Importing a vehicle into B.C.

Find out how to import a vehicle from another country and insure it for its trip to B.C., as well as after it's been imported.

How to import a vehicle

To find out how to import a vehicle from another country, please see the websites of these federal government agencies:

• Registrar of Imported Vehicles  
• Canada Border Services Agency 
• Transport Canada 

If your vehicle is registered in another Canadian province, the import requirements of these agencies do not apply.

Provincial safety inspection

In addition to meeting federal import rules, most vehicles must be inspected at a provincial designated inspection facility.  This ensures they meet B.C.'s safety standards.

Driving a vehicle from the U.S.

If you're driving a U.S. vehicle to B.C., you will need an in-transit permit from the originating state. (Check with each state you enter to ensure the permit is valid in that state.)

You will also need a temporary insurance policy called a "binder of insurance." For details, please talk to your Autoplan broker.

Insuring an imported vehicle

After importing your vehicle, you need to have it registered, licenced and insured for driving in B.C. To do this, bring the vehicle, as well as the documents listed below, to an Autoplan broker.

Bringing the vehicle to a broker

An Autoplan broker needs to see the imported vehicle to verify its Vehicle Identification Number, as well as check for possible damage.

To drive the vehicle to the broker's, it must have a valid vehicle licence and insurance. For details, contact an Autoplan broker before you come in. 

Required documents

When you go to the broker's office, bring the following:

• Vehicle Import Form 1 with two stamps from Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
• CBSA document B15, or B3 or B4
• the vehicle's original Certificate of Title or Certificate of Origin
• the original bill of sale, and
• a "passed" inspection report, signed by the inspector, from a designated inspection facility.