Personal Finance

Your guide to importing a car from India to Canada

Piyush Singh

18.09.24

Read time 4 minutes

Before importing a car from India and Canada, comes the research! We’ve written this blog to explore the entire process; from collecting the necessary documents, the cost breakdown, and the import process. We will also highlight Wise as an option for significant cost-saving and cross-currency payments. Let’s unpack it together!

We will look into
Is it possible to import cars from India to Canada? Cost of importing a car from India to Canada How to import a car from India to Canada

Is it possible to import cars from India to Canada?

Yes, it’s possible, but there are strict importation rules for vehicles from India entering Canada. Vehicles built and certified to meet foreign standards cannot be imported into Canada, as the Motor Vehicle Safety Act does not permit modifications to meet Canadian standards.¹

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

You may import a vehicle from India if it meets the following conditions:

The vehicle is 15 years or older, from a regulated class under the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.¹
It is not a bus, unless the bus was manufactured before January 1, 1971.¹
It's a non-regulated vehicle that doesn’t belong to a class under the Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations.¹
The vehicle was purchased brand new and complies with all Canadian standards.¹
The vehicle was originally owned in Canada and remains compliant with Canadian standards.¹
The vehicle meets U.S. safety standards and was bought new in the U.S. to qualify via the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.¹
A used vehicle that was purchased at retail in the U.S. that meets U.S. standards to qualify via the Registrar of Imported Vehicles.¹

Cost of importing a car from India to Canada

There are several fees associated with importing a car from India to Canada, including:

Stage	Costs
Before Arrival	Since the vehicle was manufactured outside the US or Mexico, there’s a 6.1% import duty based on the vehicle's value per the bill of sale. Fees for a carrier/broker to handle shipment and processes (if applicable)
On Arrival	GST, PST, or HST, which varies by province or territory.² $100 Air Conditioning tax, if applicable.² Vehicles weighing more than 2,007 kg (4,424.68 lb pounds) are subject to an additional tax.² Excise tax for fuel-inefficient vehicles, ranging from 1,000-4,000 depending.² Cost of any required inspections and modifications.
Post Arrival	Register of Imported Vehicles (RIV) fee, which costs $325, plus tax.²

Stage

Costs

Before Arrival

Since the vehicle was manufactured outside the US or Mexico, there’s a 6.1% import duty based on the vehicle's value per the bill of sale.

Fees for a carrier/broker to handle shipment and processes (if applicable)

On Arrival

GST, PST, or HST, which varies by province or territory.²

$100 Air Conditioning tax, if applicable.²

Vehicles weighing more than 2,007 kg (4,424.68 lb pounds) are subject to an additional tax.²

Excise tax for fuel-inefficient vehicles, ranging from 1,000-4,000 depending.²

Cost of any required inspections and modifications.

Post Arrival

If you have transactions to be made in Indian Rupees, you would need a multi-currency account to avoid hefty currency conversion fees.

Save money on cross-currency payments with Wise

To maximize your money during the vehicle importation process, opt for Wise! Wise offers you a competitive, mid-market exchange rate, eliminating hidden markups and giving transparent access to competitive pricing. This means you can transfer Indian rupees to Canadian dollars — or vice versa at the fairest rates.

When you join Wise, you don't have to lock into any frustrating monthly subscriptions or feesto maintain your account. What's more, transfer fees start at just 0.33%, helping you keep more of your hard-earned money in your pocket. You only pay for what you use.

Please see the [Terms and Conditions](https://wise.com/ca/terms-and-conditions) for your region and visit our [pricing page](https://wise.com/ca/pricing/send-money) for the most up-to-date pricing and fee information on Wise products.

How to make payments with Wise

Here's how to make payments with Wise:

Register to Wise using your email and password, then complete the verification process.
Hit “Send” on the Home screen.
Add funds from an external account or your Wise balance.
Enter the specific amount of money you want to send and select the currency.
Search the recipient by name, Wisetag, email, or phone number.
Check that all the details are accurate.
Choose the best payment account for the transfer.
Finalize the transfer. You'll get a confirmation, and the recipient will be notified. Track the payment in “transactions.”

Wise makes the process simple and secure.

How to import a car from India to Canada

Importing a car from India to Canada has several steps. Here's a general breakdown of the process.

Documents required

The following documents are required for your car to cross the border into Canada:

Bill of Sale or invoice²
Bill of Lading²
Original registration²
The Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 ²
Copies of the Export Certificate and Invoices²

Before your car arrives in Canada

Check if the car meets Canadian safety and emissions standards. Vehicles must conform to the regulations of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV).

Then you would need to choose a reputable international auto transport company to take care of the shipping safely and securely.

Brokers or carriers will sort out the logistical side, support with shipping , and take care of the bureaucratic side of the process. Review the contract with a fine tooth comb, to ensure the terms are fair and just.

Once your shipment has been booked, have the vehicle looked at by a mechanic and fix any issues. Empty your vehicle of all personal items and take pictures in case of any dispute.

Procedure on your car’s arrival in Canada

Shipping a vehicle from India to Canada takes anywhere between 4–8 weeks, depending on the method of shipping, weather conditions, and more. Once it arrives in Canada, you’ll need to pay all the required import duties and taxes, which are calculated using the vehicle’s value, engine size, and age.

Then, the car must go through an RIV inspection, where it's checked over to ensure it meets all Canadian standards.

After your car’s arrival in Canada

Once your car passes inspection, it’s time to register it with your local provincial or territorial motor vehicle department.Then you can obtain insurance coverage to drive the car.

Be aware that every province in Canada has specific requirements, so be sure to check your local regulations.

Final thoughts on importing a car from India to Canada

If your car meets the requirements for being imported, it should be easy to move it safely from India to Canada. While your shipping carrier takes care of the shipment journey, allow Wise to take care of the financial side, converting your hard-earned cash quickly with minimal fees. Start your first transfer today!

Sources:

Transport Canada: Importing a vehicle from countries other than the United States and Mexico
Registrar of Imported Vehicles - Cost considerations
Sources verified on 18 September 2024

*Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.

This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.

We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.