What most dealers don’t realize when exporting cars from Canada to the US is how important the importer is on the other end. Without the right Registered Importer (RI), your deal can get held up at the border – or worse, denied completely.
Here’s what Canadian dealers need to know about working with importers to make the process smooth, fast, and compliant.
Tip #1: Make sure they’re actually a Registered Importer.
This sounds basic, but it matters. A Registered Importer is certified by the US Department of Transportation (DOT) to legally bring vehicles into the country. That means your importer knows how to handle things like:
- Safety standards (FMVSS)
- Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) compliance
- Recall and conformity documentation
- Bond requirements
Not all US dealers or buyers are Registered Importers. That’s why it pays to partner with a platform that works with vetted RIs, like Signal does through Pacific Imports.
Tip #2: Pay attention to turnaround times.
Time is money. Especially when you’re exporting. The right importer should be able to:
- Clear customs properly
- Provide all necessary entry paperwork
- Avoid backlogs or missing documents
Delays eat into margins and slow down your cash flow. When you work with an importer that’s part of a streamlined system (like Signal’s vertical integration with Pacific Imports), everything moves faster because everyone’s on the same page – from appraisal to delivery.
Tip #3: Don’t leave compliance to chance.
US import rules are no joke. A good importer doesn’t just file the paperwork; they verify eligibility and ensure all documentation is complete.
At Signal, we screen for import compliance at the very beginning, before a car ever leaves your lot. That way you’re not buying vehicles that will get stuck at the border, or that require costly modifications after the fact.
Tip #4: Use an importer who’s part of a bigger solution.
The best importers don’t operate in a silo. They’re part of a bigger ecosystem that includes:
- Real-time vehicle pricing
- Export insurance
- FX rate protection
- US dealer demand signals
- Customs paperwork automation
That’s why working with a platform like Signal matters. You’re choosing an end-to-end export engine that includes trusted importers, like Pacific Imports, built right in.
Final thoughts.
A strong exporter-importer relationship can add $2,000 to $5,000 in profit per vehicle, if you choose the right partner. So don’t leave it to chance.
Book a demo with Signal and learn how to choose the right importer for efficient car exports.
