Do’s and Don’ts of Transporting Your Vehicle from Canada to the US

Table of Contents:

1. Introduction
2. Do’s for Transporting Your Vehicle
3. Don’ts for Transporting Your Vehicle
4. Conclusion

Introduction 

As November rolls in, you will find many Canadians looking to transport vehicles from Canada to the US. Whether you plan to do this transportation yourself or hire a professional car transport company, here are some do’s and don’ts to remember about taking your vehicle across the border. 

Do’s for Transporting Your Vehicle

1. Check if your vehicle is eligible.

Before even thinking about shipping your vehicle, you first need to find out whether your vehicle can be taken to the US. Some car models in the Canadian market don’t comply with US emission and safety standards. To know if your vehicle qualifies or not, check with the United States Environmental Protection Agency or EPA and the Department of Transportation or DOT. 

2. Check if you have the necessary paperwork.

Whether you are going to drive yourself or hire a company to transport vehicles from Canada to the US, you need to make sure you have the proper documentation essential for cross-border vehicle transport. These include original title or ownership documents, completed EPA form, any export paperwork required by Canadian customs, proof of insurance and a bill of sale if you just bought the vehicle. Without proper documentation, your vehicle may be denied entry or delayed at the border. 

3. Check if your vehicle is prepared for transport.

Before starting your journey, or handing over the vehicle to the transportation company, you need to make sure you prepare your vehicle properly. This means both checking for any existing damages, as well as removing all kinds of personal belongings from the vehicle. Avoid keeping any items in the vehicle that weren’t part of its original features. This means removing any audio systems, decorations, or aftermarket covers from the car. Similarly, by inspecting the vehicle for any existing damages, you can verify if the vehicle was damaged during transit or not. This is most important if you are going to transport your vehicle through a professional car shipping company. 

Don’ts for Transporting Your Vehicle

1. Don’t Ignore Customs Fees and Duties

If you are not moving in permanently, then you may not have to pay some taxes and fees. To show that you are temporarily taking your vehicle, you must provide documentation that proves that you will be re-exporting the vehicle within a set timeframe. If you hire a company to transport vehicles from Canada to the US and vice versa, then the company can provide this document. If you are going by yourself, you can consult with a customs broker who can help you with the fees and exemptions. 

2. Don’t Pack Personal Belongings in Your Car

This point is relevant for those transporting their car through a shipping company. As said before, you cannot transport personal belongings in such cases inside your vehicle. Your vehicle will be checked thoroughly during the crossing, and any personal belongings found will result in delays, penalties or additional fees. So, as said in the do’s section, don’t forget to check your vehicle’s interior, trunk, glove compartment and other places before handing the vehicle to the shipping company. 

3. Don’t Forget to Research State Regulations

The regulations or requirements for Canadian vehicles may vary from state to state in the US. Hence, it is best that you research well and make sure to comply with state-specific rules for the state you are going to stay in. For example, California’s emissions standards are notably strict, which can impact vehicle eligibility. 

Conclusion 

Your winter vacation as a snowbird will be much better if you transport your vehicle from Canada to the US. The process need not be stressful or complicated if you follow these do’s and don’ts. By preparing well in advance, you can start your winter vacation smoothly, with peace of mind about your vehicle’s cross-border journey.