Ship A Car: Canada to U.S.

What better way to spend a Canadian winter than in sunny Florida? Or southern California

While some Canadians enjoy snowboarding and jet skiing, others may prefer a retreat to a warm beach where bikinis and pina coladas await the discerning snowbird.

But driving to the southern United States is a Herculean endeavor. Depending on your tolerance for starvation and full bladders, you might need between two to four full days to make the journey.

That certainly takes a chunk out of your precious vacation time!

Wouldn’t it be lovely to click your heels and send it ahead of you to Miami or Los Angeles?

You can’t do that, but there are other options for getting your vehicle to the winter wonderlands of the United States while you enjoy a much shorter trip, by plane.

You can hire someone to drive for you, but that can be costly. Why not ship your car, truck, SUV, or other vehicle to your destination?

Services make it easy to get it to the U.S. safely. That means you can enjoy a cocktail while traveling, knowing it will arrive where needed. It will be there when your plane lands, and you won’t have to navigate the scary U.S. interstates to get it there.

Ship Car Canada to USA: One year or less

It will be much easier to move to the U.S. if you plan to bring it back within the year. This suits the needs of most vacationers and snowbirds. Such cars enjoy a break from a myriad of regulations.

The United States considers motorcycles, SUVs, and vans “temporary” if:

1. They are moved to the United States for personal use.
2. You and your auto will not be in the United States for over a year.
3. You do not sell or attempt to sell in the U.S.

Suppose you haul to the United States under these guidelines. In that case, you will not have to pay the rather exorbitant duty tax on your vehicle, which is a hefty 25 percent of the vehicle’s value in the case of a truck, 2.5 percent for a car, and varying amounts for a motorcycle.

• Shipping a car from Canada to the U.S. on an open carrier typically costs $900–$1,600, with longer routes like British Columbia to Florida reaching the higher end.
• Cross-border transit averages 3–8 days, with winter storms in the Prairies and Northeast adding up to 12–48 hours of delay on affected routes.
• Vehicles imported permanently into the U.S. must satisfy DOT, EPA, and CBP requirements; bonded carriers handle customs clearance and cross-border manifests on your behalf.

Move to the USA: Permanent basis

If you plan to leave or sell it in the U.S., taking it across the border becomes a much more complicated affair. The U.S. considers such a vehicle an “import.” That means the massive number of regulations applying to imports will apply to your car.

As the prior paragraph outlines, such imported ones are subject to duty taxes. Such must also meet U.S. standards for safety and emissions.

Most cars recently manufactured in Canada meet these standards, but you will want to ensure that before moving. Many Canadian autos have emissions labels that certify that they meet the standards of the U.S. and Canada. This label will likely be on the inside of the vehicle’s hood or engine compartment for lightweight autos and trucks.

If your car or truck does not have such a label, it may still be eligible for import to the United States. Many manufacturers have United States representatives. One of these representatives can prepare a certificate that says a certain meets the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) emissions standards.

Consult this list of manufacturers’ U.S. representatives to obtain a certificate.

Further cautions

It pays to do your research when importing from Canada to the U.S. There are dozens of pages of regulations across three different federal agencies. The following are some of the most important things to check off your “make sure” list.

Don’t Use It as a Container

Unfortunately, U.S. Customs makes it very difficult to use it as a container for even the most harmless belongings.

The official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website specifically prohibits moving that contains any kind of personal or commercial stuff. Officials warn that it can be seized if it contains any undeclared items. They also warn that items left in an auto are highly subject to theft.

Clean Its Undercarriage

Vehicles entering the United States from Canada are subject to examination. The floor of the car is one accessible area for inspection. You can't enter the United States with any noxious materials or invasive species, so this must be spotless.

Your automobile should be detailed in no more than 72 hours. To get the finest results, hire cleaners. Tell the wash workers to take extra care of the vehicle's undercarriage. Then, you should verify that it is clean by inspecting it for yourself.

Be Careful About Importing an “Exotic Auto”

The United States’ ongoing conflicts with the Middle East and Eastern Europe exist on many levels. That means that you cannot bring to the U.S. a car that “involves the government” of a country that is part of this conflict.

According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency, you may not import that involves the countries of:

● Iran

● Iraq

● Libya

● North Korea

● The Sudan

● Montenegro

● Serbia

● Kosovo

● Yugoslavia

If it was made in the U.S., Canada, Great Britain, or Australia, it’s unlikely to breach this rule.

But, if it was made in one of the prohibited countries, you should petition the Office of Foreign Assets Control to determine if it is importable.

Use an Experienced Firm

Cars imported to the U.S. from Canada must meet the standards of three different federal agencies: the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Customs and Border Protection.

An experienced agency will help you navigate the dozens of regulations that you must adhere to. A good company will help you determine whether you meet U.S. emissions standards. They will also advise you on the most efficient method. They will also help you determine what documents you will need to bring.

Cost to Move

Cost is an essential consideration when moving to the United States.

How much you pay will depend on several factors, especially the distance that it has to travel and the time of year.

Other factors that affect cost are the size and the mode. Prices can and will vary, but to give you a rough guideline, one carrier offers transport from Montreal, Quebec, to Los Angeles, California, for as little as $350.

One consumer reports, however, that moving costs $1275.

Ways to Save Money

In deciding how you want to haul, you must balance your need to keep it safe and sound against the need to save money. Generally, if it is just a way of getting from point A to point B, you can save much more money than if you regard your auto as your baby.

Reduce costs by traveling mid-winter

Many U.S. cities have peak tourist seasons. If you are traveling specifically to enjoy an annual festival or leaf season, you have limited choices about your travel time.

But if you are traveling to escape the cold and ice of a Canadian winter, you may be in luck! January and February are off-seasons in many incredible U.S. cities. For example, school schedules overrun Orlando, Florida (home to Disney) during the summer.

But if you want to save money, go to Orlando in January or February. The rides and programs are just as fabulous. But you can enjoy off-season lodging, food, and hauling rates!

By sea is Cheaper Than by Land

Moving by sea, you can use the roll-on, roll-off manner. Using the roll-on, roll-off method, you or your company drives to Halifax, Montreal, Toronto, or Vancouver.

From that port, it rolls onto a ship and then off at a significant port in the United States. United States roll-off points include New York City; Baltimore, Maryland; Charleston, South Carolina; Jacksonville, Florida; Norfolk, Virginia; Galveston, Texas; and Tacoma, Washington.

The roll-on/roll-off method works best for people who live on or near a port town and are hauling to or near another port town.

Drive Across the Border Yourself

Since most Canadians live in the southern parts, it may make sense to drive across the border and hire a company to take it the rest of the way.

If, for instance, you live in Toronto, you are only a few miles from Detroit. Drive to the U.S., then have it hauled to Miami.

If you live in Vancouver, you are only a few miles from Seattle. Drive there, then move to San Jose.

Buy a Cheap Old Auto

The most wonderful irony of United States emissions standards is that the oldest, worst gas guzzlers are exempt. If you drive a vintage, classic, or just an ancient car, this means you can bring it to the US permanently without modifying it.

Emissions standards for permanently imported cars are stringent. And it can cost a fortune to bring a non-conforming auto up to standards. So, if you are getting it for permanent use, it’s better to bring a very new or an ancient car.

Gasoline-powered autos built in or before 1967 are exempt from meeting EPA guidelines. Diesel-powered motorcars can have birthdays as late as 1974 and be exempt. Some motorcycles constructed in or before 1977 are exempt.

If you are permanently moving it, scan your local newspaper classifieds to see if anyone is selling an old, reliable vehicle.

Moving Heavy Cargo

If you want to haul heavier cargo than a car, truck, SUV, or van, you must determine whether your combined shipment is “high-value” or “low-value.”

Any shipment valued at US $2000 or greater is considered “high-value.”

Most importantly, boats, recreational vehicles, heavy equipment, freight, and household goods will be high-value.

Documents You Will Need

Canadians who are moving high-value cargo to the U.S. are regarded as “importers” for customs purposes. You will need to retain the services of a customs broker. This broker will advise you on how to value your imports and what regulations they are subject to.

You will need many documents to haul high-value cargo. These include:

● A NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) certificate of origin.

● A commercial invoice that shows how much you paid for the item or items in your shipment.

● An importer identification number. You can obtain this yourself by going to this website. Or, to save time but not money, you can ask your customs broker to get this number on your behalf.

● A bill of lading and entry manifest. The courier you hire will fill out this paperwork on your behalf.

● An HS (Harmonized System Tariff Classification) code. This numeric code refers to the type of material(s) you are importing.

Don’t hand over originals. Instead, make photocopies and give them to your freight carrier.

Conclusion: Get Help!

Getting a single car across the United States can be a complicated affair. It’s impossible to over-emphasize the importance of hiring a highly experienced firm.

Your company will help you decide how and when to move, help you navigate the reams of paperwork, and get it safely to your desired destination.

Choosing the lowest-cost agency may not be the way to go. Instead, look for a business with good reviews and years of experience. Ask many questions, and don’t hesitate to get two or more quotes.

The joys of exploring the United States in an auto will be well worth it!