Car Shipping Restrictions in Canada

Shipping Your Vehicle to Canada:  Regulations & Restrictions

Shipping your vehicle to Canada involves navigating a well-defined set of federal regulations designed to protect public safety and the environment. Unlike some destinations, Canada’s restrictions are less about biosecurity and more about vehicle compliance, safety standards, and import admissibility.

At Ship Cars Ltd, we specialise in guiding customers through the precise requirements of Transport Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). This definitive guide details the critical restrictions and compliance rules you must understand for a successful vehicle importation.

Understanding the Governing Bodies

Two primary federal agencies oversee the import of vehicles into Canada. Knowing their roles is the first step.

1. Transport Canada: This department sets the Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that all vehicles driven in Canada must meet. They determine if a vehicle is eligible for import.
2. Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV): This is the body appointed by the Canadian government to administer the federal inspection process for most imported vehicles. The RIV program ensures your vehicle is modified to meet Canadian standards.
3. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA): This agency handles the customs clearance, collects any applicable duties and taxes, and verifies your vehicle’s admissibility at the port of entry.

Authority Links:

• Transport Canada – Importing a Vehicle
• Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) – Official Website
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

The 15-Year Import Rule: The Most Significant Restriction

Canada’s most famous and often misunderstood regulation is the “15-Year Rule.” This is not a blanket ban but a specific exemption from certain compliance requirements.

What the Rule Actually States

The Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations generally prohibit the importation of vehicles that do not conform to Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). However, a vehicle that is 15 years old or older (calculated from the month and year of its manufacture) is exempt from complying with most of these specific standards.

• What it means for you: If your vehicle was manufactured 15 or more years ago, it is typically much easier to import. It is generally not required to be modified to meet Canadian safety standards and does not need to go through the full RIV inspection process.
• Key Consideration: The vehicle must still be in safe operating condition to be licensed and insured in its destination province. It must also comply with any provincial regulations.

Vehicles Under 15 Years Old

For vehicles less than 15 years old, the rules are strict. They must comply with the CMVSS at the time of manufacture. For most modern vehicles from the UK, EU, and US, this is often possible but requires verification and potentially modifications.

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) Process

For vehicles under 15 years old, the RIV process is mandatory. It is a step-by-step procedure that must be followed precisely.

Step 1: Check RIV Admissibility Before Shipping

The single most important step is to verify your vehicle is on the RIV List of Eligible Vehicles. This list details the makes, models, and model years that are admissible for import into Canada.

• Action: Use the search tool on the RIV website to confirm your vehicle’s eligibility. Shipping a non-admissible vehicle will result in it being refused entry and you being forced to re-export it at your own cost.

Authority Link: RIV – List of Eligible Vehicles

Step 2: US-Specification Vehicles Restriction

This is a critical restriction. With very few exceptions (e.g., vehicles owned for 12+ months while residing in the US), you cannot import a vehicle originally manufactured for the US market into Canada unless it is already compliant with Canadian standards. This is due to a mutual recognition agreement between the two countries. Most UK and European-specification vehicles are admissible, provided they are on the RIV list.

Step 3: Required Documentation

You must present the following documents to the CBSA officer at the border:

• Proof of Ownership: The original vehicle title (V5C logbook for UK vehicles) or a certified copy.
• Bill of Lading: The shipping document provided by us, proving how the vehicle arrived.
• Vehicle Recall Clearance: For vehicles from the United States, you must provide proof from the manufacturer that there are no outstanding safety recalls. For vehicles from other countries, this may not be required, but it is best to check.
• RIV Form 1: This form will be provided by the RIV once you have paid their fees and started the process. The CBSA officer will stamp this form.

Step 4: The Federal Inspection

After the vehicle clears customs, you have 45 days to get it to a designated RIV inspection station (often a Canadian Tire location) for a federal inspection. This inspection verifies that:

• The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) matches the documentation.
• All required modifications (e.g., daytime running lights, child seat anchorages, speedometer in km/h) have been completed.
• The vehicle is in a safe condition.

Once it passes, the RIV will issue a federal inspection sticker, which must be affixed to the vehicle.

Key Vehicle Modification Requirements

For vehicles under 15 years old to pass the RIV inspection, they often require specific modifications to comply with CMVSS. The most common include:

• Daytime Running Lights (DRLs): Most vehicles must be equipped with DRLs that automatically activate when the vehicle is started.
• Child Seat Tether Anchorages: For vehicles manufactured after September 1, 1999, specific anchorages for child restraint systems are mandatory.
• Speedometer: The primary scale on the speedometer must display kilometres per hour (km/h). Miles per hour (mph) can be present on a secondary scale.
• French Labels: Certain safety information labels (e.g., for airbags, sun visor warnings) may need to be in both English and French.
• Anti-Theft Standards: The vehicle must meet Canadian anti-theft standards, which may require an immobiliser or alarm system.

Provincial Registration & Licensing

Passing the federal RIV inspection is only one part of the process. You must also register and license the vehicle in your province of residence (e.g., British Columbia, Ontario, Alberta). This involves:

• Provincial Safety Inspection: Most provinces require their own, more detailed, mechanical safety inspection. This is separate from the federal RIV inspection and often more comprehensive.
• Insurance: You must secure Canadian auto insurance before you can register the vehicle.
• Paying Provincial Sales Tax (PST/HST): You will be required to pay the provincial sales tax (or Harmonised Sales Tax) based on the vehicle’s value when you register it.

Prohibited & Restricted Vehicles

Certain types of vehicles are extremely difficult or outright prohibited from being imported.

• Vehicles Not on the RIV List: As stated, this is the primary reason for refusal.
• Stolen Vehicles: Any vehicle reported as stolen will be seized.
• Irreparably Damaged or Unsafe Vehicles: Vehicles that are unfit for safe operation will be denied entry.
• Right-Hand Drive (RHD) Vehicles: While not universally prohibited, RHD vehicles are subject to additional scrutiny and specific provincial restrictions. Some provinces have limitations on their use or require additional modifications. It is essential to check both federal admissibility and provincial regulations for RHD vehicles.

Summary: Your Pre-Shipment Action Plan for Canada

To ensure your vehicle clears Canadian customs and is legal for the road, follow this essential checklist:

1. VERIFY ELIGIBILITY: Use the official RIV website to confirm your vehicle’s make, model, and year are on the List of Eligible Vehicles. Do not ship until this is confirmed.
2. CHECK THE VEHICLE’S AGE: If it is 15 years or older, your process will be significantly simpler, primarily involving customs clearance.
3. RESEARCH MODIFICATIONS: For vehicles under 15 years, identify what modifications (DRLs, speedometer, etc.) will be required to pass the RIV inspection and budget for them.
4. GATHER DOCUMENTATION: Ensure you have the original title (V5C), bill of lading, and any other relevant ownership history.
5. CONSULT YOUR PROVINCE: Research the specific safety inspection, insurance, and tax requirements for your destination province.
6. INFORM YOUR SHIPPER: Provide us with all vehicle details and documentation so we can ensure a smooth customs brokerage process.

Ship with Confidence to Canada

The team at Ship Cars Ltd is well-versed in the intricacies of the RIV program and CBSA procedures. We can advise on vehicle eligibility, handle the ocean freight, and work with our trusted Canadian customs brokers to ensure your vehicle’s entry is processed correctly.

Contact us today for a definitive shipping quote and let our expertise guide you through Canada’s vehicle import restrictions.