canada vehicle import process be completed online?
No. Some forms and payments can be handled online, but the vehicle must physically complete the U.S. export process where applicable, enter Canada through the border, be declared to the CBSA and pass any required physical inspection.