How do I ship my car across the border from Canada to the United States?
The process to ship a car across the border from Canada to the United States can be confusing to say the least. In this article we break down key elements of the cross-border vehicle shipping process, to save you time and money! We will introduce the main things you need to know to select the best auto shipper to get your car from Western Canada into the States.
Is the US - Canada border closed? Not for us! We can ship your car safely and securely across the border to the U.S. in our enclosed transport trailers
We are still able to haul your vehicle to the US despite the border closures due to the covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. At the time of this writing, there continues to be a restriction on non-essential travel across the US-Canada land border. Please check with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and/or Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for the most up-to-date news and information on these closures.
While you personally may not be able to travel across the border with your vehicle, you can ship it with a car hauling company. Even after the border closure is lifted, there are still many scenarios where you may need to ship your car across the Canada - US border. Blackshark Enclosed Transport crosses between Canada and the US regularly with vehicles and automotive parts.
This post is part of a series! Click here to read all the entries in this series: Cross-Border Vehicle Shipping: Everything you need to know to ship your ride between Canada and the United States.
My car is in British Columbia or Alberta, and I need to get it to the USA. How do I ship a car over the US-Canada border?
This post will provide a general overview of the main considerations for shipping a vehicle over the border. In future posts, we will go into more detail on the different types of importing scenarios. Be sure to subscribe to our blog now so you don’t miss them!
Maybe you have finally found that elusive classic car and won a BAT (Bring a Trailer) auction, but the car is in Calgary and you need to get it home to you in Portland. Or perhaps you’ve finished work on a Vancouver film set and are returning to LA, and need your Ferrari Portofino waiting for you when you get back. You might even be a Canadian Snowbird living in Fort McMurray dreaming of a winter spent on a Palm Springs golf course, but reluctant to leave your beloved Porsche 911 Carrera behind. Or maybe you work in human resources and are organizing a corporate relocation on behalf of your company. Whatever the case, we’re here to help! Check out our About Us page and our welcome post for more about Blackshark’s history and commitment to its customers.
We specialize in enclosed exotic auto hauling and also offer shipping for all types of cars and trucks. We have moved RVs, travel trailers, boats, motorcycles, engines, and more. We also handle corporate vehicle relocations. All our trailers are fully enclosed to offer you the safest and most secure way to transport your vehicle. If you need to ship a vehicle to the US from Western Canada, contact us for a quote today!
Blackshark has hauled cars from Canada through all the US Ports of Entry in the West
Whatever your situation, if you need to ship a car from Western Canada into the United States, Blackshark Enclosed Transport is here to help you with every step of the process. We have direct experience with hauling exotic cars through border crossings at Blaine, Oroville, Abbotsford, Peace Arch, Sumas, Sweetgrass and more. We pick up cars from big cities and small towns.
A couple of classics! Let us know in the comments if you know what car this is!
Here’s a sample of some of our recent trips with drop-offs in the US:
Surrey, BC to Blaine, Washington (WA)
Seattle, WA to Portland, Oregon (OR)
Calgary, Alberta (AB) to Indio, California (CA)
Osoyoos, BC to Las Vegas, Nevada (NV)
Big Pine, CA to Blaine, WA
Tsawwassen, BC to Portland, OR
West Vancouver, BC to Rancho Mirage, CA
Here are some of the vehicles and parts we moved on those trips:
Ferrari F12
4 wheels and tires
Classic Porsche 911
2014 Hyundai Genesis
Ferrari 550
BMW X5
Porsche Macan
Classic Chevy C10 truck
What are the main types of importers? Which CBP rules apply to my car shipping situation?
Unaccompanied vehicles coming into the US typically fall into three general categories:
1: Permanent import
2: US-registered vehicle returning to US
3: Temporary import
We will outline these three main streams below. Blackshark Enclosed Transport is able to help customers with all of these scenarios. Contact us for a free quote or connect with us on Facebook or Instagram today!
Permanent import of vehicles and engines into the United States - aka “formal import”
Bringing a car into the US for a year or more is considered a permanent import. There are a number of documents required in order to complete this process that can make permanent import tricky. We recommend finding out about the import requirements for the specific vehicle you will need to ship, before purchase if possible.
If you plan to import a car or engine into the US, here are some of the main things to consider:
Vehicle or engine likely must meet current US emissions standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
You will need a customs broker to handle the importation on your behalf some carriers, like Blackshark, will work with the customs broker directly on your behalf
There may be duty payable depending on where the car was manufactured
The vehicle must meet US safety guidelines
There will be mandatory paperwork required
If you are permanently importing a vehicle or engine into the US from Canada, we encourage you to work with a transport company that has experience in this area as they can help you navigate the process. Please contact us for a quote today!
US-registered vehicle returning to the US
If your vehicle is US-registered, the process of returning it to the USA should be relatively straightforward provided:
The vehicle has been in Canada for less than one year
Your auto hauler has proof that the vehicle is US-registered
You have completed the required CBP paperwork
Temporary import of Canadian-registered vehicle into the United States - aka “3299 Entry” or “informal import”
Provided your car will be in the US for less than one year, and you have evidence of this, the process of shipping your car across the border is quite straightforward. This is typically the process Canadian-resident snowbirds will follow to get their car to their winter destination. Some information about 3299 entry:
Your carrier will need a letter of permission authorizing them to ship your car across the border
You must complete CBP Form 3299 and declare everything that is in the car
Your carrier will need copies of your documentation: driver’s licence, passport, vehicle registration, travel information to prove the vehicle will be in the US temporarily
A broker is not required for this type of entry
Stay tuned for another post where we will go into this type of US vehicle import in more detail. We will also be posting tips and advice for shipping a car across the Canada-US border in an upcoming post, so be sure to subscribe to our blog here.
What other things do I need to consider when shipping my car from Canada to the United States?
Blackshark’s experience hauling vehicles across the border has given us some insight into key items everyone planning to ship their vehicle into the US should consider.
Check that your insurance won’t expire while your vehicle is in the US
Confirm your auto insurance will cover your vehicle for the entire duration of its time in the United States (not all policies do this; many do not cover more than six months)
Be sure to renew your driver’s license in advance if it will expire while you are out of the country
Does your auto carrier maintain cargo insurance that covers US transportation? Many carriers in Western Canada have BC and Alberta insurance only
Blackshark Enclosed Transport carries elite-level insurance for transport across Western Canada and the United States
Does your carrier allow you to include personal items in your car while it is shipped? Some customers may want to ship their bicycles, suitcases, furniture in their vehicle but not all carriers allow this
Consider having your car professionally cleaned or detailed before shipping to make the border crossing as smooth as possible
Read through our post: Prepare your Vehicle for Cross-Border Shipping for more information
Have you ever shipped a car across the Canada-US border? We’d love to hear your story in the comments.