+81 45-271-7805 admin@washinauto.co.jp
6-100, Aioi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
+81 45-271-7805
admin@washinauto.co.jp
6-100, Aioi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
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Importing Cars to Canada

Complete guide on importing Japanese vehicles directly to Canada

Importing a used Japanese car to Canada with Washin Auto: choose your vehicle, we prepare the export documents and ship it to your port, then you clear customs and register locally. Age limit: Importation of used vehicles with more than 15 years old is restricted in Canada.. Typical shipping time: RoRo (09-14 Days).

Year Restriction

Min. 15 Years Old

Destination Port

Halifax, Vancouver

Time of Shipment

RoRo (09-14 Days)

Vessel Schedule

RoRo (Fortnightly)

Shipping Line

-

Inspection

No Inspection Required

Rules & Regulations

Used Car Import Rules & Regulations in Canada

Left Hand Drive Vehicles

Importation of left-hand drive vehicles is permitted in the Canadian country. Vehicles drive on the right hand side of the road.

Age Restriction

Importation of used vehicles with more than 15 years old is restricted in Canada.

Before Importing Your Vehicle

The first thing you need to do is find out whether the car you’re importing is even importable into Canada. Many cars destined for the US market do not meet Canadian safety standards (especially newer ones), and are therefore not importable at all. Note specifically that the person at the border was quite surprised that my MR2 was acceptable. It seems that many late-model Toyotas do not qualify. Transport Canada has an agreement with a private firm, Livingston International, which is now operating as the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. If you call them and give them the year, make, and model of the vehicle, they will tell you whether the car is legally allowed to be imported into Canada.

Duties & Taxes

Used Cars Import Duties And Taxes in Canada

Import Duty:

Import Duty is only applicable to non-NAFTA vehicles and is calculated at 6.1%. NAFTA cars are vehicles that have been manufactured or have been assembled in Canada, the US or Mexico with a minimum of 55% content. A NAFTA vehicle is exempt of ANY tariffs, duties or taxes when sold in Canada, the US or Mexico.You should call the Border Information Service (BIS) number listed at the end of this section to verify that the vehicle you intend to purchase is in fact duty free.

Goods & Services Tax (GST):

Whenever any vehicle (new or used) is imported into Canada it is subject to a GST tax of 5%. You pay this tax immediately to Canada Customs Agents at the time of bringing the car over the border. (You would also pay this tax on any new vehicle purchased in Canada and any used vehicle purchased at a registered car dealer in Canada)

Provincial Sales Tax (PST):

Once a vehicle is successfully imported, a provincial sales tax is payable at the time of registration in Canada. PST is based on the current tax rate for your respective province or jurisdiction. It should be calculated at the exchange rate prevailing in the hour that you register the car, but in practice many provincial insurance agents use the official Canada Customs receipt to calculate provincial taxation.

Air Conditioning Tax:

If your vehicle has air conditioning, a $100 Air Conditioning tax is also payable. It is paid immediately upon crossing the border.

Excess Weight Tax:

You will have to pay additional excise taxes if your vehicle weighs more than 2,007 kilograms or 4,425 pounds.

Gas Guzzler Tax:

On March 19, 2007 the Canadian Federal government introduced a new excise tax on fuel-inefficient vehicles. This applies to all new vehicles purchased in Canada or imported from the US. Automobiles that have a weighted average fuel consumption rating of 13 or more litres per 100 kilometres will be subject to the excise tax at the following rates:

  • At least 13 but less than 14 litres per 100 kilometres, $1,000;
  • At least 14 but less than 15 litres per 100 kilometres, $2,000;
  • At least 15 but less than 16 litres per 100 kilometres, $3,000;
  • 16 or more litres per 100 kilometres, $4,000.

Other Fees

RIV fee:

In order to process a US vehicle, the Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicles collects a fee of $195.00 + GST in all provinces except Quebec where it is $195.00 + GST and QST immediately when you bring the car over the border. This fee applies to all vehicles imported into Canada.

Provincial Safety & Emissions Inspection Fees:

Most provinces and territories also have their own safety-inspection and emissions programs. For more details, check with the motor vehicle department of your province or territory.

Documentation

Used Cars Import Documentation in Canada

  • Canada Import Regulations: Original Title, Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin or Certificate of Origin (front and back). Should your vehicle not be required to have one of these documents, then you must provide a certificate of No Title.
  • Bill of Sale
  • Copies of the Export Certificate and Invoices
  • Manufacturer’s statement of compliance affixed to the vehicle
  • EPA label affixed to the vehicle
 

Temporary Importing a Vehicle

A vehicle can be imported temporarily to Canada when:

  • Visitors, tourists, and temporary residents enter Canada with their vehicles.
  • Canadian residents return to Canada with a short-term rental of a U.S. vehicle.
  • Canadian companies temporarily import vehicles for some special uses allowed by the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and its regulations.

Importing A Non-Regulated Vehicle

Some vehicles are defined as non-regulated, which makes them exempt from having to comply with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act when they are manufactured or imported.

  • Vehicles have non-regulated status based on their:
  • Design characteristics
  • Circumstances at time of entry into Canada
  • Age of the vehicle

Examples of Non-Regulated Vehicles

  • Vehicles 15 years old or older according to their manufacture date
  • Buses manufactured before January 1, 1971
  • Vehicles brought in temporarily by visitors, foreign students or foreign workers
  • Vehicles designed strictly for off-road use such as farm tractors, construction equipment and utility-terrain vehicles (UTVs)
  • Competition vehicles designed only for closed course competitions, with the necessary labels
  • Power-assisted bicycles, as defined in section 2(1) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations

Import Procedures for Non-Regulated Vehicles

  • Verify the vehicle’s non-regulated status
  • Inspect for possible soil contaminants
  • Examine the ownership documents
  • Collect taxes and/or duties if applicable
  • Decide admissibility according to other Canadian customs regulations that may apply

If the car is acceptable, you will also need the following paperwork

  • US Title to the vehicle
  • Bill of sale/transfer of ownership
  • In addition, you will need a written notice from the manufacturer of the vehicle (NOT just a dealership) stating that any recalls that may be in effect have been performed on the car your planning on importing.

Also note that if the car is newer than the 1990 model year, you will be expected to have the car retrofitted with the equivalent of the Canadian Daytime Running Light system. This procedure can be done after the car is in Canada, but you must have it completed and inspected within 45 days of importation.

Import Consultation Request

Our import specialists can guide you through the entire process and ensure compliance with your country's regulations

Import Process Overview

Understanding the step-by-step process of importing a Japanese vehicle

1

Choose Your Vehicle

Browse our inventory and select the perfect Japanese car for your needs

2

Documentation

We help you prepare all necessary export and import documents

3

Shipping & Logistics

Secure shipping arrangements to your destination port

4

Local Clearance

Customs clearance and registration in your country