Every country in the world has its very own set of import/export laws.  These guidelines and regulations are intended to satisfy specific international trade policies and economic foundations as well as the overall import and export processes.  And when you try to move your car from the US to Canada, these laws become quite more apparent.

Now, if you are not moving to Canada permanent—but do intend to stay for a long period of time—and you want to bring your vehicle, you may be subject to a different set of restrictions or regulations.  You will probably still have to pay some duties and taxes, but some of the guidelines could vary greatly.

The good news is that your paperwork will probably be less extensive.

SCHEDULE VII DECLARATIONS

If you want to bring your personal vehicle to Canada on a long-term temporary basis (up to one year), you will need to fill out a Schedule VII declaration, especially if your car has not immediately met Canadian compliance standards.  For a permanent move, you would have to Import to Canada with Clearit.ca as well as meet these standards, but the temporary status allows you to have some exemptions:

  • You can get valid temporary input status for a non-compliant vehicle intended for use in exhibition events (where the manufacturer or producer plans to display the vehicle as the core event subject)
  • You can get valid temporary input status for a non-compliant vehicle intended for demonstration to potential clients or intended for use within a promotional event
  • You can get valid temporary input status for a non-compliant vehicle intended for compliance testing or for evaluating vehicle integrity in specific environments or under certain conditions
  • You can get valid temporary input status for a non-compliant vehicle intended for completion of the manufacturing process so that you can schedule a full export
  • You can get valid temporary input status for a non-compliant vehicle intended for entertainment or in industry productions or intended for civil engineering

FILING A SCHEDULE VII DECLARATION

It is very easy to file a schedule VII.  Simply check with the Transport Canada authority; this way you can be sure your declaration meets the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Act standards.  More information on these standards and on the schedule vii declaration process as a whole is available at the Transport Canada website, of course.