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

[KBH]

Completed my car import today. Imported car on Monday and had it plated and on the road in Canada today.

This process seems complicated but it is actually super easy!

I printed out the instructions in this thread and checked each step off as I completed them which made things a lot less complicated.


Thanks to @KBH for this amazing thread!

I agree. I had a lot of drama getting an Ontario license, but besides that, everything was smooth. It's a million and one steps, but nothing about it is particularly hard!

 

[seamarine]

Completed my car import today. Imported car on Monday and had it plated and on the road in Canada today.

This process seems complicated but it is actually super easy!

I printed out the instructions in this thread and checked each step off as I completed them which made things a lot less complicated.


Thanks to @KBH for this amazing thread!

What brand of car do you have? Did you not need to do any modifications?

 

[KBH]

What brand of car do you have? Did you not need to do any modifications?

Many cars do not require any modifications. I have a 2013 Toyota Corolla and it did not require any.

 

[jeff198901]

What brand of car do you have? Did you not need to do any modifications?

2013 VW Jetta TDI. I had to do nothing to my wife’s car at all. It cost me 122$ at the RIV inspection shop

 

[seamarine]

Many cars do not require any modifications. I have a 2013 Toyota Corolla and it did not require any.

I have a question on the 72 hours rule to inform US Customs....I am only moving to Canada in July and will be at the border on July 2nd which is a Monday. So when should I form them about my import with AES # Wednesday ?

 

[jeff198901]

It wasn't immediate for me, but it was very quick (only a couple days)
You can take it in for modifications before you have the letter. You only need the letter for the inspection

I received my RIV inspection form 3 hours after importing

 

[jeff198901]

I have a question on the 72 hours rule to inform US Customs....I am only moving to Canada in July and will be at the border on July 2nd which is a Monday. So when should I form them about my import with AES # Wednesday ?

Submit now. I submitted my notice 2-3 weeks in advance. 72 hours is just a minimum

 

[everydaydealer]

I have 2013 Corolla and 2016 Nissan rogue. Nissan is manufactured in Korea so it will attract 6% duty. Had to sell but might go for loss as i got brand new and its 2 years old. Anyway i can take the car even with loan left ? i see BMO bank in both US and Canada. if i finance from them, will it work ?

 

[everydaydealer]

Many cars do not require any modifications. I have a 2013 Toyota Corolla and it did not require any.

did you have any loan left or was fully paid off ? i have a 2013 corolla too but thinking of getting little bigger car as 2013 model is no good for even with family of 4. Very cramped.

Can you tell me if the following will work out.

1. sell the 2013 corolla
2. Get another used car from the admissible list for almost same price

 

[tx-to-ca]

I have 2013 Corolla and 2016 Nissan rogue. Nissan is manufactured in Korea so it will attract 6% duty. Had to sell but might go for loss as i got brand new and its 2 years old. Anyway i can take the car even with loan left ? i see BMO bank in both US and Canada. if i finance from them, will it work ?

If you're arriving in Canada as a settler (as per CBSA's definition, see below), both cars would be duty free if you list them as personal effects, including the Nissan. In that case, the duty for cars manufactured outside of North America would not apply.

You will have to contact BMO directly to ask if they would allow for you to continue financing the car in Canada with the same loan. It's entirely up to the lender. If they agree to to let you export it out of the U.S. and into Canada with the lien, make sure they provide you with an official letter that states this. And make sure you have an official title as well.

Read more info about importing a settler here: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

 

[KBH]

did you have any loan left or was fully paid off ? i have a 2013 corolla too but thinking of getting little bigger car as 2013 model is no good for even with family of 4. Very cramped.

Can you tell me if the following will work out.

1. sell the 2013 corolla
2. Get another used car from the admissible list for almost same price

Mine was fully paid off. If you were going to sell the Corolla it would be my opinion that it would be easier to sell it in the US then purchase a similar used car once you arrive in Canada, that way you would not have to go through the import process. Plus if you're able to sell it for, say, $8000 USD, the exchange rate is pretty good right now so that would give you $10500 CAD to work with

 

[everydaydealer]

If you're arriving in Canada as a settler (as per CBSA's definition, see below), both cars would be duty free if you list them as personal effects, including the Nissan. In that case, the duty for cars manufactured outside of North America would not apply.

You will have to contact BMO directly to ask if they would allow for you to continue financing the car in Canada with the same loan. It's entirely up to the lender. If they agree to to let you export it out of the U.S. and into Canada with the lien, make sure they provide you with an official letter that states this. And make sure you have an official title as well.

Read more info about importing a settler here: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

i like the idea. so im coming to canada and going to establish a residence at the border i can claim as settler. if thats possible i will prefer to keep my nissan and sell corolla. Thank you.

 

[everydaydealer]

If you're arriving in Canada as a settler (as per CBSA's definition, see below), both cars would be duty free if you list them as personal effects, including the Nissan. In that case, the duty for cars manufactured outside of North America would not apply.

You will have to contact BMO directly to ask if they would allow for you to continue financing the car in Canada with the same loan. It's entirely up to the lender. If they agree to to let you export it out of the U.S. and into Canada with the lien, make sure they provide you with an official letter that states this. And make sure you have an official title as well.

Read more info about importing a settler here: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d2/d2-2-1-eng.html

read this https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

 

[tx-to-ca]

read this https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/travel-voyage/mrc-drc-eng.html

Yes, personal vehicles are included in the list of items you can import without any duty or tax. The value limitation only applies if you have previously lived in Canada and are moving back. If you are going to be a first-time resident, then it won't apply to you. Be sure to list it with your "accompanied goods" or "goods to follow" though. If it's not included in your initial list of personal effects, then you will have to pay duty if you try to bring it in later.

 

[backtoTO]

Hi everyone! Thank you for this amazingly informative thread.

I am planning to export / import my car on Tues 7/3 - I am a returning Canadian citizen, who has PR here in the U.S., driving across NY to Ontario w/ my toddler and my dog.

I am on the edge of my seat waiting for the bank's permission letter that I can export the car to arrive - it didn't arrive in the mail today (eek).

I spoke to Canada customs and they said that they don't check for the U.S. Export paperwork - and that if I really don't get the letter in time, I can import the vehicle without exporting it first, b/c RIV doesn't care about that. What are the downsides to this? Can I go back to the U.S. later, with an Ontario plated car, to formally "export" it then, even if it has been already imported to Canada?

I also considered not importing the car at all - waiting until my husband who is a co-owner, and his spousal PR sponsorship goes through - to import it then. But I am hearing that it would not be legal for me to drive the NY-plated car into Canada. What's the basis of this? I am still a US permanent resident and will be for at least another few months.

Any insights would be greatly appreciated!