Hello! I bought a car from my parents and brought it from the US to Canada, but I will not lie - it was a struggle with such minimal directions online. I compiled a lot of information from different sources to pull this off, so I wanted to explain how I got it done to make it easier for those who are looking to do the same! I am an American and Canadian so it made it a bit easier to pull this off; however, I will still provide as much detail as I can for those trying to move from US -> Canada.

For specifics: I am from CT and moved to QC so some things may be different

Check if you can even import your car

Check RIV permission to import car into Canada

• determine its admissibility status on riv.ca
• if it’s admissible, get a recall clearance letter that dates within 30 days of your intended importation date

Putting the Car in your name if it’s not already

I had to buy the car off my parents - which I did for pretty cheap and by doing the following:

• Sign the back of the title with new buyer
• Sign Bill of Sale
• Remove plates from car and cancel registration with DMV (do not cancel the old insurance until registration is cancelled)
• Start a new insurance policy in your name for the vehicle
• Obtain in-transit registration CT and you will need to bring the following to do that:
  • title
  • bill of sale (Form H-31)
  • application for registration and certificate of title (Form H-13B)
  • out of state driver’s license + passport
  • fee of $21
  • current insurance identification card
  • declaration page of insurance policy required to verify insurance coverage amounts are in line with your state’s requirements

Import / Exporting Vehicle

Exporting

You have to follow the U.S Customs (CBP) guidelines to do this. I have a bit of a list of things that I did, but always DOUBLE CHECK because they may have updated some policies / rules to follow. I did the following:

• submit electronic export information through automated export system
• this is a super helpful guideline as to how to do this that you can follow along with: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/regulations/trb_obtaining_an_ein.pdf
  • grab EIN through: https://sa.www4.irs.gov/modiein/individual/system-unavailable.jsp
  • complete ACE exporter registration form + submit → will receive temporary username and password
  • go to ACE website → “Trade / PGA user login” → create account → create the account → sign up → temporary username and password (links modernized ACE account to Legacy ACE account)
  • once signed into ACE website → select “exporter” under “accounts” drop-down menu → select appropriate exporter account through hyperlink for the account under “account name” column → right side of screen, select “submit AES filing” to launch AESDirect (make sure pop-up blocker is disabled in web browser)
  • must agree to Certification Statements to proceed → click “Create export filing” → complete the EEI to obtain ITN
  • this is a super helpful PDF that gives you the next couple of steps to follow: https://www.census.gov/foreign-trade/aes/aesdirect/ACE-AESDirect-Sample-Shipment.pdf (for any questions: call 1-800-549-0595)
• submit ITN confirmation + vehicle title documents and sales receipts at least 72 hours before export
  • contact port of crossing directly to determine exact documentation requirements, procedures for submitting documentation and hours of operation
    • for me, the port of crossing required for me to email some documents in advance and then instructed me to also bring some documents in person. This is entirely dependent on what port of crossing you intend on using when travelling!
• after all the above is completed, they will also tell you what window of time you should cross within on your day of exporting / importing the car