Before You Import Your Car

1. Step 1 A

Check Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States and Europe to see if the car can be imported, and if it must be modified, to meet Canadian requirements. The list of admissible vehicles covers passenger cars , trucks, trailers, motorcycles and snowmobiles that are less than 15 years old, as well as off-road vehicles manufactured after May 1, 1988 and buses manufactured after January 1, 1971.

2. Step 2 B

Obtain a recall clearance letter from the authorized dealer or original equipment manufacturer of your car. The recall clearance letter is absolutely necessary to pass the federal inspection. You can call the manufacturer and provide your vehicle identification number to inquire about any pending recalls.

3. Step 3 C

Obtain any modification information from the manufacturer or authorized dealer, including costs and parts availability for any required modifications. Any modification costs are up to the car owner.

4. Step 4 D

Determine any additional costs, including duty and taxes, by contacting Canada Customs and Revenue Agency. The agency can reached at (506) 636-5064 from outside Canada and (800) 461-9999 in Canada.

5. Step 5 E

Make sure that you have all of the paperwork that you need for your car. You will need title documents, registration papers, sales receipts, a statement of compliance and the recall clearance letter.

6. Step 6 F

Find out about safety inspections or emissions test that need to be done. There may also be additional provincial or territorial requirements. You should arrange for insurance for your car before importing it to make the process easier.

Crossing the Border

7. Step 1 –assuming the car is eligible for entry into Canada-see Step 1A above

The example being used is importation from the USA into Canada —before the car is brought into Canada. Call US Customs at the US Border and advise them that you are importing a vehicle from the USA to Canada.

Have the year, make, and model and VIN number ready. Record the name of the officer you speak to and also record the date and time you speak to the officer for your own records as this may be needed later to verify information. Ask US Customs what they need and what you should fax them BEFORE hand so they can accept the car when it reaches the US border just before you import it into Canada.

Note: when bringing a car into Canada it MUST be cleared first with US Customs physically at the US border before it is taken to the Canadian border.

• Be ready to show your title documents, registration and sales receipts.

8. Step 2

Complete the Vehicle Import Form–Form 1, which a Canada customs officer will provide. You must have a Canadian mailing address in order to complete it. Once the form is complete, keep a copy in your car until it is licensed in Canada.

9. Step 3

Pay the Registrar of Imported Vehicles fee after the customs officer checks your vehicle identification number and manufacturer's statement of compliance label to make sure the numbers match. A non-refundable fee of $182 is required for all provinces, except Quebec where the fee is $197. In order to pay Canada Customs you will have to use a major credit card. Canada Customs doesn't accept cash or checks. To pay by check or money order, you will need to mail it to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.

Once the Car is in Canada

10. Step 1

Receive a letter from the Registrar of Imported Vehicles, which should be expected within 10 days. The letter will detail the necessary steps you must take in order to bring your vehicle into compliance.

11. Step 2

Complete the modifications to your vehicle within 45 days of crossing the border. The Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act allows modifications to be performed by the mechanic of your choice. Your particular vehicle manufacturer may require that you use an authorized dealer or agent to perform the modifications.

12. Step 3

Present the Vehicle Import Form, the inspection form, the recall clearance letter and any receipts for modification work at the time of the federal inspection. A list of federal inspection facilities is provided with the inspection package that is mailed out by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.

13. Step 4

Present the Vehicle Import Form–Form 1 to the provincial or territorial licensing authority. Your car may require additional testing to pass provincial or territorial tests.

Antique & Collector Vehicles

Thanks to the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada Corp. www.naacc.ca Collector Vehicles that are 25 years old and older may enter the country duty free and do not have to meet current vehicle safety standards. They will have to pay PST & GST on the selling price. These fees will be converted from US dollars to Canadian dollars and then the taxes will be collected. A credit card must be used to pay all fees.

An example: A stock 1932 Ford does not need to meet 2009 safety or emission requirements. However, all paper work must be in order. A bill of sale is required. A certificate of title or registration is required and will be surrendered at Canadian Customs. The car must be presented to US Customs before entry. The same procedure outlined above is required. Call US Customs at least three days prior to importation and advise them you are bringing a car into Canada. Call the US Customs officials and ask them what documentation they need.

In some cases it might be easier to use a Customs Broker such as Border Brokers so that all of the paper work is completed properly. Even though the process seems very onerous it really is very straight forward if you do your homework. Once the vehicle is registered in Canada it will be issued a new Canadian registration.

This information has been provided courtesy of the NAACC www.naacc.ca