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Exporting a Vehicle from the U.S. and Importing into Canada: Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Johnny Rod

Newbie
Feb 4, 2024
6
0
I have imported my vehicle last week and got the RIV inspection form too. Has anyone have the references for getting DRL(Daytime Running Lights) installation in Brampton/Mississauga ? I checked with Toyota service center and they are charging $250 for my 2016 Toyota Corolla. I have DRL knob in my car but Canadian Tire guy told me that it should be automatically ON when the engine is started. I believe I need to get it installed . Looking for recommendations.
Hi, am i able to cross the canadian border without dayrunning light and fix it in Canada? Or do i have to fix them before crossing?
 

tuhadapeo

Hero Member
Jul 20, 2017
403
112
Category........
FSW
Visa Office......
Montreal -> Vancouver
NOC Code......
2173
App. Filed.......
04-12-2018
AOR Received.
04-12-2018
Med's Done....
14-01-2019
Hi, am i able to cross the canadian border without dayrunning light and fix it in Canada? Or do i have to fix them before crossing?
Can cross? - Yes
Can register with province? - No, need DRL fixed
 

ontario24

Newbie
Feb 6, 2024
4
3
Just adding my two cents on daytime running lights and the Canadian Tire RIV inspection. I imported a vehicle from the US last year.

It seems that some Canadian Tire locations may be testing for daytime running lights incorrectly.

The lights should come on when the vehicle is in gear. However, some locations are checking for the lights only while in park.

If your lights come on while in gear, but not in park, you have daytime running lights.

You can call the RIV for clarification if need be. Good luck!
 
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luckydata

Member
Jul 12, 2019
17
2
Hey guys,

I am getting ready to import my car and I was really struggling to find comprehensive, up-to-date info on the complete process. It was really stressing me out, so I decided to put together a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that was up to date. There are some helpful posts on this forum, but it seems like the process has changed a little bit since those were published, so I figured something up-to-date might be helpful for everyone.

I will note that you can import your vehicle either at the time of landing, or AFTER your landing (if you mark your car as "goods to follow" on your B4 form), but you should not import your car BEFORE you land, as importing it as part of your landing ensures you are exempt from paying duty or taxes on the car.

Chapter 1 - Before You Export

STEP 1

The first thing you need to do is make sure your vehicle is admissible to Canada. You can check that here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section3_0.htm

STEP 2
If you are currently financing your vehicle, you need to obtain a clearance letter from the lender stating that you have their permission to export the vehicle. Note that the majority of lenders are NOT likely to give this permission, so if that is the case, you will need to pay off your vehicle in order to obtain the title clear of liens so that you can export the car. If this is not an option, selling the car in the US and buying a new car in Canada will be the best option for you.

STEP 3
Research the port of entry where you plan to export your vehicle from the US. Note that not all border crossings process vehicle exports and you will need to confirm the location and hours of operation and general procedures for the port of your choice. For example, we were planning to do my landing at the Peace Bridge crossing, but discovered that the Queenston-Lewiston crossing is the only place you can export a vehicle in Western New York.

Reach out by phone or email so you can confirm the days/times they are open to process vehicle exports and the email or fax information you will need to submit your 72 hour export notice to.

STEP 4
You will need to enlist the services of a customs broker to complete an AES filing for you. This filing will result in the issuance of an ITN number, which is needed to export the car. The AES is basically an electronic system where everything exported out of the US gets "logged" into, and we as average everyday citizens do not have easy access to it, which is why a customs broker has to do it. You should be able to find a broker to do this for around $50-$75. Google "AES vehicle export customs broker" and you will find lots of options. They will have you fill out some mildly confusing forms and when the filing is complete, they will issue the ITN number. Note you need this process to be completed PRIOR to giving your 72 hours export notice.

STEP 5
72 hours prior to export, your vehicle needs to be INSIDE the United States (and needs to stay in the U.S. from that point on until you export it). At 72 hours prior to export, submit (via email or fax depending on the instructions you got from the port of entry) your notice of intent to export. This generally will just include your VIN, the ITN number, and a note stating the day and approximate time you plan to export your vehicle.

STEP 6
To save time, you should complete the "Vehicle Export Form" (this is used for the Canadian part of the process) online in advance, print and bring with you to your landing. http://www.riv.ca/OnlineForms/Home/Landing

CHAPTER 2 - AT THE BORDER

STEP 7

Immediately before you report to the Canadian border crossing to complete your landing and import your car, you need to complete the export at the U.S. side. (When you contact the export office in Step 3, ask them where you need to physically bring the car at the time of export).

You will need to bring the following items:
-Your ITN number
-Your VIN number
-Copy of the 72 hour notice you submitted
-Original vehicle title showing there are no liens/loans, OR a certified copy of the title along with a letter from the lender stating it is OK for you to export the car
-Your passport
-Bill of sale

Once they process the export you can report immediately to the Canadian border crossing to import your car and complete your landing.

STEP 8
At the Canadian border. You should have your vehicle and its VIN listed on your B4 form with all the goods you are importing, but you also need to have the Vehicle Import form mentioned in Step 6. You also need to have:

-Any documents/receipts given to you by the US export office
-Original vehicle title showing there are no liens/loans, OR a certified copy of the title along with a letter from the lender stating it is OK for you to export the car
-Bill of sale

CBSA will electronically submit your Vehicle Import form to RIV (the organization in Canada responsible for completing the process of importing your vehicle).

Chapter 3 - IN CANADA

STEP 9

You have 45 days to complete the RIV process once the vehicle is in Canada. To begin this process, you need to submit a few things to RIV in order for them to release your inspection letter. Check their website for the contact information/email addresses as to where to submit this information.

1. To speed things up you can re-submit a copy of your Vehicle Import form to RIV, even though CBSA does submit it to them also.
2. You also need to submit a manufacturer recall clearance letter (this can be done up to 30 days in advance). http://www.riv.ca/RecallClearance.aspx
3. Lastly, you need to pay the import fees: https://www.riv.ca/MakeAnRIVPayment.aspx

STEP 10
RIV will send you an inspection letter specific to your vehicle which you can use to get your vehicle inspected. The letter will list the specific modifications applicable to your vehicle that you need to make sure are completed PRIOR to your inspection. These are typically completed at the dealership. You also need to ensure your car has a US compliance label on it somewhere (it should already have this).

STEP 11
Once your modifications are completed, locate the RIV inspection location nearest you and bring in your car to be inspected. When the inspection is successfully complete, they will stamp your Vehicle Import Form indicating this, which is what you will bring to get your car registered and tagged. They will also send you a Canadian compliance label in the mail which you will affix to your vehicle to replace the US one.

STEP 12
Bring your stamped form to wherever vehicles are registered in your province (ex, Service Ontario) along with whatever other proof is required in your province (for example, drivers license, proof of insurance, bill of sale, and original title). Get your tags and you are done!

--

A NOTE ON DRIVERS LICENSE AND CAR INSURANCE
Before you complete the final step of getting your car registered and tagged, you will need a provincial drivers license. You will need Canadian insurance policy on the car in order to get it tagged, and you will need a Canadian drivers license in order to obtain that policy, so the order should be as follows - 1) Get Canadian drivers license first (try to do this immediately after landing, for most US residents you should be able to do an instantaneous trade in of your existing US license); 2) Then get Canadian insurance policy on the car (try to set this up prior to landing so that all you have to do is submit your new Canadian drivers license info to them in order to finalize and activate the policy). Once you have the proof of insurance, you can proceed with Step 12 above.

--

I really hope this is helpful and please let me know if there is anything I am missing or forgetting!
This is extremely helpful but I need more favor from members here. I totally missed out on the export part from US and I am already into Canada as PR. Officer at Canadian border filled out Form1 on my behalf and gave me the copy.

Can anyone share how to proceed when Car is already in Canadian Soil(Ontario). I wish I had done more preparation than heading into Canada like a dump person :(
 

Alex54321

Hero Member
Jul 28, 2017
521
128
USA
Category........
FAM
App. Filed.......
20-10-2017
AOR Received.
01-12-2017
This is extremely helpful but I need more favor from members here. I totally missed out on the export part from US and I am already into Canada as PR. Officer at Canadian border filled out Form1 on my behalf and gave me the copy.

Can anyone share how to proceed when Car is already in Canadian Soil(Ontario). I wish I had done more preparation than heading into Canada like a dump person :(
I believe the Canadian Form1 has nothing to do with US export. You can do the export as long as you still have the Title. Not sure about your location and whether you can enter US, but in my case, as I remember, I setup appointment by email and just drove my vehicle from Windsor to Detroit export location ( ther reason of the trip is to do vehicle export paperwork ) and they did all paperwork, stamped the Title and let me drive back to Canada ( the reason to return back to Canada on US plated vehicle - return back from export office).

With Form1 you have some time for import process in Canada and be able to drive US plated vehicle in Canada. I would like to add that: 1) I exported my spouses Titled vehicle with power of attorney on hand (just in case) and with my US passport , 2) I am dual citizen, so no problem to drive back and forth.
 

galaxyman

Full Member
Oct 10, 2019
43
23
Recently imported car into Canada in Toronto. Drove across at Lewiston-Queenston crossing.
The whole process of export, import, inspection, registration, insurance, was frustrating and time consuming but not impossible.
Canadian Tire wanted $700 to fix the fact that car had a "DRL Off" option.
I went to Wiremagic on Finch ave, very good people, did it for approx $300.
 
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viveksharmaz

Star Member
Sep 14, 2018
50
2
Hey guys,

I am getting ready to import my car and I was really struggling to find comprehensive, up-to-date info on the complete process. It was really stressing me out, so I decided to put together a comprehensive, step-by-step guide that was up to date. There are some helpful posts on this forum, but it seems like the process has changed a little bit since those were published, so I figured something up-to-date might be helpful for everyone.

I will note that you can import your vehicle either at the time of landing, or AFTER your landing (if you mark your car as "goods to follow" on your B4 form), but you should not import your car BEFORE you land, as importing it as part of your landing ensures you are exempt from paying duty or taxes on the car.

Chapter 1 - Before You Export

STEP 1

The first thing you need to do is make sure your vehicle is admissible to Canada. You can check that here: http://www.tc.gc.ca/motorvehiclesafety/SafeVehicles/Importation/Usa/VAFUS/list2/Section3_0.htm

STEP 2
If you are currently financing your vehicle, you need to obtain a clearance letter from the lender stating that you have their permission to export the vehicle. Note that the majority of lenders are NOT likely to give this permission, so if that is the case, you will need to pay off your vehicle in order to obtain the title clear of liens so that you can export the car. If this is not an option, selling the car in the US and buying a new car in Canada will be the best option for you.

STEP 3
Research the port of entry where you plan to export your vehicle from the US. Note that not all border crossings process vehicle exports and you will need to confirm the location and hours of operation and general procedures for the port of your choice. For example, we were planning to do my landing at the Peace Bridge crossing, but discovered that the Queenston-Lewiston crossing is the only place you can export a vehicle in Western New York.

Reach out by phone or email so you can confirm the days/times they are open to process vehicle exports and the email or fax information you will need to submit your 72 hour export notice to.

STEP 4
You will need to enlist the services of a customs broker to complete an AES filing for you. This filing will result in the issuance of an ITN number, which is needed to export the car. The AES is basically an electronic system where everything exported out of the US gets "logged" into, and we as average everyday citizens do not have easy access to it, which is why a customs broker has to do it. You should be able to find a broker to do this for around $50-$75. Google "AES vehicle export customs broker" and you will find lots of options. They will have you fill out some mildly confusing forms and when the filing is complete, they will issue the ITN number. Note you need this process to be completed PRIOR to giving your 72 hours export notice.

STEP 5
72 hours prior to export, your vehicle needs to be INSIDE the United States (and needs to stay in the U.S. from that point on until you export it). At 72 hours prior to export, submit (via email or fax depending on the instructions you got from the port of entry) your notice of intent to export. This generally will just include your VIN, the ITN number, and a note stating the day and approximate time you plan to export your vehicle.

STEP 6
To save time, you should complete the "Vehicle Export Form" (this is used for the Canadian part of the process) online in advance, print and bring with you to your landing. http://www.riv.ca/OnlineForms/Home/Landing

CHAPTER 2 - AT THE BORDER

STEP 7

Immediately before you report to the Canadian border crossing to complete your landing and import your car, you need to complete the export at the U.S. side. (When you contact the export office in Step 3, ask them where you need to physically bring the car at the time of export).

You will need to bring the following items:
-Your ITN number
-Your VIN number
-Copy of the 72 hour notice you submitted
-Original vehicle title showing there are no liens/loans, OR a certified copy of the title along with a letter from the lender stating it is OK for you to export the car
-Your passport
-Bill of sale

Once they process the export you can report immediately to the Canadian border crossing to import your car and complete your landing.

STEP 8
At the Canadian border. You should have your vehicle and its VIN listed on your B4 form with all the goods you are importing, but you also need to have the Vehicle Import form mentioned in Step 6. You also need to have:

-Any documents/receipts given to you by the US export office
-Original vehicle title showing there are no liens/loans, OR a certified copy of the title along with a letter from the lender stating it is OK for you to export the car
-Bill of sale

CBSA will electronically submit your Vehicle Import form to RIV (the organization in Canada responsible for completing the process of importing your vehicle).

Chapter 3 - IN CANADA

STEP 9

You have 45 days to complete the RIV process once the vehicle is in Canada. To begin this process, you need to submit a few things to RIV in order for them to release your inspection letter. Check their website for the contact information/email addresses as to where to submit this information.

1. To speed things up you can re-submit a copy of your Vehicle Import form to RIV, even though CBSA does submit it to them also.
2. You also need to submit a manufacturer recall clearance letter (this can be done up to 30 days in advance). http://www.riv.ca/RecallClearance.aspx
3. Lastly, you need to pay the import fees: https://www.riv.ca/MakeAnRIVPayment.aspx

STEP 10
RIV will send you an inspection letter specific to your vehicle which you can use to get your vehicle inspected. The letter will list the specific modifications applicable to your vehicle that you need to make sure are completed PRIOR to your inspection. These are typically completed at the dealership. You also need to ensure your car has a US compliance label on it somewhere (it should already have this).

STEP 11
Once your modifications are completed, locate the RIV inspection location nearest you and bring in your car to be inspected. When the inspection is successfully complete, they will stamp your Vehicle Import Form indicating this, which is what you will bring to get your car registered and tagged. They will also send you a Canadian compliance label in the mail which you will affix to your vehicle to replace the US one.

STEP 12
Bring your stamped form to wherever vehicles are registered in your province (ex, Service Ontario) along with whatever other proof is required in your province (for example, drivers license, proof of insurance, bill of sale, and original title). Get your tags and you are done!

--

A NOTE ON DRIVERS LICENSE AND CAR INSURANCE
Before you complete the final step of getting your car registered and tagged, you will need a provincial drivers license. You will need Canadian insurance policy on the car in order to get it tagged, and you will need a Canadian drivers license in order to obtain that policy, so the order should be as follows - 1) Get Canadian drivers license first (try to do this immediately after landing, for most US residents you should be able to do an instantaneous trade in of your existing US license); 2) Then get Canadian insurance policy on the car (try to set this up prior to landing so that all you have to do is submit your new Canadian drivers license info to them in order to finalize and activate the policy). Once you have the proof of insurance, you can proceed with Step 12 above.

--

I really hope this is helpful and please let me know if there is anything I am missing or forgetting!
Hey it was really detailed information. I have another question what if I have to export the car which is not in my GTF list as I sol that car and brought a new car.
Can I import that car without paying any taxes ?
 

jitheshani

Star Member
Oct 10, 2019
131
97
I imported a car with no DRL lights on a Hyundai Tucson, anyone installed the whole DRL module or replaced headlight assembly fully to comply ? Also anyone requested an extension after the 45 day period. I am not getting appointments at dealership and they are gonna order parts and it's gonna take few more weeks to get the DRL fixed.
 

maalox

Newbie
Feb 24, 2025
1
0
Thanks a lot for this guide, super helpful and saved me a lot of effort. Here's my experience and where it slightly differs from the steps in the first post, in case it helps others:

Canadian Citizen who has lived in the US for 20 years, and just now returning to Canada with a US-purchased 2020 car. So, unlike most of the people on this thread who may be fully exempt from taxes during import as "settlers", I "only" get a $10K deduction on the current fair market value of the vehicle for tax purposes (because I luckily declared it on my B4 when I first came back to Canada a couple months ago).

For export, one big thing is the car was already in Canada, because I wasn't sure if I'd be officially moving back when I last crossed the border with it. I was worried about the 72 hour ITN rule and if the car needs to be in the US during that time period. I called the US border 3 times on 3 different days (and spoke to different people) to be sure I wasn't doing something wrong with starting the export process (ITN application and 72 hour waiting period) while already outside the US. They didn't seem to care at all, and just told me to drive down and explain my situation. I did exactly that, and the agent at the booth called in someone from inside who came to the booth and walked alongside the car as I parked and went inside with him. So, it was 100% clear to everyone involved that the car was coming in from Canada and I wasn't in the US at all during the ITN application or the 72 hour period. This caused exactly 0 issues. Your mileage may vary, I saw somewhere in the thread that someone received an email from CBP with the opposite requirements. But, I had printed out the information posted at the top of page 8 in case I ran into trouble.

The second thing I was slightly concerned about is notifying the specific border crossing 72+ hours in advance. Almost everything I've read says you have to email or fax the specific crossing ahead of time. I couldn't find any contact information for that border crossing in Vermont besides their phone number, so when I called to ask about the issue in the previous paragraph, I also asked how I could send them my ITN/VIN/etc in advance, since that's what other border crossings seem to expect. Every person I spoke to there said they don't need anything in advance and to just show up, as long as it's been 72 hours from getting the ITN. Again, this turned out to be accurate and not a problem at all. Other border crossings seem to have their own notification requirements, but I'm highlighting my experience because I saw 1 other post somewhere within the 35 pages where someone had the same concern, and the advice was to try another border crossing where he could submit the details ahead of time. I didn't see a definitive answer that he would have been ok without notification at his preferred border crossing, but I guess he would have been.

The agents were all very friendly, and only needed a printout of my ITN confirmation, my passport, and my original title. 20 minutes later and I was on my way with an export-stamped title. One more export question mark I had is the title shows both me and my wife as owners, but I came alone and didn't need to show anything from my wife.

I then u-turned out of the US border crossing and turned back into Canada. The Canadian agent seemed to know I was only gone for 20 minutes (even though I used my US passport to enter the US, and presented my Canadian passport when entering Canada). I explained that I came from Canada, only wanted to export my car from the US side, and now import it into Canada. Again, very smooth process and very friendly agents. Just needed my passport, title, bill of sale, and having the RIV import forms already printed was helpful. And the B-4 which saved me $10K on the assessment of the car for GST purposes. One thing I learned while paying the tax at the border is that the provincial registration, which I haven't done yet, might do their own assessment of fair market value using different resources, and they also don't take into account the $10K deduction. So my provincial registration tax will be on a value that is higher than what was used for federal import purposes, possibly not by exactly $10K if they are less (or hopefully more) lenient on their assessment of the current value. It makes sense that the $10K is a federal deduction and provinces don't follow it, but I hadn't considered it.

Next step for me is waiting for the RIV inspection form - I imported earlier today, and just emailed support@support.riv.ca the stamped import form and recall printout. Then the RIV inspection which will hopefully pass without any modifications on a 2020 Mercedes GLE.

Hopefully this helps someone, and again thanks for the first post and the 35 pages of discussion.
 
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