A car export guide for Canadian dealers who don’t want to learn the hard way.

Exporting cars from Canada to the US can be a high margin win for your dealership, with a bigger buyer pool, higher profits, and faster inventory turns.  

But for first time exporters, it can get messy fast.  

If you’re looking for a car export guide that’s helpful, check out the list below. We’ll show you how to avoid rookie mistakes that cost time, money, and margin.  

Mistake #1. Messing up the paperwork.

Missing a single form can put the brakes on your deal. We’re talking about vehicle titles, bills of sale, emissions and safety certs, conformity packages, customs forms, and more.  

Here’s the fix.

Signal keeps your documents organized, complete, and compliant for cross-border success. We handle everything required for both export and import so you don’t have to worry.  

Mistake #2. Mispricing your vehicles.

Rookies lose when they forget the golden rule: You make money when you buy a vehicle, not when you sell it. The US market moves fast. Price your vehicles too high and US buyers back off. Price them too low and you’re leaving margins on the table.  

Here are tools you can use.

Signal’s Market Guide and Export Calculator use real-time US wholesale data to help you price confidently before you even acquire the car.

Mistake #3. Underestimating customs compliance.

US compliance includes DOT (Department of Transportation) and NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) regulations, Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) standards, recall clearance, conformity documentation, etc. Miss any of these, and your vehicle could be denied at the border.

Here’s what to do.

Signal automatically screens for compliance at the appraisal stage. You’ll know which vehicles can (and can’t) be exported so there’s no guesswork and no surprises upfront – before you ever decide which vehicles to export.  

Mistake #4. Skipping export insurance.  

From export damage in transit to delays at the border, things happen. And if you’re not covered? You’re on the hook.

We’ve got your back.

Signal partners with export-specific insurance providers, so your vehicle is protected from the moment it leaves your lot to final delivery in the US.

Mistake #5. Selling in a vacuum.

Listing cars locally or relying on a single wholesale channel limits your reach…and your profit.

It’s time to broaden your reach.

With Signal’s network of US buyers, your vehicles get exposure to tens of thousands of ready-to-buy US dealers. More eyes equal more offers, which means faster, more profitable deals for you!  

Mistake #6. Skipping the tech.

Are you exporting by spreadsheet? That’s the fastest way to miss margins, paperwork, and key market trends.

We’re tech experts.  

Signal handles it all, including real-time pricing, FX rate protection, tariff calculations, compliance screening, and buyer connections – all in one seamless platform.  

Mistake #7. Assuming tariffs kill the deal.

Just because a vehicle isn’t tariff-exempt doesn’t mean it can’t be profitable. It depends on the margin.

Here’s what to know about tariffs.

Signal’s platform auto-calculates tariffs based on VIN origin and exemption rules, so you know the full cost before you buy. Sometimes a tariffed vehicle still delivers strong ROI.

Final thoughts.

Exporting vehicles from Canada to the US can generate $2,000–$5,000 in additional profit per vehicle. And it represents a whole new profit center for your Canadian franchised dealership, without the hassles or overhead. But only if you avoid the traps.

This car export guide is your starting point, but when you're ready to export smarter, Signal is your go-to partner. Let’s connect.

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