Importing a car from Canada to the USA: 2026 cost guide
The easiest international car import for Americans — often duty-free and driveable across the border.
By Sofia Berg, Customs & compliance writer · 6 min read
A USMCA-qualifying vehicle imports duty-free, and you can often drive it across rather than ship it.
EPA/DOT labels matter: a Canadian car usually meets US standards but needs the right compliance label.
The full cost breakdown
Plug in your own purchase figure — everything below the vehicle scales only modestly with value. All amounts are researched 2026 estimates in USD.
| Vehicle (purchase price) | $30,000 |
| Export agent & auction fees | $1,200 |
| Ocean freight | $500 |
| Marine insurance (~1.5%) | $450 |
| USMCA-qualifying vehicles enter duty-free | $0 |
| Customs broker & port handling | $830 |
| EPA / DOT entry & compliance paperwork | $300 |
| Inland transport & registration | $1,500 |
| Estimated all-in landed cost | $34,780 |
Compliance & the fine print
Confirm the vehicle has the US/Canada compliance labels and a clean title; metric clusters are accepted.
Frequently asked questions
Is there duty?+
Usually none for USMCA-qualifying vehicles.
Can I drive it over?+
Often yes — no ocean freight needed.
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