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Canada Import Duty Rate for Trucks & Commercial Vehicles

HS 8704 · Motor vehicles for transport of goods

Canada MFN Import Duty Rate

6.1%

on FOB value

CUSMA: 0%

Canada does not apply the US 'chicken tax' — light trucks attract the same 6.1% MFN.

How duty is calculated

FOB value

Product transaction value at port of export

Import duty (6.1%)

Applied to FOB value. US uses FOB (transaction value).

GST/HST (5%)

Applied to FOB value + duty. Collected at customs.

Use our Landed Cost Calculator to compute the full cost including freight, brokerage, and last-mile delivery.

Worked example: trucks & commercial vehicles worth US$10,000

A commercial shipment invoiced at US$10,000 with US$900 of international freight and insurance. Canada charges duty on the FOB value (the price of the goods), so freight does not attract duty and the duty base is US$10,000. Customs converts the amount to CAD at the official exchange rate on the day of import.

Charge	At 6.1%
Import duty	$610
GST/HST (5%)	$531
Total paid at the border	$1,141

GST/HST is usually recoverable for a registered business, so the cost that stays with you is the duty. Excise, anti-dumping duties and broker fees are not included.

Classifying trucks & commercial vehicles correctly

Heading 8704 covers motor vehicles for the transport of goods, split by engine type and gross vehicle weight (up to 5 t, 5–20 t, over 20 t).

Dual-purpose vehicles are classified by their main design purpose — seating and windows behind the driver point to 8703
Tractor units for semi-trailers are 8701, not 8704
Special-purpose vehicles such as cranes and fire engines go to 8705

Compliance. Commercial vehicles need homologation and emissions certification; heavy vehicles often face extra road-use or registration taxes after import.

Importing into Canada: what you need

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) collects duty and taxes through CARM; rates are in the Customs Tariff.

Registration. A CRA business number with an import-export (RM) account and registration in the CARM Client Portal; a financial security or a broker's bond for release before payment.

Low-value shipments. Courier shipments worth CAD 20 or less pay no duty or tax. For goods that qualify under CUSMA from the US or Mexico, the courier thresholds are CAD 150 for duty and CAD 40 for taxes.

Documents customs will ask for

Commercial invoice or Canada Customs Invoice
Bill of lading or air waybill
CUSMA certification of origin to claim preference
Permits for controlled goods (food, plants, firearms, some steel)

Charges on top of duty

GST 5% on value for duty + duty; HST of 13–15% in participating provinces
Provincial sales tax collected separately in BC, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Quebec
Surtaxes on specific goods (some steel and aluminium products)

Watch out. Canada values goods FOB, but GST is charged on the duty-paid value, so freight never attracts duty but the duty itself attracts GST.

Frequently asked questions

What is the import duty rate for Trucks & Commercial Vehicles in Canada?

The MFN (Most Favoured Nation) import duty rate for Trucks & Commercial Vehicles (HS 8704) in Canada is 6.1% on the FOB value. Canada does not apply the US 'chicken tax' — light trucks attract the same 6.1% MFN.

Is GST/HST charged on Trucks & Commercial Vehicles imports to Canada?

Yes. Canada charges GST/HST at 5% on the FOB value plus any import duty. This applies to virtually all commercial imports.

Are there FTA rates available for Trucks & Commercial Vehicles in Canada?

Yes. CUSMA: 0%. CUSMA/USMCA (US, Mexico), CETA (EU), CPTPP, Canada–Korea FTA, Canada–Chile FTA are the key agreements — verify origin requirements with your customs broker.

How is import duty calculated for Trucks & Commercial Vehicles entering Canada?

Duty is calculated on the FOB value of the goods. FOB value is the transaction value at the port of export. The MFN duty of 6.1% is applied to this value. GST/HST (5%) is then applied on the duty-paid value.