Car Shipping From Canada to the USA

Here are the top ways an auto transport specialist like Reindeer Auto can help support your vehicle relocation:

1. Determine shipping logistics. A huge component of international transport is nailing down the pick-up and delivery points, as well as navigating any necessary points of transfer in between.  Reindeer Auto ships to the USA from anywhere in Canada, including these major cities: 

• Edmonton
• Calgary
• Saskatoon
• Winnipeg
• Ottawa
• Montreal
• Toronto or 
• Quebec City

2. Determine cost & shipping duration. Cost is dependent on several factors, which typically include mileage, vehicle size and delivery location. We can help map out the details as well as any additional fees or taxes there are associated with importing. 

Transport between Canada and the U.S. usually takes around 10-14 days of transit time; however, weather, traffic and availability may impact delivery times. In addition to determining cost, we can help factor in pick-up time and paperwork clearance so you have the most accurate timeline as possible.  Pick-up can normally be arranged within a week of receiving all the custom paperwork  associated with the vehicle being shipped.  

Note: It usually takes between three and four weeks for U.S. Customs to process import forms. To help expedite the process:

•  Make sure to update your new mailing address so no further delays may be caused
• Notify your car courier as quickly as you are able of your new delivery address before you receive the formal import form.

3. Walk through the authorization process. If your car is a model not sold in the U.S., we can help make sure it’s approved for transport. 

The Overview of EPA primarily assesses if a vehicle and/or manufacturer:

•   is a U.S. version vehicle
•   meets conformity with federal emission requirements
•   conforms to all EPA regulations. 

Typically, the manufacturer attaches a label in the engine compartment that states the intended use. A vehicle lacking the EPA emission compliance, engine, vehicle, or equipment manufacturer, model and serial label  will be considered non-complying. (Note: If the VIN number begins between 1 and 5 , then it is built in North America. While some antiques or custom cars may not have this, it’s typically a good rule of thumb.

Here’s a handy checklist to help make sure your vehicle is authorized for transport:

• Manufacture date
• Model year, make, and model of vehicle 
• Whether the vehicle conforms to U.S. emissions requirements
• If a catalytic converter was present at time of manufacture 
• Type of fuel the vehicle uses
• Vehicle weight for trucks 

4. Review and help gather paperwork. It’s important to note that all customs paperwork must be completed and approved prior to transport. International transport comes with some additional logistics… in a nutshell: you gotta have your documentation ducks in a row. We’re here to help

Typically, for transport from Canada to the US, you’ll need to make sure you have:  

• 299 Entry Form.  This is the form you’ll use if a vehicle from Canada that is going to be in the U.S. for equal to or less than 12 months, such as snowbirds or those with short-term Visas. Cars with this type of entry form are not allowed to be traded or sold within the United States border; however, they can still be either sold or traded while on Canadian land. This form also requires that the vehicle includes registration within the United States.
• 3299 Form. This form is the Declaration of Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles which includes identification of the person responsible for bringing the effects into the U.S. 

The requirements for this form include: 

• Your name printed as it appears on your passport.
• Date of birth 
• Personal arrival date
• US home address and contact phone number (Note: No PO Boxes are accepted. If you don’t have a home address, leave this portion blank.) 

• 7501 Entry Form.  This is the form you’ll use for vehicles originating from Canada that are being brought across the United States border for over a year. These vehicles will be registered as a United States vehicle for the duration of their stay. (It’s important to note that you will not be allowed to register the car with the Department of Motor Vehicles until you are able to receive the formal import form)

You will also file for 7501 Form if: 

• A car from the United States was transported to Canada and the title from the United States was given up during the transport process and will now be returning to the U.S., the  car will then have to be retitled and re-registered within the United States.
•  A vehicle titled in the United States has switched owners in Canada and the new owner of the car is transporting the car back to the United States with proof of the original United States title.
• E-15 Form. Be sure to complete a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Form E-15 Certificate of Destruction/Exportation. This should be a complete and  accurate list of all of your personal items. If you fail to complete this form you may have to pay duty and taxes on personal items when you return to Canada. 

• Official identification. You will need a copy of your passport or a copy of your driver’s license and birth certificate. 
• Proof of ownership. A copy of vehicle ownership
• Car Courier letter.  An official letter will also be required proving that the courier you have chosen has permission to transport the automobile across the border. 

For snowbirds: When you return to Canada make sure to bring a copy of a completed CBSA Form E-24 Personal Exemption CBSA Declaration. This should list all of the items being driven back in your car. You should also bring along a copy of the completed Form E-15 when your vehicle initially entered the U.S. 

Make sure to keep the original copy of Form E-15 to present at airport Customs which details items that will follow separately. 

5. Facilitate pickup and inspection. We offer a variety of guaranteed transport times depending on mileage, seasonal demands, and client requirements. Our expert team works hand-in-hand with our customers and our carriers to ensure the relocation process is as efficient and timely as possible.

We can also arrange  door-to-door service to help eliminate any extra hassle or inconvenience for instances where our carrier may be unable to access a neighborhood or residence to pick up at the door, which may include assigning a local open flatbed if necessary.

Once your vehicle has been picked up by a car courier it will undergo inspection at the specified location for your region where our transport team will be prepped and ready to handle any unforeseen circumstances.. 

6. Enroute communication and updates. Once your vehicle has passed inspection, it will be on its way. Throughout the journey the Reindeer Auto team will be available to answer questions, provide updates around various aspects of relocation, ensuring you have 24/7 access to on-call staff.