Receiving a vehicle or a motorcycle as a gift or inheritance from family in Canada

If you’ve received a vehicle or motorcycle as a gift or inheritance from family in Canada and need to import it into the USA, you’ve come to the right place. US Canada Auto Transport specializes in cross-border gift and inheritance shipments. These imports involve a few specific requirements — vehicle valuation, compliance rules, and a customs bond — but we handle the paperwork so you don’t have to navigate it alone. Here’s what you need to know.

Gift or Inheritance — The Same Rules Apply

When it comes to importing a vehicle into the USA, a gift and an inheritance are treated the same way. Even though you didn’t pay for the vehicle, US Customs still assigns it a value, and that value forms the basis for any applicable taxes. The first step is determining the vehicle’s book value.

Determining Vehicle Value

To establish the vehicle’s value, use a recognized valuation source. You can visit Kelley Blue Book (KBB) online and complete their questionnaire, or use the NADA guides. The figure you obtain becomes the declared value for customs purposes and the basis on which any taxes are levied, if applicable. Having this documented before shipping helps the customs process move smoothly.

Vehicle Age Considerations — The 25-Year Rule

Vehicle age is one of the most important factors in a cross-border gift or inheritance import:

• Over 25 years old: The vehicle is automatically grandfathered out of US Department of Transportation (DOT) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requirements. This makes importing classic and vintage vehicles considerably simpler.
• Under 25 years old: The vehicle must be compliant with US DOT and EPA standards. It may already have US compliance labels affixed, or you’ll need to obtain a Letter of Compliance from the vehicle’s manufacturer.

If you’ve inherited an older family vehicle, the 25-year threshold often works in your favor. For newer vehicles, check for compliance labels early so you’re not scrambling for a manufacturer letter at the last minute.

Import Duties and Fees

Where the vehicle was manufactured determines whether duties apply:

• Manufactured in North America: No US import duty or Merchandise Processing Fee (MPF) applies. Most vehicles originally sold in Canada fall into this category.
• Manufactured outside North America: Import duty and the MPF become applicable. This often affects European, Asian, and other overseas-built vehicles, even if they were registered in Canada.

Knowing your vehicle’s country of manufacture before shipping helps you anticipate any fees rather than being surprised by them at the border.

The Single Entry Bond Requirement

In addition to any applicable taxes, a Single Entry Bond is required for all items imported into the USA, including gifted and inherited vehicles. This is a customs requirement that we can arrange on your behalf. Rather than navigating the bond process yourself, we handle the paperwork and collect any applicable fees as part of the shipment.

How We Handle Gift and Inheritance Shipments

Importing a gifted or inherited vehicle involves valuation, compliance checks, potential duties, and the Single Entry Bond — more moving parts than a standard shipment. We specialize in cross-border gift and inheritance imports and arrange the documentation, the bond, and the fee collection so you don’t have to coordinate it all yourself. Whether your vehicle is headed to Florida, California, or anywhere else in the US, we manage the process end to end.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to pay duty on a vehicle I received for free?

Possibly. Even though you didn’t pay for the vehicle, it still has an assessed value for customs. Whether duty applies depends mainly on where the vehicle was manufactured — North American-built vehicles are generally exempt, while overseas-built vehicles may incur duty and the MPF.

What if the inherited vehicle is over 25 years old?

Vehicles over 25 years old are grandfathered out of US DOT and EPA requirements, which simplifies the import considerably. This is often the case with classic or vintage family vehicles.

Do you handle the Single Entry Bond?

Yes. We arrange the Single Entry Bond and the associated paperwork, and collect any applicable fees as part of your shipment.

How do I determine my vehicle’s value for customs?

Use Kelley Blue Book (KBB) or NADA guides to obtain the book value. That figure becomes the declared value for customs purposes.