Canada Car Import Guide: Shipping a Vehicle from the UK

Importing a car from the UK to Canada is governed primarily by Transport Canada's vehicle safety standards, and the process differs depending on whether your vehicle is left-hand or right-hand drive, its age, and whether it complies with Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). Vehicles that are 15 years or older are generally exempt from CMVSS compliance requirements, which makes classic and older cars considerably easier to import than modern ones.

For newer vehicles, unless the model was also sold new in Canada with matching specifications, importing can be complex and sometimes uneconomical due to the modifications needed to meet local safety and emissions standards. It is essential to check Transport Canada's list of admissible vehicles before committing to shipping a recent-model car.

The Ship Cars typically routes UK-to-Canada shipments via RORO or container from Southampton to ports including Halifax on the east coast, with onward options for vehicles destined for Ontario, Quebec, or further inland. Transit times average four to six weeks depending on the sailing schedule and whether the vehicle needs additional inland transport after arrival.

Container shipping is often preferred for classic cars, non-runners, or when personal belongings need to travel with the vehicle, while RORO remains the more cost-effective choice for standard runners heading to well-served ports. We recommend booking at least three to four weeks ahead of your intended departure to secure space, particularly during busier shipping periods in spring and early autumn.

Most vehicles under 15 years old must go through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles programme, which verifies that the car meets Canadian safety standards or can be modified to do so. This involves submitting an RIV form, paying the associated fee, and having the vehicle inspected at a participating Canadian Tire location or approved inspection centre within 45 days of import.

Common modifications required for UK cars include daytime running lights, metric speedometers or conversion stickers, and child seat tether anchors. Some vehicles simply cannot be brought into compliance economically, so it is worth checking the RIV's vehicle admissibility list before shipping to avoid an expensive and ultimately unsuccessful import attempt.

Vehicles manufactured in the UK or EU are generally subject to a 6.1% duty under Canada's most-favoured-nation tariff rate, though vehicles manufactured in certain countries with trade agreements may qualify for reduced or zero duty. In addition to duty, GST (and provincial sales tax or HST depending on the destination province) is charged on the vehicle's value.

At the Canadian border or port of entry, you will need the original title or V5C, a bill of sale, and a completed Vehicle Import Form 1 (Form 1) presented to the Canada Border Services Agency. It is advisable to notify the CBSA in advance of a vehicle import, particularly for vehicles arriving by sea rather than driven across a land border.

Once RIV compliance is complete and duties are paid, the final step is registering the vehicle with the relevant provincial authority, such as Service Ontario, SAAQ in Quebec, or ICBC in British Columbia. Requirements vary by province but generally include a safety inspection, emissions test where applicable, and proof of insurance before plates are issued.

Insurance in Canada is province-specific and can take time to arrange for an imported vehicle with no Canadian claims history, so it is worth starting conversations with insurers well before your car arrives to avoid delays once it clears customs.

Because the RIV process, duty calculations, and provincial rules all interact, importing a car into Canada is one of the more paperwork-intensive shipments we handle. The Ship Cars works with experienced customs brokers on the Canadian side and can help you check admissibility before you commit to shipping, so you are not caught out by a vehicle that cannot be brought into compliance.

We recommend getting a full breakdown of freight, duty, RIV fees, and any anticipated modification costs before booking, so the total landed cost of your import is clear from the outset.