Things to do before importing your car to Canada

1. Get a copy of your driving record – you will need this to get licence in Canada
2. Get a copy of your car insurance history – you will need this to get better rates on your car insurance quote
3. Title documents
4. Registration
5. Sales receipts
6. Verify if your vehicle is in the list of allowed vehicles in Canada. Check Registrar or Imported Vehicles here.
7. Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes. Canada Border Services Agency, responsible for assessing and collecting duties and taxes, can be reached at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or (506) 636-5064 (outside Canada).
8. Notify your border crossing station/ US Customs 72 hours before you cross. This is if you are going to drive your car across to Canada from the US. See US Customs Information here before you import your car to Canada. U.S. Customs recommends that you contact the port of crossing directly to determine exact documentation requirements and hours of operation.
9. See if you have all the following features in your car/van.

For Passenger Vehicles

• Recall clearance letter [ You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.]
• The vehicle must bear a manufacturer’s valid U.S. statement of compliance label at the time of importation.
• The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will mail a Canadian statement of compliance label to you after passing the federal inspection.
• Valid alpha-numeric 17-digit VIN
• Metric speedometer and odometer labels (provided by inspection centre)
• Daytime running lights
• Child restraint tether anchorage hardware kit
• Child restraint tether anchorage point locations (refer to Admissibility List)
• French supplementary restraint system label for airbags that require periodic maintenance
• Obtain information from the manufacturer or authorized dealer on costs and availability of parts for the required modifications. Some manufacturers require an authorized dealer perform the modifications. Remember that the costs of the modifications are your responsibility.

NEW: If the GVWR of this vehicle is less than 10,000 lbs, and the manufacture date after September 1, 2007, it must be equipped with an electronic immobilizer system that meets CMVSS 114.

Trucks, MPVs, motor homes, minivans, chassis cabs

• Recall clearance letter [ You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.]
• The vehicle must bear a manufacturer’s valid U.S. statement of compliance label at the time of importation.
• The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will mail a Canadian statement of compliance label to you after passing the federal inspection.
• Manufacturer’s cargo capacity label if manufactured after April 1, 1999
• Valid alpha-numeric 17-digit VIN
• Metric speedometer and odometer labels (provided by inspection centre)
• Daytime running lights
• French supplementary restraint system label for airbags that require periodic maintenance

NEW: If the GVWR of this vehicle is less than 10,000 lbs, and the manufacture date after September 1, 2007, it must be equipped with an electronic immobilizer system that meets CMVSS 114.

For all other vechicle types, check Registrar of Imported Vehicles here.

If you have any further questions, feel free to contact Registrar of Imported Vehicles at info@riv.ca or 1-888-848-8240

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