Shipping a Car Between Australia and Canada: Is It Worth It?

Shipping a car between Australia and Canada is possible. Whether it is sensible is a different question. The cost, the compliance requirements, and the time involved mean most people end up deciding it is not worth it. But there are situations where it makes sense - and if yours is one of them, here is exactly how it works.

The honest answer upfront

In most cases, selling your car before you move and buying a new one at the other end is cheaper and less stressful than shipping. The shipping cost alone typically starts at AUD $3,000-5,000 for Australia to Canada and rises significantly from there once you add compliance modifications, import duties, inspection fees, and insurance. Add the time the car spends in transit - typically 6-10 weeks - and you are without a vehicle for a long period.

Shipping a car from Australia to Canada

Canadian import requirements

Canada's vehicle import rules are administered by Transport Canada and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Importing a car from Australia involves several requirements that can make the process complex and expensive.

• Admissibility:

Vehicles must meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS). Australian cars generally drive on the same side of the road as Canadian cars (both right-hand traffic), but the safety standards differ in specific technical ways. Many Australian-manufactured or Australian-market vehicles will require modifications to meet CMVSS before they can be registered in Canada.

• Vehicles less than 15 years old:

Face the most scrutiny and are most likely to require compliance modifications. Some makes and models may be inadmissible entirely if they were not sold in North America. Check the Transport Canada list of admissible vehicles before making any shipping arrangements.

• Vehicles 15 years or older:

Are generally exempt from CMVSS compliance requirements and can be imported more easily. This is why older classic and collectible cars are the most common vehicles shipped internationally.

Costs from Australia to Canada

Shipping a car from Canada to Australia

Australian import requirements

Australia has some of the strictest vehicle import rules in the world. Most foreign vehicles cannot be imported at all unless they meet very specific criteria. The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications administers vehicle import approvals.

The main pathway for importing a personal vehicle into Australia is the Personal Import Scheme, which allows an individual to import a vehicle they have owned and used overseas for at least 12 months. You must import it within 12 months of returning to Australia. The vehicle still needs to be assessed and may require modifications to meet Australian Design Rules (ADR).

Costs from Canada to Australia

The shipping process step by step

The alternative: sell and buy

For most people making the Australia-Canada move, the practical decision is to sell the car before leaving and buy one after arriving. Both Australia and Canada have healthy used car markets. The money saved on shipping, compliance, duty, and the hassle of the process typically more than offsets any loss on the sale and any premium paid on the purchase.

If you are moving to Canada, Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, and AutoTrader.ca are the main platforms for used car buying. If you are moving to Australia, Carsales.com.au dominates the market. Budget a few weeks after arrival to find the right vehicle rather than rushing into a purchase.

The bottom line

Shipping a car between Australia and Canada is expensive, slow, and complicated. Unless you have a vehicle that cannot easily be replaced - a classic, a specialised vehicle, or something with significant personal value - sell it and buy again at the other end. If you do decide to ship, check admissibility first, get multiple quotes, and budget for compliance modifications on top of the shipping cost.