Buy-to-Order used vehicle exporter

Overseas dealers and private buyers, including diaspora families buying for relatives, and small importers abroad who want vehicles that are hard to find locally.

You add a margin or a fixed sourcing fee on top of the purchase price, plus a handling fee for paperwork and shipping coordination. Buyers usually pay a deposit up front.

• Knowing used vehicle values and spotting problems
• Negotiating with sellers and buyers
• Careful paperwork and organization
• Clear communication across time zones

• Check whether your province requires dealer registration or licensing, as buying and selling vehicles regularly without it can be illegal in some provinces
• Check the vehicle for liens and make sure the seller has clear title before you pay (lien searches work differently by province, including Quebec)
• Check the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) rules for reporting used vehicle exports, including the advance notice period and paperwork
• Export scams and stolen vehicle fraud are a real risk, so verify buyers, avoid overpayment tricks and use safe payment methods
• Check the destination country's duties, age limits and rules before you commit, as they can change and can leave a vehicle stuck at port
• Margins can be thin and shipping costs can move, so confirm prices before you buy
• Commercial liability insurance and cargo insurance

Estimates suggest startup typically costs around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much working capital you need to buy vehicles to order and cover checks and paperwork. Margins can be thin and shipping costs can move, so confirm prices before you buy.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on how many vehicles you source and ship. Margins can be thin, so check destination duties and shipping costs before you commit to a purchase.

Check whether your province requires dealer registration or licensing, lien and clear title checks, and CBSA rules for reporting used vehicle exports, including advance notice. Also check the destination country's duties and age limits, plus commercial liability and cargo insurance.