How to import a car from Canada to Florida

Bring these documents

• Out-of-country title/ownership document establishing proof of ownership (Canadian provincial registration/ownership), signed over by the seller; certified notarized English translation if not in English (FLHSMV procedure TL-10 sec. G; FAC 15C-1.013)
• Form HSMV 82040 Application for Certificate of Title With/Without Registration (TL-10)
• Form HSMV 82042 Vehicle Identification Number and Odometer Verification, Part B completed by an authorized official (TL-10 sec. G; HSMV 82042)
• CBP Form 7501 U.S. Customs and Border Protection Entry Summary, stamped, showing the VIN (TL-10 sec. G)
• Form HS-7 DOT Declaration showing the VIN; if box 2B is checked, a copy of the manufacturer's FMVSS confirmation letter; if box 3 is checked, a copy of the Registered Importer bond letter and the RI contract if applicable (TL-10 sec. G)
• Bill of sale showing price (used to compute sales tax; if none, tax is based on the value on CBP 7501) (TL-10 sec. G)
• Proof of Florida insurance (PIP/PDL) with the Florida insurance company code (county tax collector instructions)
• Florida driver license/ID for each owner (Canadian license accepted as ID per Manatee County) (county tax collector instructions)
• Odometer disclosure (on HSMV 82040/82042) (HSMV 82042)
• EPA Form 3520-1: not listed in TL-10 but commonly requested; bring it (verify with agency)

VIN inspection

Yes. Physical VIN verification on HSMV 82042 (or section 8 of HSMV 82040) is required for every used vehicle not currently titled in Florida. Per FLHSMV procedure TL-10 (rev. 12/2025), out-of-country vehicles follow the standard rule: verification by a Florida notary, Florida licensed dealer, law enforcement officer from any state, military police officer, or a DMS Compliance Examiner / tax collector employee. The earlier rule that out-of-country vehicles must be inspected only by a DMS Compliance Examiner was removed in 05/2025, but some county tax collector websites still state it - confirm with your county.

Emissions

None. Florida has no emissions or safety inspection requirement for registration (verify with agency).

Sales / use tax

6% Florida sales/use tax plus county discretionary surtax (applied to the first $5,000 of price, 0-2% depending on county), collected by the tax collector at titling, based on the bill of sale price (or CBP 7501 value if no bill of sale, or a valuation service for FMV). Florida gives credit for similar tax lawfully paid to another U.S. state, but 'no credit of Florida tax is given for use in or taxes paid in another country' and the 6-month-use exemption does not apply to vehicles imported from a foreign country (Florida DOR TIP 14A01-01).

Title and registration fees

Title fee: $77.25 original new / $85.25 original used (out-of-state or foreign vehicle), plus $2.50 if a paper title is printed and $2 lien recording if applicable; fast title $10 extra. Initial registration fee $225 if no Florida plate is being transferred. Annual registration (base) $14.50 (up to 2,499 lb), $22.50 (2,500-3,499 lb), $32.50 (3,500+ lb) plus statutory add-ons; new plate $28. County offices estimate roughly $370-$440 total for a first-time title and one-year registration before sales tax. Late transfer penalty up to $20 if not transferred within 30 days.

Odometer in km

HSMV 82042/82040 record the odometer reading in miles with no tenths and the status (actual / exceeds mechanical limits / not actual). There is no kilometer field; FLHSMV procedures do not address km conversion - verify with the tax collector how to document a km reading.