Yes, you can ship a salvage-title car. Crossing the Canadian border adds paperwork, and that part belongs to the owner. We handle transport only.
- A salvage title changes nothing about how we dispatch the car.
- A car that won’t start or drive needs a carrier with a winch, so tell your advisor up front.
- Importing a salvage vehicle into Canada is the owner’s paperwork, under Canada’s own rules. Each province also sets its own rules on registering and driving salvage vehicles.
- Vehicles 15 years old or older, counted from the date of manufacture, are exempt from Canada’s federal safety standards and the RIV program at import. Ask CBSA or Transport Canada to confirm yours.
- Check your destination province’s rules before the car moves, not after it arrives.
What is a salvage title, and why does it matter?
A salvage title goes on a vehicle that has been badly damaged, usually in an accident, flood, fire, or theft. When an insurance company decides the repair costs more than the car is worth, it declares the car a total loss and issues a salvage title. The title is the record that the car took serious damage.
The title matters because of the risk behind it. Salvage vehicles can have structural damage or hidden problems. Insurers are often reluctant to cover them.
For a trip to or from Canada, the title matters at the border and at the provincial registry. Provinces have different rules for importing and registering salvage vehicles. Check them before you book.
What rules apply to importing or exporting a salvage vehicle in Canada?
Canada runs vehicle imports through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program, which inspects US vehicles under 15 years old for safety. Emissions are a separate matter: the importer signs a declaration. These are the owner’s requirements to meet. We handle transport only.
To import a salvage vehicle, the RIV program asks for the original US title (for a salvage car, the original salvage title or a certified copy), plus a bill of sale if the title is not in the importer’s name. It also asks for an inspection at an authorized Canadian facility. Vehicles under 15 years old need the RIV inspection; vehicles 15 years or older do not. Age is counted from the date of manufacture, measured on the day the car enters Canada.
A salvage-branded car under 15 years old has two more tests. The brand cannot be junk, scrap, non-repairable, or flood damage. And the car has to be rebuilt within one year of import.
Exporting a salvage car from Canada comes with its own paperwork. The owner provides proof of ownership and completes the export forms.
Skip a step and you can face delays or a refusal at the border. The RIV program’s website, or a call to the RIV, will give you the details for your car.
Can you ship a salvage title car to Canada?
Yes. A car with a salvage title can cross the Canadian border. The border and provincial paperwork is heavier than for a clean-title car, and it is the owner’s to complete.
Rules for salvage vehicles vary by province, so look up the requirements for your destination province. Expect the province and the border to ask for more documents than they would for a clean-title car: proof of ownership, insurance documentation, and details on the damage and the repairs.
Some provinces also limit operating salvage-title vehicles on their roads. Confirm that your province allows registration and driving before the car ships.
What should you check before shipping a salvage title car to Canada?
Start with the rules on both sides of the border. Canadian requirements vary by province, so look up the ones for your destination.
Next, insurance. Salvage vehicles often have limited or no coverage options. Talk to insurance providers in both countries to find out whether coverage is available for the trip.
Then the border. Canadian officials may ask for inspections or documents showing the car is roadworthy.
Think about repairs, too. Can you get parts in Canada? What will repairs cost? Is there a mechanic who knows salvage vehicles?
Last, compare the full cost against buying locally: transport, import fees, repairs, and resale value.
Can you import a salvage vehicle into Canada?
In some cases, yes. Every step is the owner’s. A salvage title is issued when a car is declared a total loss, so expect extra proof.
First, find out whether the vehicle meets Canadian import regulations. Vehicles 15 years old or older are exempt from the RIV program, so confirm the car’s age with CBSA before you ship. Paperwork goes to CBSA (Form 1) and, for newer US cars, to the RIV program. Check the title brand early, because a salvage brand can limit licensing and insurance in Canada.
For a car under 15 years old, the RIV program asks for the original salvage title, a rebuild within one year of import, and an inspection. Any duties and taxes that apply are the owner’s to pay. They vary with the car’s value and where it came from.
How do you ship a salvage title car out of Canada?
First, find out whether the destination allows salvage vehicles. Rules differ by place. Once that’s settled, gather your paperwork.
That usually means the vehicle title and any salvage documentation. Make sure everything is filled out correctly and up to date.
At the border, customs will want the paperwork, and any duties or taxes that apply are the owner’s to handle. One advisor takes you from quote to driveway.
Does a salvage title affect insurance while the car ships?
It can. Traditional auto insurers are often hesitant to cover salvage-title vehicles, because the title says the car was declared a total loss. You may have to look for a specialist insurer.
Talk to your insurance agent about coverage for the trip.
We assign a carrier from our network of vetted, licensed and insured carriers.
What are the risks of shipping a salvage title car?
Insurance is the first one. Insurers see salvage-title cars as high-risk because of the damage history. That can mean higher premiums, or trouble getting coverage at all.
The border is the second. Canadian officials may require extensive documents and inspections to make sure the car meets safety standards. If you fall short, expect delays, fines, or refusal of entry.
The third is hidden damage. Salvage cars have usually been through major repairs, and some problems may not have been fixed or found. That can mean breakdowns or expensive repairs once the car arrives.
Should you ship a salvage title car?
A salvage title doesn’t rule out shipping, to Canada or anywhere else. The owner has more paperwork to do at the border. Learn the rules for the place you’re leaving and the one you’re entering, and check that the car meets the safety standards where it’s going.
Whether it’s worth it comes down to the car’s value, what you plan to do with it, and the time and money it takes to get it there.
Questions people ask
Can you ship a salvage title car?
Yes. A salvage title changes nothing about how we dispatch the car. A car that won’t start or drive needs a carrier with a winch, so tell your advisor up front.
Can you import a salvage vehicle into Canada?
In some cases, yes. The owner handles the paperwork: the title, a bill of sale if needed, the salvage documents, any required RIV inspection (US cars under 15 years old), and any duties and taxes. Each province adds its own rules. We handle transport only.
Can you register a salvage car?
It depends on the province. Some limit registering and operating salvage-title vehicles, and a salvage car generally has to pass an inspection before it can be driven legally. Check your province’s rules before the car ships.
What does salvage status mean in Canada?
It means an insurer declared the car a total loss. Before it can be driven legally again, it has to pass inspections and meet the criteria set by the province or territory.
Does a salvage title affect insurance while the car ships?
It can. Many insurers hesitate to cover salvage-title cars, so line up your own coverage for the whole trip.
Call (800) 997-4181 or get a quote. No deposit. No upfront fees. No payment until pickup.
