Your guide to importing a car from Dubai to Canada

Importing vehicles to Canada sold in countries besides Mexico and the United States isn’t easy. However, the Motor Vehicle Safety Act has set rules in place to make this possible. We’ll be looking at the logistics of importing cars from the UAE, the conditions and costs, how to make it happen, and how you can make the most of your money by using Wise to save on cross-currency payments.

We'll be looking into:

Is it possible to import cars from Dubai to Canada? What are the conditions for importing a car from Dubai to Canada? Cost of importing a car from Dubai to Canada Save money on cross-currency payments with Wise Benefits of Wise for importing cars from Dubai How to make payments with Wise How to import a car from Dubai to Canada Documents required Before your car arrives in Canada Procedure on your car’s arrival in Canada After your car’s arrival in Canada

Is it possible to import cars from Dubai to Canada?

It’s possible to import a car from Dubai to Canada under certain stipulations,the number one being that the car needs to be made to US or Canadian specifications. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act also doesn’t allow modifications to be made, which means you’re out of luck if it wasn’t already built to standard.

Ultimately, you have to be extra careful when it comes to importing a vehicle that doesn’t meet the standards and requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. That’s because you could not only get your car sent back, but it’s also a criminal offence!

What are the conditions for importing a car from Dubai to Canada?

Of course, there are special conditions that, if met, allow you to import a car from Dubai. These include:¹

• The vehicle needs to be 15 years old or older
• The vehicle should belong to a regulated class of vehicle under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act
• The vehicle meets all Canadian standards and was purchased new abroad
• The vehicle is a Canadian or US-specification vehicle that was owned in Canada or the US and is simply returning to North America
• The vehicle meets US safety standards and was bought new in the US before being shipped
• The vehicle needs to qualify for import by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles

Cost of importing a car from Dubai to Canada

Besides making sure that your car is fully admissible to Canada, there’s another part of the equation that you’ll need to consider: costs. Importing isn’t cheap, and if you consider aspects like taxes, duties, and excess fees, you’ll likely have to fork out more than you bargained for. Here’s what you can expect at each leg of the journey:

Leg of journey	Costs2
Before arrival	Brokerage fees: ~$100 on average Excess weight tax: For vehicles weighing over 4,425 lbs Air conditioning tax: $100 Import duties: 6.1% of the bill of sale Excise tax on fuel-inefficient vehicles: $0 — $4,000
On arrival	Excise taxes or duties assessed by CBSA at the border
Post-arrival	Registrar of Imported Vehicle fee: ~$325+ + GST + HST/QST3

Save money on cross-currency payments with Wise

Dealing with the costs of importing a car can be stressful, especially when you have to pay certain fees in a foreign currency. These payments and transfers can quickly add up. That’s why Wise could be a great choice for both local and international payments. With your multi-currency account, you can make your money work for less. You can send money in over 160 currencies and hold over 40 currencies in one place.

Benefits of Wise for importing cars from Dubai

Wise doesn’t just let you easily manage your finances wherever you are—the platform also boasts:

• No monthly/annual fees: With a fully transparent, pay-as-you-go fee structure, you’ll only pay for what you use, with no recurring fees to worry about.
• Mid-market exchange rate: Take advantage of the fairest rate on the market (the one you often see on Google) every time you make a transfer, so you don’t have to lose out on unnecessary fees and markups.
• Low transfer fees, starting at 0.33%^*: See a breakdown⁴ of everything you’re paying for before you hit send.

How to make payments with Wise

With Wise, you can forget the struggle of making international transfers through your local bank or financial institution. Everything is done seamlessly online in a few clicks, backed by GDPR compliance, ISO 27001 certification, and a dedicated security operations team.⁵ If you’ve opened an account and are ready to pay, here’s how to do it:

1. Click Send on the home screen
2. Choose where you want to send your transfer, whether it’s with your Wise balance or from an account outside of Wise
3. Detail how much you would like to send and in which currency, and either schedule the transfer or choose to send it now
4. Pick a recipient or add a new one
5. Review the payment options, including their fees and duration of transfer

All of these advantages help with saving fees when you import a car from Dubai.

How to import a car from Dubai to Canada

If you’re ready to put in the work and have checked that you’re eligible to import your car from Dubai to Canada, here’s what you’ll need to have and do to make sure the journey is successful.

Documents required

Before you start the importing process, you’ll need to have all the right documents ready to go. These include:

• Bill of lading (for import, release, and tax purposes)
• Insurance certificate (compliance with both UAE and Canadian regulations)
• Car importer registration
• Tax ID number in Canada
• Commercial invoice
• Vehicle customers value declaration
• Certificate of value and origin to show the car is brand new
• Packing list
• Power of attorney

This list may change over time and could be missing key components, so it’s always recommended to seek legal counsel or the right professional advice rather than relying on this list alone.

Before your car arrives in Canada

While your car is still in Dubai, you should double-check it's fully eligible for importation. Other than contacting the right parties, you can also use the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) admissibility checklist⁶. Once you’re eligible, you should arrange for import with a reliable shipping company that specialises in international vehicle transport.

Procedure on your car’s arrival in Canada

When your car arrives at a Canadian port, customs will inspect the car and make sure you have all the required documents, such as the bill of lading and the vehicle clearance certificate. You’ll also need to pay any outstanding fees, such as taxes and import duties. Without the payment or documentation, you could experience delays or even have your car be denied entry.

After your car’s arrival in Canada

Once your car is imported, you’ll need to register it within 45 days to avoid any penalties. At the RIV, you’ll need to present documents like the vehicle import form, bill of sale, proof of insurance, and other provincial or territorial-specific documentation needed. The best way to make sure you’re following the right steps is to directly contact your area’s jurisdiction.

Final thoughts on importing a car from Dubai to Canada

Since Dubai has such a wide selection of exotic and luxury cars that often come at a cheaper price than in North America, plenty of Canadians may want to import cars into the country. As long as you comply with the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act and the RIV, importing a car from overseas is entirely possible. With Wise as your partner in the process, you can also tackle the financial aspect with a reliable multi-currency account that makes use of the mid-market rate and low and transparent fees.

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Sources:

1 - Importing a vehicle from countries other than the United States and Mexico
2 - Current Rates of Excise Taxes - Canada.ca
3 - Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Cost Considerations
4 - Wise Fees & Pricing: Only Pay for What You Use
5 - How do I send money with Wise? | Wise Help Centre
6 - RIV: Vehicle Admissibility
7 - Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Provincial Licensing
Sources verified on 18 September 2024