How to Buy a Car Online and Ship It to Canada

When you buy a car online and ship it to Canada, you can choose from a much wider selection than local dealers offer, from US dealerships, private sellers, and auctions. But the car still has to qualify for import, be exported from the US, and clear Canadian customs, so it pays to plan before you click “buy.”

Below, Canadian buyers will find how to check the car and the seller, arrange shipping, clear customs, and register the car. The same basics apply when buying a car across the border in either direction. US Canada Auto Transport has been shipping cars to Canada since 1985.

Advantages of buying a car online

Convenience

You can browse, compare prices, and shortlist cars from home, across a much larger market.

Wider selection

Online listings give you access to more models, trims and price points than local dealers, which makes it easier to find the exact car you want.

Key considerations before you buy

Check that the car can be imported

Check this before you bid or pay. Under Canada’s vehicle import rules, the car must be on Transport Canada’s admissibility list and have no open recalls, and vehicles under 15 years old go through the RIV program after import.

Research the seller

Check the seller’s reviews and ratings, and confirm the title is in their name. Make sure they’ll provide the original title and a lien release if there was a loan, because the title is needed for the US export.

Inspect the vehicle

Ask for detailed photos, service records and a vehicle history report, and arrange an independent inspection if you can.

Avoid online scams

• Never pay by wire transfer to a seller you can’t verify.
• Check that the VIN matches the title and history report.
• Be wary of prices far below market value.
• Don’t buy a car whose seller can’t produce the title.

How to buy a car online and ship it to Canada

Choose a cross-border transport company

Choose a company that ships into Canada regularly and can pick up from a dealer, private seller or auction lot. US Canada Auto Transport has been shipping cars across the border since 1985, with open and enclosed options and cargo insurance on every shipment.

Prepare the documents

You’ll need the original title, the bill of sale and a lien release if applicable. For a car leaving the US, the export is filed in the Automated Export System (AES), and the title must reach US Customs at least 72 hours before the crossing. The seller or dealer needs to cooperate with this.

Understand the costs

Shipping costs depend on the distance, open or enclosed transport and the season. Typical cross-border car shipping rates give you a benchmark. Budget separately for the border, where duty, GST and vehicle tariffs are paid.

Clearing customs and registering in Canada

Customs clearance

At the border, the car is declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with the Vehicle Import Form (Form 1), and you pay 5% GST and any duty. A US-built vehicle under 25 years old faces a 25% surtax, reduced for CUSMA-compliant vehicles. Have all the documents required to import a car into Canada ready.

Registering the car

If the car is under 15 years old, pay the RIV fee and have it inspected within 45 days. Then pass your provincial safety inspection and register the car in your province.

Our cross-border terminals

Our main service is door-to-door, but you can also use one of our cross-border terminals for drop-off or pickup.

Terminal	Address
New Westminster, BC	310 Stanley St, New Westminster, BC V3M 5H2
Ingersoll, ON	129 Oakwood St, Ingersoll, ON N5C 3J7
Bellingham, WA	4653 Guide Meridian, Bellingham, WA 98226
Lakewood, WA	9393 Lakeview Ave SW, Lakewood, WA 98499
Great Falls, MT	4825 53rd Ave SW, Great Falls, MT 59404
Redford Charter Twp, MI	22520 W Warren Ave, Redford Charter Twp, MI 48239
Chanhassen, MN	1591 Park Rd, Chanhassen, MN 55317
Lewiston, NY	4890 Saunders Settlement Rd, Lewiston, NY 14092

A seller near the border can drop the car off with a booking number, using same-day drop-off. Terminals accept running vehicles only, and personal items can’t be left inside.

Partner with US Canada Auto Transport

When you buy a car online and ship it to Canada, you open up a much bigger market. Check the car and the seller first, get the export paperwork right and plan for the costs at the border. Canadian buyers who’ve shipped with us share their experiences in our customer reviews. Contact us when you’re ready, and we’ll handle the shipping from the seller to your door.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy a car online in the US and ship it to Canada?

Yes. Before you buy, check that the vehicle is on Transport Canada’s admissibility list and has no open recalls. Then arrange shipping, make sure the US export is filed and the title reaches US Customs 72 hours before the crossing, and clear the car into Canada at the border.

What should I check before buying a car online to import into Canada?

Admissibility and recalls, a clean title in the seller’s name, a lien release if there was a loan, the vehicle history and, ideally, an independent inspection. Make sure the seller will hand over the original title for export.

Can you pick up a car from a US dealer or auction?

Yes. We can pick up from dealers, private sellers and many auction lots. Give us the address, any release or gate pass and the pickup hours when you book.

What will I pay at the border when importing a car bought online?

5% GST on the value, plus duty depending on where the car was built and its age. A US-built vehicle under 25 years old faces a 25% surtax, reduced for CUSMA-compliant vehicles. Vehicles under 15 years old also go through the RIV program.

How do I avoid scams when buying a car online?

Deal with reputable sellers, never pay by wire transfer to someone you can’t verify, confirm the title is in the seller’s name, and check the VIN on a vehicle history report. Be wary of prices that seem too good to be true.