The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles imported into Canada comply, at the time of importation, with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect on the date the vehicle was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into Canada. The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or older as determined by the month and year in which the vehicle was manufactured and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971.
Vehicles acquired in foreign countries other than the U.S. and designed, built, tested and certified to meet either all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or all applicable United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a statement of compliance label affixed by the original manufacturer, as required by the Regulations, may be eligible for importation into Canada provided the vehicle has not been altered and the certification from the original manufacturer is maintained, which may be subject to verification at the time of importation. A vehicle imported under these conditions will be subject to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program which may be accessed at the following web site: https://www.riv.ca. Please contact Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, at 1-613-998-8616 for further information.
For Vehicles over fifteen (15) years old, they must comply with requirements of Canadian law with regards to safety and emissions. Before shipping your vehicle it will require steam cleaning and valet of the inside and must have a minimal amount of fuel in the tank.
– Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety and Emission control regulations apply
· Vehicles over 15 years old are subject to different regulations and costly modifications
may be required
· Vehicle must bear the “Statement of Compliance” label affixed by the manufacturer
· Vehicle may be subject to local taxes but are duty-free
· Form K-22, immediate registration and licensing is required for exemption from duties
· Documents required:
– Registration
– Proof of ownership
For more details and to access official documentation, please go to the following websites:
The Transport Canada website:
www.tc.gc.ca/en/menu.htm
www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/impxus_e.htm
Canada Customs – Government Regulations at the Canadian Border https://canadaonline.about.com/od/customs/Canada_Customs_and_Border_Services.htm
Useful Contact Addresses:
Transport Canada
Vehicle Importation
Tower “C”,
Place de Ville,
330 Sparks Street,
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N5
CANADA
Telephone: 1-613-998-8616
Toll Free: 1-800-333-0371
Facsimile: 1-613-998-4831
The Canada Border Services Agency:
Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate
Transport Canada
8th floor
Place de Ville, Tower C
330 Sparks Street
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5
Telephone: (613) 998-8616
Facsimile: (613) 998-4831
Web site: www.tc.gc.ca
