---
title: "Tires: Transport Canada · Adhoc"
description: "Tires imported for sale are declared on every shipment as meeting the safety standards: US standards for tires from the US, Canada's for tires from anywhere else. Used on-road tires for sale come in only from the US, except some truck tires. Retreaded and off-road tires can come from any country. Every used tire must be clean, with no soil."
canonical: "https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/transport-canada/tires"
last_updated: 2026-11-11
---

# Tires new and used tires

Transport Canada · Motor Vehicle Tire Safety Regulations

Tires imported for sale are declared on every shipment as meeting the safety standards: US standards for tires from the US, Canada's for tires from anywhere else. Used on-road tires for sale come in only from the US, except some truck tires. Retreaded and off-road tires can come from any country. Every used tire must be clean, with no soil.

## To import tires

### Before you buy

- **Used on-road tires for sale: export them from the US.** From other countries they're refused, except truck tires that meet the conditions below. Retreaded tires from any country are declared as meeting the standards, like new tires.
- **New tires for sale from outside the US: built to Canada's standards.** Each must meet Canada's tire safety standards.

### On every shipment

- **Tires for sale: the tire details on the declaration.** The manufacturer, brand, size, class and quantity, and that the tires comply. Filed electronically, these details count as the declaration that they comply.
- **Tires for your own vehicle or your fleet: a safety mark on each.** Canada's National Safety Mark, the US DOT symbol or Japan's JIS symbol on the sidewall.

### At the border

- **Used tires: clean, with no soil.** The Canadian Food Inspection Agency requires it of every used tire, retreads included.

## Are your tires covered?

Goods in these parts of the tariff: [Rubber and articles thereof](https://www.useadhoc.com/hs-codes/40)

[Look up an HS code](https://www.useadhoc.com/hs-codes)

## Documents you may need

| Document | When you need it | Status |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Declaration of compliance, From the manufacturer or its authorized representative | New tires for sale from outside the US, released on paper | If it applies |
| Transport Canada authorization letter, From Transport Canada | Tires that don't meet the safety standards, or tires for exhibition, demonstration, evaluation or testing | If it applies |

## What stops tires at the border

These apply to tires imported for sale; the soil rule applies to every used tire.

- **Used on-road tires, other than truck tires, exported from outside the US**: Not admissible. CBSA refuses entry. This doesn't cover retreaded tires or off-road tires.
- **Used truck tires from outside the US that miss a condition**: Each needs a safety mark (Canada's National Safety Mark, the US DOT symbol or Japan's JIS symbol), a rim diameter over 16 inches, and a load range of at least D or a ply rating of at least 8. Otherwise CBSA refuses entry.
- **Used tires with soil on them**: They are refused entry where they arrive and must be removed from Canada at the importer's expense. Retreaded tires count as used for this rule.
- **Scrap tires that could still be used**: Tires for scrap rubber come in only if they are made permanently unusable by the time they enter, for example by slashing or puncturing the sidewall.
- **Off-road tires without an off-road marking or design**: The sidewalls must be permanently marked for off-road use, or the tire must be plainly built for it. Otherwise CBSA refuses entry.

## Also check for these goods

| Also check | Who | Where it applies |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Food, plants and animals | Canadian Food Inspection Agency | Some of the same HS codes |

Also from Transport Canada: [Vehicles](https://www.useadhoc.com/agencies/transport-canada/vehicles)

## Questions

### Do tires on a vehicle count?

No. These rules cover tires imported on their own, not tires mounted on a vehicle or its spare.

### What about tires for my own vehicle or my company's fleet?

They need only meet Canadian, US or Japanese safety standards and carry that country's safety mark.

## Sources

- [Memorandum D19-12-2: Importation of tires](https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/dm-md/d19/d19-12-2-eng.html), CBSA, modified 2020-12-09

Reviewed November 10, 2026.

Adhoc is not affiliated with Transport Canada or CBSA.