Import classic American cars into Canada

Quick read

We import classic American vehicles — muscle cars, V8 pickups and customs older than 1996 — directly from the US to Canada. End-to-end service: vehicle sourcing, Atlantic/Pacific shipping, port clearance, registration and delivery.

Why Canada for American iron

Canada hosts one of the world's most active classic American car communities — Cobble Beach Concours, CSRA Power Tour. Local regulation is favourable to vehicles older than 30 years and the cultural appetite for classic American cars Canada, vintage pickup import, muscle car for sale continues to grow. We're shipping weekly via Halifax / Vancouver from US east-coast ports (Baltimore, Charleston, Jacksonville) and US west-coast ports (Long Beach) when relevant.

Popular models in Canada

In Canada we see the strongest demand for second-generation Chevrolet Camaro (1970–1981), Ford Mustang Fox-body and SN95 GT, Square-body Chevrolet C/K pickups (1973–1987), OBS Ford F-Series (1987–1996), Pontiac Trans Am, Plymouth 'Cuda and Dodge Challenger E-bodies. We also source 1955–57 Tri-Five Chevrolets and 1932 Ford hot rod platforms.

Prices & taxes in Canada

A typical all-in budget for a 1976 Chevrolet C10 in great shape lands between C$30,000 and C$48,000 — vehicle, ocean freight, port clearance, local registration and delivery to your door. USA-side: C$18,000–C$28,000. Ocean freight: C$1,800–C$2,800. Local duties and taxes: variable but typically 5–25% depending on classic-vehicle status. Compliance and registration: C$800–C$3,000.

Import process (RIV (>15 yrs simplified))

We handle every step: pre-purchase inspection in the US (Carfax + on-the-ground inspector — never blind buys), purchase paperwork, US inland trucking to the export port, RoRo or 20' container shipping, port clearance at Halifax / Vancouver, compliance and registration (RIV (>15 yrs simplified)), and turn-key handover from our workshop with valid plates.

Meets & American car events in Canada

Event data for this country is currently under review. See the full 2026 event calendar →

What sets us apart

Fixed price, no hidden costs — final budget locked in before purchase. On-site US inspection by a hands-on mechanic. Ocean freight insurance included. Turn-key delivery: the car rolls out of our workshop registered and road-ready.

Recent project examples

Example 1: 1972 Chevrolet C10 Stepside, Texas → Canada, total C$38,500, delivered in 11 weeks. Example 2: 1979 Pontiac Trans Am Bandit black/gold, Pennsylvania → Canada, C$41,000 all-in, 9 weeks. Example 3: 1989 Ford Mustang GT Fox-body, California → Canada, C$29,400, 10 weeks.

Canada — Why Canada for American iron

Canada is one of the easiest international markets for US-car imports thanks to the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles) program for vehicles >15 years old, which simplifies the federal import process drastically. We deliver via Halifax (east coast) or Vancouver (west coast) and handle the RIV certification, provincial safety inspection (varies by province) and registration. Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta are our main markets, with concours like Cobble Beach in Ontario and the Hot Rod Power Tour Canadian Stop. The classic-car insurance market in Canada is well-developed (Hagerty Canada, Heacock) with reasonable premiums. Provincial taxes vary: Ontario charges HST 13%, BC charges PST 7% + GST 5%, Alberta has only GST 5% — making Alberta the most tax-efficient province for high-value classics. We work with safety inspection garages in Toronto (Mississauga, Burlington), Calgary and Vancouver that have experience with American V8s. The Cobble Beach Concours in September on Georgian Bay is the East-Canadian highlight.

Frequently asked questions

How long does an import take?

Typically 9–13 weeks from purchase decision in the US to handover with local plates in Canada.

Do I need to be present for any step?

No, we represent you with power of attorney for purchase, shipping and clearance. You only sign final delivery paperwork.

Can I see the car before buying?

We send a 60-photo gallery and a 10-minute walkaround video before any deposit. After deposit, you can visit the workshop at handover.

What about LHD legality in Canada?

Canada accepts LHD classics under the regulation listed above (RIV (>15 yrs simplified)). We handle every certification step.

Which ports do you use?

Atlantic ports (Baltimore, Charleston) for east-coast cars; Long Beach for west-coast cars; arrival at Halifax / Vancouver.

Do you offer warranty after delivery?

Yes, a 6-month limited mechanical warranty on engine and drivetrain, plus full documentation of the inspection findings.

Can you help with insurance?

We connect you with classic-car insurers used to importing — premiums are typically lower than for daily-drivers.

Do you import LHD-only or both LHD/RHD?

We focus on LHD imports from the US. Conversion to RHD is possible on request via certified partners but rarely necessary for classics in Canada.

Import classic American vehicles into Canada