Car Shipping from the UK to Canada — Halifax | RORO & Container

Quick Answer: Ship Cars Ltd ships vehicles from the UK to Canada via RoRo to Halifax and container to Saint John, with fortnightly sailings and a sea transit of approximately 6–7 days. RoRo shipping starts from £1,166 for a standard car. Vehicles under 25 years old must comply with the Canadian RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) programme. Classic cars 25 years old or older are RIV-exempt. Ship Cars Ltd manages all UK export documentation.

What Shipping Methods Are Available for Car Shipping to Canada?

Ship Cars Ltd offers two shipping methods for vehicles travelling from the UK to Canada, with the right choice depending on your vehicle type, budget, and destination province.

What Is RoRo Shipping to Canada and How Does It Work?

RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) is the most cost-effective method for shipping a standard running vehicle from the UK to Canada. Your car is driven directly onto a specialist car carrier vessel at the UK departure port and driven off on arrival at Halifax, Nova Scotia. RoRo sailings operate on a fortnightly schedule with a sea transit of approximately 6–7 days.

RoRo shipping to Canada starts from £1,166 for a standard small car. This price covers UK port to Halifax sea freight. UK collection, Canadian customs clearance, RIV fees, duty, and taxes are additional.

What Is Container Shipping to Canada and When Should I Use It?

Container shipping involves loading your vehicle into a dedicated shipping container, which is then transported by vessel from the UK to Saint John, New Brunswick. Container shipping is recommended for:

• High-value, luxury, or classic vehicles requiring maximum protection

• Electric vehicles (EVs) and plug-in hybrids — EV shipments to Canada must use dedicated container (FCL); they are not permitted on RoRo services due to maritime battery safety regulations

• Non-running vehicles

For full details on how dedicated container shipping works 

Can I Ship an Electric or Hybrid Vehicle to Canada?

Electric vehicles can be shipped to Canada by dedicated container (FCL) only — they are not permitted on RoRo services under maritime battery safety regulations. The following conditions apply:

• A hazard surcharge of approximately £295 applies for EV shipments

• The battery must be at 40–50% or below state of charge at the point of loading

• EVs under 25 years old still require RIV compliance — your Canadian customs broker and an RIV-approved inspection centre will assess your specific EV model’s compliance requirements

Standard hybrid (non-plug-in) vehicles are accepted on RoRo without restriction and do not attract the EV hazard surcharge.

How Does Ship Cars Ltd Handle Your Shipment?

Once your booking is confirmed, Ship Cars Ltd manages the complete UK-side process:

• Collection: We collect your vehicle by transporter or trade plate driver, or you can deliver it to our facility

• Pre-shipment condition report: Provided free of charge when we collect your vehicle (£35 if self-delivered) — mandatory for comprehensive insurance cover

• UK export documentation: We handle the full export declaration and paperwork on your behalf

• Bill of lading: Issued before your vehicle sails, giving you full shipment reference details

On the Canadian side, we strongly recommend appointing a licensed Canadian customs broker to manage RIV compliance, CBSA customs declaration, and provincial tax payment.

What Is the RIV Programme and Does My Car Need to Comply?

The RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) programme is Canada’s mandatory compliance process for imported vehicles. It ensures that vehicles imported into Canada meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) emissions requirements.

Which Vehicles Must Go Through RIV?

All imported vehicles under 25 years old must be inspected and, where necessary, modified to comply with CMVSS and CEPA standards. The RIV process involves:

1. Presenting your vehicle at an RIV-authorised inspection centre in Canada after arrival

2. A physical inspection to confirm compliance with Canadian safety and emissions standards

3. Payment of the RIV fee (currently CAD $295 plus applicable provincial taxes)

4. Issuance of an RIV inspection certificate

Some vehicles may require pre-approval from Transport Canada before import. Check the RIV website (www.riv.ca) for your specific vehicle category.

What Is the 25-Year Rule for Importing Cars to Canada?

Vehicles 25 years old or older are fully exempt from RIV inspection and CMVSS compliance requirements. They are classified as vintage or antique vehicles and can be imported into Canada without modification. A customs declaration confirming age exemption is submitted to the CBSA on arrival.

This exemption makes Canada one of the most attractive destinations for UK classic car owners — no compliance modifications, no RIV inspection, and no RIV fee.

What Is the 15-Year Rule for Importing Cars to Canada?

Vehicles 15 years old or older are no longer subject to certain CBSA import restrictions that apply to newer vehicles and may qualify for simplified admissibility under specific categories. However, they are still subject to RIV if they are under 25 years old, and provincial safety inspections still apply after arrival.

Important: Age-based exemptions are subject to interpretation and annual review by the CBSA. Always verify your specific vehicle’s eligibility with a licensed Canadian customs broker before booking your shipment.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car from the UK to Canada?

What Are the Sea Freight Prices for UK to Canada?

The table below shows indicative sea freight prices for RoRo shipping from the UK to Halifax. Prices cover UK port to Canadian port sea freight only. For container shipping to Saint John or West Coast Canada (Vancouver), contact Ship Cars Ltd directly for a current quote.

Prices are indicative and subject to change. Contact Ship Cars Ltd for a precise, up-to-the-minute quote based on your vehicle and travel dates.

What Additional Costs Should I Budget for When Importing a Car to Canada?

The total cost of shipping a car from the UK to Canada includes several components beyond the sea freight price:

• UK collection or port delivery — transporter or trade plate driver service from your UK address

• UK export documentation fees — processing of export declaration and paperwork

• Marine insurance — strongly recommended (see insurance section below)

• Canadian customs duty — rate depends on vehicle origin and current UK-Canada trade position (see duty section below)

• GST (5% federal) — applied on customs value plus duty

• Provincial Sales Tax — varies by province (see below)

• RIV fees — CAD $295 plus applicable taxes for vehicles under 25 years old

• Canadian customs brokerage fees — for managing CBSA declaration and RIV process

• Canadian port handling fees — terminal handling and customs processing charges at Halifax or Saint John

• Potential modification costs — if your vehicle requires modification to meet CMVSS or CEPA standards

What Import Duty and Tax Will I Pay When Shipping a Car to Canada?

How Much Is the Federal Customs Duty on a Car Imported into Canada?

The federal customs duty rate for passenger vehicles imported into Canada is typically 6.1% of the customs value. However, the rate applicable to your vehicle depends on its country of origin:

• EU-origin vehicles may benefit from reduced duty rates under the CETA (Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) between Canada and the EU

• UK-origin vehicles post-Brexit are no longer covered by CETA — the applicable duty rate for UK-origin vehicles should be verified with your Canadian customs broker before importing, as the UK-Canada trade position may have changed

Always verify the current tariff code and duty rate applicable to your specific vehicle with a licensed CBSA customs broker before committing to a shipment.

How Much Is GST and Provincial Sales Tax When Importing a Car?

In addition to federal customs duty, the following taxes apply:

• GST (Goods and Services Tax): 5% federal tax applied on the customs value plus duty — applies in all provinces

Provincial Sales Tax varies by destination province:

Alberta is one of the most cost-effective provinces for vehicle importation, as it has no provincial sales tax — GST (5%) is the only sales tax payable.

Tax rates are subject to change. Confirm current rates with a Canadian customs broker at the time of import.

Which Canadian Ports Does Ship Cars Ltd Ship To?

What Ports Are Available for Car Shipping to Canada?

Ship Cars Ltd ships to the following Canadian ports:

Halifax, Nova Scotia (East Coast) Halifax is the primary RoRo port for UK-to-Canada vehicle shipments. It serves customers moving to Ontario, Quebec, and the Maritime provinces and benefits from the shortest sea transit of any Canadian port from the UK — approximately 6–7 days with fortnightly sailings.

Saint John, New Brunswick (East Coast) Saint John is used primarily for container shipping and serves as an alternative East Coast arrival point. Transit time is similar to Halifax.

Vancouver, British Columbia (West Coast) For customers relocating to British Columbia, Alberta, or other western Canadian provinces, Ship Cars Ltd can arrange container shipping to the Port of Vancouver. Transit from the UK to Vancouver is significantly longer — typically 25–35 days via the Panama Canal or 30–40 days via Suez routing. Contact our team for current West Coast Canada pricing and scheduling, as services and routes vary by vessel availability.

Other ports may be available depending on specific routes and vessel schedules — contact Ship Cars Ltd to enquire about alternatives.

What Documents Do I Need to Ship a Car from the UK to Canada?

What UK Export Documents Are Required?

Ship Cars Ltd manages the UK export documentation process on your behalf. The standard UK documents required are:

• Original V5C logbook — do not leave in the vehicle

• Passport copy — proof of identity

• Proof of address — utility bill or bank statement

• Purchase invoice — showing the vehicle’s value

• Completed Ship Cars Ltd booking form

What Canadian Import Documents Are Required at Halifax or Saint John?

The following documents are required for customs clearance in Canada. A licensed Canadian customs broker is strongly recommended to manage this process:

• Bill of Lading (BOL) — original or electronic, issued by the shipping line

• Customs Declaration Form (BSF179) — completed for submission to the CBSA

• Proof of ownership — original V5C and Bill of Sale

• Bill of Sale — detailing the purchase price of the vehicle

• Shipping invoice — detailing vehicle and shipping costs

• RIV Release Form — proof of RIV compliance or age-based exemption

• Personal declaration — if claiming personal effects or a personal exemption

• Import duty and tax payment receipts — proof of payment to the CBSA

• Proof of identity — for the importer

• Vehicle condition report — from the UK pre-shipment inspection

What Are the Key Canadian Regulations and Authorities for Vehicle Imports?

Canada has stringent import regulations to ensure vehicles meet safety and environmental standards. The two key authorities are:

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) The CBSA is the primary authority responsible for customs, border security, and the admissibility of all imported goods including vehicles.

• Importing a Vehicle into Canada — CBSA

Transport Canada Transport Canada oversees vehicle safety and emissions standards and administers the Motor Vehicle Safety Act (MVSA).

• Motor Vehicle Safety Act — Transport Canada

RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) Manages the mandatory compliance inspection programme for imported vehicles under 25 years old.

• www.riv.ca

What Insurance Is Available for Car Shipping from the UK to Canada?

Marine insurance is strongly recommended for all UK-to-Canada shipments. Ship Cars Ltd offers two levels of cover:

Eligibility for Comprehensive Cover:

• Vehicle must be under 10 years old
• A pre-shipment condition report is mandatory — provided free of charge when Ship Cars Ltd collects your vehicle, or at a fee of £35 if you deliver the vehicle to us

Vehicles shipped without marine insurance travel entirely at the owner’s risk.

Frequently Asked Questions — Car Shipping from the UK to Canada

How much does it cost to ship a car from the UK to Canada?

RoRo shipping from the UK to Halifax starts from £1,166 for a standard small car. This price covers UK port to Canadian port sea freight only. Canadian customs duty, GST/HST, provincial sales tax, RIV fees (CAD $295 + tax for vehicles under 25 years old), and customs broker fees are all additional costs payable in Canada. Contact Ship Cars Ltd for a comprehensive, all-inclusive estimate.

How long does it take to ship a car from the UK to Canada?

Sea transit from the UK to Halifax takes approximately 6–7 days via RoRo, with fortnightly sailings. Container shipping to Saint John takes a similar sea transit. Including UK collection, port-in processing, RIV inspection, and Canadian customs clearance, allow 4–6 weeks total from booking to having your vehicle available in Canada. West Coast Canada (Vancouver) takes significantly longer — 25–40 days sea transit depending on routing.

What is the RIV programme and does my car need to comply?

The RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) programme ensures imported vehicles meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) and CEPA emissions requirements. Vehicles under 25 years old must go through RIV inspection at an approved Canadian inspection centre after arrival. The current RIV fee is CAD $295 plus applicable taxes. Vehicles 25 years old or older are fully exempt from RIV.

Can I ship a classic car to Canada from the UK?

Yes — vehicles 25 years old or older are exempt from RIV inspection and CMVSS compliance requirements, making Canada an excellent destination for UK classic cars. Vehicles 15 years old or older may also benefit from simplified CBSA admissibility under certain categories. Confirm your specific vehicle’s eligibility with a Canadian customs broker before booking.

Which Canadian ports does Ship Cars Ltd ship to?

Ship Cars Ltd primarily ships to Halifax, Nova Scotia via RoRo (fortnightly, 6–7 days transit) and Saint John, New Brunswick via container. West Coast Canada (Vancouver) can be arranged on request for customers relocating to British Columbia or Alberta — contact our team for current pricing and transit times via Panama Canal or Suez routing.

What documents do I need to ship a car from the UK to Canada?

UK export documents: original V5C logbook, passport copy, proof of address, purchase invoice, and Ship Cars Ltd booking form. Ship Cars Ltd manages the UK export declaration on your behalf. Canadian destination documents include: Bill of Lading, Customs Declaration (Form BSF179), V5C, Bill of Sale, RIV Release Form, and duty/tax payment receipts. A licensed Canadian customs broker is strongly recommended to manage the RIV process and CBSA customs declaration.

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