About Cars

How to Import a BMW to Canada

1. Verify with the Canadian Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) that your BMW is on the list of vehicles that are admissible to Canada. This varies depending on the model and year of your car.
2. Obtain recall clearance. Before bringing a BMW into Canada, you must have proof that the BMW model is not under recall. Acceptable forms of verification are a letter from the cars manufacturer or a printout from an authorized BMW dealership with the cars VIN on it. If the manufacturer of your model keeps a list of recalls on its website, the RIV will accept that as well.
3. Pass through U.S. Customs. When the vehicle crosses the border into Canada, U.S. Customs requires proof of the vehicles ownership. The person bringing the vehicle will need to present to Customs the vehicles registration, original title and two certified copies of the title. Customs needs to be notified 72 hours in advance of crossing.
4. Pass the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) inspection. Once the vehicle crosses into Canada, CBSA agents will give you a Vehicle Import Form, check that your model is admissible, and collect the registration fee of $204.75. CBSA will then send the Vehicle Import Form on to RIV.
5. Fulfill the requirements of the RIV inspection form. After RIV receives the Vehicle Import Form from CBSA, they will issue an RIV inspection form, which will include any modifications that need to be made to the BMW in order to meet Canadian safety regulations.
6. Take the car to an RIV inspection center once any needed modifications are complete (these centers are as common as safety and emissions inspections in the United States). Once the car passes inspection, the center will affix a Canadian Statement of Compliance sticker to the vehicle.
7. License the vehicle in the province in which it will be located. For licensing, bring the title and proof of insurance to your provinces vehicle licensing/registration center.