For many Canadian buyers, the right aircraft isn’t sitting at an airport in Canada. It’s in Texas, Florida, or Arizona.

The U.S. aircraft market is many times larger than Canada’s, which means more inventory, more choice, and often a better chance of finding the exact aircraft that fits your mission. It’s no surprise that a significant share of the aircraft flying in Canada today were originally purchased south of the border.

But importing an aircraft involves more than agreeing on a price and flying it home. Two regulators, two registries, customs, taxes, and currency all play a role, and a mistake at any stage can add weeks of delays or thousands of dollars in unexpected costs.

This guide walks through how the import process works, what to watch for, and how to approach a cross-border purchase with confidence.

Why Canadian Buyers Look to the U.S. Market

The biggest reason is simple: selection.

When you’re searching for a specific make, model, and equipment package, the U.S. market often offers several comparable aircraft for every one listed in Canada. That wider selection can help buyers:

• Find aircraft with lower total time or more recent overhauls
• Access specific avionics packages or modifications
• Compare pricing across a much larger pool of aircraft
• Locate less common makes and models that rarely come up in Canada

That said, a larger market doesn’t automatically mean a better deal. Once the exchange rate, import costs, taxes, and any Canadian compliance work are added in, a U.S. aircraft that looks less expensive on paper can end up costing more than a comparable aircraft already registered in Canada.

Step 1: Confirm the Aircraft Can Be Imported

Before getting too far into a deal, confirm the aircraft is eligible to be registered and certified in Canada.

Most common general aviation aircraft built in the U.S. are recognized by Transport Canada, but not every aircraft, modification, or configuration carries over automatically. Buyers should confirm:

• The make and model holds a type certificate recognized by Transport Canada
• Any installed modifications are supported by STCs that are accepted in Canada
• Installed equipment, such as the ELT and ADS-B system, will meet Canadian requirements
• The aircraft doesn’t have a history or configuration that could complicate Canadian certification

Experimental, amateur-built, and some older or modified aircraft can follow a different and more involved path. If the aircraft falls into one of these categories, get advice before making an offer rather than after.

Step 2: Complete Your Due Diligence

Everything that applies to a domestic purchase applies to an import, and distance makes it even more important.

It’s common for Canadian buyers to purchase an aircraft they haven’t seen in person. That makes a thorough pre-purchase inspection by an independent shop, ideally one familiar with the make and model, essential. The inspection should also be done with the Canadian import in mind, so any items that will need attention to meet Canadian requirements are identified up front and can be factored into the price.

Documentation review is equally important. Buyers should verify:

• Complete airframe, engine, and propeller logbooks
• Airworthiness directive compliance
• Damage history and supporting repair documentation
• Clear title, with any existing liens released through the FAA registry before closing

Unresolved liens or gaps in the records are far easier to deal with before the aircraft crosses the border than after.

Step 3: Structure the Deal and Protect Your Funds

Cross-border transactions add a layer of complexity to payment and closing.

Using a reputable aviation escrow service helps protect both parties. Funds and documents are held by a neutral third party and released only when the conditions of the sale are met, including confirmation of clear title.

The purchase agreement should clearly define:

• Purchase price and currency
• Deposit amount and refund conditions
• Pre-purchase inspection contingencies
• Responsibility for export paperwork and associated costs
• Delivery location and timing

Step 4: Plan for the Exchange Rate

Most aircraft are priced in U.S. dollars, and on a large purchase, currency can make a meaningful difference to the final cost.

A few percentage points on the exchange rate can add up to thousands of dollars on a single transaction. Timing the conversion and using a foreign exchange provider rather than a standard bank transfer can often result in real savings.

At Raven Aircraft Sales, we’ve helped clients save not only on the negotiated purchase price but also on the U.S. to Canadian dollar conversion, two separate wins on the same deal.

Step 5: Handle the U.S. Export Requirements

On the U.S. side, the aircraft can receive an Export Certificate of Airworthiness issued by the FAA or an authorized designee. This confirms the aircraft meets its type design and is in condition for safe operation at the time of export.

The aircraft’s U.S. registration must also be cancelled with the FAA registry before it can be registered in Canada. This step needs to be coordinated carefully with closing, delivery, and the Canadian registration so the aircraft isn’t left without valid registration at the wrong moment.

Step 6: Clear Canadian Customs

When the aircraft enters Canada, it must be declared to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Buyers should be prepared for:

• GST, and depending on your province, HST or provincial sales tax
• Customs documentation, including the bill of sale and proof of value
• Possible duty, depending on where the aircraft was manufactured. U.S.-built aircraft generally qualify for duty-free treatment, but this should be confirmed for each aircraft

Tax treatment can vary depending on whether the aircraft is for personal or business use, so it’s worth speaking with an accountant or customs broker before closing.

Step 7: Register and Certify the Aircraft in Canada

Once the aircraft is in Canada, it needs Canadian registration and a Canadian Certificate of Airworthiness before it can operate as a Canadian aircraft.

This typically involves:

• Reserving Canadian registration marks
• Applying for registration with Transport Canada
• An import inspection by an approved maintenance organization to confirm the aircraft conforms to its type design and Canadian requirements
• Completing any Canadian-specific compliance items identified during the inspection
• Applying the new registration marks to the aircraft

The time this takes depends on the aircraft’s condition, the completeness of its records, and how much compliance work is required. Aircraft with clean records and well-documented modifications tend to move through the process much faster.

Step 8: Arrange Delivery

Getting the aircraft home is its own planning exercise.

Some aircraft are flown across the border before the U.S. registration is cancelled, while others are delivered by a ferry pilot or transported by truck. Each option has its own timing, insurance, and customs considerations, and the right choice depends on the aircraft, the distance, and the season.

If the aircraft is being flown in, the flight will need to clear customs at a designated Canadian airport of entry, and the pilot and aircraft need to be properly documented for the crossing. Insurance should also be confirmed to cover the ferry flight itself.

Common Mistakes When Importing an Aircraft

A few issues come up regularly with first-time importers:

• Comparing U.S. and Canadian asking prices without accounting for exchange, taxes, and import costs
• Skipping an independent pre-purchase inspection because the aircraft is far away
• Assuming U.S.-installed equipment automatically meets Canadian requirements
• Cancelling the U.S. registration before the rest of the process is lined up
• Underestimating how long Canadian certification can take
• Converting currency at a bank rate without shopping for a better one

None of these are difficult to avoid with the right planning, but each one can turn a good deal into an expensive one.

How Raven Aircraft Sales Helps with Cross-Border Purchases

Importing an aircraft involves coordinating sellers, inspection shops, escrow agents, customs, two aviation regulators, and a delivery plan, often across time zones and in two currencies.

At Raven Aircraft Sales, we manage cross-border purchases from search to delivery. That includes locating the right aircraft, reviewing records, arranging an independent pre-purchase inspection, negotiating price and findings, structuring escrow, helping with currency conversion, and handling the import and export procedures that come with bringing an aircraft into Canada.

Our team has flown everything from Cessna 172s to Boeing 737s, and we understand what it takes to get the right aircraft across the border and into your hangar. Learn more on our Why Raven page or browse our current inventory.

Final Thoughts

Importing an aircraft from the U.S. can open up a much wider selection and, in the right circumstances, a better overall value. But the savings only hold up if the full cost of the import is understood from the start.

Know the eligibility requirements, complete a thorough inspection, plan for currency and taxes, and coordinate the paperwork on both sides of the border. With the right preparation, a cross-border purchase can be just as smooth as a domestic one.

If you’re considering an aircraft in the U.S., the Raven Aircraft Sales team can help. Contact us for a confidential discussion about your next purchase.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I buy an aircraft in the U.S. and bring it to Canada?

Yes. Many Canadian owners purchase aircraft in the U.S. The aircraft can be exported from the U.S., cleared through Canadian customs, and imported, registered and certified with Transport Canada before operating as a Canadian aircraft.

Do I have to pay tax when importing an aircraft into Canada?

In most cases, GST applies at import, along with HST or provincial sales tax depending on your province. Tax treatment can vary based on use, so speak with an accountant or customs broker before closing.

Is there duty on aircraft imported from the U.S.?

U.S.-built aircraft generally qualify for duty-free treatment. Aircraft manufactured elsewhere may be treated differently, so duty status should be confirmed for each aircraft.

How long does it take to import an aircraft into Canada?

Timelines vary depending on the aircraft’s records, condition, and any Canadian compliance work required. A well-documented aircraft can move through the process relatively quickly, while aircraft needing modifications or additional paperwork can take longer.

Does U.S. avionics equipment meet Canadian requirements?

Not always. Items such as ELTs and ADS-B installations should be reviewed before purchase to confirm they meet Canadian requirements for how and where you intend to fly.

Do I still need a pre-purchase inspection on a U.S. aircraft?

Yes. An independent pre-purchase inspection is especially important on an aircraft you may not see in person, and it should also identify any items that need attention for Canadian certification.

Is it cheaper to buy an aircraft in the U.S.?

Sometimes. The U.S. market offers more selection, but exchange rates, taxes, import costs, and compliance work all need to be factored in before comparing prices with aircraft already in Canada.

Can a broker handle the import process for me?

Yes. An experienced broker can coordinate the purchase, inspection, escrow, currency conversion, export paperwork, customs, registration, and delivery, reducing the risk of delays or costly mistakes.