“We're not here to hand you the keys to something that'll keep you up at night.”

What we offer

  • Hand Picked

    Hire us to be your personal shopper. Decades of vehicle purchasing from other countries allows us to pinpoint the best offerings and bring them to your attention. From High End Exotics to Daily Drivers we will find you the highest quality examples.

  • getting it here

    Every vehicle has a history. We ensure that it is documented properly in your import package submitted for customs clearance. We are intimately familiar with Canada and US Customs processes International Shipping Logistics.

  • On the road

    Based in Calgary, ZEN offers extended services including Alberta certification, inspections, appraisals and collector car insurance with our top notch partners. We have a small collection of personal imported vehicles in Calgary too!

FAQs

Can I IMPORT ANY VEHICLE FROM THE REST OF THE WORLD?

The short answer is no. Importation of vehicles from outside of North America (USA/Canada) has some restrictions. For Canada (other than Quebec) any vehicle can be imported as long as it’s build date MM/YR has reached 15years. For QC and USA this rule is 25years. But QC will allow registration of Left Hand Drive vehicles if at least 15 years. There are a few other nuances but we will always ensure you can properly import and register a vehicle that we are hired to bring in for you.

do you import vehicles from europe?

Yes! We have a lot of experience moving vehicles throughout and from Europe and even the UAE. These regions hold a lot of interesting model, particularly Left Hand Drivers if not available from Japan. However, Europe does not offer a reliable centralized dealer auction network like Japan does. If you find a dealer stock vehicle in Europe that interests you, please reach out to us and we can fill you in on some more details. Remember the minimum 15year (Canada) and 25year (USA) rules still apply for European market imports.

why do you require a $500 security deposit?

This deposit is necessary. Every day we get asked to search out particular vehicles with the phrase “keep me posted” from our customers. Obviously that is what we primarily do and it takes time to do properly. We have to limit our efforts to those customers that have shown good will with a $500 refundable deposit. We use our own funds to pay for your vehicle up front so the deposit also secures our ability to do so. The deposit goes towards the purchase cost of your vehicle and is not part of our profit.

What happens once my vehicle has landed at my closest port of entry?

Export is only part of the entire process that you have hired us for. Customs Clearance into Canada or USA is arranged on your behalf and we ensure all the required export paperwork is correct and proper PRIOR to shipping from the origin country. Savings are often realized by Zen filing government forms that initiate international agreement giving you a break on duty rates that would otherwise be charged by customs. We pay your customs bill, arrange and pay for inland transport (if requested) and invoice you these costs after your vehicle arrives to it’s final destination.

how much do you charge?

Zen’s profit to purchase and arrange export/import into North America is based on the value of your vehicle. This allows us to cost sensitive for less expensive vehicles and also provides adequate compensation on more expensive vehicles. Our import fee is $800CAD+ 3% of “CIF” cost. “CIF” is Cost, Insurance and Freight - basically all costs to get the vehicles to the port of entry not including customs clearance or our import fee.

I live in alberta, can you help get my imported vehicle ready to register?

Zen is located in Calgary, Alberta. For all our Alberta clients we can provide your car ready to register. that means we can received your car from inland transport and drive it, insured, on our dealer plates for Alberta Inspection. We have strong realationships with Calgary based inspectors to make this a worry free process. You will get your car with an active Alberta VIN ready to register. And if you don’t live in Alberta, do not worry, our 20 years of experience with customers in all regions of Canada allow us guide you remotely. Zen wants you to feel secure that your imported vehicle will be plated soon after arrival.

how does payment work?

You have already submitted your $500 deposit and secured your vehicle - now what? …. Your $500 deposit goes towards the purchase of your vehicle. We complete this purchase plus export and insurance shipping costs through our preferred foreign exchange account to make the most of the current exchange rates. This amount (car, export, insurance and shipping costs) is then invoiced in CAD or USD to you with our import fee. That amount must be paid within 3 business days though wire, cheque or eTransfer so that we can prepare your vehicle for export and book shipping. Once arrived at your closest port, your vehicle is customs cleared and any inland shipping it booked for you. Customs invoice and inland transport is invoiced to you as your final bill unless there are other services that you ask us to complete.

what sets you apart from others?

Of course you have options! We get that. But make no mistake that Zen will quickly become your preferred import broker. You can always get ahold of us … we don’t just make the sales pitch and take your money. Zen wants you to be secure in your decision straight through to plating your new import for the road. We make the time to answer your questions …. ensuring we are hand picking the best available vehicle within budget with practical advise on vehicle condition and current value. Sometimes it can take months to find the right car for you and that is ok. Zen has naturally grown over the past two decades by word of mouth. We have an operating shop in south Calgary and we are always happy to hear from you. Quality of vehicle is our commitment to you. Leverage our experience and professionalism to get the most out of your import experience.