Short answer: most people moving to Canada can import a vehicle they already own without paying customs duty, but "duty-free" does not mean "free." Importing a vehicle is more involved than bringing in other personal effects because it touches four separate authorities: the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for customs clearance, Transport Canada for safety and emissions admissibility, the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) for compliance inspection, and your province or territory for the safety inspection, insurance, and registration that let you actually drive it. Two things decide whether the move is smooth or impossible: first, whether your specific make, model, and year is admissible (the 15-year rule and the RIV eligibility list), and second, the stack of fees and taxes that still apply even when duty is zero, the RIV program fee, GST on the vehicle's value, possible excise charges, modification costs, and provincial inspection and registration. This guide walks through each step, what it costs, how long you have, and the vehicles that simply cannot come.
RIV: Registrar of Imported Vehicles
The RIV administers Transport Canada's vehicle import program. Its website at riv.ca lets you check whether a make, model, and year is admissible, lists the required modifications, and explains the inspection process. The RIV program fee is currently $325 plus applicable GST/HST (or GST/QST in Quebec) per vehicle, set in CBSA Customs Notice 20-26. Always confirm the current fee and your vehicle's eligibility on riv.ca before you commit to a move.
Visit riv.caWho Can Import a Vehicle Duty-Free?
Under Customs Tariff item 9807.00.00 (settler's effects), new permanent residents and returning Canadian residents may import a vehicle duty-free if they meet the following conditions published by the CBSA:
- ✓You are establishing or re-establishing residency in Canada (new PR, returning citizen, or qualifying settler)
- ✓The vehicle was owned and registered in your name for at least 6 months before your date of entry into Canada
- ✓The vehicle is declared as a settler's effect (it can be recorded on your BSF186, formerly Form B4, personal effects accounting document); confirm the exact documentary requirement with CBSA
- ✓The vehicle is imported within one year of your first entry into Canada as a settler
- ✓The vehicle is admissible under Transport Canada regulations (see sections below)
Duty exemption vs. other costs: The duty-free exemption applies to customs duties only. Even if your vehicle qualifies for duty-free import under settler's effects, you still must pay 5% GST on the vehicle's value, the RIV program fee, any required modification costs, possible federal excise charges (a $100 air conditioner excise tax and the Green Levy on fuel-inefficient vehicles), provincial inspection fees, and provincial registration fees. What this means for you: budget for the whole stack, not just the duty line, the extras routinely add up to far more than the duty would have been.
Vehicles That CANNOT Be Imported: The 15-Year Rule
Not all vehicles are admissible to Canada. Under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Transport Canada regulations, vehicles manufactured to US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) that are less than 15 years old must be modified to meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) before they can be permanently imported and registered.
Some US-spec vehicles are eligible and have known modification pathways. Others are on Transport Canada's list of ineligible vehicles and cannot be imported at all, regardless of age (until they reach the 15-year exemption). These are typically vehicles where the manufacturer has confirmed that modifications to meet Canadian standards are not feasible.
15+ Year Old Vehicles
Vehicles that are 15 or more years old are generally exempt from the RIV program and CMVSS modification requirements. They still must pass provincial safety inspection before registration. Transport Canada generally calculates the 15-year age from the month and year of manufacture, not the model year alone, so confirm the build date on the manufacturer label and verify on riv.ca.
Under-15-Year US-Spec Vehicles
Must go through the RIV program. Some are straightforward (minor modifications). Others are on the ineligible list. Check riv.ca to see if your vehicle make, model, and year is eligible before attempting to import it.
Ineligible Vehicles (Under 15 Years)
These cannot be permanently imported to Canada regardless of settler status. If you attempt to bring an ineligible vehicle across the border, it may be turned back or detained. Always verify eligibility at riv.ca before your move.
The RIV Process: Step by Step
The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) is a Transport Canada-authorized program that manages the inspection and certification of imported vehicles. For US-spec vehicles under 15 years old, here is how the process works:
- 1CBSA Customs Clearance: Present your vehicle, US title, registration, bill of sale (or proof of ownership), and your settler's effects documentation (such as a BSF186) at the port of entry. CBSA prepares the casual declaration, assesses duty (or confirms duty-free status), and issues a Form 1 (RIV inspection form) for eligible vehicles. Verify the current documentary requirements with CBSA before crossing.
- 2Pay the RIV Fee: The current RIV program fee is $325 CAD plus applicable GST/HST (or GST/QST in Quebec) per vehicle, as set in CBSA Customs Notice 20-26. You pay it to the RIV directly (online at riv.ca or at the point of registration). It covers administration of your vehicle's inspection and compliance pathway. Verify the amount on riv.ca, as program fees are periodically adjusted.
- 3Obtain a Recall Clearance Letter: You must obtain a letter from the vehicle's manufacturer confirming there are no outstanding safety recalls affecting your VIN, or that all applicable recalls have been completed. Contact the manufacturer's Canadian customer service department. This is a Transport Canada requirement.
- 4Make Required Modifications: For eligible under-15-year vehicles, Transport Canada (through the RIV) publishes the required modifications for each make, model, and year. These are vehicle-specific and can include items such as daytime running lights (if not already present) and bilingual or metric safety labelling. Check the exact list for your vehicle on riv.ca; a certified shop typically performs the work.
- 5RIV Inspection: Within 45 days of CBSA clearance (or within the timeframe specified on your Form 1), bring your vehicle to an RIV-authorized inspection facility. The inspector verifies all required modifications are complete and issues a Pass/Fail result. If you fail, you can have modifications corrected and re-inspected.
- 6Provincial Safety Inspection and Registration: After passing the RIV inspection, you must complete a provincial safety inspection (required by every province) and then register the vehicle in your province. Requirements, fees, and inspection standards vary by province.
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When you bring your vehicle to a Canadian port of entry, have the following documents ready:
Vehicle Title
The original US title (or equivalent ownership document for other countries) in your name. If the vehicle is financed, you may need a letter from the lender permitting export.
Current Registration
Valid vehicle registration in your name from the country of origin.
BSF186 (Form B4)
Your personal effects declaration listing the vehicle, completed and signed at your first entry as a settler.
Proof of 6-Month Ownership
Documents showing you have owned the vehicle for at least 6 months (purchase receipts, dated title, insurance records showing continuous ownership).
Customs Accounting
CBSA accounts for the import at the border. For settlers claiming duty-free status, the vehicle is recorded as part of your personal effects (such as on a BSF186) and CBSA prepares the casual declaration; you generally do not file a commercial accounting form yourself. Verify current requirements with CBSA.
Recall Clearance Letter
Manufacturer confirmation that all applicable safety recalls on your VIN are complete or do not apply to your vehicle.
Costs Breakdown: Vehicle Import to Canada
The total cost of importing a vehicle to Canada goes well beyond the RIV fee. Here is an overview of the cost categories to expect (amounts in CAD, approximate, verify current fees with the relevant authority):
Duty-free if you qualify under Customs Tariff 9807; otherwise the MFN rate for passenger autos is generally 6.1%, verify your case with CBSA
Even duty-free vehicles are subject to 5% GST based on market value (plus provincial sales tax at registration in many provinces)
Plus applicable GST/HST (GST/QST in Quebec); paid to the RIV. Source: CBSA Customs Notice 20-26
Federal excise tax if the vehicle has air conditioning (CBSA Memorandum D19-12-1)
Applies only to fuel-inefficient vehicles rated 13 L/100km or more (in service after March 19, 2007); most cars are exempt. Verify with CBSA
Vehicle-specific; can range from about $100 for label replacements to $1,000+ for items such as daytime running lights. Check riv.ca for your vehicle
The clearance letter is usually free; any outstanding recall repairs are typically done free at a dealer
Varies by inspection facility and province
Varies by province and vehicle type
Varies significantly by province
Varies enormously by province, driver record, and vehicle type
Electric Vehicles: Special Considerations
Electric vehicles (EVs) follow the same general import process as conventional vehicles, but have some additional considerations:
- ✓The same 15-year rule and RIV eligibility requirements apply to EVs
- ✓Some US-spec EV models (e.g., certain Tesla configurations) are pre-approved for Canadian import through the RIV program with known modification lists
- ✓Federal EV purchase incentives do not apply to imported used EVs. The older iZEV program (up to $5,000) was paused in January 2025 and closed; a new federal EV Affordability Program (up to $5,000 for battery EVs, $2,500 for plug-in hybrids) opened in February 2026 but covers only new vehicles purchased in Canada from free-trade-agreement countries, not vehicles you import yourself. Verify current eligibility at tc.canada.ca
- ✓Charging infrastructure compatibility: US EVs use the same SAE J1772 (Level 2) and CCS1 (DC fast charge) standards as Canada, so charging compatibility is generally not an issue
- ✓Provincial EV incentives may or may not apply to imported EVs, check your province's rules
Frequently Asked Questions
I have owned my car for 4 months. Can I still import it when I move to Canada?+
Not duty-free under settler's effects, that exemption generally requires the vehicle to have been owned and registered in your name for at least 6 months before your entry. You could still import the vehicle, but customs duty may apply on its value: the Most-Favoured-Nation rate for passenger automobiles is generally 6.1%, while US- or Mexico-origin vehicles meeting CUSMA rules of origin may qualify for duty-free treatment. Duty rules and trade-measure surtaxes change, so confirm your specific situation with the CBSA. The RIV process, Transport Canada admissibility, GST, and provincial registration still apply regardless of duty status.
How long do I have to complete the RIV inspection after crossing the border?+
The RIV program Form 1 issued by CBSA at import specifies the deadline. For most vehicles, you have 45 days from the date of CBSA clearance to present the vehicle to an RIV-authorized inspection facility with all required modifications completed. If you miss this deadline, you may face penalties or be required to export the vehicle.
My car has an outstanding US recall. Can I still import it?+
You need a recall clearance letter from the manufacturer confirming either that the recall does not apply to your VIN, or that the recall work has been completed. If there is an outstanding recall, you should have the recall work completed (free of charge at a dealer) before attempting to import. Transport Canada requires this clearance as part of the RIV process.
Do I need auto insurance before I can drive my imported vehicle in Canada?+
Yes. You must have valid Canadian auto insurance before driving your vehicle on Canadian roads. Your US auto insurance policy does not provide coverage in Canada (though some US policies may offer short-term visitor coverage, check with your insurer). Obtain Canadian insurance from a provincial insurer before driving after import.
Can I import a motorcycle or RV the same way?+
Yes. The same general process: CBSA customs clearance, Transport Canada admissibility, RIV program (for under-15-year vehicles), and provincial inspection/registration, applies to motorcycles, motor homes, and other motor vehicles. Some vehicle categories have specific Transport Canada requirements. Check riv.ca for your vehicle type.
How is the 15-year age calculated, and does my 2010 model-year car qualify in 2026?+
Transport Canada calculates the 15-year exemption from the month and year of manufacture, not the model year alone, and a vehicle becomes exempt only once it is 15 full years old. As a rule of thumb, a vehicle manufactured 15 or more years before the date you import it is generally exempt from the RIV program and CMVSS modification requirements, though it must still pass a provincial safety inspection. A 2010 vehicle would typically reach the 15-year mark in 2025, so in 2026 it would usually qualify, but confirm the exact build date on the manufacturer label and verify on riv.ca, because importing even one month early means going through the full RIV process.
Do I pay GST and other taxes even if my vehicle is duty-free as settler's effects?+
Yes. The settler's effects exemption removes customs duty, but it does not remove tax. You generally still pay 5% GST on the vehicle's value at import, and depending on the vehicle you may owe a $100 air conditioner excise tax and the Green Levy (an excise tax of roughly $1,000 to $4,000 that applies only to fuel-inefficient vehicles rated 13 L/100km or more). A federal Luxury Tax can also apply to vehicles priced above $100,000. When you register in your province, provincial sales tax may apply as well. These are set by the CBSA and Canada Revenue Agency, so verify amounts for your specific vehicle.
Can I import a vehicle if I am on a work or study permit, not a permanent resident?+
Often yes, but usually as a temporary importation rather than under the duty-free settler's effects tariff. Temporary residents (for example, work or study permit holders) can generally bring a vehicle for the duration of their authorized stay under a temporary importation provision, with the expectation that the vehicle leaves when their status ends; it typically is not registered permanently and may not need the full RIV process while it stays temporary. If you later become a permanent resident or want to keep and register the vehicle, different rules and the RIV process apply. Because temporary-import rules are nuanced, confirm your eligibility and conditions with the CBSA before crossing.
Important: Vehicle import rules are governed by the Customs Act, Customs Tariff, and Motor Vehicle Safety Act. RIV fees, modification requirements, eligible-vehicle lists, duty rates, and trade-measure surtaxes change, verify with riv.ca and cbsa-asfc.gc.ca before importing. Not legal advice.
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