Shipping a Car to Toronto from the UK: Complete 2026 Guide

Toronto is the largest city in Canada and the financial heart of Ontario, with a population of over 6.4 million across the Greater Toronto Area. It has one of the largest British and Commonwealth diasporas in North America and a strong demand for European specification vehicles, particularly cold-weather-ready 4x4s, performance saloons and classic British marques. Most UK shipments to Toronto land at the Port of Halifax in Nova Scotia or the Port of Montreal in Quebec, then move overland by rail or transporter to the GTA.

The UK to Toronto corridor benefits from short Atlantic transit times compared with Asia or Australia, and Canadian import rules are more permissive than US rules for older or non-North American specification cars. UK left-hand-drive cars and Canadian-spec right-hand-drive cars over 15 years old can both be imported, although a left-hand drive car will be much easier to insure and resell in Ontario.

For the broader picture see our UK to Canada shipping guide and the master international shipping cost guide.

Canada admits vehicles through Transport Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency. The headline rule is the 15-year rule: any vehicle manufactured at least 15 years before the date of import is admissible regardless of original market specification. Cars under 15 years old must appear on the Transport Canada list of admissible vehicles, which includes most UK and EU-market cars but not all.

Vehicles under 15 years old enter the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) programme. Within 45 days of import they must be modified to meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (typically daytime running lights, metric speedometer, child seat anchors and a French-language compliance label) and presented at a Canadian Tire location for the federal inspection.

Vehicles over 15 years old bypass the RIV programme entirely and only need provincial registration in Ontario. This makes Toronto particularly attractive for British classics like the Land Rover Defender, Range Rover Classic, Jaguar XJ and BMW E30.

The Ship Cars handles all the documentation: Form 1 at the border, RIV registration where required, and the Ontario Ministry of Transportation paperwork to complete provincial plates.

Shared container from Southampton or Liverpool to Halifax (then rail to Toronto)
• Indicative cost: £1,400 to £2,400
• Transit time: 14 to 21 days sea, plus 4 to 7 days rail to Toronto
• The most cost-effective option for road cars and classics

Dedicated 20ft container to Halifax or Montreal
• Indicative cost: £2,600 to £3,800
• Transit time: 14 to 21 days
• Best for high-value cars and shipments with household goods

RORO from Southampton to Halifax
• Indicative cost: £1,200 to £1,900
• Transit time: 12 to 18 days
• Suitable for standard road-going vehicles

Canadian landed cost components on a typical £20,000 used car
• Customs duty: 6.1% (vehicles from the UK), 0% if rules of origin apply under CETA
• GST: 5% on customs value plus duty
• Ontario HST: an additional 8% (combined HST 13%) collected at provincial registration
• RIV fee: CAD 325 plus tax (only for vehicles under 15 years old)
• Federal Air Conditioning Excise: CAD 100
• Onward rail Halifax to Toronto: CAD 800 to 1,400

Use our cost calculator for a tailored estimate.

Toronto-bound shipments are typically cleared at the port of arrival in Halifax or Montreal, then trucked or railed to the GTA.

1. Vehicle Import Form 1 is presented at the border, listing the VIN, value and import pathway.
2. CBSA pays-and-releases the vehicle once duty and federal taxes are cleared.
3. RIV inspection at any Canadian Tire location within 45 days for vehicles under 15 years old.
4. Drive Clean emissions test in Ontario where applicable (most cars under 7 years old are exempt).
5. Safety Standards Certificate from a licensed Ontario mechanic.
6. ServiceOntario registration with proof of insurance, paying the Ontario HST balance and receiving Ontario plates.

The full process from UK collection to Ontario plates usually takes 4 to 8 weeks.

- Confirm admissibility before booking — A car under 15 years old that is not on the Transport Canada admissible list cannot be imported under any circumstance. Always check the VIN with RIV first.
• Check the rules of origin — A UK-manufactured car (Mini, JLR, Bentley, McLaren, Aston Martin) can qualify for 0% preferential duty under the UK-Canada Trade Continuity Agreement if the supplier issues a Statement on Origin.
• Time the shipment for spring — Canadian winter conditions can delay overland transport from Halifax. April to October sailings tend to clear and deliver fastest to Toronto.
• Insure end to end — Atlantic crossings are short but stormy. Use proper marine transit insurance on agreed-value terms.
• Avoid rushed RIV modifications — Daytime running lights and metric speedometer changes done badly will fail inspection. Use a Toronto specialist with RIV experience.

Ready to ship to Toronto? Request a free quote in two minutes or contact our team to discuss admissibility for your specific vehicle.