Importing a car from Canada to the USA: 2026 cost guide
The easiest international car import for Americans — often duty-free and driveable across the border.
A Canadian-market car costs about $34,780 all-in to import on the Canada → USA route in 2026 — a $30,000 purchase plus roughly $4,780 in shipping, 0% duty, compliance and registration.
- Route
- Canada → USA
- Est. all-in cost
- ~$34,780
- Duty & tax
- 0% duty
- On a purchase of
- $30,000
A USMCA-qualifying vehicle imports duty-free, and you can often drive it across rather than ship it.
EPA/DOT labels matter: a Canadian car usually meets US standards but needs the right compliance label.
How much does it cost to import a Canadian-market car?
Every line below is a researched 2026 estimate in USD. We start from the $30,000 purchase price, add marine insurance at about 1.5% and ocean freight, then 0% US duty on the declared value, and the broker, compliance and registration fees. Change the purchase price and everything else scales only modestly.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $30,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $500 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $450 |
| USMCA-qualifying vehicles enter duty-free | $0 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $34,780 |
Into USA the duty is light — there is none at all on this one, so tax is the small part of the bill. It is shipping (about $500), compliance and registration that make up most of the roughly $4,780 you add on top of the $30,000 purchase price — around 16% before you turn a wheel.
How to import a Canadian-market car, step by step
- Agree the purchase and secure the title/export paperwork in Canada (an export agent or auction house usually handles de-registration).
- Book ocean freight — roll-on/roll-off (RoRo) is cheapest, a sole-use container is safest for a high-value car.
- Confirm eligibility from the build month — the US 25-year DOT exemption is calculated month by month, not by model year.
- Clear US customs and pay the 0% duty, then file EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 at entry.
- Arrange inland transport, then title and register in your state — a few states add emissions or kei-vehicle checks.
Is a Canadian-market car legal to import? Rules & compliance
Confirm the vehicle has the US/Canada compliance labels and a clean title; metric clusters are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Is there duty?+
Usually none for USMCA-qualifying vehicles.
Can I drive it over?+
Often yes — no ocean freight needed.
What is the total estimated cost to import a Canadian-market car?+
About $34,780 all-in for a $30,000 example — the purchase price plus roughly $4,780 in freight, insurance, duty, compliance and registration. Your figure shifts with the exact price, route and exchange rate.
Read next
Importing a Nissan Skyline R34 to the USA: the true 2026 cost
Importing a Toyota Supra MK4 (A80) to the USA in 2026
