3 Steps For Permanently Importing Car From Canada To US – Easiest Guide

About 70 percent of the $648 billion in trade between the US and Canada moves by truck, and automobile transports are a significant part of this figure. When importing a car from Canada to US, many Americans are discovering it as a viable option for finding their next vehicle, whether due to better pricing, unique models, or relocation needs. Here’s how to import yours in 3 steps:

Permanent Vehicle Import from Canada to the US is More Common Than You Think:

Leading cross-border auto transport businesses such as Canadian Car Shipping report higher vehicle imports from Canada to the US as people move from Canada to the USA.

Source: CBC Canada

Key Insights:

• Total migration increased 67% from 2012 through 2022.
• The number of migrants born in Canada increased by 50%.
• Migrants to Canada increased substantially. These foreign-born individuals rose up by about 154%.

The data shows that the numbers of people migrating from Canada to the US nearly doubled in only 10 years (from 75,752 in 2012 to 126,340 people in 2022). To the US, many people are moving. Due to this fact, many more vehicles are now being shipped. More activity also helps auto movers provide service that is better as well as more affordable.

Permanently Importing Car From Canada to US in 3 Easy Steps:

Whether you’re moving to the US or buying a car in Canada and importing to the US, the process for import is quite simple. Here’s what to do:

Step#1 – Assessment Before Permanent Import Car From Canada To USA

Before you begin the process to ship a car from Canada to US, ensure you have the right documentation also evaluate whether your vehicle is eligible toward it is important to.

If this step is indeed skipped then it can lead to quite high costs or even entry denial. If this step is skipped delays can also occur. In order to guide you through the initial assessment phase for importing car is a breakdown below.

A. Vehicle Eligibility

Not every Canadian vehicle is eligible for importing. Your car import process will go smoothly as knowing eligibility rules is going to help you avoid setbacks.

Age Requirements

• Vehicles under 25 years old: These vehicles must comply with all Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Vehicles under 25 years old are subject to it. Vehicles not in compliance will then require some costly modifications through a Registered Importer.
• Vehicles 25 years or older: FMVSS requirements do exempt cars that are at least or older than 25 years. These vehicles meet antique exemption requirements. They thus need not comply with current safety regulations.

Compliance Verification

All imported cars must adhere to US environmental as well as safety regulations. Use the provided checklist to verify compliance:

Examples

Here are examples to help clarify:

• A 2015 Toyota Corolla: FMVSS along with EPA standards and TPMS and bumper regulations plus theft prevention systems must be complied with.
• A 1990 Honda Civic: FMVSS exempts it since the EPA still must certify it also it must comply under bumper and theft standards.
• A 1975 Ford Mustang: Exempt from most of the requirements. The antique vehicle exemption accounts for this.

Once you have confirmed eligibility along with compliance, the import car from Canada to USA process can start as you gather the necessary documents. If you make sure of thorough preparation during this phase then your adventure from Canada to US will be smooth and efficient.

B. Required Documentation

To successfully import car from Canada into US, advance gathering of all the required documentation is needed. Missing or incomplete import paperwork can cause delays, penalties, or vehicle rejection at the border even. You will need key documents detailed just below which split into those two categories. The types include primary documents and compliance ones.

Primary Documents

These documents prove both of the history and of your ownership for the vehicle. All documents should be current. Errors should not exist.

• Vehicle registration/title: Provide the current Canadian vehicle registration along with title that shows clear ownership.
• Bill of sale: A bill of sale is needed in the event that the car was purchased used. Submit either of the original bills of sale or of a recent one.
• Proof of ownership: For ownership confirmation include additional proof like maintenance records or insurance cards.
• Canadian insurance documents: Copy all of your most recent Canadian insurance documents and then provide them.
• Lien release (if applicable): Obtain from the lender a written lien release if the vehicle was financed and to confirm the vehicle is fully paid off or approved for export.

Compliance Documents

These documents confirm the vehicle satisfies customs as well as environmental plus US safety requirements.

• Manufacturer’s compliance letter: Obtain from the manufacturer confirms that the vehicle complies with US safety standards. Official letterhead plus your vehicle’s VIN must be in the letter.
• EPA Form 3520-1: Be sure to complete EPA Form 3520-1 in order to declare vehicle compliance with EPA emissions standards. This form makes possible this declaration. You must be ready prior to border arrival.
• DOT Form HS-7: This declaration form declares compliance to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) for all vehicles that people import. Select the box for the appropriate compliance based upon the status of your vehicle.
• CBP Form 7501 (Entry Summary): This US Customs form shows the vehicle’s data, worth, and tariff computation for import.

Quick Checklist

If you prepare all of these documents as well as your vehicle for transport, then your Canada to USA vehicle import process will be much smoother plus it can prevent any complications during customs clearance or compliance checks.

Step#2 – Border Crossing Process

This is the meeting place of theory coupled with practice. The border crossing is the start point of your initial import process. You can cross smoothly if you prepare well for this step. Otherwise, you will experience a very frustrating delay.

For helping you avoid delays and complications when importing car from Canada to US, the steps are broken down below into manageable sections.

A. Pre-Border Preparation

Preparing prior to when you reach a border assures you of a smooth car import undertaking. At your chosen port of entry, double-check all requirements coupled with communication for the customs office.

Schedule Appointment

• Contact the CBP office at your intended crossing: Call the CBP office prior to verify needs and processes. Contact with the CBP office at the location of your intended crossing.
• Verify operating hours for vehicle imports: Appointments might be needed by some border crossings, and limited hours may exist at others.
• Confirm document requirements: Some ports might have requirements that go beyond typical forms.

Required Fees

Before proceeding, you will have to calculate the fees for payment. Administrative fees as well as duty constitute the primary costs.

B. Border Inspection

The inspection process at the border involves primary with secondary inspections as two key stages. Each ensures that your import car meets all US requirements from Canada into USA.

Primary Inspection

• Declare permanent vehicle import: Clearly state that you are importing of the vehicle and declare a permanent vehicle import. This keeps one from mistaking it for transit.
• Present all documentation: All forms, receipts, and compliance letters should be organized and remain accessible. Present all of the documentation and ensure its full availability.
• Direct to secondary inspection: Go toward the secondary inspection area by directly following the CBP officer’s directions.

Secondary Inspection

The secondary inspection examines your documents plus looks over the vehicle closely. Here’s what to expect:

• Complete customs forms: Fill out any of the requested additional CBP forms.
• VIN verification: The VIN on a vehicle gets inspected by customs officers for paperwork matching.
• Safety inspection: The officer will do a simple vehicle inspection. This is a safety inspection for safety features.
• Emissions verification: Officers will confirm vehicle compliance to EPA emissions standards through emissions verification.
• Payment processing: Pay all applicable duties and fees, including those outlined earlier.

Tips for Smooth Border Crossing

• Double-check your documents for errors or missing information prior to arrival.
• Enough money must be accessible. For paying of fees at the border one requires a method.
• For vehicle imports, arrive within the port’s designated hours.

Remember: Organization and preparation do make the biggest difference when importing a car through a Canada-US border crossing. Keep a professional attitude throughout the process along with readily accessible documents within a file.

Step#3 – Requirements After You Import Car From Canada To USA

Once your vehicle has crossed the border, confirming full compliance with US regulations requires you to take more actions. These include you should acquire proper insurance as well as you should complete state registration by you should pay applicable fees. Some vehicles might need increased inspection and documentation if vehicle types or conditions reach a threshold.

A. Insurance Requirements

For registering of your vehicle within 43 US states at the least, US insurance is important. You’ll need to cancel your Canadian insurance in order to meet legal requirements for both countries. License plates must be returned also by you.

Cancel Canadian Insurance

• Obtain proof of cancellation: Request for your Canadian insurer to confirm for you in writing that it terminated your policy.
• Return plates to Canadian authority: Comply with the province’s guidelines about license plate returns.

Obtain US Insurance

• Required before registration: You are not able to register the vehicle if US insurance that is valid registration requires.
• Requires US address: Insurance policies need a US residential address to be valid.
• Coverage must meet state minimums: Your policy must follow minimum liability coverage your state requires to meet minimum standards.

B. State Registration

Registering your vehicle within the US is state specific. To obtain a new title along with plates, you’ll pay fees upon completion of inspections and documentation.

Documentation Required

• CBP entry summary: CBP Form 7501 does confirm the legal import for your vehicle. It will be necessary to have it as a CBP entry summary copy.
• Original title or registration: Provide title documents or registration for Canada.
• Proof of US insurance: A valid US insurance card is proof that you have US insurance. In the alternative, a policy document may be used here.
• Manufacturer compliance letters: Compliance letters are documents manufacturers write confirming their compliance to US emissions and safety standards.
• VIN verification: A form specific to the state completed by authorized personnel, such as law enforcement.
• State-specific inspections: In the event you depend upon your state, safety and emissions inspections could well be required.

Fees and Taxes

State registration involves multiple fees, which vary by location and vehicle type. You can view the vehicle registration fees and taxes by state here, but be prepared to pay the following:

Let’s Take California as an Example. If you bring your Canadian vehicle into California and have paid the sales tax in Canada, you’ll likely be exempt from the 7.5% sales tax in California. So now you have to pay the registration, title, and license plate fees.

You can go to the Californian DMV’s fees calculator page and calculate the fees yourself. They will give you a list of fees that need to be paid based on your vehicle’s model, year, and value. Here’s an example of a 2005 vehicle valued at $7,000. The registration costs came out to $403.

Different states will have different fees. You can search Google for a registration fee calculator for the state you’re getting the vehicle into and get an estimate online.

Special Considerations Permanently Importing Car From Canada to US

A. Non-Compliant Vehicles

When you plan to import car from Canada into USA, unique challenges are presented by non-compliant vehicles. Let us break down the necessary processes in addition to requirements for importing non-compliant vehicles.

Registered Importer (RI) Process

You will be required to work alongside a DOT-registered importer or RI in order to legally import that car when the vehicle is non-conforming or non-compliant. It does not conform when lacking a manufacturer’s label which certifies that it meets US standards.

Source: CBP

The car import process through an RI involves several detailed steps. Here’s what you need to know about car importing through this route:

• Locate a certified RI from the NHTSA database (currently 100+ active importers as of Nov 2024)
• Submit vehicle details and receive a modification quote
• Arrange transportation Canada to USA
• Complete the required paperwork with customs

Exemptions

In certain cases, vehicles may qualify for exemptions, allowing them to bypass standard compliance requirements:

• Show/display: Vehicles of historical or technological significance for limited use only.
• Racing vehicles: Exclusively for competition use and not for public roads.
• Temporary imports: Non-residents can import vehicles for up to one year.

B. Common Issues

Many people encounter challenges with financing and technical modifications when they import car from Canada to USA.

Financing Restrictions

Transferring or maintaining financing across Canada to US border can be complex due to restrictions on Canadian loans.

• Canadian lien limitations: Most Canadian lenders will not permit the permanent export of a financed vehicle.
• Cross-border financing challenges: Transferring loans across borders is often not possible.
• Payment requirements: You may need to pay off the Canadian loan before importing the vehicle.

Technical Modifications

US regulations require vehicles to comply with specific emissions and road safety standards:

• Speedometer/odometer conversion: Kilometers can be changed over into miles by the use of a speedometer/odometer conversion. Another option involves replacement of the device in its entirety.
• Lighting requirements: Please update daytime running lights as well as signal light configurations in regard to lighting requirements.
• Emissions system modifications: Modify emissions systems to adjust catalytic converters or oxygen sensors so they meet US standards.

Best Practices When You Import Car From Canada To US

Many importers encounter difficulties that are similar as well as mistakes in kind. Learning from these can result in avoiding costly delays and complications.

Plan Your Timeline Carefully

Plan out carefully your timeline in order to avoid any delays. Here’s what to expect:

• Documentation preparation (2-4 weeks): Gather manufacturer letters, customs forms, and other paperwork when time allows. The documentation preparation requires two to four of the weeks.
• Border crossing (1-3 hours): You should allow for extended time at border crossing because of secondary inspections (1-3 hours).
• Registration process (1-2 days): Schedule in advance since some US states do require appointments in person during registration time (1-2 days).
• Total process (3-6 weeks): The entire process is taking about 3-6 weeks. For staying on track, plan potential delays.

Benefit from Government Resources

Having all of the right resources and all of the right contacts may make importing of a car easier. Use the following tools and information to stay informed:

Key Contacts

• CBP Office contacts: For questions or for issues, keep the contact details close at hand for your CBP Office port of entry.
• EPA importation hotline: Dial (734) 214-4100 to reach toward the EPA importation hotline. They give advice regarding emissions rules.
• DOT information line: In queries to the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance—Import & Certification Division, dial the DOT information line: (202) 366-5291.
• State DMV offices: Get detailed information on local registration procedures and requirements from the relevant state’s DMV.
• Registered Importers: NHTSA’s list is going to help each registered importer find just who the approved RIs are for vehicle modifications.

Successful importers always double-checked these resources before their adventure. For quick access, bookmark relevant websites as well as sign up for email updates.

Canadian Car Shipping Can Help You Permanently Import Your Vehicle to US:

While importing car from Canada to US involves a number of steps, the company Canadian Car Shipping is able to streamline that experience quite greatly. Our experts handle complete physical transportation of your vehicle from any location within Canada to the US. Our free Canada to USA car transport quote calculator lets you obtain quotes without obligation. Alternatively, you can call us at (800) 381-6907 to get free quotes too.