Canada

Canada allows non-U.S.-market vehicles other than large buses to be imported once they are 15 years or older, measured to the month of manufacture. This applies to both left-hand-drive and right-hand-drive vehicles. Competition vehicles designed exclusively for closed-course use are exempt from the 15-year rule under Transport Canada’s competition-vehicle provision.

Yes. Japanese Domestic Market vehicles that are 15 years or older can be imported into Canada under the 15-year rule and are legal to register nationwide. Newer JDM vehicles are not eligible under this rule. Quebec has an additional provision that allows right-hand-drive vehicles 25 years or older to be imported and registered in that province.

Yes. Canada allows right-hand-drive vehicles from Japan under the same 15-year rule that applies to left-hand-drive imports. All provinces except Quebec register RHD vehicles once the 15-year threshold is met. Quebec applies a stricter rule for RHD vehicles and requires them to be 25 years or older to be imported and registered in that province.

Japan Car Direct ships to both Canadian coasts. Roll-on/roll-off (RORO) service is available to Vancouver and New Westminster on the west coast. Container shipping is available to Halifax on the east coast. Inland buyers can arrange onward transport from the arrival port to their final destination.

Once a vehicle is on the boat, Japan Car Direct couriers the buyer the following documents: Bill of Lading, Export Certificate, English translation of the Export Certificate, Bill of Sale/Commercial Invoice, Marine Insurance, and the Certificate of Origin (used to claim reduced duty rates on Japanese-made vehicles). A licensed Canadian customs broker is recommended for first-time importers.

Typical Canadian-side charges include customs clearance and brokerage from CAD 275 plus GST for the first vehicle on the Bill of Lading, dock and unloading fees around CAD 385, a tow fee around CAD 100 to move the vehicle out of the bonded port yard, a CAD 100 excise tax if the vehicle has air conditioning, a CFIA soil exam of CAD 43 plus GST if the vehicle is flagged, duty of 0 to 2.5 percent on Japanese passenger cars, and GST of 5 percent on the vehicle’s invoice value. Actual charges depend on vehicle type and port.

In British Columbia, the vehicle must first pass a designated inspection under the province’s Vehicle Inspections and Standards program at an ICBC-authorized inspection facility. Japan Car Direct works with Overland Garage Ltd in Burnaby, an ICBC Designated Inspection Facility, and can recommend other authorized facilities. Once the inspection is passed, the vehicle can be registered with ICBC under normal procedures.