Kentenhkowa /November 6, 2014

The Mohawk Council of Akwesasne would like to inform the community that if an individual intends on importing a vehicle into Canada from the United States, it MUST comply with Canadian Import Laws. In addition, the vehicle must meet the requirements set in place by Transport Canada. The following requirements are necessary to begin the process of importing a vehicle from the United States into Canada.

What is considered a vehicle?

Transport Canada defines a vehicle as any means of transportation that is capable of being driven or drawn on roads, by means other than muscular power exclusively, but does not run on rails. Trailers, such as recreational, camping, boat, horse and stock trailers are considered vehicles, as well as wood chippers, generators, or any other equipment mounted on rims and tires.

Can all vehicles manufactured for sale in the United States be imported?

No. As a general rule, if the vehicle is less than fifteen years old, it must be registered under Transport Canada’s Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. The RIV program ensures that qualifying vehicles imported are inspected and certified to meet Canadian safety standards. If your vehicle qualifies, you must register it at the CBSA office on arrival. The RIV program registration fee is $195.00 plus GST, or Quebec sales tax (QST) if entering through a port in Quebec. You then have forty-five (45) days to have necessary changes made to your vehicle and have it inspected. You cannot license your vehicle until it passes the federal inspection from the RIV.

Will I need to pay taxes or duties on my vehicle being imported?

Under the Akwesasne Remission Order (ARO), you will not have to pay taxes or duties on the vehicle being imported as long as it is for your personal or household use. In order for the ARO to apply, you will need to have the vehicle imported at the CBSA Port in Cornwall and Akwesasne residents will still be required to pay the RIV registration fee. Individuals wanting to import their vehicle will also need to fill out a Vehicle Import Form 1 , which will be completed by you and CBSA in order to have your vehicle licensed in Canada.

Do I need to contact United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) prior to importing my vehicle from the United States into Canada?

It’s important to know that the original certificate of title must be given to the US Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) at least 72 hours prior to importing. This is done to ensure there are no liens from a bank or lending agency and that the vehicle is not stolen. The vehicle has to be presented to USCBP office before exporting.

If you have any additional questions regarding importing a vehicle from the United States into Canada, please do not hesitate to contact Wesley Benedict, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne Community Advocate on CBSA Complaints at613-575-2250 ext. 1031.