Proposal to clarify importation of U.S. vehicles
Concerning the 2008 year models
Transport Canada checklist for importers of U.S. cars

Canada Border Services Agencies information seminars for importing a vehicle into Canada

News Alerts
Inspection Forms no longer released without Recall Clearance
Important notice for Alberta residents
Important notice for British Columbia residents
Important notice for Manitoba residents
New: immobilizers required for Manitoba

In order to ensure vehicles manufactured for the United States market meet Canadian standards, there are several steps to follow. This web site explains what you must do.

What to do before you import
What to do at the border
What to do after the vehicle enters Canada
Registrar of Imported Vehicle fees
Numbers you'll need
On-line payment
Frequently asked questions

What to do
before you import

• Make sure your vehicle is admissible and can be modified to meet Canadian requirements by checking Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles program regulates only vehicles originally manufactured for the U.S. market. Vehicles originally manufactured to standards other than the U.S. or Canada, are inadmissible into Canada under the current laws. The program regulates passenger cars, trucks, vans, jeeps, chassis cabs, trailers, motorcycles, off-road vehicles and snowmobiles less than 15 years old and buses manufactured after January 1, 1971.
  For information on the importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States, go to Transport Canada's web site as well as Canada Border Services Agency'sweb site.
• Check the list on this web site for typical modification requirements, or you can contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1-888-848-8240.
• Contact the original equipment manufacturer or authorized dealer of your vehicle to obtain a recall clearance
letter. You must have this document in order to pass the federal inspection.
• Obtain information from the manufacturer or authorized dealer on costs and availability of parts for the required modifications. Some manufacturers require an authorized dealer perform the modifications. Remember that the costs of the modifications are your responsibility.
• Determine additional costs, such as duty and taxes. Canada Border Services Agency, responsible for assessing and collecting duties and taxes, can be reached at 1-800-461-9999 (in Canada) or (506) 636-5064 (outside Canada).
• Make sure you have the required documentation: title documents, registration, sales receipts, statement of compliance label and manufacturer's recall clearance letter.
• Find out about any additional provincial or territorial requirements, such as safety inspections and emissions tests.
• Arrange for insurance on your vehicle.
• U.S. Customs
requires notification of all self-propelled vehicles being permanently exported from the United States. Their regulations state that at land border points:
1. The required documentation must be submitted to U.S. Customs at least 72 hours prior to export; and
2. The vehicle must be presented to U.S. Customs at the time of export.
U.S. Customs recommends that you contact the port of crossing directly to determine exact documentation requirements and hours of operation.
• If you are importing a trailer, you may call RIV to have your Vehicle Identification Number verified ahead of time.

• Produce your title documents, registration and sales receipts.
• Complete Vehicle Import Form – Form 1, which Canada Border Services Agency will provide. This requires a Canadian mailing address. This form must be kept in the vehicle until it is licensed.
• Canada Border Services Agency will check your vehicle against Transport Canada's List of Vehicles Admissible from the United States. They will also verify the public VIN and manufacturer's statement of compliance label on the vehicle to make sure they match.
• Canada Border Services Agency will collect your nonrefundable Registrar of Imported Vehicles' fee of $195.00 + GST in all provinces except Quebec where it is $195.00 + GST and QST.
• Payment for the RIV fee may be made directly to Canada Border Services Agency with any major credit card. Canada Border Services Agency does not accept cash or cheques for the RIV fee. If you wish to pay by cheque or money order, Canada Border Services Agency will provide you with a payment envelope which must be mailed to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles. Please note that all personal cheques will be held for ten business days in order to allow them to clear the bank. This will use up a portion of your 45 day time limit.
• Remember that payment of fees and receipt of the Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 does not warrant that your vehicle is capable of being brought into conformity with all applicable federal and provincial or territorial laws.
• The Registrar of Imported Vehicles will not issue a federal inspection form or any specific modification information for a vehicle with an unpaid file. It is important that you do not proceed with any modifications on your vehicle until you receive this federal inspection form. If the file remains unpaid for 14 days after importation, we will send the importer a reminder of notice; if payment still has not been received within the proscribed 45 days after the date of importation, the file will be forwarded to Transport Canada for enforcement. The compliance status of every vehicle entering Canada through the RIV system is shared with all provincial and territorial licensing jurisdictions. Non compliance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act may result in a refusal to license, or a revocation of an existing registration..

What to do
after the vehicle enters Canada

• After payment and the recall clearance documentation have been received by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles an Inspection Form will be mailed which details what must be done to bring your vehicle into compliance.
• It is your responsibility to complete the necessary modifications within 45 days. You may have the modifications done by the mechanic or garage of your choice. However, we recommend that you contact the Original Equipment Manufacturer to discuss appropriate parts or warranty issues. Make sure you keep receipts for parts and labour, to present at the inspection, along with Form 1, Form 2 and the recall clearance letter.
• The RIV has contracted with Canadian Tire, with 430 locations across Canada, to perform our federal inspections. In many cases, Canadian Tire can perform certain modification work, as well as performing the provincial inspection.
• When you pass the inspection, the inspection centre will stamp your Form 1, that you will have to present to the provincial or territorial licensing authority, which may require additional testing.
• Within approximately one week of passing the federal inspection, we will send you a new Canadian Certification label with instructions on where to affix it to your vehicle.
• If the vehicle fails the inspection, you'll have to pay additional charges for another inspection. If the vehicle cannot pass the inspection within the 45 days, it will have to be exported back to the United States.
• If you are having trouble meeting the 45-day deadline or other questions, we may be able to help. Contact us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or 1-888-848-8240.

Registrar
of Imported Vehicle fees

• Vehicles entering the RIV program with a form 1
$195.00 + GST and QST for vehicles entering through a port in Quebec
$195.00 + GST for vehicles entering through a port in any other province

• Vehicles entering the RIV program with a form 3 (parts)
$70.00 + GST and QST for vehicles entering through a port in Quebec
$70.00 + GST for vehicles entering through a port in any other province

• Reactivation fees for suspended files
  $56.98 for residents of Quebec
  $53.00 for residents of any other province

  The methods of payment have not changed. There are still 4 ways to pay:

  1. On-line payment (Visa or Master Card)
  2. Cheque or Money Order to be mailed along with your form to:
     REGISTRAR OF IMPORTED VEHICLES
     405 THE WEST MALL
     TORONTO ON M9C 5K7
     (Please note that personal cheques are placed on a 10 day bank hold)
  3. Debit Card for importers that visit the RIV office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST)
  4. Cash for importers that visit the RIV office between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (EST)

Hours of service
Mon. to Fri.: 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight (EST)
Sat. and Sun.: 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (EST)

Transport Canada
In Canada: 1-800-333-0371
Outside Canada: (613) 998-8616
Fax: (613) 998-4831
www.tc.gc.ca