Guide · Updated October 2026
Taking a Vehicle to Canada: Visitors, Temporary Residents and Permanent Import
Visitors can bring their own vehicle into Canada for up to 12 months, and students and workers for as long as their permit, up to 36 months, without meeting Canadian standards. Permanent import is much harder: a vehicle from outside the USA and Mexico can be imported permanently only if it is at least 15 years old or meets Canadian safety standards. In practice most UK and European cars under 15 years old cannot be imported permanently.
Visitors
Up to 12 months
Temporary residents
Up to 36 months, with a study or work permit
Who drives
Only the visitor
Sale
Not allowed in Canada
Permanent import
15 years or older, or built to Canadian standards
Carnet
Not needed
Can I take my vehicle to Canada as a visitor?
Yes. Visitors may bring a vehicle for up to 12 months, and temporary residents with a study or work authorisation for its length, up to 36 months, without meeting Transport Canada requirements. Transport Canada says visitors need no formal declaration. Only the visitor may drive it, it cannot be sold or given away in Canada, and it must leave before the time limit. Non-commercial temporary imports use the CBSA E29B process.
What if I become a permanent resident?
The vehicle must then be formally imported and meet every requirement, or be exported or destroyed. A temporary resident who needs a provincial licence declares the vehicle with their personal effects and needs a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) to licence it.
What is the 15-year rule?
A vehicle 15 years or older from its date of manufacture is not regulated under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act, so it can be imported permanently. Vehicles under 15 years old from countries other than the USA and Mexico must meet Canadian safety standards, so most UK and European cars of that age are not eligible. US-spec vehicles under 15 years old go through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) programme instead.
Import does not guarantee a provincial licence: some provinces will not licence a right-hand-drive vehicle. Customs duty, excise tax and GST may apply, and provincial sales tax as well.
How IVSS helps
- RORO and container shipping from the UK and Europe to Halifax and other Canadian ports
- Canadian customs clearance through our broker, a local agent we introduce, or your own
- Shipping onwards to the USA, or home from Canada at the end of your trip
Frequently asked questions
How long can a visitor keep a foreign vehicle in Canada?
Up to 12 months. Students and workers with a permit can keep it for the length of their permit, up to 36 months.
Can I import my UK car into Canada permanently?
Only if it is at least 15 years old or meets Canadian safety standards. Most UK and European cars under 15 years old do not.
Can a friend drive my car in Canada?
No. Only the visitor who brought the vehicle in may drive it.
Will my province register a right-hand-drive car?
Not always. Some provinces will not licence right-hand-drive vehicles, even after import.
Do I need a carnet for Canada?
No. Visitors bring their own vehicle without a formal declaration.
Official sources
- CBSA Memorandum D19-12-1: importing vehicles
- Transport Canada: visitors and temporary residents entering with foreign-owned vehicles
This guide summarises the rules as published in October 2026. Rules change; we confirm what applies to your vehicle when we quote.
Related routes and guides
Member of
IVSS is a member of BIFA, the British International Freight Association, and FIATA, the international federation of freight forwarders.
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Questions about your import? Call +44 203 787 4201, Monday to Friday.