Vehicle Transport FAQ

According to Korea Customs Service standards, a "Mover" is someone entering Korea for the purpose of relocating their residence. This includes Korean nationals who have stayed abroad for 1 year or more, or foreign nationals/overseas Koreans who plan to stay in Korea for 1 year or more. (Please refer to the main guide on the page for detailed criteria.)

Moving goods status is recognized for a maximum of one vehicle per individual or family.

You must prove that the vehicle was registered in your name (or a family member's name) and used for at least 3 months (e.g., ICBC Vehicle Registration). Vehicles owned for less than 3 months cannot be cleared as moving goods.

If you are registered as the user of the vehicle and have used it for more than 3 months, and you qualify as a "Mover," it can be recognized as moving goods.

Vehicles produced in Korea (VIN starting with 'K') may be eligible for customs duty exemption. However, Korean brand vehicles that were not manufactured in Korea are not eligible for this exemption.

Pickup trucks are classified as freight vehicles rather than passenger cars, so they cannot be cleared as moving goods. If you wish to ship a pickup truck, we can assist through the general import procedure.

Vehicles with high-capacity rechargeable batteries are rejected by shipping lines due to the high risk of fire during transit. Therefore, we are unable to accept these vehicles for shipping.

• Loan: Shipping is only possible if the customer has 100% ownership, as issues arise during export declaration in the origin country if a lien exists.
• Lease: Acceptance is possible if there is proof that you used the vehicle for at least 3 months and that the title was ultimately transferred to your name.

• Vancouver > Korea: 6 to 8 weeks (4 to 6 weeks using Express service).
• Toronto > Korea: 8 to 10 weeks.
• ※ Subject to change based on carrier schedules, port conditions, weather, and inland transportation status.

We load your vehicle inside a container, secure it safely (shoring), and transport it to the destination.

In principle, placing other moving goods or luggage inside the vehicle is strictly restricted.

You can check the estimated tax for moving goods vehicles on the official Korea Customs Service calculator or through their online Q&A. Please note that actual taxes incurred during clearance may differ.

• Official Korea Customs Service Car Tax Calculator

Any vehicle that can be loaded into a container can be shipped by COSHIP (Canada Shipping). For general imports, customers must personally verify subsequent procedures like clearance and inspection. For travel purposes, we can assist after a consultation.

Yes. We provide shipping services for sending vehicles back to Korea after you have finished your stay in Canada.

We support ICBC insurance cancellation, guidance/agency for license plate returns, agency for receiving insurance refunds, and export declaration procedures.

Please understand that we cannot be held responsible for various reasons for failure during vehicle inspection or problems discovered after customs clearance.

We can ship most vehicles that fit into standard containers, with the exception of Electric Vehicles (EVs) and Hybrid vehicles due to safety regulations.

Requirements vary by case.

• Visa Holders (Study/Work Permit, etc.): If you have a Canadian visa authorized for a stay of 1 year or more as of the customs clearance date, you may import and use the vehicle under temporary customs clearance.
• Canadian Citizens/Permanent Residents: Shipping and clearance are only possible if you are returning to Canada after residing in Korea for at least 1 year, and the vehicle was originally purchased in Canada and exported to Korea. (Vehicles purchased in Korea cannot be imported). Note: Even vehicles originally sold in Canada must pass a vehicle registration inspection to be registered.

A. Once it passes customs and registration inspections, the vehicle can be used on Canadian roads. However, because it is a temporary import, you must export the vehicle back to Korea when you finish your stay; you cannot sell or dispose of (scrap) the vehicle within Canada.

Yes, it is possible. However, for vehicles under joint ownership, all registered owners must attend the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) customs interview together to complete the clearance process. If it is not feasible for all owners to attend simultaneously, we strongly recommend transferring the vehicle title to a single owner—specifically, the individual holding a valid Canadian visa—prior to shipping.

Customers with a visitor visa can export their vehicle from Korea and import it into Canada for travel purposes.

We do not recommend shipping modified or tuned vehicles as they may cause issues during the mandatory registration inspections.

Your vehicle can be stored free of charge in a bonded warehouse for up to 7 days upon arrival. After this grace period, storage fees will apply. Please note that customs clearance must be completed within a maximum of 30 days from the date the vehicle enters the bonded warehouse. If customs clearance is not finalized within this 30-day timeframe, the vehicle may be returned to the origin or become subject to further administrative procedures.

Estimated times vary by destination.

• West (Vancouver/BC): Approx. 4–6 weeks
• Central (Calgary/AB): Approx. 5–8 weeks
• East (Toronto/ON): Approx. 6–10 weeks ※ Subject to change based on carrier schedules, port conditions, weather, and inland transportation status.

Prior confirmation is required based on the registration/inspection standards of each province (e.g., removal of window tints, mandatory installation of Daytime Running Lights). Even if customs clearance is complete, if the vehicle fails the registration inspection, additional measures will be required to meet compliance, and you cannot operate the vehicle on Canadian roads until the inspection is passed.

CBSA customs inspections are conducted randomly and are not determined or controlled by COSHIP. If an inspection occurs, subsequent procedures cannot proceed until it is completed. All related costs, including inspection fees, are the customer's responsibility. These are actual costs charged by CBSA or related agencies and cannot be waived or adjusted by the shipping company.

We provide overall consultation for vehicle shipping, assistance with Canadian customs preparation, and guidance regarding vehicle inspection and registration. However, COSHIP is not responsible for outcomes based on the judgment of relevant authorities or the condition of the vehicle.

After the cargo is received, we provide status updates via email at each stage of the process.

If you require a COSHIP staff member to accompany you to customs (for English language support), a schedule must be coordinated with our staff in advance. Please request this at the time of application.