5 Important Things To Know About Shipping Cars From The U.S. To Canada

If you need to transport a vehicle you own from the United States to Canada, it is important to make sure you fully understand how the transfer process works. That will allow you to make the best possible choices when it comes to how to ship your vehicles.

Important Thing #1: Check the Safety Recall List

First, you need to get the VIN number and check with the manufacturer of your vehicle to make sure that there aren't any recalls on your vehicle. You are not going to be able to bring a vehicle into Canada that is on a safety recall list. If your vehicle is on a recall list, you should consider trading it in for something different, as you can't bring it to Canada.

Important Thing #2: Check Canadian Safety & Emission Control Standards

Don't assume that because your vehicle meets the safety and emission control standards for the state that you live in within the United States that it is going to meet the safety and emission standards for Canada. You need to check and make sure any vehicle you want to bring and register in Canada meets Canada's safety and emission standards before you ship the vehicle.

Important Thing #3: Register Before Shipping

When you have a vehicle you want to bring into Canada, you are going to need to register the vehicle before it is shipped. You will have to register the vehicle with the Canadian Registrar of Important Vehicles. On their website, you will also find information about vehicles that you are allowed to bring into Canada from the United States. If you are not able to register your vehicle, you shouldn't ship it to Canada.

Important Thing #4: Arrange to Pay Harmonized Sales Tax

You are going to need to pay the harmonized sales tax (HST) on the value of your vehicle before you import it to Canada. The value will be based on the assessed value of the car in Canada, not what you actually paid for the vehicle. You need to make arrangements to pay this tax and have documentation to go with your vehicle that shows that you payed the HST for it.

Important Thing #4: Work With a Customs Broker

You need to not just work with a shipping company to get your vehicle to Canada, you need to work with a customs broker. A customs broker will help make sure you have all the right paperwork filled out, and that you have completed all necessary steps, so that your vehicle will be allowed across the border and will not get waylaid on the way to its final destination.

If you have a vehicle that you want to take to Canada to use, you need to make sure that you follow all applicable procedures before shipping the vehicle. This will streamline the shipping process. Work with a customs broker who can help with both the shipping process and the paperwork. 

For more information on transportation services, contact a transport company such as Apex Transportation.