Canada has some of the cleanest, most transparent vehicle export rules in the world. CBSA, Transport Canada and the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) work together to ensure that every vehicle leaving the country is legally owned, free of outstanding recalls and properly declared. Compliance is straightforward when you know the steps; mistakes can result in seizure or fines.
This article explains the main regulations that apply to vehicle export from Canada and how VELOX Logistics ensures every shipment is fully compliant.
CBSA Export Declaration Requirements
Canada Border Services Agency requires an electronic export declaration for vehicles valued above CAD 2,000 going to any country other than the United States. The declaration is filed through CERS (Canadian Export Reporting System), which replaced the legacy B13A form. Filings must be submitted at least 72 hours before the vehicle leaves Canada.
The declaration includes vehicle VIN, value, destination, exporter and consignee details. Misdeclaration can lead to penalties or shipment hold.
Title and Ownership Verification
CBSA verifies that the person exporting the vehicle is the legal owner. The original title must be presented and match the VIN of the vehicle. Vehicles with active liens, outstanding finance or unresolved provincial registration cannot be exported.
If you bought the vehicle from an auction or dealer, ensure the title is fully transferred to your name or your company before booking the export.
Recall and Stolen Vehicle Checks
Every exported vehicle is checked against the Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database for stolen status. The Registrar of Imported Vehicles maintains the recall database. Vehicles under active safety recall can still be exported but must be flagged in the declaration.
VELOX Logistics runs a CPIC and recall check on every vehicle in our Montreal yard before container stuffing or RoRo gate-in.
Sales Tax and Refund Rules
Vehicles exported from Canada are technically zero-rated for HST/GST purposes. If you paid sales tax on purchase and the vehicle is exported within a defined window, you may be eligible for a tax rebate. The exact rules vary by province.
Consult a Canadian tax advisor for your specific situation. Some provinces require proof of export (bill of lading, B13A) to process the rebate.
Transport Canada and Emissions
Transport Canada sets safety and emissions standards for vehicles operating in Canada. These standards do not apply to vehicles that are being exported. However, destination countries may have their own emissions rules that the vehicle must meet.
Most African countries do not require Euro 4 or Euro 5 emissions certificates for used vehicle import, though this is gradually changing as regulations tighten.
Restricted and Prohibited Vehicles
Stolen vehicles, vehicles with severe salvage history that have not been rebuilt to standard, and vehicles with active criminal investigation flags cannot be exported. Vehicles modified with prohibited equipment (illegal lighting, certain after-market modifications) may require additional documentation.
Heavy military or armoured vehicles require specific export permits from Global Affairs Canada.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Failure to file the CERS declaration, misrepresentation of value, or attempting to export a stolen or recalled vehicle can result in fines up to CAD 25,000 per offence, vehicle seizure and criminal charges in serious cases.
Working with a licensed Canadian customs broker and an experienced exporter like VELOX Logistics eliminates virtually all compliance risk.
Destination Port Profiles Across West, Central and East Africa
Choosing the right discharge port often matters as much as choosing the right vessel. The same vehicle routed through Cotonou rather than Lagos can save the importer several hundred dollars in clearance costs and one to two weeks of delays. Below is a practical overview of the ports VELOX Logistics uses most often for car shipping Canada to Africa, with the operational details that determine real-world transit times and total landed cost.
Port of Dakar (Senegal)
Dakar is the fastest direct call from Montreal, with most carriers averaging 18 to 22 days of sea transit. The container terminal is operated by DP World and handles both FCL and consolidation cargo efficiently. RoRo vessels discharge at the Mole 8 terminal and yard release typically occurs within 5 business days of arrival, provided documents are pre-cleared.
Port of Cotonou (Benin)
Cotonou is the preferred re-export hub for landlocked countries like Niger, Burkina Faso and northern Nigeria. Transit from Montreal averages 22 to 28 days. Cotonou offers competitive duties on vehicles destined for re-export under the TIE (Transit International Routier) regime, which is why many West African dealers consolidate their Canadian purchases through this port.
Port of Lomé (Togo)
Lomé has become the largest transhipment hub in West Africa thanks to the Lomé Container Terminal (LCT) operated by MSC. Vehicles arriving here are often re-loaded onto feeder vessels for Douala, Pointe-Noire, Matadi or Luanda. If your final destination is Central Africa, asking VELOX Logistics to route through Lomé can shave 4 to 7 days off the door-to-door time.
Port of Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire)
Abidjan is the busiest port on the West African coast and the gateway to Mali and Burkina Faso. Transit from Montreal is 24 to 30 days. The new Terminal 2 has significantly reduced yard congestion, but importers should still plan for 7 to 10 days of clearance because Ivorian customs perform a physical vehicle inspection on most consignments.
Port of Douala (Cameroon) and Matadi (DRC)
Douala serves Cameroon, Chad and the Central African Republic, with transit times of 28 to 35 days. Matadi serves the Democratic Republic of Congo with transit of 28 to 38 days. Both ports require careful documentation because mismatched VIN numbers or fuel-type errors on the bill of lading trigger automatic penalties under the SYDONIA customs system.
Ports of Mombasa and Dar es Salaam (East Africa)
East African ports are reached via transhipment in Algeciras, Tangier or Salalah, so transit time stretches to 32 to 42 days. Kenya and Tanzania both require right-hand drive vehicles for road registration, so left-hand drive imports must be declared as parts cargo or re-exported. VELOX Logistics confirms steering configuration before booking to prevent this very common and expensive mistake.
Total Landed Cost: What You Actually Pay
A common question we receive is why an apparently cheap RoRo quote ends up costing more than a higher container quote once the vehicle reaches the destination. The answer lies in the components of total landed cost. A transparent Canadian vehicle exporter will always break the price down so you can compare apples to apples.
Origin Charges in Canada
These include inland trucking from the seller to the consolidation yard, yard handling, vehicle wash, B13A export declaration filing, ISF where applicable, and terminal handling at the port of Montreal or Halifax. Expect CAD 350 to CAD 750 in origin charges for a single passenger vehicle.
Ocean Freight
Ocean freight is the largest single component and depends on vessel space, fuel surcharges and the destination port. Rates for a sedan in a shared 40ft container range from CAD 1,500 to CAD 2,400. RoRo rates start at CAD 1,400 to West Africa and climb to CAD 2,800 to East Africa. VELOX Logistics locks rates per shipment so currency or fuel swings do not affect your final invoice.
Destination Charges and Duties
Destination charges include terminal handling, container demurrage if clearance is delayed, customs clearance fees, and inland trucking to the final city. Duties and VAT are calculated on the CIF value (Cost + Insurance + Freight) and typically range from 35 percent to 65 percent depending on the country and engine displacement. Diesel pickups attract higher duties in many West African countries while small hybrids enjoy preferential rates in Rwanda and Kenya.
Insurance and Optional Services
All-risk marine insurance costs 1.2 percent to 1.8 percent of the declared value and protects against partial loss, total loss and general average claims. Optional services such as inland trucking to Niamey, Bamako or Kinshasa, pre-export inspection certificates (BIVAC, COTECNA, SGS) and translation of documents are quoted separately.
Regulatory Framework: Canadian Export Rules You Must Follow
Canadian export law is generally welcoming to legitimate vehicle exporters, but a handful of regulations trip up new shippers. Understanding these rules in advance protects you from CBSA penalties, vessel rollover and seized cargo.
CBSA B13A Export Declaration
Any vehicle worth more than CAD 2,000 leaving Canada requires a B13A declaration filed in the Canadian Export Reporting System (CERS) at least 72 hours before vessel loading. The declaration includes the VIN, HS code 8703.x, FOB value in Canadian dollars, port of exit and ultimate consignee. VELOX Logistics files all B13A submissions on behalf of clients and retains proof of acceptance for seven years per CBSA record-keeping rules.
Title, Lien Search and Stolen Vehicle Verification
Each vehicle must have a clean Canadian title transferred to the exporter of record. Provincial registries (SAAQ in Quebec, ServiceOntario in Ontario, ICBC in British Columbia) issue the ownership certificate. The Canadian Police Information Centre (CPIC) database is checked against the VIN to confirm the vehicle is not flagged as stolen. We pull both reports before any vehicle is gated into our yard.
Recall and Compliance Branding
Transport Canada's Registrar of Imported Vehicles maintains a public recall lookup. Although recalls do not block export, undisclosed open recalls can void marine insurance and create liability problems if the vehicle later causes an accident in the destination country. We disclose all open recalls on every commercial invoice.
Sanctioned Destinations
Global Affairs Canada maintains a list of sanctioned countries and individuals. Vehicle exports to sanctioned destinations or to listed individuals are illegal regardless of the value. Our compliance team screens every consignee against the United Nations 1267 list, the OFAC SDN list and the Canadian Special Economic Measures Act lists before booking.
Worked Example: A Real Shipment From Montreal to Cotonou
To illustrate how the numbers and timeline come together, here is a real recent shipment we handled for a Beninese-Canadian client, with names and pricing simplified for confidentiality.
The Vehicle
A 2017 Toyota RAV4 LE AWD with 142,000 km purchased at an ADESA auction in Boucherville, Quebec for CAD 14,200 plus auction fees. The buyer wanted the vehicle delivered to his cousin in Cotonou for personal use within six weeks.
Origin Workflow
Day 1: We collected the vehicle from the auction yard and delivered it to our Montreal consolidation facility. Day 2: We performed a 64-point pre-export inspection, photographed the vehicle, washed it and confirmed VIN match to the title. Day 3: We filed the B13A in CERS and issued the commercial invoice and packing list. Day 5: The vehicle was loaded into a shared 40ft container with three other RAV4s and one Honda Civic.
Ocean Transit
Day 7: The container was gated into the Port of Montreal. Day 9: Vessel departure on a direct West African service. Day 31: The vessel arrived at the Port of Cotonou. Day 33: Container discharged and devanned at the SMTC terminal.
Destination Clearance and Delivery
Day 34: Import declaration filed by our Cotonou clearing partner. Day 36: Duties of approximately CAD 5,800 paid (52 percent of CIF). Day 38: Yard release granted and vehicle picked up by the consignee. Total elapsed time from auction purchase to handover: 38 days. Total landed cost: CAD 22,750.
How VELOX Logistics Supports Your Vehicle Export Project
VELOX Logistics built its vehicle export service around a single idea: take the complexity off your shoulders so you can focus on selling, sourcing or driving. Whether you are an individual shipping one family car or a dealer moving 40 units a month, we handle every step under one accountable team in Montreal.
One-Stop Service
We combine vehicle inspection, consolidation, documentation, ocean booking, marine insurance and destination clearance into a single contract. Browse our [vehicle export service page](/services/vehicle-export) for full scope details, or explore our broader [ocean freight](/services/ocean-freight) and [customs brokerage](/services/customs-brokerage) services if your shipment includes other cargo.
Transparent Pricing
Use our [instant quote tool](/quote) to receive a written, all-inclusive estimate within one business day. The quote shows origin charges, ocean freight, insurance and destination duties separately, so there are no surprises.
African Network
Our partner network covers more than 30 African ports and inland destinations. Read our [Africa shipping resources](/resources) for country-specific guides on Senegal, Côte d'Ivoire, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, the DRC, Kenya and Tanzania.
Dedicated Support
Every shipment is managed by a dedicated coordinator who shares their direct number and email. You will never wait on a generic call-centre queue. We typically respond to client messages within two hours during business days and within the same business day on weekends.
Additional Considerations Most Shippers Overlook
Beyond the headline price and transit time, several smaller decisions can make a measurable difference to your bottom line. The items below are drawn from years of post-shipment debriefs with clients.
Battery and Fuel Policy
Most carriers require the fuel tank to be no more than one quarter full and many require the battery to be disconnected during RoRo loading. We perform both tasks free of charge for clients using our consolidation yard.
Spare Keys and Manuals
Always ship a spare key inside a sealed envelope attached to the inside of the windshield, and include the original owner's manual. Replacement keys for modern vehicles can cost USD 400 to USD 900 in African capitals due to programming and import costs of the blank.
Pre-Inspection Certificates
Several African countries (Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, the DRC) require a pre-shipment inspection certificate from BIVAC, COTECNA or SGS before the vessel arrives. Failure to obtain the certificate triggers automatic penalties of 100 percent of duty. VELOX Logistics orders these certificates as a standard step when the destination requires them.
Marine Insurance Claim Process
If the vehicle is damaged in transit, document the damage with photos at the discharge port before signing the equipment interchange receipt. Notify VELOX Logistics within 72 hours so we can open a claim with the underwriter. Claims are typically settled within 60 days for documented partial losses.
Long-Term Storage and Forward Planning
If your African importer is not ready to receive the vehicle, free storage at most destination ports is limited to 7 to 14 days. After that, demurrage and storage charges accumulate quickly. Plan your sailing date so the vehicle arrives no more than a week before the consignee can clear it.
Request a Vehicle Export Quote from VELOX Logistics
Request a Vehicle Export Quote from VELOX Logistics. Call 514-718-0282, email info@veloxlogistics.io or visit www.veloxlogistics.io to get a free, no-obligation quote within one business day. We are a trusted Canadian vehicle export company shipping cars, trucks and heavy equipment from Montreal to ports across West, Central and East Africa every week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a permit to export a car from Canada?
No general permit is required for standard passenger vehicles. Special permits apply to military, armoured or restricted vehicles.
How long before sailing must I file the export declaration?
At least 72 hours before the vehicle leaves Canadian soil.
Can I export a vehicle with an open recall?
Yes, but it must be declared. The recall does not block export, but some destination customs authorities flag it.
Will I get my Canadian sales tax back?
Possibly. Rules vary by province. A Canadian tax advisor or your accountant can confirm eligibility.
Are there any countries Canada will not let me export to?
Yes, Canada maintains sanctions lists. VELOX Logistics screens every consignee against these lists before booking.
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