Introduction
The process may seem complicated if you are reading this article and considering importing a car from the UK to Canada. However, as with any transition, it is important to research and plan for it. This guide contains information on all the procedures that need to be followed to import a car from the UK to Canada.
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Check Eligibility for Import
The vehicle must be safe for the people of Canada and meet Canadian emissions standards. The two main regulatory bodies you need to be aware of are:
Transport Canada: Responsible for the regulation of vehicle safety.
To determine whether your vehicle meets Canada’s standards, check it on the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) site or ask the manufacturer.
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Verify Vehicle Compliance
If your chosen car is older than 15 years, importing it might be easier because certain standards do not apply to some of the units. However, if your car is newer, it must meet specific federal and provincial regulations, including those for:
- Crashworthiness
- Emissions
- Lamps, tires, and seatbelts
Ensure the vehicle complies with these features before buying it. You should record this well. You can make changes to suit Canadian standards if necessary.
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Shipping the Car
But once you have been cleared on the eligibility for importation, the next thing is to Import a car from the UK to Canada. There are two main methods for shipping:
Roll-on, Roll-off (RoRo): This is another cheap technique in which the car is driven onto a ship and taken to Canada.
Container Shipping: Safer and costlier than roll-on roll-off; this entails loading the car in a container.
You will have to decide on a shipping company that imports cars internationally. The company must offer insurance for the vehicle during the shipment.
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Get ready for Customs and Duties
When the car is brought to Canada, you must take it through customs. Tariffs, customs duties, and taxes will be ad valorem, depending on the car’s value. The major costs include:
You must apply Goods and Services Tax (GST) according to the car’s value.
Import Duties: These may differ, but they may be based on the location and category of the car.
Additionally, you must provide required documentation to Canadian customs, including:
- Registration of ownership ( A Bill of Sale)
- Identification (Passport or Driver’s License)
You must have bought the vehicle’s title deeds and registration certificates from the United Kingdom.
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Modifications and Inspections
After the car has passed through customs, it is subject to inspection required by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV). In some models, adjustments may have to be made to conform to Canada’s standards. Common changes include:
- Lights that conform to the Canadian standards of the time
- Changing the scale of the speedometer to km instead of miles
- Modifications to the emission system in a bid to meet Canadian requirement
After the inspection, you will receive clearance, and the RIV inspection label will be issued to you. If your vehicle passes all these inspections, you can register it.
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Registering the Vehicle
Last but not least, the last step in the process is registering your vehicle in the province or territory of your residence. This requires you to surrender your vehicle inspection report, provide evidence of insurance, and pay the registration fees.
Conclusion
We outline the steps to follow when transporting a car from the UK to Canada so that you do not have to go through all the trouble of the process and still successfully transport the vehicle. Only ensure that you confirm the car’s admissibility, select a competent shipping firm to hire, and keep track of shipment on customs and inspecting bodies. By following these processes, you will be driving your UK-imported car on Canadian roads without any problem.
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