Your Guide to Importing Vehicles into Canada

Last Updated: April 12, 2026

I​​mports are a large part of Canada’s economy, and vehicles remain an important category of cross-border trade. Canadians who purchase vehicles in the United States or other countries need to consider more than the purchase price before bringing a vehicle into Canada.

Importing a vehicle into Canada involves admissibility, vehicle safety requirements, U.S. export requirements where applicable, customs documentation, duties and taxes, and provincial or territorial registration requirements. Requirements also vary based on the vehicle’s age, country of origin, and whether it falls under the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. Transport Canada provides current vehicle import requirements, while the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) provides detailed customs requirements in Memorandum D19-12-1: Importing Vehicles.

Can I import a vehicle from a country other than the United States?

Most vehicles manufactured for markets outside the United States and Mexico cannot be imported into Canada because they do not meet Canadian vehicle safety requirements and cannot be modified to comply. Transport Canada provides specific requirements for vehicles purchased in countries other than the United States and Mexico.

There are exceptions. Vehicles manufactured more than 15 years ago, based on their month and year of manufacture, generally fall outside the Motor Vehicle Safety Act’s regulated vehicle requirements, except for buses. Other non-regulated vehicles and certain temporarily imported vehicles may also qualify under specific conditions. An exemption from federal vehicle safety requirements does not guarantee that a vehicle can be registered for road use in a particular province or territory.

Are there inadmissible vehicles to Canada?

Yes. Some vehicles cannot be imported into Canada because they do not meet Canadian requirements and cannot qualify under an available import process.

For vehicles purchased in the United States, Transport Canada maintains a Vehicle Import Compatibility (Admissibility) List. The list identifies U.S.-specification vehicles that may qualify for importation, but inclusion does not guarantee that the vehicle will pass the required compliance process.

Importers should determine the cost and extent of required modifications before purchasing or importing a vehicle. A vehicle that cannot be modified to comply with Canadian requirements must leave Canada.

What’s the difference between regulated and non-regulated vehicles?

Regulated vehicles fall under Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Act and applicable Canadian safety standards. Non-regulated vehicles fall outside those requirements because of their age, type, intended use, or another applicable exemption.

Examples of regulated vehicle classes include:

• Passenger cars
• Multi-purpose passenger vehicles, including vans and SUVs
• Trucks
• Buses
• Low-speed vehicles
• Motorcycles
• Restricted-use vehicles
• Trailers
• Trailer converter dollies
• Snowmobiles
• Three-wheeled vehicles

Examples of non-regulated vehicles include:

• Vehicles manufactured more than 15 years ago, except buses
• Buses manufactured before January 1, 1971
• Vehicles temporarily imported by visitors, foreign students, or foreign workers
• Vehicles designed strictly for off-road use
• Certain competition vehicles designed exclusively for closed-course competition
• Certain restricted-use vehicles that cannot exceed 32 km/h (20 mph)
• Certain power-assisted bicycles that cannot exceed 32 km/h (20 mph)

Transport Canada provides additional information about non-regulated vehicles.

The 8 Steps for Importing a Vehicle into Canada

Step 1. Determine whether your vehicle is eligible for importation

Start by determining whether the vehicle can legally enter Canada. For vehicles purchased in the United States, check Transport Canada’s Vehicle Import Compatibility (Admissibility) List. Transport Canada notes that the list can change and that importers should determine the cost and extent of required modifications before importing a vehicle.

If you plan to purchase a vehicle from another country, review Transport Canada’s requirements for vehicles from countries other than the United States and Mexico before buying or shipping it. Most vehicles manufactured for markets outside the United States and Mexico cannot be imported into Canada.

Step 2: Meet U.S. export requirements

If you are importing a used vehicle from the United States, you must meet U.S. export requirements before the vehicle leaves the country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requires exporters to submit the required Electronic Export Information (EEI) through the Automated Export System (AES) at least 72 hours before export for used self-propelled vehicles. CBP provides the current requirements in its guidance on exporting used self-propelled vehicles.

The exporter must also meet the applicable vehicle presentation and documentation requirements at the U.S. port of export.

Step 3: Ensure that your vehicle meets Canadian safety requirements

Your vehicle must meet the applicable requirements under Canada’s Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), unless an exemption applies.

For vehicles purchased in the United States that fall under the RIV program, the vehicle must qualify for importation and meet the applicable Canadian safety requirements. Any required modifications should be identified before the vehicle enters Canada.

Step 4: Meet other government agency requirements

In addition to CBSA and Transport Canada requirements, imported vehicles may need to meet requirements administered by other government agencies.

These requirements can include environmental, emissions, agricultural, and other import controls.

You should also check with your provincial or territorial government for registration, inspection, insurance, and other requirements.

Federal admissibility does not guarantee that a province or territory will register the vehicle.

Step 5: Complete your AES filing with U.S. Customs

When importing a used vehicle from the United States, complete the required AES/EEI filing before exporting the vehicle.

CBP requires the EEI filing at least 72 hours before export for used self-propelled vehicles. This requirement applies to used vehicles being exported from the United States under the applicable CBP export rules.

The exporter must also present the vehicle and required documentation to CBP according to the applicable port procedures.

Step 6: Prepare your import documentation

Prepare the documents required for the Canadian import process. Depending on the vehicle and circumstances, these may include:

1. Bill of Sale
2. Original Certificate of Title or other acceptable ownership documentation
3. Registration documents, where applicable
4. Vehicle Import Form
5. CUSMA certification or other origin documentation, where applicable
6. Recall clearance documentation, where required
7. Salvage documentation, if applicable
8. AES/ITN documentation for vehicles exported from the United States

Vehicles imported from the United States or Mexico through the RIV program must meet the applicable documentation and registration requirements. CBSA and Transport Canada provide additional requirements based on the vehicle and import transaction.

For vehicles subject to the RIV process, the vehicle must be clear of outstanding recalls before it can complete the required inspection.

Step 7: Get ready for an inspection

Vehicles subject to the RIV program must complete the required federal inspection after importation.

For eligible vehicles imported from the United States, the importer must complete any required modifications and have the vehicle inspected through the RIV process.

The RIV inspection must generally take place within 45 days of importation. Salvage vehicles have a one-year period.

If the vehicle does not pass the inspection, the importer must complete the required corrections and arrange another inspection. A vehicle that cannot be brought into compliance must leave Canada.

Age-exempt and other non-regulated vehicles follow different requirements and may not require the same RIV inspection process. However, they still must meet applicable customs and provincial or territorial requirements.

Step 8: Pay the required duties and taxes

Imported vehicles may be subject to customs duty, GST/HST, excise taxes, surtaxes, and other applicable charges.

The amount depends on factors such as the vehicle’s tariff classification, country of origin, value for duty, and applicable tariff treatment.

U.S. vehicles and Canada’s 25% surtax

Importers of U.S.-origin motor vehicles also need to consider Canada’s U.S. motor vehicle surtax measures. Effective April 9, 2025, Canada imposed a 25% surtax on motor vehicles that originate in the United States.

Canada subsequently introduced remission measures for certain eligible vehicles. CBSA’s Customs Notice 26-10, issued April 10, 2026, explains the United States Surtax Remission Order (Motor Vehicles 2026), which provides relief in specified circumstances for eligible importers and vehicles.

The remission rules do not provide a blanket exemption for every vehicle imported from the United States. Eligibility depends on the applicable order, importer, tariff item, and other conditions. Importers should review the current U.S. Surtax Remission Order (Motor Vehicles 2026) before accounting for an affected vehicle.

Duties and taxes

Vehicles manufactured in the United States or Mexico may qualify for preferential tariff treatment under CUSMA when they meet the applicable rules of origin. The country where you purchased a vehicle does not necessarily determine its country of origin for customs purposes.

Imported vehicles may also be subject to:

• GST or HST
• Customs duty, depending on origin and tariff treatment
• Excise tax on qualifying air-conditioning systems
• Federal Green Levy on qualifying fuel-inefficient vehicles
• Select Luxury Items Tax on qualifying vehicles

Importers should also check whether other current tariff measures apply based on the vehicle’s country of origin and tariff classification.

There are many reasons to import a vehicle into Canada. You may want to purchase a vehicle that is not available in Canada, find a different model or specification, or purchase a used vehicle in another market.

Before purchasing a vehicle, confirm that it qualifies for importation and determine the applicable safety, customs, tariff, tax, and registration requirements. If you are importing a used vehicle from the United States, you also need to complete the required U.S. export process before the vehicle leaves the country.

How GHY Can Help

Importing a vehicle into Canada involves more than getting the vehicle across the border. GHY International can help importers navigate customs documentation, tariff classification, origin requirements, duties and taxes, and other customs requirements.

If you need help importing a vehicle into Canada, contact GHY International to speak with a trade specialist about your vehicle and import requirements.