I am often contacted by individuals who want to import a vehicle they own into Canada. Sometimes, I am called by a non-resident. Other times, I am called by a Canadian resident who is buying a car on Craigslist.
On January 21, 2016, the Canada Border Services Agency (“CBSA”) posted on their web-site D-Memorandum D19-12-1 “Importation of Vehicles” (stated to be published on January 11, 2016), which answers many common questions (not in the most comprehensible format though).
The D-Memo covers:
1) Pre-border processes;
2) At the border processes;
3) Post-border processes;
4) Transport Canada requirements;
5) RIV requirements for imported vehicles;
6) Eligibility requirements for registration in the RIV program;
7) Proof of ownership requirements;
8) US leased and financed vehicles being declared for importation;
9) FMVSS specifications vehicles (new or used) acquired in foreign countries;
10) Salvage vehicles;
11) Flood and water damaged vehicles;
12) Vehicles imported for parts only program;
13) Vehicles that cannot be registered in the RIV program;
14) Canadian vehicles modified abroad;
15) Non-regulated vehicles;
16) Work vehicles;
17) Trailers as work vehicles;
18) Agricultural vehicles;
19) Mobile homes;
20) UTVs;
21) Competition vehicles;
22) Age-Exempt vehicles;
23) Vehicles entered temporarily;
24) Vehicles entered by visitors, tourists and temporary residents;
25) In-transit vehicles; and
more