How Much Does It Cost to Import a JDM Car Into Canada? Full Breakdown 🇯🇵
So, you’ve fallen down the JDM rabbit hole and now you're daydreaming about cruising the streets in a Skyline, a Subaru Forester XT, or a quirky Kei truck- maybe a Honda Acty. We get it—it’s a rite of passage for any true car enthusiast. But before you click ‘Buy’ on that sweet auction deal from Japan, you need to know the real costs of importing a JDM car to Canada.
Spoiler alert: It’s not just the price tag of the car in Japan—there’s an entire financial adventure ahead! But don’t worry—we’ve mapped out the journey so you’re fully prepared. Let’s break it down, step by step, as your JDM dream car travels from Japan to your Canadian driveway.
Step 1: Understanding Foreign Exchange Rates
Before we even start, let’s talk currency exchange—because when you’re dealing with Japanese Yen (JPY), it’s essential to know that exchange rates fluctuate daily.
✅ Best resource for real-time exchange rates: XE.com
✅ Plan ahead: Rates can impact the total cost, so it’s wise to check before committing to a purchase.
Step 2: Buying Your JDM Car in Japan 🇯🇵🏁
This is where the fun begins—scouting out clean JDM rides from either a Japanese dealership or through Japan’s legendary car auctions.
🚗 Vehicle Purchase Price:
This is the base price of the car, before any additional fees.
If you’re buying from an auction, there are extra costs involved (see below).
⚡ Auction House/Agent Fees (Auction purchases only)
If you snag your JDM ride from an auction, an agent will handle the bidding and paperwork.
Cost: $250 – $350 CAD
Step 3: Getting Your Car to the Port 🚚
Now that your car has been purchased, it needs to make its way to the shipping port in Japan.
📜 Export Customs Agent Fees:
Before a car can leave Japan, it must clear customs, requiring an export agent.
Cost: $250 – $300 CAD
🛣️ Transport from Auction House/Dealer to Port:
Your car needs a ride to the shipping port—this cost varies by distance.
Average cost: $250 CAD
Step 4: Shipping Your JDM Car to Canada 🚢
Ah yes, the Great Crossing—your car’s epic voyage across the Pacific. You have two shipping options:
Option A: RORO (Roll-On/Roll-Off Shipping) – Most Common & Cost-Effective
Your car is driven onto a massive cargo ship, secured, and sent across the ocean.
Cost:
Small cars: $1,850 CAD
Larger vehicles (SUVs, trucks): Up to $2,500 CAD
Option B: Container Shipping – For Exotics & Collector Cars
Your car is sealed inside a shipping container for maximum protection.
Best for: Exotics, high-value collector cars, or multiple vehicles at once.
Cost: $8,500 CAD (Can fit up to 4-5 cars in one container to split costs!)
Step 5: Canadian Customs & Import Fees 🇨🇦
Welcome to Canada! But before you can take your JDM car home, it has to clear customs. Here’s what to expect:
Duties & Taxes 💰
0% Duty: No duty on JDM vehicles originally built for Japan’s market.
6.10% Duty: Applies if the vehicle wasn’t originally built in Japan (e.g., imported BMWs, Porsches, etc.).
Excise Tax: $100 CAD (applies to cars with air conditioning).
GST: 5% of the purchase price.
Other Import & Processing Fees
WWS Terminal Fee: $385 CAD (Covers unloading & processing at port)
Brokerage Fee: $300 CAD (For customs paperwork & clearance handling)
Step 6: JDM Rush Imports Service Fee 🛠️
Let’s be real—importing a car can be a maze of paperwork, fees, and logistics. That’s why we handle everything, making the process smooth and stress-free for you.
Our Service Fee (Based on Vehicle Purchase Price):
$1,000 CAD (for cars up to $10,000 CAD)
$1,500 CAD (for cars between $10,001 - $20,000 CAD)
$2,000 CAD (for cars between $20,001 - $30,000 CAD)
$3,500 CAD (for cars over $30,000 CAD)
You get full import assistance, from sourcing to shipping to customs clearance—all with no hidden fees.
Step 7: Inland Transport to Your Province 🚛
Your JDM car has landed, cleared customs, and is ready for its final leg of the journey! We arrange inland transport directly to your doorstep.
📍 Standard Car Transport Rates by Region:
BC: Vancouver & Vancouver Island – $262 - $708 CAD
Alberta: Calgary & Edmonton – $787.50 CAD
Saskatchewan: Regina & Saskatoon – $1,785 CAD
Manitoba: Winnipeg – $1,785 CAD
Ontario: Toronto & Ottawa – $2,300 CAD
Quebec: Montreal – $2,205 CAD
📍 Large Vehicles (SUVs & Trucks):
Expect to pay: $761 - $2,520 CAD depending on the province.
🚚 Pro Tip: If you’re importing an exotic or collector car, consider enclosed transport for added protection (higher cost).
Final Thoughts: Is Importing a JDM Car Worth It? 🤔
Absolutely! 🚗💨 While there are several costs involved, the benefits far outweigh the expenses:
✅ Unique, hard-to-find JDM cars that aren’t available locally.
✅ Lower mileage & well-maintained vehicles from Japan’s strict Shaken system.
✅ Often 50-60% less mileage than equivalent North American models.
✅ No winter salt exposure—pristine undercarriages!
✅ A massive selection of dream cars to choose from!
Yes, the journey from Japan to your driveway involves many steps, but when you turn the key and hear that RB26, 2JZ, or EJ20 roar to life, it’s 100% worth it.
📌 Ready to Start Your JDM Import Journey?
If you’re serious about importing a JDM car, JDM Rush Imports makes the process EASY!
👉 Learn More About How It Works (Step-by-step guide to importing your JDM car)
👉 Top JDM Cars You Can Import into Canada in 2025 (See which models are newly legal!)
👉 Get Started Today! 🚗💨 Have questions? Contact Us and let’s make your JDM dream come true!
🚀 Now, let’s bring your dream JDM car home! 🚗🏁
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