Province directory · BC

Car shipping companies in British Columbia

Compare 23 car shipping companies serving British Columbia, each checked for an NSC or CVOR certificate. Shipping a sedan from Vancouver costs about $725–$1,075 to Calgary, AB and $1,950–$2,725 to Halifax, NS.

Prices in Canadian dollars · Estimates, not quotes · How we check companies

Companies listed
23
Cities with guides
19

Companies

Best car shipping companies in British Columbia

Companies based here usually run these lanes often. Compare their services, then ask two or three for a quote on your dates.

Brown Boys Transport

FMCSA verified

Surrey, BC · Carrier · 16 trucks · USDOT 6246949

Surrey, B.C. carrier with 16 trucks near the Pacific Highway border crossing, registered with the FMCSA in 2026.

BlackShark Enterprises

FMCSA verified

Kamloops, BC · Carrier · 1 truck · USDOT 3576228

B.C. enclosed transport for exotic, collector and race cars across Western Canada and the western U.S., door to door.

  • Enclosed car transport
  • Luxury car transport
  • Classic car transport
  • +3 more

Dowling’s Car Carriers

FMCSA verified

Burnaby, BC · Carrier · 1 truck · USDOT 824971

Burnaby, B.C. operator registered since 1999 with a Satisfactory FMCSA safety rating.

  • Satisfactory safety rating

Linfoot Holdings

FMCSA verified

Langley, BC · Carrier · 1 truck · USDOT 2363177

Single-truck carrier in Langley, B.C., on Highway 1 in the Fraser Valley.

Langley, BC · Carrier · 8 yrs in business

Langley car carrier since 2018 moving vehicles across B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan and Vancouver Island for people, dealers and auction buyers.

  • Door-to-door delivery
  • Domestic car shipping
  • Dealer transport
  • +1 more

Vancouver, BC · Broker

Vancouver auto transport and vehicle logistics company booking open and enclosed car shipping across Canada and to the U.S.

  • Open car transport
  • Enclosed car transport
  • Door-to-door delivery
  • +2 more

Local guide

Car shipping in British Columbia: what to know

Shipping a car in British Columbia means crossing mountains. Every route east from Vancouver climbs the Coquihalla, the Fraser Canyon, Rogers Pass or the Crowsnest, and winter conditions on those passes shape prices and timing. The Lower Mainland is well served, Vancouver Island adds a ferry, and cars moving in from another province need a provincial inspection before ICBC will insure them.

Where car carriers run in British Columbia

Most carriers leave the Lower Mainland on Highway 1 to Hope and then take the Coquihalla (Highway 5) to Kamloops before turning east on the Trans-Canada through Revelstoke and Rogers Pass toward Calgary. Highway 3 through the Kootenays and the Crowsnest Pass is the southern alternative. Vancouver to Calgary is about 970 km and usually two to four days on the truck.

Surrey, Langley and Abbotsford along Highway 1 are the easiest pickup points in the Lower Mainland. Kelowna and Kamloops are on the way for many trucks; the north (Prince George and beyond, via Highway 16 or 97) sees fewer carriers and takes longer to book.

Mountain passes and winter

From October 1 to March 31, most BC highways require winter tires or chains, and the Coquihalla, Rogers Pass and Kootenay Pass close for avalanche control and crashes several times a winter. Carriers build in delays, and some charge more for winter mountain runs. If your dates are fixed, ask how the carrier handles a closure.

Shipping a car to BC: inspection and ICBC

A car coming from another province must pass a provincial inspection at a Designated Inspection Facility before ICBC will register and insure it. Book the inspection for after delivery and bring the carrier's delivery report. New residents get a short window to switch to BC insurance, so don't leave it long.

The Port of Vancouver's auto terminal on Annacis Island is one of the main entry points for imported vehicles in Canada — if you're importing a car from overseas, it will likely land there and move on by truck.

Shipping a car to Vancouver Island

Victoria, Nanaimo and the rest of Vancouver Island are reached on BC Ferries, so carriers add the ferry fare and the extra day. Some deliver to your door, some only to a terminal on the mainland. Get the island delivery in writing — it's the most common surprise on BC quotes.

Shipping options

How to ship a car in British Columbia: truck, rail and more

The ways cars actually move to, from and within British Columbia, and when each one makes sense.

  • Open car carrier

    The standard way: 7–10 cars on a two-level trailer. Cheapest, and the most trucks.

    In British Columbia: Open carriers handle most BC moves, including the mountain runs east to Alberta. Expect winter surcharges and the odd delay for pass closures.

  • Enclosed trailer

    A covered trailer that keeps out weather, salt and stones. About 50% more than open.

    In British Columbia: Popular in BC for luxury and collector cars, and for anything crossing the passes in winter.

  • By train (rail)

    Terminal to terminal on the national rail network. Good for long, cross-country moves.

    In British Columbia: Rail car shipping runs from the Vancouver area to the Prairies, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. It avoids the winter passes, but you drop off and pick up at a terminal.

  • Ferry connections

    Where the road ends at the water, carriers add a ferry or meet you at the terminal.

    In British Columbia: Vancouver Island, the Sunshine Coast and Haida Gwaii are reached by BC Ferries. Some carriers deliver door to door on the island and add the fare; others stop at the mainland terminal.

  • Flatbed or driver

    One car on a flatbed or tow truck, or a professional driver. Best for short trips.

    In British Columbia: For Vancouver to the Okanagan or Vancouver Island, a single-car flatbed or a hired driver can be simpler than waiting for a long-haul truck.

By train

Car shipping by rail in British Columbia: terminals

Canada's two national railways, CN and CPKC, carry cars between major cities. You don't book with the railway itself: a car shipping company books the space, and you drop the car off and collect it at a rail terminal or the company's lot nearby — or pay extra for a truck to cover the first and last mile. Rail usually takes longer than a truck on the same route, because cars wait at the terminal to be loaded and unloaded, so ask for the terminal-to-terminal time in writing.

TerminalRailwayWhat to know
Surrey (Vancouver area)CNCN's Vancouver-area intermodal terminal. The usual BC start and end point for rail car shipping on CN.
Pitt Meadows (Vancouver area)CPKCCPKC's Vancouver Intermodal Facility, used by shippers that work on the CPKC network.

Exact drop-off addresses depend on the shipping company; confirm the terminal and its hours when you book.

Cross-border

Shipping a car between British Columbia and the U.S.

Carriers moving cars between British Columbia and the United States use these crossings. A car leaving the U.S. must be reported to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at least 72 hours before export, and a U.S. car being registered in Canada goes through the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) program. Ask the carrier who files the paperwork.

  • Pacific Highway and Peace Arch (Douglas)

    Surrey – Blaine, Washington

    The main crossing for Vancouver. Trucks use the Pacific Highway crossing.

  • Osoyoos – Oroville

    Highway 97 – US 97

    The Okanagan crossing, used on runs to and from the U.S. interior.

Timing

Best time to ship a car in British Columbia

  1. October 1 – March 31Winter tires or chains on most highways; pass closures can add days.
  2. October – NovemberSnowbirds send cars to Arizona and California.
  3. April – MayCars come back north; prices on northbound U.S. lanes rise.
  4. June – AugustPeak moving season, especially between BC and Alberta. Ferry sailings to Vancouver Island fill up.

Estimated prices

How much does it cost to ship a car from British Columbia?

Typical price ranges from Vancouver to the main city of every other province, for a running sedan. Use them to sanity-check the quotes you get.

Route Distance Open carrier Enclosed trailer Transit time
Vancouver to Calgary, AB ~970 km $725–$1,075 $1,100–$1,625 2–3 days
Vancouver to Saskatoon, SK ~1,577 km $925–$1,325 $1,375–$2,000 2–4 days
Vancouver to Winnipeg, MB ~2,298 km $1,100–$1,575 $1,675–$2,375 3–6 days
Vancouver to Toronto, ON ~4,340 km $1,525–$2,100 $2,275–$3,175 6–9 days
Vancouver to Montreal, QC ~4,876 km $1,650–$2,275 $2,475–$3,425 7–10 days
Vancouver to Moncton, NB ~5,861 km $1,900–$2,625 $2,825–$3,950 8–12 days
Vancouver to Halifax, NS ~6,123 km $1,950–$2,725 $2,925–$4,075 8–13 days
Estimate, not a quote

Based on typical 2026 rates for a running sedan with a flexible pickup date, in Canadian dollars. Adjust for your car: SUV +12%, pickup +30%, enclosed trailer +50%, summer +8%, long winter hauls +6%.

FAQ

Car shipping in British Columbia: questions

Answers built from the prices, distances and companies on this page.

Does a car shipped to BC need an inspection?

Yes. A vehicle coming from another province must pass a provincial inspection at a Designated Inspection Facility before ICBC will register and insure it in British Columbia.

Does car shipping to Vancouver Island cost more?

Usually. Carriers add the BC Ferries fare and the extra time, and some only deliver to a mainland terminal. Ask whether the quote includes the ferry and delivery on the island.

How much does it cost to ship a car from British Columbia?

Estimated open-carrier prices for a running sedan, in Canadian dollars: Vancouver to Calgary, AB $725–$1,075; Vancouver to Saskatoon, SK $925–$1,325; Vancouver to Winnipeg, MB $1,100–$1,575. Longer trips such as Vancouver to Halifax, NS (about 6,123 km) run $1,950–$2,725 on an open carrier or $2,925–$4,075 enclosed. SUVs, pickups, non-running cars and peak season cost more.

How long does car shipping from British Columbia take?

Once the car is picked up, Vancouver to Calgary takes 2–3 days on the truck and Vancouver to Halifax takes 8–13 days. Allow another 1–5 days before pickup while the carrier fills its trailer.

Can I ship a car by train in British Columbia?

Yes, through a car shipping company that books space on CN or CPKC. Rail terminals used for British Columbia: Surrey (Vancouver area) (CN); Pitt Meadows (Vancouver area) (CPKC). Rail car shipping runs from the Vancouver area to the Prairies, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax. It avoids the winter passes, but you drop off and pick up at a terminal.

Which border crossing do car carriers use between British Columbia and the U.S.?

Pacific Highway and Peace Arch (Douglas) (Surrey – Blaine, Washington): The main crossing for Vancouver. Trucks use the Pacific Highway crossing. Osoyoos – Oroville (Highway 97 – US 97): The Okanagan crossing, used on runs to and from the U.S. interior.

How many car shipping companies are based in British Columbia?

8 companies are listed in British Columbia: Brown Boys Transport, United Auto Transport, Auto Active Transport, BlackShark Enterprises, Dowling’s Car Carriers, Linfoot Holdings, Navistar Auto Transport and Optixtrace Car Shipping.

How do I check a car shipping company in British Columbia?

Ask for the company's full legal name and its carrier registration — a National Safety Code (NSC) number, or a CVOR certificate in Ontario — and confirm it with the provincial transport ministry. Check that cargo insurance covers your car's value, get the price and pickup window in writing, and never pay the full amount before pickup.

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