Canada is a big country, and the first thing most people ask is how a car in Alberta or Ontario gets anywhere near a ship. The answer is that we collect it. From there it is a straightforward crossing, and the main job at this end is the lighting work that North American cars always need.
- Shipping time
- 2 to 6 weeks
- Method
- Container or RoRo
- Guide shipping price
- From £2,175
- Import tax
- 20% VAT + 10% duty
Collection and ports
We collect from anywhere in Canada, from a home address or a dealer, with open or enclosed transport. The car is insured while it is moved to the port. We ship from ports right across the country:
- Vancouver
- Montreal
- Halifax
- Prince Rupert
- Saint John
- Hamilton
- Quebec
Which port your car leaves from depends on where it is and what is sailing. A car on the west coast has further to go, because the ship routes through the Panama Canal before it crosses the Atlantic, which adds time.
RoRo or container
Both work well from Canada. RoRo, where the car is driven onto the ship and parked on a deck, is generally faster. A container is the safer option, because the car is sealed in for the whole voyage and unloaded at our own premises in Castle Donington by our own team.
| Feature | RoRo | Container |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Generally faster | Can take a little longer |
| Car must run | Yes | No |
| Sealed in transit | No | Yes |
For a classic, a high-value car or anything that does not run, we would usually suggest a container. The full comparison is in container, RoRo or air.
Your Canada paperwork
0 of 4 done
Making it UK road legal
Canadian cars are built to North American lighting rules, which differ from ours in a few ways. The most common job is the indicators. Many North American cars flash red at the back, and UK rules want amber, so we convert them. The usual list is:
- Amber rear indicators in place of red
- Side markers at the front of the doors
- A rear fog light
- Headlights adjusted or replaced for driving on the left
Our guide to converting an American car for UK roads goes through each change and why it is needed. The same rules apply to Canadian cars.
After the changes, a car under 10 years old takes an IVA test. A car between 10 and 40 years old takes an MOT, and one over 40 does not need an MOT. Shipping a Car is part of My Car Import, and we run one of only seven privately operated IVA centres in Great Britain on our own site, so the car is changed and tested under one roof.
Registration
Once the car has passed and we have made the NOVA declaration, we apply to the DVLA. Our dealer-level DVLA account lets us register imported cars within 10 working days, and we fit your UK plates before the car leaves us. The My Car Import registration page covers this step in more detail.
What it costs
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping a car from Canada starts from around £2,175. That is shipping only. It does not include registration, other services, import tax or the remedial work, and the lighting work in particular varies a lot from car to car.
Canada is outside the EU, so a car bought there pays 20% import VAT and 10% import duty, worked out on the price of the car plus shipping, with VAT on top of the duty. A car over 30 years old pays 5% VAT and no duty. If you are moving to the UK, have lived abroad for at least 12 months and owned the car for at least 6, Transfer of Residence can make it tax free.
Budget for the lighting. Almost every Canadian car needs some lighting work before it can be tested. Tell us the exact model on the quote form and we will tell you what to expect.
Still choosing a car? Our list of the most popular cars to ship from Canada might help.
Questions people ask
How long does it take to ship a car from Canada to the UK?
Shipping takes around 2 to 6 weeks. Cars from the west coast take longer, because the ship goes through the Panama Canal before crossing the Atlantic.
Which Canadian ports do you ship from?
Vancouver, Montreal, Halifax, Prince Rupert, Saint John, Hamilton and Quebec. We collect from anywhere in Canada and take the car to the port.
Is RoRo or container better from Canada?
RoRo is generally faster, but the car has to run. A container is the safer option, keeps the car sealed, and is unloaded at our own premises.
Why does a Canadian car need amber indicators?
Many North American cars have red rear indicators, and UK rules require amber. We convert them, along with side markers, a rear fog light and the headlights, before the car is tested.
How much does it cost to ship a car from Canada to the UK?
As a guide, built from a year of real jobs, shipping starts from around £2,175. That excludes registration, other services, import tax and any remedial work.
Send us the car and where it is on the quote form, and we will come back with a price for the whole job.
