How to import an R1T from USA to Canada

[Rocky the Rivian]

Hello everyone,

I am exploring the idea of importing a used R1T from the USA into Canada. I have imported a RAM1500 several years ago, so I am familiar with the entire process. I know the R1T is on the RIV's admissible list and have the Recall lookup all figured out. My only issue left to figure out is the Daytime Running Lights. When I ask Rivian about this, they say that the truck will need to visit a Canadian Service Center in order to have the "Canada Software Update" installed. However, they cannot tell me if the Calgary or Toronto Service centers can do this for me. Even the Vancouver service center seems to be unsure.

But then I found a post in this forum about a software update (2024.03.02) that apparently fixes the DRL to comply with Canadian regulations. And I've confirmed with a few US dealers that have R1Ts for sale that the 2024.03.02 software update was applied to their trucks. Does that mean that USA trucks are now complient with the Canadian DRL regulations? Has anyone imported an R1 into Canada lately? I know there are some driving around in my neighbourhood which were imported, so it is being done. I just don't know if it requires me to bring the truck all the way to Vancouver to get it done. I would appreciate anyone's feedback who has gone throught this.

Thank you

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[nfisch]

I am currently experiencing this issue. I live on Vancouver Island. Imported a Rivian R1T on 11/15, took it to Canadian Tire to get the RIV inspection. Everything passed except the DRL part. The guy at Canadian tire said it happened a few weeks earlier with another R1T and all the guy had to do was call Rivian and get an OTA update. This has not worked for me. Calling sends you automatically to Michigan and the American Rivian support do not seem to understand the issue. That being that it needs to be that you can't turn the DRLs off in Canada. I should note I have the most recent software update on my R1T. So I am desperately trying to schedule service with the center here in Richmond, BC but their nearest availability is months away. The RIV inspection has to occur within 45 days of import...

Currently quite the nightmare.

 

[Paul Hackett]

I am currently experiencing this issue. I live on Vancouver Island. Imported a Rivian R1T on 11/15, took it to Canadian Tire to get the RIV inspection. Everything passed except the DRL part. The guy at Canadian tire said it happened a few weeks earlier with another R1T and all the guy had to do was call Rivian and get an OTA update. This has not worked for me. Calling sends you automatically to Michigan and the American Rivian support do not seem to understand the issue. That being that it needs to be that you can't turn the DRLs off in Canada. I should note I have the most recent software update on my R1T. So I am desperately trying to schedule service with the center here in Richmond, BC but their nearest availability is months away. The RIV inspection has to occur within 45 days of import...

Currently quite the nightmare.

Create a Montana LLC, costs about $1,000.00 buy it through the LLC, save about $8,000.00 US or more in sales taxes as there's no sales tax in Montana, no inspections required... ever, and leave it registered to your LLC, drive with a Montana plate unless Canada will evict you for an act of disloyalty. In Montana newer cars are re-registered every year for 15 years and then you can "buy" a permanent plate and never mess with it again... and a good statutory agent will handle all this every year for a nominal amount. I live in Colorado and I bought my R1S through my Montana LLC to avoid the sales tax and inspections in Colorado. My statutory agent handles all the paperwork and sends me notices when I have to go on line and pay them. My 25 year old plow truck has a permanent plate and it's great, ditto with my kids' older Toyotas...

 

[ndmiller]

Montana and other states have been on to this for years. Same with a few other states for car registration tax avoidance. Do this at your own risk as the fines greatly exceed any savings.

Sure you could get away with this but not everyone does, so be wary of any tax avoidance schemes, some people do get caught and the interest is a killer.

 

[Indy avocado]

I am currently experiencing this issue. I live on Vancouver Island. Imported a Rivian R1T on 11/15, took it to Canadian Tire to get the RIV inspection. Everything passed except the DRL part. The guy at Canadian tire said it happened a few weeks earlier with another R1T and all the guy had to do was call Rivian and get an OTA update. This has not worked for me. Calling sends you automatically to Michigan and the American Rivian support do not seem to understand the issue. That being that it needs to be that you can't turn the DRLs off in Canada. I should note I have the most recent software update on my R1T. So I am desperately trying to schedule service with the center here in Richmond, BC but their nearest availability is months away. The RIV inspection has to occur within 45 days of import...

Currently quite the nightmare.

I recently did a temporary import of my R1T. I believe the guy that did my inspection at Canadian Tire said that if you leave the truck for 15 minutes drive more than 10kph (https://rivian.com/en-CA/support/article/safety-recall-021224) it automatically re-enables DRLs and that was considered passing for the inspection. I'm not sure if this is legit or not (and honestly don't even know if this is the way it behaves), but it passed inspection and I didn't question it.

I would show this URL to the Canadian Tire people and see if they agree that it passes (by driving the truck up over 10kph and verifying that they come on).

 

[nfisch]

An update on this. The rivian service center in Vancouver was able to squeeze me in. They fixed the issue, was some sort of glitch with the recent OTA that they needed to reset. I have completed the import now. I think my situation was more of an anomaly, and that the OP is right, most Rivians should have the DRLs already enabled and if not, should be a simple OTA update. Kudos to Rivian for the service and fitting me in on short notice.

 

[Bull]

Hi Nick,

Did you import the R1T into Canada?
I am spending half a year in NYC and the other half as a PR in Victoria, BC. I am contemplating the purchase of a new R12 versus a new used R1S in Manhattan, and then in April 2025, I will return to Victoria.

If yes, what is a temporary import? Did the BC revenue agents tag you at the border?

Cheers.

 

[nfisch]

Hey Bull, not sure about a temporary import. Can only comment on a full/permanent import.

 

[Bull]

Ok. I am interested in a complete/permanent import. Did the BC government request an unreasonable import tax? I have a small farming operation in Nebraska that requires my visits one or two times a year.

 

[nfisch]

Electric vehicles in British Columbia are exempt from provincial sales tax (PST). You will pay a 5% tax at the border for the federal tax (GST).

 

[Bull]

This is most useful to know. Thank you.

 

[Gamma rays]

Hey Bull, not sure about a temporary import. Can only comment on a full/permanent import.

Since there is no SC on Vancouver Island, what happens if your R1 breaks down and requires service? I am contemplating doing a road trip through Vancouver Island (via ferry, obviously), but worry about something happening that disables my Rivian while on the island.

GR

 

[nfisch]

Not sure, seems like a rare occurance though.

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