New Permanent Residents can import their personal US-plated vehicle into Canada duty-free and tax-free during their first landing. However, you must still comply with Transport Canada rules, pay the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) fee of $325 CAD plus applicable taxes, and potentially modify your vehicle to activate Daytime Running Lights (DRL). Your local provincial registry handles the final licence plates.
Relocating to Canada as a new Permanent Resident usually means bringing your trusted vehicle across the border. While the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) offers an incredibly generous tax and duty exemption for new immigrants bringing their personal assets, vehicles are heavily regulated by Transport Canada for safety reasons. Bringing a car into provinces like Alberta, British Columbia, or Ontario means you must navigate the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. This federally mandated system ensures that any vehicle built for the American or foreign market meets strict Canadian safety and emissions standards before it is allowed on the road permanently.
The process of importing a vehicle permanently involves coordinating with both US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for export, and the CBSA for import. 📈 Failure to follow the strict chronological steps can result in your car being turned back at the border or refused provincial registration by agencies like ICBC in BC or ServiceOntario. Because vehicle importation rules intersect with immigration law, many applicants find the paperwork daunting. If you need assistance streamlining your move, searching our directory for a knowledgeable Canadian immigration lawyer or consultant is highly recommended.
Step-by-Step Process in Canada
Importing your vehicle during your PR landing is a multi-agency process. You must clear the vehicle for export out of its current country, legally import it into Canada, pass federal safety inspections, and finally register it locally. Here is exactly how to do it.
Step 1: Check Transport Canada Admissibility
Before you even drive toward the border, you must verify if your vehicle is allowed into Canada. Transport Canada publishes an extensive list of admissible vehicles online. If your car was manufactured for the US market and has no outstanding safety recalls, it is generally admissible. You must obtain a formal “Recall Clearance Letter” from your manufacturer (e.g., Ford, Toyota) proving the car has no pending safety issues. Without this letter, you cannot complete the RIV process.
Step 2: Exporting the Vehicle from the USA
You cannot simply drive into Canada; you must officially export the car from the United States first. 📢 US Customs requires you to submit your vehicle’s title and export documentation through the Automated Export System (AES) at least 72 hours before you cross the border. You must then stop at the US Customs export office at the border to have your original title stamped. If you skip this step, the vehicle remains legally bound to the US, which will cause massive issues if you ever try to sell it.
Step 3: CBSA Import and Form 1
When you cross into Canada to complete your PR landing, declare your vehicle to the CBSA officer alongside your personal goods on form BSF186. Because you are a first-time PR, the CBSA will exempt you from paying GST, HST, and import duties. The officer will then issue you a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1). You must keep this form safe in your glovebox, as it acts as your temporary registration allowing you to drive in Canada for 45 days.
Step 4: Paying the RIV Fee and Receiving Form 2
Once you settle into your new Canadian city, you must submit your Form 1 and your Recall Clearance Letter to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) online. 💳 You will pay the mandatory RIV federal fee. After your payment and documents are processed, RIV will email you the Federal Inspection Form (Form 2). This form outlines exactly what modifications your vehicle needs to be street-legal in Canada.
Step 5: Canadian Modifications and Federal Inspection
Canadian law requires vehicles to have an electronic immobilizer system and active Daytime Running Lights (DRL). If your US vehicle does not have DRL, you must take it to a mechanic to have them hardwired so the headlights turn on automatically when the car is in gear. Next, take your vehicle, Form 1, and Form 2 to an authorized federal inspection centre (commonly Canadian Tire). The technician will verify the modifications, stamp your Form 2, and apply a Canadian compliance label to your door jamb.
Step 6: Provincial Registration and Insurance
The final step is localizing your car. 🏢 Take your stamped Form 2, Form 1, original title, and proof of Canadian auto insurance to your local provincial registry (such as Alberta Registries or ServiceOntario). You may also need a standard provincial safety certificate depending on your province’s rules. Once approved, you will hand over your US plates and receive your new Canadian license plates.
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
While new Permanent Residents are exempt from paying the heavy taxes and duties normally associated with importing a car, federal and provincial administrative fees still apply.
- CBSA Customs Duties & Taxes: $0 CAD (Exempt under PR settler’s effects rules).
- RIV Program Fee: $325 CAD plus applicable provincial taxes (payable online to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles, which administers the program on behalf of Transport Canada).
- Vehicle Modifications (e.g., DRL): Varies widely, usually between $100 and $500 CAD depending on the vehicle’s make and model.
- Federal Inspection at Canadian Tire: Included in the RIV fee (no extra charge).
- Provincial Safety Inspection & Registration: Roughly $150 to $300 CAD depending on your specific province and insurance requirements.
How Long Does the Process Take?
You must give US Customs a minimum of 72 hours notice before exporting the vehicle. Once you cross the border and receive your Form 1 from the CBSA, you have exactly 45 days to complete the RIV process, pass the federal inspection, and register the vehicle provincially. Processing the Recall Clearance Letter and waiting for RIV to email your Form 2 typically takes 3 to 5 business days.
| Safety Feature | US Market Standard | Canadian Transport Canada Standard |
| Daytime Running Lights (DRL) | Often optional or manually controlled. | Mandatory. Must operate automatically when the vehicle is in gear. |
| Electronic Immobilizer | Common on newer vehicles, absent on older ones. | Mandatory. Required to prevent hot-wiring and theft. |
| Speedometer | Primary display in Miles Per Hour (MPH). | Metric standard is Kilometres Per Hour (KPH), but MPH is acceptable if KPH is also visible. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I still have to pay the RIV fee if my car is duty-free?
Yes. The duty-free exemption only applies to CBSA taxes. The RIV fee is a separate administrative charge by Transport Canada to process your vehicle’s safety compliance and federal inspection.
What if my car has an active safety recall?
You will not be able to complete the RIV process or register your car in Canada. You must have a US dealership fix the recall issue and issue a clean Recall Clearance Letter before importing.
Can I import a car I am still financing in the US?
It is very difficult. US Customs usually requires a letter of authorization from the lienholder (the bank) to export the car. Most US banks will not allow a financed car to leave the country permanently. You usually need to pay off the loan first.
Are any vehicles completely exempt from the RIV process?
Yes. Vehicles that are 15 years old or older (based on the month and year of manufacture) are exempt from the RIV program and do not require federal modification inspections, though provincial safety rules still apply.
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