What does it cost to import a car into Canada?
Enter the car you have your eye on and see straight away the duty, GST, excise, RIV and provincial costs Canada will charge — and whether the car is admissible. Amounts in Canadian dollars.
In short
Canada admits cars under 15 years old only if they were built for the US or Canadian market; the rest must wait until they turn 15. Taxes are light — 6.1 % duty (0 % for CUSMA-built cars), 5 % GST at the border and provincial tax at registration — and the RIV programme handles US-spec cars.
- 15 years — rule for foreign-market cars
- 6.1 % / 0 % — duty / CUSMA-built (VIN 1–5)
- 5 % + PST — GST at the border, provincial tax at registration
- CAD 325 — RIV fee for US-spec cars under 15 years
Taxes
Registration & paperwork
Not included: insurance, the green levy (CAD 1,000–4,000 on cars above 13 L/100 km) and winter-spec adaptations.
Registration tax by CO₂ band
| CO₂ g/km | General | Canarias | Increased* |
|---|---|---|---|
| ≤ 120 | 0 % | 0 % | 0 % |
| 121 – 159 | 4,75 % | 3,75 % | 4,75 % |
| 160 – 199 | 9,75 % | 8,75 % | 9,75 % |
| ≥ 200 | 14,75 % | 13,75 % | 15 – 16 % |
* Asturias, Balearic Islands, Catalonia and Valencia: 16 %; Cantabria 15 %; Murcia 15.9 %. Ceuta and Melilla: 0 % in every band.
Hacienda depreciation table (Orden HAC/1501/2025)
| Age | Value | Age | Value |
|---|
Importing a car into Canada
Canada admits cars under 15 years old only if they were built for the US or Canadian market; the rest must wait until they turn 15. Taxes are light — 6.1 % duty (0 % for CUSMA-built cars), 5 % GST at the border and provincial tax at registration — and the RIV programme handles US-spec cars.
Before you buy
- Check admissibility on Transport Canada's list: most US-market cars qualify, European- or Japanese-market cars do not until 15 years old.
- Check the VIN: a car built in the US, Canada or Mexico (VIN starting 1–5) is duty-free; a BMW built in Germany pays 6.1 % even when bought in the US.
- Get the recall clearance letter from the manufacturer before crossing — the RIV needs it.
- US-built cars: confirm whether Canada's 2025 counter-tariffs still apply.
Documents you will need
- US title and bill of sale
- AES/ITN export filing with US CBP, submitted 72 hours before crossing
- Recall clearance letter
- Form 1 (RIV) and the CBSA Vehicle Import Form
- Proof of insurance, ID and provincial residence
- Provincial safety inspection certificate
Step by step
- Confirm admissibility
15+ years: free of RIV and CMVSS. Under 15: US/Canadian-spec only, checked against the RIV admissibility list.
- Export from the US
File the ITN with US customs at least 72 hours ahead and present the title at the border crossing.
- CBSA at the border
Pay duty (unless CUSMA-built), the CAD 100 air-conditioning excise, any luxury tax on a new car above CAD 100,000, and 5 % GST. Pay the RIV fee.
- RIV inspection
Within 45 days: recall clearance, daytime running lights and any required modifications, then the RIV inspection at a Canadian Tire.
- Provincial registration
Safety inspection, provincial tax (PST/HST part), plates and registration in your province.
Traps
- Skipping the 72-hour US export filing means being turned back at the border.
- Provincial tax is charged on the purchase price at registration: Ontario 8 %, Quebec 9.975 %, BC up to 12 % on private sales.
- Chinese-built cars carry a 100 % surtax since October 2024.
Official sources
Run this route in the calculator in Canadian dollars, with duty, GST, excise and your province's tax.
Calculate for Canada →Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to import a car into Canada?
15 years — rule for foreign-market cars
Which taxes do you pay when importing a car into Canada?
Canada admits cars under 15 years old only if they were built for the US or Canadian market; the rest must wait until they turn 15. Taxes are light — 6.1 % duty (0 % for CUSMA-built cars), 5 % GST at the border and provincial tax at registration — and the RIV programme handles US-spec cars.
Which documents do you need to import a car into Canada?
US title and bill of sale; AES/ITN export filing with US CBP, submitted 72 hours before crossing; Recall clearance letter; Form 1 (RIV) and the CBSA Vehicle Import Form; Proof of insurance, ID and provincial residence; Provincial safety inspection certificate.
What are the most common mistakes when importing a car into Canada?
Skipping the 72-hour US export filing means being turned back at the border. Provincial tax is charged on the purchase price at registration: Ontario 8 %, Quebec 9.975 %, BC up to 12 % on private sales. Chinese-built cars carry a 100 % surtax since October 2024.
Other destinations
These guides describe the usual procedure as of September 2026 and are indicative. Rules, fees and deadlines change and vary by region and office; carimportcalculator.com accepts no liability for decisions based on them. Confirm the steps with the authority named in each guide or a licensed agent before you buy.