Transport Canada Pre-clearance Program Overview of the Pre-clearance Program QAI assists foreign manufacturers in registering with Transport Canada under the Pre-clearance Program (Appendix G). This program has been set up so that new Canadian compliant vehicles can be imported into Canada with minimal scrutiny. Imports have to be made directly from foreign manufacturers.

QAI offers a convenient and efficient compliance service for foreign vehicle manufacturers who need a Compliance Specialist to meet the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act in Canada. QAI is a Compliance Specialist (CS) for the Transport Canada (TC) Pre-clearance Program. We take care of the foreign manufacturer’s compliance needs and alleviate the Canadian dealer or wholesaler from this responsibility. The purpose of Transport Canada’s Pre-clearance Program is to facilitate and streamline the importation of vehicles by conveying shipments through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Pre-clearance constitutes an agreement between a foreign manufacturer, the Compliance Specialist and Transport Canada. The Compliance Specialist is a company, which in the opinion of Transport Canada, has the ability to maintain vehicle compliance information and ensure ongoing conformance with the Motor Vehicle Safety Act.

As a Compliance Specialist, QAI will act as your liaison by submitting compliance documentation to Transport Canada and maintaining adequate documentation on an ongoing basis, allowing your shipments to flow into Canada with no interruptions or delays. The Transport Canada Pre-clearance Program easily opens access to the Canadian market. After a foreign manufacturer has signed an agreement with QAI, we will work with them to submit a Pre-clearance application package to Transport Canada. Once Transport Canada has accepted an application, they will place the manufacturer on the (Appendix G) Pre-clearance List. The CBSA will then use the list as a reference when determining the entrance eligibility of vehicles entering Canada. The Pre-clearance Program is only available for the importation of new Canadian specification vehicles that are sold directly from the foreign manufacturer to a Canadian entity. Vehicles not meeting these criteria are not eligible for Pre-clearance using a Compliance Specialist. However, QAI can guide you through other methods to sell your product in Canada.

A) Foreign manufacturers: Receive an opportunity to expand their markets and sell more vehicles in Canada; they have the benefit of dealing with only one company (QAI) to handle vehicle compliance documentation. B) Brokers: Experience an Increased volume of business due to the simplified process for exporting vehicles into Canada. A single source for handling compliance documentation means that more foreign products can arrive in Canada. C) Dealers: Can now offer more choices to customers, as they no longer have to register each manufacturer on the Transport Canada (Appendix G) Pre-clearance List.

Dealers can import from any manufacturer for which QAI has proven vehicle compliance. A) QAI carries out an evaluation of the vehicles by documenting materials and method of construction used, and assessing the capacity of the manufacturer to comply with the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) regulated by Transport Canada. B) QAI represents the manufacturer, working with Transport Canada, the Canadian Border Service Agency (CBSA) and with Canadian vehicle dealers on issues relating to compliance. C) After successfully completing the compliance process, QAI compiles a compliance package and applies to Transport Canada to act as the Compliance Specialist for the vehicle manufacturer.

Transport Canada Medical Examiners

When Transport Canada approves this, the manufacturer appears on the Transport Canada Pre-clearance List of manufacturers. D) Once the manufacturer is added on the Transport Canada Pre-clearance List, any Canadian dealer is able to import vehicles using QAI as the Compliance Specialist. This helps to expand their client base and their readiness to serve them. QAI is accredited by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) as a certification body for recreational vehicles. QAI evaluates and inspects recreational vehicles for compliance with the Canadian recognized standard CSA Z240 RV Series, which includes requirements for safety features, plumbing, gas and electrical systems. Certification and listing are required by vehicle manufacturers to show compliance with provincial gas and electrical regulations.

Transport Canada Cars

Listing in the QAI directory means that the manufacturer is compliant with the relevant certification/inspection compliance standards. There are certain other requirements for initiating and maintaining list/certification and if you are interested in this, please contact QAI directly. For every vehicle exported to Canada, the foreign manufacturer creates a Canada Customs Invoice naming the Canadian dealer as the consignee and the purchaser. The broker will charge the vehicle dealer for brokerage fees and taxes. The foreign manufacturer must also complete an NVIS (New Vehicle Information Statement) for each vehicle they export into Canada.

Once per year, the vehicle manufacturer should also provide QAI with a completed copy of their NAFTA B232 ‘Certificate of Origin’ document. This document allows Canadian dealers to import vehicles produced by foreign manufacturers without paying duties, (however, taxes must be paid).