How Are Cars Shipped Between the USA and Canada? (Complete Guide)

If you’ve bought a vehicle in the US to bring to Canada — or you’re moving one the other direction — you’re probably wondering how cross-border car shipping actually works. This guide walks through how to ship a car between the USA and Canada: how vehicles are transported, what happens at the border, what it costs, how long it takes, and what to expect. US Canada Auto Transport has been moving vehicles across the border since 1985.

How Professional Car Shipping Works

The most common and practical way to move a vehicle between the USA and Canada is with a professional auto transport company. Rather than driving the vehicle yourself across the border and navigating customs paperwork on your own, a transport company handles the entire process — pickup, customs documentation, the border crossing, and delivery to the destination address.

Vehicles are moved using specialized auto carriers — the multi-vehicle trucks you’ve likely seen on the highway. Because these carriers transport several vehicles at once, the cost per vehicle stays affordable compared to other shipping methods.

Open vs. Enclosed Transport

When shipping with an auto carrier, you have two options:

• Open Transport — Your vehicle is transported on an open carrier. This is the most common and cost-effective method, and it’s the same way new vehicles are delivered from manufacturers to dealerships.
• Enclosed Transport — Your vehicle is transported in a fully enclosed trailer, protected from weather and road debris. This is the preferred choice for classic, luxury, or high-value vehicles.

Why Most People Use a Shipping Company Instead of Driving

You can drive a vehicle across the border yourself, but it means meeting all import and export requirements on your own, handling the customs paperwork at the border, and absorbing the time, fuel, wear, and travel costs of a long one-way drive. For most people, professional shipping is faster, less stressful, and removes the risk of getting the border documentation wrong.

The biggest advantage of using a company like ours is that we handle the customs paperwork on your behalf. Cross-border vehicle import regulations are detailed, and getting them right is where experience matters.

What Happens at the Border

Every vehicle that crosses the border is both exported from one country and imported into the other. Here’s what that involves in each direction:

Shipping a Car from the USA to Canada

• US export filing — The export is filed in the Automated Export System (AES), and the original title is submitted to US Customs and Border Protection at least 72 hours before the vehicle crosses.
• Canadian import — At the border, the vehicle is cleared by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) with a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1), and GST and any duty are paid.
• RIV — Vehicles under 15 years old go through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program, which requires a recall clearance letter and an inspection after import. Vehicles 15 years or older are exempt.
• Provincial registration — The vehicle is then inspected and registered in your province.

Shipping a Car from Canada to the USA

• US import entry — The vehicle is entered with US Customs and Border Protection, along with EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7.
• Letter of compliance — Canadian-market vehicles usually need a letter from the manufacturer confirming they meet US safety and emissions standards. See our Toyota and Kia compliance letter guide for an example.
• 25-year rule — Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from EPA and DOT compliance requirements, though duty may still apply.
• State registration — The vehicle is then titled and registered in your state.

We handle the customs paperwork in both directions. For a full checklist, see our US-Canada customs documents page and our guide to importing cars between the USA and Canada.

How Much Does It Cost to Ship a Car Between the USA and Canada?

Shipping cost depends on several factors — the distance, the size of the vehicle, the pickup and delivery locations, the time of year, and whether you choose open or enclosed transport. Because every shipment is different, the best way to know your cost is to request a quote with your specific origin and destination. We provide a clear quote based on your route, vehicle, and transport type. For typical price ranges, see our car shipping cost guide.

Shipping cost is separate from government charges. Depending on the vehicle and direction, you may also pay GST, duty or tariffs at the border — see our tariffs and import fees page for current rates.

How Long Does Shipping Take?

Transit times are typically 7–14 days depending on the route and conditions. Because this is a door-to-door service, drivers coordinate multiple pickups and deliveries along the route, and factors like weather and border timing can affect the final schedule. We’ll give you an estimated timeframe when you book and keep you updated throughout.

What to Consider When Choosing a Shipping Method

• Cost — What’s your budget? Open transport is the most affordable option for most vehicles.
• Convenience — Door-to-door service means your vehicle is picked up and delivered without you having to coordinate terminal drop-offs.
• Protection — For high-value or collector vehicles, enclosed transport offers added protection.
• Timing — Book at least two to three weeks ahead, or four to eight weeks ahead in peak snowbird season (October–December southbound, March–May northbound), and allow time for the 72-hour US export notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ship a car in both directions — USA to Canada and Canada to USA?

Yes. We handle cross-border shipments in both directions and manage the customs requirements for each.

Do you handle the customs paperwork?

Yes. We prepare and handle the customs documentation for the border crossing so you don’t have to navigate it yourself.

Is door-to-door service available?

Yes. We pick up from your origin address and deliver to your destination address across all US states and Canadian provinces.

What documents do I need to ship a car between the USA and Canada?

You need the original title and proof of ownership, such as a bill of sale. Going north, the vehicle also needs a US export filing and a Canadian Vehicle Import Form (Form 1). Going south, it needs US import entry forms and usually a letter of compliance from the manufacturer. See our customs documents page for the full list.

How far in advance does the title need to be submitted?

For vehicles leaving the US, the title and export information must reach US Customs and Border Protection at least 72 hours before the vehicle crosses the border. Booking early leaves time for this.

Do I pay duty or taxes when importing a car?

It depends on where the vehicle was built, its age, and which direction it’s going. Canada charges 5% GST on imported vehicles, and tariffs may apply in either direction. Check our tariffs and import fees page for current rates.

Does my car need to go through RIV when imported into Canada?

Vehicles under 15 years old go through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program, which includes a fee and an inspection after import. Vehicles 15 years or older are exempt from RIV.

Is it cheaper to drive my car across the border myself?

Sometimes, for short distances. But driving means handling the export and import paperwork yourself and paying for fuel, lodging, and a return trip. For long distances, shipping is usually comparable in cost and much simpler.