Importing a Car into Canada from the UK: Complete Process

Before booking shipping, check your vehicle's admissibility on Transport Canada's list. Vehicles 15 years or older (from date of manufacture) are generally admissible without further compliance work, while newer vehicles must have been originally manufactured to US/Canada federal safety standards or go through a compliance process via the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) programme. Most UK-market cars not sold in North America will not appear on the RIV's admissible list if under 15 years old, making them very difficult or impossible to import — always check before purchasing a car intended for Canadian import.

Vehicles that are admissible must be registered with the RIV programme before crossing the border, with a fee currently around CAD $325 (roughly £190). After entry, the vehicle must pass an RIV inspection within 45 days at an approved Canadian Tire inspection centre, checking items like daytime running lights, tether anchors for child seats, and speedometer units. Failing this inspection means the vehicle cannot be licensed until defects are corrected — budget for potential modification costs beyond the inspection fee itself.

Under the UK-Canada trade arrangements following CETA-equivalent provisions, many UK-origin vehicles benefit from reduced or zero customs duty when proof of UK origin is provided (form indicating the vehicle qualifies under the applicable trade agreement), though this depends on where major components were manufactured. GST (5%) applies federally on the vehicle's value, and provincial sales tax (varying from 0% in Alberta to around 15% HST in some Atlantic provinces) applies on top when the vehicle is registered — a critical variable that changes your total cost significantly depending on which province you're importing into.

You'll need the original UK V5C or equivalent, a bill of sale, the RIV Form 1 (Vehicle Import Form) completed in advance, recall clearance letter from the manufacturer confirming no outstanding safety recalls, and the bill of lading from your shipping company. Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) processes the entry and collects applicable duty/GST at this stage, before the vehicle proceeds to RIV registration.

Once RIV inspection is passed, provincial registration follows — requirements vary by province but generally include a vehicle safety inspection (separate from the RIV check in most provinces), proof of insurance, and payment of provincial registration fees. Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec each have distinct emissions testing regimes for older vehicles that may apply depending on the car's age and the province's specific rules.

Most UK-to-Canada shipments depart from Southampton or Tilbury bound for Halifax on the East Coast, with transit typically 10-16 days. Vancouver-bound shipments on the West Coast usually route via the Panama Canal or transship through European or Asian hubs, extending transit to 4-6 weeks. Container shipping is strongly recommended for the Atlantic winter season given rougher sea conditions.

All-in costs for a straightforward RIV-eligible import — shipping (£1,600-£2,800), RIV fee, inspection and any remedial work, plus GST and provincial tax — commonly total £4,000-£7,000 depending on vehicle value and destination province. Always get a written estimate from your shipping provider covering both freight and destination handling before committing.