Importing Rivian to Canada from USA - Tariff Questions

[mkg3]

unfortunately, the tariffs do apply, even on my own used vehicle that I’m just using myself.

With all due rsspect, who says? Have you gotten a second opinion on this matter?

Are you sure it's "the tariff", and not some registration fee of some kind? If tariff applies to the owned vehicle, so would everything else that's tariffed that you own and bringing into the country (e..g., furniture, clothing, appliances, TV/Stereo and so on). They are all private property and purchased at some point.

I realize there are many things that all governments do that do not make sense. This is one of them, if true.

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[LDC]

With all due rsspect, who says? Have you gotten a second opinion on this matter?

Are you sure it's "the tariff", and not some registration fee of some kind? If tariff applies to the owned vehicle, so would everything else that's tariffed that you own and bringing into the country (e..g., furniture, clothing, appliances, TV/Stereo and so on). They are all private property and purchased at some point.

I realize there are many things that all governments do that do not make sense. This is one of them, if true.

Several people have said the tariffs (Canadian retalitatory tariffs) do apply. This includes the US-Canada car shipping company and several different Canadian customs officers at different locations. I agree, it does not make sense, especially if let's say a new Rivian sold in Canada could be USMCA compliant and not subject to the tariff on the entire car, while my own personal used Rivian would be subject to the entire 25% tariff just because I don't have the paperwork to demonstrate it is USMCA compliant (I contacted Rivian to ask for this but have not received a reply).

But interestingly, at customs yesterday, the agent said I could register/license/insure my "temporarily imported" vehicle in Alberta, and should do that since I'll be here for several years on my work permit (temporary residency) and gave me the paperwork required to register the car in Alberta.

 

[LDC]

Until last night, your temporary status solution seemed best. But last a federal judge froze the Trump "reciprocal" tariff because it was implemented illegally. If Canada calls off its reciprocal tariff in response, you may have a window, in which case it could make sense to import it. On the other hand, it's unclear that Canada will lift its reciprocal tariff given inconsistency on the US side.

I was hoping that would be the case. But actually, that ruling only applies to the broad so called "liberation day" tariffs, not the specific industry tariffs such as automobile, steel, and aluminum.

 

[iansriv]

Can you take the car apart and ship it bit-by-bit? J/K.

Are the "tariffs" different for older vehicles? Does the age of the car make a difference? I would do what is necessary to avoid the "tariffs" as long as possible; until everything settles down.

 

[LDC]

Are the "tariffs" different for older vehicles? Does the age of the car make a difference? I would do what is necessary to avoid the "tariffs" as long as possible; until everything settles down.

Somewhat- tariffs don’t apply for vehicles that are >15 years old. So my husband’s 1989 Land Cruiser doesn’t get a tariff. But there isn’t a tiered tariff structure by vehicle age (besides loss of value of the car).

 

[zpyroro]

I went through something similar a few years ago when I moved from Washington to Alberta. I had a used F-150 I wanted to bring with me, and even though it was already mine and I’d driven it for years, I still ended up dealing with both GST and a tariff. What made it confusing was all the changing rules and what counted as a “temporary” import. I’d recommend double-checking the CBSA website and maybe reaching out to a broker just to be sure you're not missing anything.

If you haven’t already sorted out your relocation logistics, there are some services with good moving options between the US and Canada. It made the whole cross-border process way less stressful when I did mine.

 

[LDC]

I went through something similar a few years ago when I moved from Washington to Alberta. I had a used F-150 I wanted to bring with me, and even though it was already mine and I’d driven it for years, I still ended up dealing with both GST and a tariff. What made it confusing was all the changing rules and what counted as a “temporary” import. I’d recommend double-checking the CBSA website and maybe reaching out to a broker just to be sure you're not missing anything.

If you haven’t already sorted out your relocation logistics, there are some services with good moving options between the US and Canada. It made the whole cross-border process way less stressful when I did mine.

Thanks, I already have the car here (as a temporary import). Rivian so far said they will not provide documentation that the vehicle is USMCA compliant (I don't know why not). If that is the case, when the time comes, I am just going to sell the car in the USA and get another vehicle unfortunately. I really have loved my Rivian!

 

[crashmtb]

Thanks, I already have the car here (as a temporary import). Rivian so far said they will not provide documentation that the vehicle is USMCA compliant (I don't know why not). If that is the case, when the time comes, I am just going to sell the car in the USA and get another vehicle unfortunately. I really have loved my Rivian!

When you land for PR you'll have to export it from the US too - 72h notice to CBP required,etc.
And CBSA will levy whatever taxes and duties they feel apply. Luckily you're in Alberta so there is no PST.
At least all of your personal effects are tax and duty free otherwise, being considered "settler's effects". EDIT: Vehicles are duty and tax free as settler's effects.

My wife is from the states and we dealt with all of that when she moved here, and I've also dealt with importing vehicles from the US and abroad otherwise, personally.

Anyway maybe paragraph 6/7 under "Application" here might be helpful.
https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/cn-ad/cn25-15-eng.html

CBSA & Transport Canada should already know if Rivian vehicles are USMCA compliant, because Rivian imports them to Canada (and Rivian vehicles are on the RIV admissible list, although that might not correlate). If a new one is exempt from the tariff(and it is), then one that is a year or two old should be too.

 

[LDC]

Just an update for anyone searching here for information... according to a CBSA officer, once we become permanent residents (fingers crossed), then we have to drive down to the border and cross back into Canada with the vehicle, and then the car counts as a personal effect and is not subject to the tariff.

 

[Yota2R1T]

Just an update for anyone searching here for information... according to a CBSA officer, once we become permanent residents (fingers crossed), then we have to drive down to the border and cross back into Canada with the vehicle, and then the car counts as a personal effect and is not subject to the tariff.

So you're going to keep it? Amazing! I'll watch for a CY R1S in a year or so... Should be the only one!
Welcome to Calgary!

 

[LDC]

So you're going to keep it? Amazing! I'll watch for a CY R1S in a year or so... Should be the only one!
Welcome to Calgary!

Thanks! Yes, I have to keep it! It's here now (just not "fully imported") and is the only CY here!

 

[Yota2R1T]

Thanks! Yes, I have to keep it! It's here now (just not "fully imported") and is the only CY here!

Killer, I'm sure I'll spot to you eventually - small city really!

 

[Lon12]

FYI Calgary service center had a few di-cast models in stock last week. A great Christmas present for myself. Very reasonably priced compared to Tesla's models.
Have not seen your yellow R1S on the roads yet. But honestly I can go a week without seeing another Rivian on the roads here.

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