Importing a vehicle into B.C.

You can import a vehicle if government requirements are met and you have the correct paperwork.

Steps to import a vehicle

How to import a vehicle from another country is explained on the websites of the three agencies involved:

• Registrar of Imported Vehicles  
• Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)
  
• Transport Canada

Note: To import a vehicle, you don't need to deal with ICBC. 

Import requirements do not apply to vehicles previously registered in other Canadian provinces.

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 insurance. ICBC can issue temporary insurance that lasts up to 31 days.

Insuring an imported vehicle

After importing your vehicle, you can register, license and insure it at any Autoplan broker.

At the broker's, you will need the following documents:

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