Here’s What to Do:

1. Call the Registrar of Imported Vehicle (RIV) at 1-800-511-7755 toll free from Canada and the U.S. to determine if the vehicle you have in mind is admissible into Canada, and what, if any modifications might be required to meet Canadian safety standards.
   
   
2. Contact the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) of the vehicle to determine costs and availability of parts that may be necessary to make the required modifications. 
   
   
3. It’s worth bearing in mind that if modifications are needed, they can be expensive and a safety test may be required.
   
   
4. Contact your OEM or one of their dealers in the U.S. to obtain recall documentation stating there are no outstanding recalls on your vehicle. This documentation is required to pass Canadian inspection. Outstanding recall work has to be completed before the vehicle can be imported into Canada.
   
   
5. Contact your insurance agent (in BC it’s ICBC) before driving the imported vehicle into Canada to ensure proper insurance coverage.
   
   
6. At the border, be prepared to pay applicable duties and taxes and a registration fee that covers among other things, RIV inspection costs. Within 10 days of payment, you will receive an Inspection Form, a list of RIV Inspecton Centers, and more information on the importation process.
   
   
7. Make any required modifications to your vehicle. Bear in mind that you have only 45 days from the date of entry into Canada to complete these modifications and obtain subsequent inspections.
   
   
8. Make an appointment with an RIV Inspection Center. If you opt to have an Inspection Center perform vehicle modification and recall work, make sure first that they can do the work your vehicle requires. Or, have the modifications done elsewhere.
   
   
9. Contact your Provincial or Territorial licensing authority for information on additional inspection, registration and licensing requirements. Many provinces make it possible to have provincial and federal inspections completed at the same time.
   
   
10. Take import and recall documentation, as well as any parts receipts, or work orders, to your vehicle inspection center as proof that modifications were completed.
    If the vehicle passes inspection, the RIV head office can typically confirm eligibility and fax an import authorization number back within half an hour.
    The RIV will later mail you a compliance label which must be affixed to the vehicle.
    
    
11. Take the stamped copy of the vehicle import form to a provincial licensing office to obtain registration in the province of residence. Provincial authorities will not license a vehicle without the completed and stamped documentation.