You want to get a swanky car from the United States to Canada. For that you must adhere to the standard rules & regulations for vehicle imports. First and foremost, make sure that your desired vehicle is admissible into the country. You can check the Registrar of Imported Vehicles Compatibility List for that. Once you are sure of that, you need to start the formalities. If you have never handled imports in the past and are worried about the whole process, consider working with a customs broker. These brokers are licensed by the Canada Border Services Agency, and you can rely on them for immediate support. Below is an overview of how to import a car to Canada from USA.
Steps to follow
The next step is to register with RIV and complete the necessary formalities online. You also need an International Transaction Number (ITN), for which your customs broker can help. If you don’t have the ITN number, you will have to wait for another 72 hours. Once you have that, collect documents like vehicle title, original bill of sale, and your driver’s license. You need to submit these details to the US customs.
Importing into Canada
You need to submit the same documents to the Canada Border Services Agency. An agent at the import office will inspect the vehicle. Note that you can get the vehicle through the port/border that is mentioned in the ITN number. In some cases, the vehicle will be further tested by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), for which an additional fee must be paid. It is wise to ensure that your vehicle is in a good condition. The CBS agent will give documents like a stamped title certificate and RIV registration form. You need to now register the vehicle in Canada. If the vehicle is more than 15 years old, an additional federal inspection is required.
Get a customs broker
While not mandatory, working with a customs broker can simplify the process of importing vehicles into Canada. You will need to work with the customs broker for your ITN number, and if you hand over the task of importing, they will take care of all the necessary steps and paperwork needed to get the vehicle to you. Top customs brokers have dedicated teams to look into vehicle imports, and they can minimize the time needed to clear your vehicle at the port of entry.
Check online now to find customs brokers for your next import.
