Calculating the true cost of an import from Japan to Canada.
- the DREAM
- Dec 19, 2024
- 6 min read
Updated: Apr 16
The Prius has arrived and the bills are in. Were we under budget or if not, how much over budget were we?
Project 2.2: How I Bought a Prius from Japan and Only Cried Twice. Looking at Project 2.0's second contender - Project 2.2 aka 'the Prius' - we break down the numbers to give you the honest import cost.
For Canadians, car buying is an emotional and financial marathon. It's not just about transportation—it's about finding the perfect mix of reliability, value, and (let’s be honest) something you’d actually enjoy driving. So, when it came time for Project 2.0, we went practical: two hybrids. One for family duty and comfort, and another to commute, save gas, and maybe even outlast us.
But why hybrids? Simple: they’re economical, reliable, and generally less stressful at the pump. The game plan was clear—find two cars with low kilometers, no rust, and a proven track record. Oh, and spend no more than $20,000 CAD (import costs included). Spoiler alert: we went over budget.
The Game Plan: Meet the Contenders
After hours of research (and a little daydreaming), two cars made the shortlist:
2008–2009 Toyota Crown: A classy hybrid sedan with JDM street cred. Think comfort, reliability, and enough style to make you feel important on the school run.
2008–2009 Toyota Prius: The ultimate no-nonsense hybrid hatch. Famous for sipping fuel and refusing to die.
You can find our breakdowns of these in Is it worth it to import right now? Project 2.0 With both cars sourced from Japanese auctions, we had high hopes. The plan? Stick to the budget, account for the usual surprises, and see how it stacks up against local used options.
The Crown: Doilies and Delight
It's a slightly newer gen than ours, but hey,.... it's got Jean Reno in it in dubbed Japanese!
We snagged the Crown earlier this year, and let me tell you—it came with doilies. Yes, monogrammed Toyota Crown doilies on the headrests.
Doilies!!!!
It was glorious. Aside from a busted coilover, the Crown was a smooth import. I’ll share all the juicy details, including costs, in a future article.
But for now, let’s talk about its scrappy little sibling: the Prius.
The Prius: A Love-Hate Relationship
Again,... a slightly later gen. But hey! Fun commercial.
This was supposed to be straightforward: a budget-friendly, eco-friendly import. Instead, we got a crash course in import regulations, rising shipping costs, and unexpected storage fees.
Let’s break it down:
Phase One: The Japanese Purchase
Total Costs: ¥690,000 (approx. $6,900 CAD)
Auction Price: $3100 CAD
FOB and shipping: $3800 CAD
We secured the Prius at auction for about $3,000 CAD—a steal, right? Well, not so fast. Turns out the Prius was manufactured in September 2009, which meant it couldn’t legally enter Canada until September 2024 (the 15-year rule is based on the month of manufacture). Cue four months of storage fees totaling $750 (we'll add that later).
On top of that, rising fuel costs threw a wrench in our shipping estimates. What we’d budgeted as $2,500 ballooned to $3,700 once FOB (Free on Board) costs were factored in.
Pro Tip: When transferring funds to Japan, always include at least $40 extra. Japanese banks love to sneak in deposit fees, leaving you short of what you owe your auction rep.
Phase Two: From Vancouver to Toronto
Shipping Costs: $3,000
Customs Broker Fees: $250
Docking Fee: $375
Taxes at Border (VFTP - 5%): $500
Duty at Border (6.1%): $189
Getting the Prius to Canada wasn’t smooth sailing—literally. Port strikes had ships doing donuts in the Strait of Georgia. Thankfully, our Prius avoided extra storage fees, but we still paid a $375 docking fee.
Of course we need to talk taxes. Taxes are calculated on the total value of the vehicle plus shipping costs, often referred to as the value for tax purposes (VFTP). And since we don't have a Free-Trade Agreement with Japan, slap an additional 6.1% or $200 approximately
Customs brokerage cost $250, and taxes added another $500. The big expense, however, was getting the car from Vancouver to Toronto. And please note that that shipping was depot to depot. You could add another $700 if you wanted it door-to-door. Between shipping, gas, and a $150 fuel surcharge, the total hit $3,000.
Phase Three: From Toronto to the Streets
Towing to Mechanic: $350
Safety Certification: $200
Battery Replacement: $400
Document Translation: $220
Virtual Assessment: $200
License Plates: $35
HST (8%): $400
Once the Prius arrived in Toronto, we faced the final hurdles: certification, repairs, and registration. Towing the car to a mechanic set us back $350, and the safety certification cost $200. It also needed a new battery ($400), but otherwise, the mechanic described it as “pristine.”
For paperwork, we needed a certified translation ($220) and a virtual vehicle assessment ($200). Add in Ontario’s HST ($400), and we were finally ready to hit the road.
The Bottom Line
Original Budget: $10,000 CAD (+$1000 for fudge factor)
Total (Pre-Fudge): $12,930 CAD
Total (Fudge Factored): $14,030 CAD
Fudge Factors:
Battery: $400
Storage Fees: $750
Crunching the Numbers
If we ignore the “fudge factor” costs—like storage fees and replacing the battery—we ended up about 15% over budget. Not bad, but not exactly a win. Toss in those near-$1,000 surprises, and suddenly we’re looking at 25% over budget.
Ouch. (－‸ლ)
Here’s the silver lining: for $14,000, we got a 2009 Prius with just 21,000 km and zero rust. The mechanic called it “pristine,” and after driving it, I agree. It’s so clean I could off of the spare tire compartment.
No doilies, though, which was... disappointing. Not $3,000-extra disappointing, but definitely “doily-sad.”
Putting It in Perspective
When I step back and look at the bigger picture, most of the extra costs came down to FOB and shipping. Proportionally, an extra $2,000 feels significant on a $10,000 car, but if this had been a $30,000 Lexus or a $25,000 Skyline GTT, it would’ve been a much smaller percentage. I'm not saying "If I had more money I wouldn't feel the loss as hard",... but kinda yeah. It's more like,... "With a larger budget in mind, an overrun of $2000 would not seem as great an error."
But yeah,... I wouldn't mind having more money. :)
So maybe that’s just me trying to justify the expense (we all do it). But here’s the real question: if I hadn’t spent that money importing the Prius, what could I have bought locally in Ontario?
Daring to Compare
Let’s put the Prius up against the used car market in Ontario—specifically around Southern Ontario. What could you get for a similar price locally?
Around $7,000
$7,000 is what I paid at auction in Japan plus shipping to BC. Let's say that's our lowest end of the spectrum. At that price, here are a couple of options:
2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid (170,000 km): Located in Hamilton, this hybrid sedan is listed at $6,000. It’s sold as-is and features AC/heat, no engine lights, new brakes, navigation, and heated leather seats. The interior is noted to be in great shape.
2013 Honda Civic EXL (220,000 km): For $7,000, this Barrie-based sedan offers leather seats, a sunroof, and a reputation for reliability, though it has seen its fair share of kilometers.
Both vehicles provide practicality but have over 170,000 km—significantly more wear compared to a 21,000 km Prius.
Around $11,000
Let’s raise the bar to our original $11,000 budget. If we were spending that kind of money, what could we get?:
2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE (225,000 km): Listed at $10,900 in Windsor, this hybrid sedan comes with snow tires, a clean accident record, and plenty of comfort features.
2012 Toyota Matrix (190,000 km): Priced at $8,000, this navy blue hatchback is described as a reliable daily driver in good condition.
These vehicles continue the trend of high mileage and significant wear, making the Prius’s lower kilometers and excellent condition a standout.
Around $14,000
Finally, let’s match what we spent on the Prius ($14,000, all-in):
2017 Toyota Corolla (150,000 km): This Ottawa-based sedan is priced at $14,000 and features a 1.8L engine, automatic transmission, backup camera, and lane departure warning.
2016 Ford Taurus Limited (130,000 km): For $14,000, this higher-end sedan comes equipped with leather seats, a navigation system, and a sunroof.
2015 Volkswagen Jetta (128,090 km): This compact car offers heated seats, Bluetooth connectivity, and a fuel-efficient engine.
While these newer cars are tempting, they all hover around 130,000–150,000 km—still far more mileage than the Prius, and with the added wear of Canadian winters. I know this. Having just sold the family's 2014 Veloster which I bought from the dealership, and put 100,000+ Kms on myself, I know exactly where the rust is and which parts are wearing out.
Final Thoughts
Looking at these options, it’s clear that most local vehicles in these price ranges have endured years of Canadian winters and road salt, which can lead to rust and long-term wear.
The Prius, on the other hand, came to us with 21,000 km, no rust, and a pristine interior (even if it didn’t come with those monogrammed doilies like the Crown). For the price and condition, importing feels like a better long-term investment.
Did you find something better on Kijiji which would blow our minds?
Have I been blinded by my love of JDM, or was this actually a great choice?
Is my math off?
Would you take the plunge on importing, or stick with local options?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
~ DREAM