Cost to Ship a Car to Canada from the USA

If you’re moving to Canada, or just visiting the country for an extended period you may want to bring your vehicle along with you. This isn’t much of an issue if you can just drive it up to the final location, but there are plenty of reasons that people simply can’t drive their vehicles into Canada and those people need to look for transport companies to ship the car instead.

While using a transport company to move a car to Canada is almost always more expensive than driving the car there, it reduces wear on the vehicle, saves you time and is worth the investment for the peace of mind that a professional is handling the job. Before you hire someone to do the work, you’re going to want an idea of how much this task will cost you. The truth is that costs vary widely depending on what you need. Costs could be as little as $800 and as much as several $1,000’s depending on the distance covered, the size of the vehicle, the value of the vehicle and the shipping method used.

Import or Not?

The first question you need to ask yourself is does your vehicle count as an import or not? If it’s going to remain in Canada for good, or it will serve as your daily driver and you’re a Canadian resident then it is an import. If you’re visiting, going to school as a foreigner or working as a foreigner on a temporary visa, the car isn’t an import. If the vehicle is an import you’ll have to pay duties and taxes on it when entering the country, and they can be as much as $2500 if the vehicle is shipping a far distance. Luxury cars or oversize SUV’s may have an added cost on top of the standard transport cost, though some companies work it into the final bill.

A-1 Auto Transport ships vehicles worldwide. Click here or call 1-800-518-8708 to get a free, no obligation to buy price quote to ship your car.

Consider the Size of the Vehicle

Large trucks and SUVs that won’t fit onto a standard trailer space will cost more to ship than a compact car would. Generally, transport companies have a cut off where they will charge more money for an oversized vehicle, it’s important to ask about this when speaking with the company initially.

Consider the Distance

The total distance covered dictates the cost of transport as well. After all the company needs to account for road time and fuel. Shipping from New York into southern Canada isn’t likely to cost as much as shipping from Florida into northern Canada. Consider how many KM must be covered and work that into how much the service will cost.

Think about the Shipping Method

There are two ways to ship a car, by enclosed trailer and by open air trailer. An enclosed trailer is nice for smaller vehicles because it provides protection. It’s more expensive than open air though because fewer vehicles can be moved at a time with this method. Open air transport puts the vehicle at risk of being damaged during the trip, but the risk is a minor one. By taking that risk you’ll enjoy a lower transport fee than going with an enclosed trailer.

All these considerations must be made to determine how much transport really costs. The company will certainly be making them, so you should as well.

When it’s time for you to book reliable transport for your car to Canada from the U.S., be sure to contact A-1 Auto Transport by filling out the fast quote form on this page.

Written By:Joe Webster

Joe Webster began his journey in the auto transport field by attending the University of Southern California (USC), where he graduated with a Bachelor of Business Marketing.

After college, he started his career in the auto transport industry from the bottom up and has done virtually every job there is to do at A-1 Auto Transport, including but not limited to: Truck Driver, Dispatch, Sales, PR, Bookkeeping, Transport Planner, Transport Manager, International Transport Manager, Brokering, Customer Service, and Marketing. Working with his mentor Tony Taylor, Joe Webster has learned the ins and outs of this industry which is largely misunderstood.

With over 30 years experience in the industry, we've been helping people ship their vehicles, motorcycles, RV's, heavy equipment, household goods and more across the country or overseas without a hitch. Ask us anything.

Email me - info@a1autotransport.com

Table of Contents

Cost To Ship A Car To Canada From The Usa
Import Or Not?
Consider The Size Of The Vehicle
Consider The Distance
Think About The Shipping Method

Satisfied Customers

“I am super happy with my choice of A1 Auto Shipping. The other company I worked with was super difficult, though it did teach me a bit about the industry. Some brokers underbid by a lot, so they’ll get your contract, even if there are no carriers who will ever want to take on a job at such a price. Because of this, after signing the contract, they may leave you hanging endlessly. I had to get my car to Kentucky and had no time for pointless waiting. The other company asked me to pay $800 upfront. I didn’t know at the time this wasn’t standard practice. By paying upfront, I basically had no choice but to wait on them till a truck finally offered to take my car. A1 Auto Transport, for example, only asks for a deposit amounting to a fraction of the total cost when picking up your vehicle. You only pay the full sum after the job is done. The broker, whose name I won’t mention, was supposed to get a truck to my doorstep on the 5th of September. I put my order in 10 days prior, so there was plenty of time to find one. When I called them, they told me the 5th was actually the earliest estimate, and the actual pickup date could be quite long time away. After “accidentally” charging another $700 for my transportation, I was in tears. I had to move in less than a week, and I couldn’t afford to leave my car behind. So, I gave up on those guys and opted for A1 Auto Transport. I spoke with Joe and he got my car on a truck the following day. I am so grateful! The arrival time was estimated at 6-8 days, and it got to Kentucky on the 7th. This saved me a ton of money I would have had to spend on transport to search for an apartment. Joe called a day earlier to let me know of the time and place it would arrive. I asked if it could be delivered to another nearby location, and he was nice enough to do it. He was very helpful and straight forward. Thank you!”

I am super happy with my choice of A1 Auto Shipping

★★★★★

“I had my Mini Cooper transported with A1 Auto Transport, and I’m very glad I did. I used 2 transport services before trying A1 in the past. Both times, the communication was poor, I never knew when my car would arrive, and even when they did estimate an arrival date, the truck would always be late. The first time I had to pick up my car at 2 am from a parking lot 30 miles from my home. Third time around, I chose A1 Auto Transport to get my car to New York, and I am very pleased with my decision. Working with Joe felt like a breath of fresh air. He was always available, very communicative, and made sure things went according to plan. The price was reasonable, and the truck arrived at my house at the exact time it said it would. From that moment, I knew things would go well and they did. The initial quote stayed the same. I’m glad to report a successful experience.”

I had my Mini Cooper transported with A1 Auto Transport

★★★★★

“I had to be in Alabama to help my father through some tough times, so I could only give A1 Auto Transport a 2-day notice. To my amazement, a truck arrived the same day I made the call. I wanted my car in 5 days max, and they got it there in 3. Honestly, I was skeptical about using a transport service, with so many negative reviews online. A1 Auto Transport had a surprising lack of bad publicity, and I can now see why. The car got to Alabama in perfect condition. It’s a great company for beginners who don’t much about the industry and need to be guided through everything. Everyone was also super kind which is something I rarely see these days.”

I had to get my car to Alabama in 5 days max

★★★★★

“This is the first time I have moved my vehicle this way. I was kind of scared at first not knowing much about how it works. I ended up working with John and he expalined in detail how it all works, My car was delivered a little late (2 days) but the team more than made up for it with their communication. Thanks again.”

Joselyn F.

★★★★★

“I know it’s standard procedure, but I didn’t really search much for an auto transporter. I found A1 Auto Transport’s website in a couple of minutes and went straight to the contact page. To my surprise, Joe answered immediately. The car he had to move was with my Mom in Montana, so he promised to make the process as easy and smooth as possible. After inspecting the neighborhood, he concluded a truck could be brought right next to her house. My mom has no problem walking a couple blocks, but driving is another thing. This was the ideal scenario. Unfortunately, where I wanted it delivered wasn’t on any major routes for auto transport. Going off route would cost the company time, and therefore money, making the cost for my transport more expensive as well. Joe offered a cheaper alternative, where I would pick up the car in a nearby town. I chose to pay a little more, since I wasn’t familiar with the meeting point and didn’t want the hassle. I also don’t know that many people with a driving license and the time to drive with me to pick up the car. Going on a bus was a pain, so I chose against it. The price was fair and within my budget. I’m glad to have my Jeep and really happy with the service.”

Shipping a Jeep

★★★★★