Importing Japanese Vehicles to Canada

Q: What is Canada’s 15-year rule?

Vehicles 15+ years old (calculated from month and year of manufacture) are exempt from the federal Motor Vehicle Safety Act, making them straightforward to import. Newer cars need Transport Canada approval and must meet CMVSS standards.

Q: Which JDM cars can I import to Canada now?

Under the 15-year rule the Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32, R33), Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, Mitsubishi Evo, and Subaru WRX STI are all eligible — and the list grows every year.

Q: Can I import a kei truck to Canada?

Yes — kei trucks like the Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, and Daihatsu Hijet are very popular for farms and off-road use. Most are well past 15 years; registration rules vary by province.

Q: What is the RIV process?

The Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) inspection verifies the vehicle matches its documentation and meets requirements. We supply all Japanese documents formatted for RIV; it usually takes a few days to a few weeks.

Canada’s 15-year rule is the key that unlocks JDM: any vehicle 15+ years old is exempt from federal safety standards, so each year more legends become importable. Add the RIV process and province-specific registration, and Vancouver’s short transit makes Canada a JDM stronghold.

Browse Vehicles Full Canada import guide

Shipping time

2–3 weeks (Vancouver), 5–6 weeks (East Coast)

Main ports

Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal

Eligibility

15+ years old to bypass federal standards; RIV inspection

Taxes

6.1% duty + 5% GST (provincial tax varies)

Best Japanese vehicles to import to Canada

Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32/R33)

The headline 15-year-rule import — now firmly eligible.

Kei trucks (Suzuki Carry, Honda Acty, Daihatsu Hijet)

Hugely popular for farms, acreages, and off-road; easy to land.

Subaru WRX STI / Mitsubishi Evo

Rally icons aging past the 15-year threshold.

Toyota Supra / Mazda RX-7

Enduring collector demand across Canada.

What goes into the landed cost

Vehicle purchase + inland transport in Japan
Shipping (CAD ~1,500–3,000+ by port)
Duty 6.1% + GST 5% (+ provincial tax)
RIV fee (~$200) and inspection
Transport within Canada

Why import through Japan Convoy

Expert sourcing of 15+ year-old JDM that qualifies federally
Complete documentation for the RIV process and provincial registration
Kei-truck specialists for rural and off-road buyers

The import process, step by step

1
Browse & request a quote
Find matching listings on the marketplace and contact verified sellers for pricing, photos, and inspection reports — no on-site checkout, wholesale "contact for pricing".
2
Inspection & confirmation
Our team inspects the item in Japan, verifies condition and documentation, and confirms the final landed-cost estimate for your country.
3
Export documentation
We prepare the export certificate, invoice, bill of lading, and any destination-specific paperwork required for clearance.
4
Shipping
RoRo or container shipping from the nearest Japanese port to your destination port, with tracking the whole way.
5
Clearance & delivery
We hand off to your customs broker with a complete document pack, and coordinate final delivery or collection.

Canada Vehicles import FAQ

What is Canada’s 15-year rule?

Which JDM cars can I import to Canada now?

Can I import a kei truck to Canada?

What is the RIV process?

Related import guides

Ready to import Japanese vehicles to Canada?

Browse verified listings and request a quote — quality inspection and managed export included.

Browse Vehicles How it works