What is the RIV (Registrar of Imported Vehicles)?
What will your import cost?
Ontario example: $30,000 USD, model year 2022, air conditioning on. RIV fee: $367.25 CAD ($325 CAD + 13% HST).
Open the full calculatorIncludes duty, surtax, GST, provincial tax and the RIV fee. Estimate only. Confirm final charges with a licensed customs broker.
RIV at a glance
| Item | What to know |
|---|---|
| Who runs it | The RIV, under contract with Transport Canada |
| Which vehicles | US and Mexico vehicles under 15 years old |
| RIV fee | $325 CAD plus tax. Ontario: $367.25 CAD ($325 CAD + 13% HST) |
| Deadline | 45 days from import to pass inspection. One year for salvage |
| Recalls | Must be cleared before the inspection |
| Where to start | riv.ca |
How the RIV process works, step by step
- 1
Check the vehicle is admissible
Look it up on the RIV's list of admissible vehicles at riv.ca. Modified vehicles, such as a truck with a lift kit, generally do not qualify.
- 2
Clear recalls
Get a letter from the maker or a dealer showing no open safety recalls. You need it before the RIV inspection. It is smart to get it before you buy.
- 3
Export it from the US
File AES to get an ITN. Send the ITN, title and bill of sale to US Customs and Border Protection at least 72 hours before you cross.
- 4
Declare it at the Canadian border
The border officer reviews your papers and collects duty, surtax, excise and GST. You get Form 1, the Vehicle Import Form. A licensed customs broker can do this filing for you.
- 5
Pay the RIV fee
Pay $325 CAD plus tax at the border or online at riv.ca. In Ontario, the fee is $367.25 CAD ($325 CAD + 13% HST).
- 6
Make any changes
Common items are daytime running lights, an immobilizer, and bilingual or metric labels.
- 7
Pass the RIV inspection
Book it at an authorized inspection centre. Your inspection form lists the options. Do this within 45 days.
- 8
Register it in your province
Pass a provincial safety inspection, pay provincial tax and get plates.
What does the RIV cost?
The RIV fee is only one part of the bill. Here is a typical breakdown for a car under 15 years old.
| Cost | Amount or rate | Paid to / source |
|---|---|---|
| Import duty | 0% with qualifying CUSMA origin paperwork. 6.1% otherwise | CBSA Customs Tariff 2026 |
| US-origin surtax | 25% of value. 21.25% if CUSMA-qualifying. New and used, no age exemption | CBSA Customs Notice 25-15 |
| A/C excise tax | $100 CAD if it has air conditioning | Canada Revenue Agency |
| Green Levy | $0 to $4,000 CAD. Passenger cars rated 13 L/100 km or more. Pickups excluded | Canada Revenue Agency |
| GST | 5% of value plus duty, surtax and excise | Canada Border Services Agency |
| RIV fee | $325 CAD plus tax. Ontario: $367.25 CAD ($325 CAD + 13% HST). Not charged at 15 years or older | RIV / CBSA Customs Notice 20-26 |
| Provincial tax | Ontario 8% provincial HST portion, Quebec 9.975%, Manitoba 7%, Saskatchewan 6%, British Columbia 7% and up, Alberta 0%. Paid when you register in this estimate | Your province |
Worked example: a $30,000 USD car going to Ontario
Fixed example from October 28, 2026. The supplied Bank of Canada rate is 1.4036, so the car is worth $42,108 CAD. The car is under 15 years old, has A/C, and uses under 13 L/100 km. The RIV fee now includes Ontario's 13% HST.
| Line | US-built, CUSMA | US-built, not CUSMA | Japan-built | Canada-built |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duty | $0.00 CAD | $2,568.59 CAD | $2,568.59 CAD | $0.00 CAD |
| Surtax | $8,947.95 CAD | $10,527.00 CAD | $0.00 CAD | $0.00 CAD |
| A/C excise | $100.00 CAD | $100.00 CAD | $100.00 CAD | $100.00 CAD |
| GST (5%) | $2,557.80 CAD | $2,765.18 CAD | $2,238.83 CAD | $2,110.40 CAD |
| RIV fee with 13% HST | $367.25 CAD | $367.25 CAD | $367.25 CAD | $367.25 CAD |
| Ontario HST provincial portion (8%) | $4,092.48 CAD | $4,424.29 CAD | $3,582.13 CAD | $3,376.64 CAD |
| Total on top of price | $16,065.48 CAD | $20,752.31 CAD | $8,856.80 CAD | $5,954.29 CAD |
Federal costs plus RIV are $11,973.00 CAD for the qualifying US-built car and $2,577.65 CAD for the Canada-built car. See the full import guide example.
Where the car was built can change your bill by over $10,000 CAD. Not included: transport, broker fee, safety inspection, and any RIV changes. Add your own numbers in the calculator. Origin certification is required for CUSMA relief.
Run this example with your carDoes my car need to go through the RIV?
- Under 15 years old: vehicles sold in the US or Mexico generally need the RIV.
- 15 years or older: no RIV fee or RIV inspection. Age is measured from the month of manufacture. Duty, surtax and taxes still apply.
- Built for Canada and coming home: check the RIV exemption with a licensed customs broker first.
What happens if my car fails the RIV inspection?
You can fix the problem and book a re-inspection. Extra fees apply. If it still cannot pass, it must leave Canada or be destroyed under customs supervision. Tell the RIV right away if you cannot finish within 45 days.
Get help with your import
A licensed customs broker can file the paperwork and confirm your costs. VehicleImport can match you with one for free.
Get your exact costFAQ
What does RIV stand for?
RIV stands for Registrar of Imported Vehicles. It runs Transport Canada's vehicle import program.
How much is the RIV fee in 2026?
The RIV fee is $325 CAD plus applicable GST/HST or provincial tax. In Ontario, it is $367.25 CAD ($325 CAD + 13% HST). Confirm provincial service-tax treatment with a licensed customs broker. Vehicles 15 years or older do not pay it.
How long do I have to pass the RIV inspection?
You have 45 days from the date of import. Salvage vehicles get one year.
Is riv.ca the official RIV website?
Yes. riv.ca is where you check admissibility, pay the fee and get your inspection form.
Do I need a recall clearance letter at the border?
No. You need it before the RIV inspection. It is smart to get it before you buy.
Is a 15-year-old car exempt from the RIV?
Yes. Vehicles 15 years or older are exempt from the RIV program. You still pay any duty, surtax and taxes.
Where do I get the RIV inspection done?
At an RIV-authorized inspection centre. Your inspection form lists the options.
Can a modified vehicle pass the RIV?
Usually not. Transport Canada says modified vehicles, like lifted trucks or converted vans, do not qualify.
More Canada import guides
Sources
- Transport Canada: Importing a vehicle from the United States and Mexico
- Transport Canada: Frequently asked questions about importing vehicles
- CBSA Customs Notice 20-26: RIV fee
- CBSA Customs Notice 25-15: Surtax
- CBSA Customs Tariff T2026, chapter 87
- Canada Revenue Agency: Current rates of excise taxes
- RIV: Official website
- AES: Automated Export System
- CBP: Exporting a motor vehicle
Source review date supplied with the draft: October 28, 2026. Ontario RIV tax updated October 29, 2026.
Estimates only. Confirm your costs with a licensed customs broker.