Car Shipping to Canada
Shipping a car to Canada from Europe is entirely achievable, but it is as much a compliance project as a logistics one. Before a vehicle ever reaches a Canadian port, it must be admissible under Canadian import rules; only then does the sea freight itself become the straightforward part. Flyto Relocation, a European relocation company established in 2018, arranges international vehicle shipping through our own hubs across Northern, Central and Southern Europe and a network of vetted overseas partners. Canada is served through that partner network rather than a Flyto office on Canadian soil, which means you get local expertise at the destination port combined with a single European point of contact throughout.
This guide explains how the process works, what it realistically costs, and the Canadian import requirements that catch most first-time importers off guard. Rules change and every vehicle is assessed individually, so treat the figures below as market context and always confirm the specifics for your car before you commit.
How car shipping to Canada works, step by step
The order of operations matters. Booking freight before checking admissibility is the single most common and expensive mistake, because a vehicle that cannot legally enter Canada is very difficult and costly to send back.
- Admissibility check first. We help you confirm whether your specific make, model and year can be imported, and under which route (see the RIV and 15-year rules below).
- Documentation and recall clearance. Gathering the title/registration, bill of sale, and a manufacturer recall clearance letter where required.
- European collection. Flyto coordinates pickup from your address or arranges drop-off at the departure port hub.
- Sea freight. The car sails via RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) or inside a container from a European port to a Canadian arrival port such as Halifax or Vancouver.
- Customs and inspection at the Canadian port. Our partner handles CBSA clearance, duty and tax assessment, and the RIV inspection/modification process where it applies.
- Release and delivery. Once cleared, the vehicle is released for onward transport or collection.
A realistic end-to-end timeline is around six to ten weeks. The Atlantic sea crossing from Northern Europe typically runs roughly two to four weeks depending on routing and transhipment; the rest is preparation, port handling, customs and any RIV inspection or modifications.
RoRo versus container shipping
There are two mainstream methods, and the right choice depends on the vehicle’s value and your budget.
| Factor | RoRo (roll-on/roll-off) | Container |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Car is driven onto a dedicated vehicle vessel | Car is secured inside a 20ft or 40ft container |
| Cost | Generally the more economical option | Higher, especially for sole use of a container |
| Protection | Exposed to the elements on deck; good for standard cars | Fully enclosed; preferred for high-value or classic cars |
| Personal items | Usually not permitted inside the vehicle | Limited household goods can often be shipped alongside |
| Availability | Frequent sailings on major routes | Widely available; can share a container to reduce cost |
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What it costs to ship and import a car to Canada
Ocean freight for a standard car from Europe to Canada commonly falls in the region of roughly €1,300–€3,500 by RoRo, while container shipping typically ranges from around €3,000 to €6,000 or more for sole use. These are market ranges only. Your actual quote depends on the departure port, the shipping method, the season, and the vehicle’s dimensions and weight.
Freight is only part of the total landed cost. When importing a car to Canada you should also budget for:
- Customs duty. Duty may apply depending on where the vehicle was manufactured. Cars from some countries can enter duty-free under trade agreements, but this is vehicle-specific and must be verified, not assumed.
- GST and provincial tax. Federal GST applies on import, and provincial sales tax (PST/HST) may apply depending on the province of registration.
- RIV programme fee. A registration fee applies to vehicles processed through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.
- Air conditioning excise tax and other minor federal charges where applicable.
- Port handling, inspection and any required modifications (for example daytime running lights or metric/labelling changes).
Canadian import rules: RIV, the 15-year exemption, duty and tax
This is where Canada differs from many destinations, and where getting advice early pays off.
Admissibility and the RIV programme
Most vehicles imported into Canada must be admissible under the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) programme and meet Transport Canada requirements, including the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). After arrival, a vehicle in the RIV programme is inspected and may need modifications to comply before it can be licensed. Not every vehicle sold in Europe is admissible, so checking your exact make, model and year against Transport Canada’s admissibility guidance is essential before shipping.
The 15-year exemption
Vehicles that are 15 years old or older (calculated by month and year of manufacture) are generally exempt from the RIV programme and Transport Canada’s federal requirements. This makes older and classic cars considerably simpler to import, though provincial safety and registration rules at the destination still apply.
Duty, GST and provincial tax
On import, the CBSA assesses any applicable customs duty plus GST, and provincial tax may follow at registration. Whether duty applies depends on the vehicle’s country of manufacture and the relevant trade agreement, so the outcome varies from car to car. A manufacturer recall clearance letter is frequently required to confirm there are no outstanding safety recalls.
Because these rules are detailed and change over time, we always advise confirming the current position directly with the CBSA, Transport Canada and the RIV programme, or letting Flyto’s advisor coordinate those checks for you. We aim to set accurate expectations rather than overstate certainty.
Preparing the car and arranging insurance
Ports and carriers expect the vehicle to be clean, with a quarter tank of fuel or less, no loose or personal items inside (unless container-shipped and declared), no fluid leaks, and a working battery. A thorough pre-shipment cleaning also helps at the Canadian Food Inspection Agency stage, as soil and organic material can cause delays. We recommend arranging marine transit insurance covering the vehicle’s full value for the sea leg; standard freight liability alone is limited and rarely reflects a car’s real worth.
How Flyto coordinates the move
Flyto arranges the whole chain through vetted freight partners: we do not own ships or carriers, which lets us match each shipment to the best available RoRo or container option for your route and budget. In practice that means one team handling European collection and departure-port formalities, and a trusted local partner managing arrival, CBSA clearance and the RIV process at the Canadian port. You deal with a single, English-speaking point of contact from pickup to release, with the admissibility check built in at the start so there are no unpleasant surprises at the border.
Ready to move your vehicle across the Atlantic? Get a car shipping quote and our advisor will confirm your vehicle’s admissibility, map out the timeline, and give you a clear breakdown of freight, duty and taxes before you commit.