Salvage Vehicle Transport: A Comprehensive Guide

Buying a salvage vehicle in the US and bringing it to Canada can be a smart way to source a project car, parts vehicle, or rebuildable at a lower cost. But salvage vehicles have specific documentation and import requirements that differ from standard shipments. US Canada Auto Transport has been handling cross-border vehicle transport since 1985. Here’s what you need to know about salvage vehicle transport into Canada.

Can You Ship a Salvage Vehicle from the USA to Canada?

Yes. Salvage vehicles can be shipped from the United States into Canada as long as the damage isn’t flood-related and the title isn’t branded junk, scrap or non-repairable. After import, the vehicle must be repaired and pass inspection before it can be registered. Please note that we ship salvage vehicles into Canada only.

We Pick Up from Any Copart or IAAI Location

Most salvage vehicles bound for Canada are purchased through US auto auctions like Copart and IAAI. We pick up directly from any Copart or IAAI location across the United States — you don’t need to arrange separate transport from the auction yard. Once you’ve won your bid, we coordinate pickup, help with the cross-border customs paperwork, and deliver the vehicle to your Canadian address. Many auctions charge storage fees after a short pickup window, so book transport before the auction closes. Buyers new to online auctions can also read up on buying a car online in the US and shipping it to Canada.

What Documents Do You Need to Ship a Salvage Vehicle?

The documentation depends on what the vehicle has:

• Standard Title — If the vehicle has a standard title, that’s what’s required for the shipment.
• DMV-Issued Salvage Certificate — If no title exists, a Salvage Certificate issued by the DMV is required in its place.

One of these two documents must be in place before the vehicle can cross the border. The original document is required for US export: the export is filed in the Automated Export System (AES), and the title must reach US Customs and Border Protection at least 72 hours before the vehicle crosses. We’ll confirm exactly what’s needed for your specific vehicle when you book.

Transport Canada and RIV Rules for Salvage Vehicles

How a salvage vehicle is treated at the Canadian border depends on its age, based on the month and year of manufacture:

• Under 15 years old — The vehicle goes through Transport Canada’s Salvage Vehicle Program and the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV). It must have been built to Canadian or US safety standards and be on Transport Canada’s list of vehicles admissible from the US, and it must be repaired and pass the RIV inspection before it can be registered.
• 15 years or older — The vehicle is exempt from the RIV program. You still complete a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) at the border.
• Recall clearance — Vehicles under 15 years old need a recall clearance letter to import. Some manufacturers won’t issue one for a vehicle previously declared salvage, so check this before you bid.
• Not admissible for the road — Flood-damaged vehicles and titles branded junk, scrap or non-repairable can’t be imported for road use.

The general rules for importing cars between the USA and Canada apply to salvage vehicles as well.

Duties and Tariffs on Salvage Vehicles

Salvage vehicles pay 5% GST on their value at the border, plus provincial sales tax when registered. US-built vehicles under 25 years old can also be subject to Canada’s surtax on US-made vehicles, and vehicles built outside North America may pay regular customs duty. Rates change, so check the current US-Canada vehicle tariffs before you bid.

Canadian Inspection and Registration

Importing the salvage vehicle is only part of the process. Before a salvage vehicle can be registered and driven legally in Canada, it must pass a provincial inspection to confirm it has been brought into street-legal condition, often including a structural inspection. Inspection requirements and the rebuild certification process vary by province, so check with your provincial authority for the specific standards that apply where you live. A salvage history can also limit insurance options in some provinces. We handle getting the vehicle to you — the inspection and registration happen on your end after delivery. Checking the VIN before you bid, including what the first digit of a VIN means, also confirms where the car was built, which affects admissibility and the surtax.

Important: Cargo Insurance on Salvage Vehicles

Because salvage vehicles are already in a damaged or non-roadworthy condition, the carrier does not provide cargo insurance coverage on salvage vehicle shipments. This is standard across the industry — a vehicle already classified as salvage cannot be insured against damage during transit the way a roadworthy vehicle can. If you’re shipping a salvage vehicle, plan accordingly and factor this into your decision. Roadworthy vehicles are different, and insurance for shipping a vehicle across borders works the usual way for them.

How the Process Works

Step 1 — Request a Quote

Contact us with the vehicle details, pickup location — including any Copart or IAAI auction location across the US, and your Canadian delivery address. We’ll provide a quote and confirm the documentation required.

Step 2 — Confirm Documentation

Make sure you have either the standard title or a DMV-issued salvage certificate ready. The document must accompany the vehicle for the border crossing.

Step 3 — Pickup and Cross-Border Transport

We pick up the vehicle — including from auction yards and salvage lots — and help with the customs paperwork for the crossing into Canada. We keep you updated throughout.

Step 4 — Delivery

Your vehicle is delivered to your Canadian address. From there, you arrange the provincial inspection and registration needed to bring it into street-legal condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I ship a salvage vehicle from Canada back to the USA?

No. We ship salvage vehicles from the US into Canada only.

What if my salvage vehicle has no title?

If there’s no title, you’ll need a DMV-issued Salvage Certificate instead. One of the two documents is required for the border crossing.

Is my salvage vehicle insured during transport?

No. The carrier does not provide cargo insurance on salvage vehicles because they’re already in damaged condition. This is standard industry practice for salvage shipments.

Will I be able to register the vehicle in Canada after import?

Yes, once it passes a provincial inspection confirming it has been brought into street-legal condition. Inspection and registration requirements vary by province. Flood-damaged vehicles and vehicles branded junk, scrap, or non-repairable can’t be registered for the road.

Do you pick up from Copart and IAAI?

Yes. We pick up from any Copart or IAAI auction location across the US, as well as other salvage yards and private sellers. Once your bid is won, we handle transport from the auction yard all the way to your Canadian address.

Can I import a flood-damaged vehicle into Canada?

Not for road use. Transport Canada doesn’t allow flood-damaged salvage vehicles to be imported and registered for the road.

Does a salvage vehicle need to go through RIV?

Yes, if it’s under 15 years old. It enters Transport Canada’s Salvage Vehicle Program and must be repaired and pass the RIV inspection. Vehicles 15 years or older are exempt from RIV.

Do I pay duty or tariffs on a salvage vehicle imported into Canada?

You pay 5% GST on the vehicle’s value, plus provincial sales tax at registration. US-built vehicles under 25 years old may also face Canada’s surtax on US-made vehicles. See our tariffs page for current rates.

What if the manufacturer won’t issue a recall clearance letter?

A vehicle under 15 years old can’t be imported for road use without recall clearance, and some manufacturers won’t provide one for a vehicle previously declared salvage. Check with the manufacturer before you buy.