Why Vehicle Imports Get Delayed at Canadian Customs

Vehicle import inquiries almost always start with frustration:

• “The car is at the border, but nothing is happening.”
• “They cleared everything else. Why is the vehicle stuck?”
• “No one told me this would take so long.”
• “What are they waiting for?”

Vehicle imports are one of the highest-volume and highest-friction categories for customers. And the delays are rarely random. This post explains why vehicle imports are delayed at Canadian customs, based entirely on what customers encounter in real situations.

Vehicle Imports Are Treated Differently Than Other Shipments

One of the biggest surprises for customers is that vehicles are not handled like regular goods. From the caller’s perspective:

“It’s just another item I’m importing.”

From CBSA’s perspective:

• Vehicles are high-value
• Vehicles have safety and compliance implications
• Vehicles are harder to correct once released

That alone increases scrutiny and the risk of delay.

The Most Common Reasons Vehicle Imports Get Delayed

1. Admissibility Is Not Clear

This is the single most significant driver of delays in vehicle inquiries. Delays happen when CBSA cannot immediately confirm:

• The vehicle is allowed to enter Canada
• The vehicle meets the required standards
• The documentation supports admissibility

Many callers only discover this issue after purchase. By the time the vehicle reaches the border, clearance cannot proceed until admissibility is resolved. Many of these admissibility questions are tied to the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. If a vehicle is not eligible under RIV rules or requires modifications before registration, CBSA will not release it until that eligibility is confirmed.

2. Vehicle Information Is Incomplete or Inconsistent

Vehicle clearance relies heavily on specific details. Delays occur when:

• VIN details don’t line up
• The invoice doesn’t match the vehicle
• The description is too generic
• Vehicle details conflict across documents
• The vehicle has a salvage title, a rebuilt history, or an unclear prior registration
• The vehicle has manufacturer recalls that have not been addressed 

Open recalls are a common reason vehicles get delayed. Many imports require proof that all manufacturer recalls have been cleared before the vehicle can proceed. Even minor inconsistencies can prevent clearance because the CBSA needs confidence that the paperwork matches the actual vehicle.

3. The Bill of Sale or Invoice Doesn’t Explain the Vehicle Properly

Problems with bills of sale or invoices are widespread in vehicle inquiries. Issues include:

• Missing or unclear vehicle descriptions
• Values that don’t align with expectations
• Incomplete buyer or seller information
• No clear explanation of the transaction

CBSA cannot clear a vehicle if the invoice does not clearly support what is being imported. CBSA doesn’t just need an invoice. They need an invoice that clearly explains the vehicle, the sale, and why the declared value makes sense.

4. Importer Responsibility Is Unclear

Vehicle delays often stem from confusion over who is responsible. This happens when:

• The importer of record is missing or incorrect
• The buyer didn’t realize they were listed
• Responsibility is assumed to be handled by someone else

When CBSA cannot identify a responsible party, clearance stops.

5. Duties, Taxes, Surtaxes, or Fees Are Not Resolved

Some vehicle shipments remain delayed simply because:

• Duties or taxes have not been addressed
• Amounts are disputed
• Payment responsibility is unclear

Until CBSA’s financial assessment is resolved, the vehicle will not be released. 

In some cases, delays occur because importers didn’t anticipate surtaxes or additional charges tied to the vehicle's country of origin. The VIN's origin can significantly affect the surtax outcome.

If you’re a business and this is a commercial vehicle import, delays can also occur if the importer is not correctly set up under CARM and does not have the required financial security in place to maintain Release Prior to Payment privileges.

6. The Vehicle Is Selected for Inspection or Additional Review

Vehicles are frequently selected for:

• Additional review
• Physical inspection
• Verification of details

This does not mean something is wrong, but it does extend timelines.

Inspections add delay because:

• They require coordination
• Findings may trigger follow-up questions
• Clearance pauses during review

Why Vehicle Delays Feel Worse Than Other Delays

Vehicle delays tend to feel more severe because:

• The value is high
• Storage costs can accumulate
• Buyers are emotionally invested
• Vehicles are harder to reroute or return

This is why vehicle-related calls are often more urgent and more stressful.

Why These Delays Are Usually Discovered Late

Based on our experience, vehicle delays happen late because:

• Admissibility wasn’t checked before purchase
• Documentation was created quickly
• Assumptions were made about responsibility
• Vehicle-specific requirements weren’t anticipated

Most callers only learn about these issues when the vehicle is already at the border.

What Actually Gets a Delayed Vehicle Moving Again

Vehicle imports start moving when:

• Admissibility questions are resolved
• Documentation clearly matches the vehicle
• The importer's responsibility is established
• CBSA questions are answered fully
• Duties and taxes are addressed

Time alone does not resolve vehicle delays. Clarity does.

The Most Important Takeaway

Vehicle imports into Canada are delayed for specific, repeatable reasons. They are delayed because:

• CBSA cannot confirm admissibility
• Information does not clearly explain the vehicle
• Responsibility is unclear
• Required steps were missed before shipping

Vehicle delays are preventable, but only when these issues are addressed early.

Vehicle delays often stem from unexpected charges.

Get ahead of them with BorderBuddy’s duty & tax calculator before your vehicle reaches the border. BorderBuddy’s calculator also uses AI to help classify goods under the correct HS (Harmonized System) code, a key factor in determining the duty rate applied to an import.

What to Read Next

People dealing with vehicle delays usually ask next:

• What makes a vehicle admissible for import into Canada
• Duties, taxes and surcharges on vehicle imports into Canada (coming soon)
• Self-clearing a vehicle vs using a broker in Canada (coming soon)

Still Need Help With Your Import?

If you still didn’t find what you were looking for, BorderBuddy is here to help.

• Call us at 1 (877) 409-8163
• Or email us anytime at service@borderbuddy.com

Our team can help you get clear answers and avoid delays at the border.