International car shipping can be a tricky endeavour. As such, there are many questions customers frequently ask about the process. Take a look below regarding your specific situation to see if your question has been answered. If it has not, or if you require more clarification, feel free to call us at (800) 381-6907 Monday through Friday, or send an email to justin@canadiancarshipping.com at your leisure.
Yes, absolutely. However, the United States border crossing is still practicing its Covid protocols regarding Canadian temporary imports. What this means is that the United States border crossing will not allow us to cross the border with the vehicle until the registered owner is physically in the United States prior to pickup of the vehicle.
Can I put any of my personal belongings or luggage in the vehicle?It depends on where the vehicle is crossing through. The United States border crossing is not allowing vehicles crossing the border commercially (i.e. with a transport company) to have any personal items in the vehicle if they are coming from the following provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Foundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or New Brunswick. Any items left in the vehicle would be subject to being thrown out at the border crossing – we therefore are not allowing any personal items to be left in the vehicle.
Is the charge in USD or CAD?Canadian Car Shipping is an American company based out of Youngstown, Ohio. Therefore all charges will be in U.S. dollars.
If we bring our vehicle down temporarily, can we register the vehicle in the U.S. later?Yes and no. Yes you can register the vehicle in the U.S., However the vehicle does have to return to Canada first. The paperwork and process of a full import versus a temporary import are different at the border crossing.
Are there any additional fees on top of the rate quoted?Yes we do. We contract with a customs broker called Cole International. If you want to make your experience with customs and border crossing smoother, we can have Cole International work with you in filing customs. This makes the process easier as it eliminates the need for a third party customs broker and therefore takes a lot of work off of your plate. With a permanent import into the U.S., I’d send your quote to Cole International and have them walk you through exactly what to expect for customs. Every full import into the U.S. is unique and whereas I would be speculating as to what the customs would look like, my Cole International will be able to tell you exactly what to expect. This consultation would be free and at this point in time strictly for information. If you want to work with them on this then you can set up an account with them, but to reiterate this first consultation is just for your information.
Can I use an individual customs broker?Yes you can. We would get the order in the system on my end and then once that is taken care of I will work with your broker and coordinate the filing with them. A third party may require more of your involvement.
Can I file customs independently without a customs broker?No, because our carrier will be carrying more than just your vehicle, it must be filed through a customs broker.
Can you file customs if I drive my vehicle across the border?We cannot, we only file customs on orders we cross ourselves.
Can you tell me what the customs fees will be?I personally cannot as I am not a customs broker. In order to tell you what the customs fees would be I’d send your quote to Cole International, my customs team. I can only speculate on the fees, and even then it is a rough speculation.
Why do I have to pay taxes on the vehicle if it was previously registered in the U.S.?Because once the vehicle has been registered outside of the U.S., the U.S. will consider the move a full import formally and will charge the taxes.If you were the original American owner of the vehicle who imported the vehicle into Canada and are now trying to bring it back, there may be exceptions to that rule. This would be something to ask a customs broker, whether Cole International or an independent broker.
Can I have any personal items in the vehicle?It depends on where the vehicle is coming from. If it is coming from the following provinces, than unfortunately, the U.S.’ current border policy is not allowing any personal items to be in vehicles being shipped commercially: Ontario, Quebec, New Foundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or New Brunswick.
Back To TopYes, for a U.S. registered vehicle returning there is a paperwork filing fee of $150 USD
Why do I have to pay a paperwork filing fee to bring my vehicle back to the U.S.?Because the border charges commercial carriers to file paperwork at the border crossing. We therefore pass this charge onto you.
Do I have to physically be in Canada for you to pick up the vehicle?No, we can pick it up from a friend or family member
Can we leave any personal items in the vehicle?It depends on where the vehicle is crossing through. The United States border crossing is not allowing vehicles crossing the border commercially (i.e. with a transport company) to have any personal items in the vehicle if they are coming from the following provinces: Ontario, Quebec, New Foundland, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, or New Brunswick. Any items left in the vehicle would be subject to being thrown out at the border crossing – we therefore are not allowing any personal items to be left in the vehicle.
Back To TopThere is a paperwork filing fee of $250 USD
Is it a door-to-door service?It is not. A work permit is classified by the Canadian government & the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) as a temporary import. This means that the vehicle will remain a U.S. registered vehicle for as long as the work permit is valid and as long as you’re allowed to work in Canada.
Do you aid in the registration process?We do not. The vehicle will not be registered as a Canadian registered vehicle, as CBSA classifies a work permit as a temporary import for as long as the work permit is valid. This means there will not be any taxes or duty applied to the vehicle as it will remain a U.S. registered vehicle. When the owner self-clears the vehicle from the bonded facility, CBSA will provide a temporary operating permit which will allow the U.S. registered vehicle to be used in Canada for as long as the work permit is valid.
Can I have any personal items in the vehicle?Unfortunately no, the U.S.’ current border policy is not allowing any personal items to be in vehicles being shipped commercially.
Back To TopIt is not, we will deliver to the closest bonded facility to your desired destination. We do this because it gives you the opportunity to self-clear the vehicle directly from CBSA. This is important because if you self-clear the vehicle from CBSA at this bonded facility, you do not have to pay the taxes on the vehicle.
Are there any additional fees?There is a customs filing fee of $250 USD.
Do you aid in the registration process?We do not, we are not involved with registration.
Can I have any personal items in the vehicle?Unfortunately no, the U.S.’ current border policy is not allowing any personal items to be in vehicles being shipped commercially.
Back To TopYes we do, we would send you a list of documents we would need copies of as well as 2 forms for you to fill out and sign – these 2 forms will have step by step instructions included.
Are there any additional fees?There is a customs filing fee of $340 USD.
What are the taxes that would be applied?5% GST for federal tax, provincial tax (depending on which province the vehicle is being moved to). If the vehicle was manufactured outside of North America and is younger than 15 years old, an additional 6% will be charged for duty.
What percentages are these?If you own the vehicle already, it is the Kelley Bluebook Fair Market Value for a private seller. If you are purchasing the vehicle, it is the bill of sale purchase price.
Is it a door-to-door service?Yes it is as long as our truck can physically fit at the pickup/dropoff location. If not, we would coordinate the nearest safe location to meet.
Can I have any personal items in the vehicle?Unfortunately no, the U.S.’ current border policy is not allowing any personal items to be in vehicles being shipped commercially.
Back To TopIt is not, a temporary import must be self-cleared from the bonded facility nearest to the desired delivery city. This is a Canadian border policy.
Are there any additional fees?There is a paperwork fee of $250 USD.
How long can I have my vehicle in Canada?Up to 6 months
Can I register my vehicle once I bring it to Canada later on?You would have to return it to the U.S. first as the import paperwork and process is different for a temporary versus a permanent import.
Can I have any personal items in the vehicle?Unfortunately no, the U.S.’ current border policy is not allowing any personal items to be in vehicles being shipped commercially.
Back To TopEvery situation is different, but it generally takes up to 2 weeks for your vehicle to arrive at its destination. In some cases, the transport time will be less, and others may exceed the standard 2 weeks. If your transport is likely to take more than 2 weeks, we’ll let you know ahead of time. The transit time is determined by the distance between the pickup and drop off locations and the closest terminal along the border, as well as weather, transport type, and more.
How much will it cost?Price is dependent on many factors, including the size and weight of the vehicle, pickup and drop off locations, distance, transport type, and more.
How do I pay for my transport?We accept all major credit cards, PayPal, Cashier’s Checks, and Money Orders. If none of these options work for you, just let us know and we can discuss other arrangements.
Can I put personal items in my vehicle?We highly suggest against it, as this is a very risky practice, and many drivers won’t pick up a vehicle with anything in it for a few reasons. Any personal items in your vehicle will not be insured, and they can be tossed around inside your car during transport, potentially damaging the items and the car itself. Carriers can be inspected at any time, and any items in your car will have to be removed from the car and inspected. They may be left behind or damaged. Adding items to your vehicle also adds weight, which will increase the price of your transport. We handle these situations on a case by case basis.
What if my vehicle is damaged during transit?We not only have our own cargo insurance, but also verify the insurance of every carrier we assign a shipment to. We have an extensive vetting process for our carriers, so no matter what, you’re always covered.
Can I ship a car that doesn’t run?Yes, we can ship vehicles that are inoperable, as long as the vehicle can roll, steer, and brake. There will be an additional fee for this service, as it requires special equipment to load and unload.
Do you offer a bulk shipping discount for multiple vehicles?Yes, which is determined on various factors, including the number of vehicles. All car have to be on the same carrier and be picked up and dropped off at the same location in order to qualify for the multi-vehicle transport rates. Give us a call at (800)266-2202 ext 305. We will inform you of the kind of discount you can expect to receive.
Do you offer a military discount?Yes, we provide discounts for any veterans and active duty military members. Give us a call at (800)266-2202 ext 305 for more information!
What if I need to cancel?We know that situations happen and things change. If your car hasn’t been assigned to a car carrier yet for pick up, you will receive your full refund. If your car has been assigned to a carrier and they are already en route to your car, you will only receive a refund of the full deposit you paid, minus any fees charged by the car carrier for a “dry run”.
Will my vehicle be covered by insurance during transport?Of course! From pickup to delivery, the car is covered by both our carriers’ cargo insurance and our own. This insurance will covers a minimum of $100,000 should there be any damages or loss. But remember, this policy will not cover any personal items left inside your car.
Will I be charged for a deductible?No, we do not require you to pay for a deductible.
Do I need to have insurance coverage for my vehicle to ship it?Although it is not a requirement, we recommend that you have your own insurance coverage for your vehicle. It doesn’t hurt to have extra coverage, even with our double insurance.
Can I get a guaranteed pick up and delivery date and time?We can offer you guaranteed dates and times, but for an extra fee. If you require guaranteed dates and times, please give us a call for a special quote.
Will I need to be present for pick up and delivery?Someone will need to be available and present for both pickup and delivery. If you are not able to be there, make sure someone you trust is there. They are required to be over the age of 18 and must be able to provide their identification. They will also be responsible for inspecting the car closely for any damages, and marking it correctly on the Bill of Lading at both pick up and drop off.
How long before my desired pick up date do I need to book my shipment?For the best price and carrier options, we suggest booking at least 2 weeks prior to your desired pick up date. Giving us about a month to secure the best pricing and route for you is ideal. We know that a large window isn’t always a beneficial option for every scenario. If you find yourself needing quick transport, we have transport specialists that are well trained in ASAP transport. This option will generally cost more money, but it is still an option to look into.
Should I leave any gas in the tank before pick up?Having no less than 1/4 of a tank is sufficient. Any lower than that is okay, but you might run out of gas on your way home after delivery.
Will I know my pickup date and time in advance?Of course! As soon as your car is dispatched, you will get an email with an estimated pickup date and time, as well as the name of your driver and their phone number. Your driver will most likely call you a couple hours before they arrive.
Do I have to provide the registration or title for my vehicle?No you do not need them. We only require the vehicle and its keys.
Am I able to change my desired pickup date?So long as a driver has not already been assigned to your transport, you are able to change your first available date for pickup.
Can my vehicle be picked up or dropped off at my house?We do provide Door-to-Door car shipping, but there are a few circumstances where it is not able to happen. If you live on a street that is narrow, or on a road with big, low-hanging trees where a car carrier would be unable to park or drive, you can meet with them in a parking lot close by. If you live in a more rural area that is out of the way, you might be able to save some money by arranging pickup or delivery in the closest large city or by the closest interstate.
What methods of car shipping services do you offer?Canadian Car Shipping has enclosed car shipping options and standard open car carrier options.
Do you offer shipping to ports?Yes, but it usually costs an extra 50 United States dollars to cover permit costs.
Can my vehicle be picked up or dropped off at a storage facility?Yes, we are able to pick up or deliver at any storage facility, so long as there is plenty of room. You will have to settle any bills with the people at the storage facility beforehand, to avoid any issues. If your car is inoperable, this has to be disclosed when you book your transport, as some car carriers do not have the right equipment to load and unload cars that are inoperable.
What does operable/inoperable mean?A car is seen as operable if it is able to start up, be driven in reverse and forward, and be steered properly with the steering wheel, all without using any outside help. Otherwise, it is considered inoperable, which requires a special loading process and an extra fee. If your vehicle is inoperable, this has to be disclosed when booking your shipment.
If I have to cancel, can I get my money back?We do offer refunds on any cancelled orders, so long as they qualify. To receive a full refund, your transport cannot be assigned to a driver yet. If your transport has already been dispatched, your payment is still refundable, excluding the $195 service fee or the total of your initial deposit, whichever price is less. We require this servicing fee because a reservation for your car has already been made, and this extra fee covers the services done. This is a non-negotiable requirement.
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