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Importation of vehicles into Canada from countries other than the United States
Revised December 2002        

Subject to revision without notification

The illegal importation of a motor vehicle into Canada is a criminal offense. Inadmissible
vehicles will be denied entry into Canada and will be detained. All storage and disposal fees
are the responsibility of the importer.

Please read the following carefully.

VEHICLES PURCHASED OUTSIDE CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act and Regulations require that all vehicles imported into Canada
comply, at the time of importation, with the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards in effect
on the date the vehicle was manufactured. Vehicles manufactured for sale in countries
other than Canada and the United States do not comply with the requirements of the Canada
Motor Vehicle Safety Act, CANNOT be altered to comply and CANNOT be imported into
Canada.
The only exceptions to this rule are vehicles fifteen (15) years old or
older as determined by the month and year
in which the vehicle was manufactured
and buses manufactured before January 1, 1971.

Vehicles acquired in foreign countries other than the U.S. and designed, built, tested and
certified to meet either all applicable Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards or all applicable
United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and bearing a statement of
compliance label affixed by the original manufacturer, as required by the Regulations, may be
eligible for importation into Canada provided the vehicle has not been altered and the
certification from the original manufacturer is maintained, which may be subject to
verification at the time of importation.  A vehicle imported under these conditions will be
subject to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles program which may be accessed at the
following web site: http://www.riv.ca.

Please contact Transport Canada, Road Safety and Motor Vehicle Regulation Directorate, at
1-613-998-8616 for further information.

VISITORS AND TOURISTS TO CANADA

Under Section 7(1)(b) of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, a motor vehicle may be admitted
temporarily into Canada without complying with the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations if it is to
be used exclusively by a person entering Canada as a visitor or a person passing through
Canada to another country. Persons entering under a work permit or student visa will be
considered as visitors for the application of this section of the Act. Any change in the status
of the person entering the vehicle may invalidate the use of this section of the Act. The
vehicle cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada and cannot remain in
Canada for a period longer than the time constraints listed on the work permit, student visa
or any other Customs documents. Once these time limits are exceeded, the vehicle no longer
qualifies for temporary entry under section 7(1)(b) of the Act and must be exported. As the
Canada Customs and Revenue Agency also has requirements concerning the importation of
vehicles, you may contact them at the address listed below.
Checklist

What cars are able to import into Canada without
any modifaction works:

- As a general rule, motor vehicles more than 15
years old
must not comply with all applicable
Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards

- Those imported by nonresidents for personal use
not exceeding one year.

- Those belonging to members of foreign armed
forces, foreign diplomatic personnel, or other
individuals who come within the class of persons
for whom free entry has been authorized by the
Department of State in accordance with
international law.