Time-sensitive
Missed — or failed — the 45-day RIV inspection window
You get 45 days from importation to finish any required modifications and pass the RIV federal inspection (a year if the vehicle is salvage). A missed deadline or a failed inspection isn’t automatically the end — but there is a real endgame if the vehicle can’t be made compliant, and it’s worth understanding before you spend more on it.
The endgame if it can’t pass
A vehicle that ultimately can’t pass the RIV inspection must be exported back to the US or destroyed under CBSA supervision — and the taxes and duties already paid don’t save it. Keeping a non-compliant imported vehicle is an offence. This is why admissibility should be confirmed before importing, not after.
What to do now
- Pay the RIV fee if you haven’t. The RIV won’t release your inspection form until the fee is paid — that alone can be what’s holding you up.
- Book the inspection. There are 500-plus authorized stations; get in as soon as the required modifications are done.
- If it failed, correct and re-inspect. You can fix the deficiencies and go back — additional fees apply, but a fail is not a final answer.
- If it genuinely can’t be made compliant, understand the export-or-destroy outcome above, and get advice before putting more money in.
The RIV help line is 1-888-848-8240. The requirements and deadlines are on Transport Canada’s FAQ on importing vehicles from the US.
Common Questions
How long do I have to pass the RIV inspection?
You have 45 days from the date of importation to complete any required modifications and pass the RIV federal inspection. Salvage vehicles get a longer window — one year. The RIV won’t release your inspection form until the RIV fee is paid, so pay it early.
The vehicle failed the inspection. Is that the end?
Not necessarily. You may correct the deficiencies and re-inspect — additional fees apply. There are 500-plus authorized inspection stations. The real risk isn’t a single fail; it’s a vehicle that can’t be made compliant at all.
What if it can never pass?
This is the honest hard part: a vehicle that ultimately can’t pass must be exported back to the United States or destroyed under CBSA supervision — and the taxes and duties you already paid don’t save it. Importing and keeping a non-compliant vehicle is an offence. That’s why confirming a vehicle is admissible before importing matters so much.
Where to go from here
Guidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice — confirm the deadlines and options for your vehicle with the RIV and Transport Canada. Full disclaimer. Last updated: July 2026.