Step 1: Contact your Customs Broker
Contact your Customs Broker and let them know you are ready to import your vehicle. There are a few different ways you can purchase a vehicle in the US and each one requires different paperwork. Your broker will request paperwork based on who you purchased the vehicle from and what you are using it for.
If you are importing a car from a private sale for personal use, your broker will request:
- Bill of sale
- Copy of the vehicle’s title (front and back)
- A copy of the importer’s passport
- A copy of the importer’s drivers licence
If you are buying your vehicle from a dealer for personal use, your broker will request:
- Bill of sale
- A copy of the vehicle’s title (front and back)
- A copy of the importer’s passport
- A copy of the importer’s drivers licence
- Dealers name, address, and phone number
If you are buying your vehicle from a dealer for business, your broker will request:
- Bill of sale
- A copy of the vehicle’s title (front and back)
- Dealers name, address, and phone number
- Importer’s GST#, address, and phone number
If you are buying your vehicle from an individual for business or resale, your broker will request:
- Bill of sale
- A copy of the vehicle’s title (front and back)
- Importer’s GST#, address, and phone number
- The seller’s first, last name, address, and phone number
If you are a Canadian citizen returning with a US – plated vehicle, your broker will request:
- Kelly Blue Book value (PDF or print out)
- A copy of the vehicle’s title (front and back)
- Your Canadian address with phone number
If your vehicle is a gift or inheritance:
- Kelly Blue Book value (PDF or print out)
- A copy of the vehicle’s title (front and back)
- A copy of the importer’s passport
- A copy of the importer’s drivers licence
- A gift letter or letter from the estate
Step 2: Declare your crossing information
Let your broker know your vehicles:
- Port/ border crossing (you can only cross at the specific border crossing you state)
- The exact date you plan to cross (you must cross on this date)
- If you’re using a transport company, the carrier’s company name, contact information, and the Standard Carrier Alpha Code (SCAC) (a code you or your broker can get from your carrier)
Step 3: Wait 72 hours
Your customs broker will submit the paperwork and wait 72 hours to hear back from US customs for your ITN. You will be emailed or given this number by phone and you can decide if you wish to proceed with a full import by your broker or if you want to self-declare your vehicle.
*If any of your information changes before you cross make sure to let your customs broker know as you will have to submit this information to the Automated Export System (AES) before you cross to update your ITN. This includes the day you cross and where you are crossing, as you need to cross at the exact location you state when your ITN is submitted.
Check out our handy self-declaration guide if you wish to import your vehicle yourself.
If you would like help from a customs broker to get a quote from BorderBuddy by using our free online calculator.
