Exotic Car Shipping To & From Canada

When selecting to ship your exotic car to and from Canada, the first thing to look for is a transport service that understands the difference between “exotic” and “luxury” vehicles. A lot of times, people try to interchange these words, but we know that is not the case.

Requirements of Shipping Across Borders

When you decide that you need to ship your exotic vehicle across national borders, specific criteria and regulations have to be followed. These are not always the same when going from Canada to the United States and vice versa. Understanding the legality of exotic car transportation before shipping can save a lot of time and headaches.

From the United States to Canada

Canada has specific requirements for bringing a United States registered automobile into their country. Your team at Exotic Car Transport will make sure that you have all the information to gather the necessary documentation before the shipment of your exotic car.

Proof of Ownership

Before you can ship an exotic car across the United States and Canada border, you will have to prove that you are the owner. This can be done via the original title or by obtaining a certified copy from the Department of Motor Vehicles. The proof will have to be received by the border crossing no later than 72 hours before the shipment passes through.

Our dispatcher will contact you before the shipment to let you know what border crossing address you will be required to use. You can then send the documentation to the name and address provided.

You will also be required to show your photo identification card and supply a copy for the crossing.

Import Compatibility and Non-Regulated Vehicles

Canada only allows vehicles that meet their regulations and requirements to come into the country. Transport Canada offers up the rules and special forms on their website to cut your customs crossing time down.

To find out if your exotic car is eligible for importation into the country, make sure to check the Transport Canada Import Compatibility List.

Examples of non-regulated vehicles include:

• Any vehicle that is 15 years or older based on their date of manufacture
• Buses that have a manufacture date before January 1, 1971
• Temporary vehicles for visitors, international students, or foreign workers
• Off-road only vehicles-farm tractors, construction equipment, and UTVs (utility terrain vehicles)
• Closed course competition vehicles
• Power-assisted bicycles

Procedures to follow to get these vehicles imported:

• Verify the vehicle falls under the non-regulated status
• Inspect for possible soil contamination
• Make sure you have your ownership documents in order
• Pay taxes and/or duties if they are applicable for the import
• Decide the admissibility according to Canadian customs regulations

Import Forms and Fees

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles requires that Form 1 be filled out for the vehicle. Right now, the current fees for import are:

$310.00 + GST and QST for vehicles entering the country at a crossing in Quebec

$310.00 + GST/HST for vehicles entering the country at a crossing in any other province

Within 45 days of importing an exotic car into Canada, it must be taken to an approved facility for inspection. At this inspection site, the car must be accompanied by the original Form 1 and Form 2. Once inspected, Form 2 will be stamped.

Take the stamped Form 2, original bill of sale, title, the B13 or B15 from customs, and go to the registration office. Then you will pay your fees. This will make you legal in the country of Canada.

You have to keep all documentation regarding the importation for six years.

From Canada to the United States

The United States also has its own set of rules when it comes to importing a car from Canada into the United States.

Vehicle Documentation

Before ever making shipping arrangements, you will be advised that you need to get a letter from the manufacturer of the vehicle. Within this letter, the VIN must be added and match the vehicle you are attempting to bring through customs.

The letter must also state that the vehicle meets all of the requirements that are applicable to U.S. safety and emission standards. Make sure you read the letter very carefully to make sure that it includes all the vital information.

Before you can cross the border and bring your exotic car into the United States, you will need to take all the documents proving ownership to the U.S. Customs building. You will be required to fill out CPB 7501 and possibly other forms.

Customs officials will inspect the vehicle to make sure it matches the paperwork. To reduce the risk of contaminants entering the United States, they require the undercarriage of the car to be free of foreign soil before shipment across the border.

Fees and Registration

The good news, most vehicles that are made in Canada or the United States are not subject to duties. Foreign-made exotic cars are more likely to pay the following:

• Auto- 2.5%
• Trucks- 25%
• Motorcycles- 0% or 2.4%

As a resident of the United States, you can apply your $400 Customs exemption and those of family members accompanying you to the value of the car. After exemptions, 10% on the first $1,000 is charged. For any remaining amount, the tax charged at the regular duty rate.

If the EPA rating for the vehicle is less than 22.5 miles per gallon, an extra gas-guzzler tax may be imposed.

Now that the hard part is done, you can get your vehicle registered in the United States. Make sure that upon entering the United States, the car is legally insured. Take all of your Customs paperwork and documentation to the state Department of Transportation. This is where you will pay the applicable fees and register the vehicle. You will get your plates either the same day or in the mail.

Don’t Sweat the Details of Transport

All of the information on transporting across borders can be overwhelming. You don’t have to worry about doing it alone. Exotic Car Transport handles transporting exotic cars across borders frequently, and we can guide you through the process so that it is not overwhelming.

Let the professionals take care of telling you all the information you need to gather for your exotic transport. Calling Exotic Car Transport for a quote across the border is the best choice for import support that matters.