Commodity Guide · Air Freight

Automotive Parts

Most replacement parts clear without special certification — knowing exactly which ones don't is what actually matters here.

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HS 87

Vehicles & parts chapter

Most Parts

Not separately regulated by Transport Canada

CMVSS

Applies to safety-critical components only

UN 3268

Airbag inflator DGR classification

Transport Canada — Scoped Correctly

Most replacement auto parts aren't separately regulated — but brakes, seat belts, glass, and airbags are

The Motor Vehicle Safety Act doesn't regulate shipments of individual parts, with narrow exceptions (tires, child car seats and booster seats) — so most of what ships on this page clears without a separate Transport Canada compliance step. But safety-critical components used in commercial vehicles — brakes and servo-brakes, seat belts, windscreens and other glazing, and airbag/restraint systems — do need to meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards where the part affects the compliance of the assembled vehicle.

Source: Transport Canada, Motor Vehicle Safety Act framework. Last verified July 2026.

Relevant HS Codes

HS CodeDescriptionMFNCPTPPNote
8708.10Bumpers and parts thereof6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity
8708.21Safety seat belts6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity
8708.22Front windscreens, rear windows and other windowsFreeFree
8708.29Other parts and accessories of bodies6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity
8708.30Brakes and servo-brakes; parts thereof6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity
8708.40Gear boxes and parts thereof6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity
8708.50Drive-axles with differential, non-driving axles; parts thereof6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity
8708.70Road wheels and parts/accessories thereof6%FreeCPTPP savings opportunity

Source: https://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/trade-commerce/tariff-tarif/2026/html/00/ch87-eng.html

CPTPP savings on this lane

8708.10

Bumpers and parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.21

Safety seat belts

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.29

Other parts and accessories of bodies

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.30

Brakes and servo-brakes; parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.40

Gear boxes and parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.50

Drive-axles with differential, non-driving axles; parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.70

Road wheels and parts/accessories thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.80

Suspension systems and parts thereof (incl. shock-absorbers)

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.91

Radiators and parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.92

Silencers (mufflers) and exhaust pipes; parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.93

Clutches and parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.94

Steering wheels, steering columns and steering boxes; parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.95

Safety airbags with inflator system; parts thereof

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8708.99

Other parts and accessories

MFN 6%CPTPP Free

8714.91.90

Other bicycle frames and forks parts

MFN 5%CPTPP Free

8714.99.10

Bicycle wheels

MFN 6.5%CPTPP Free

Canadian Import Process

Confirm CMVSS scope

Confirm whether the specific part falls into a CMVSS-regulated category — brakes, seat belts, glazing, or restraint systems — before assuming a compliance step is or isn't needed.

Airbag DG classification

If the shipment includes airbag inflators, modules, or seat-belt pretensioners, classify as UN 3268 (Class 9, Safety Devices) and package/declare accordingly.

CPTPP eligibility check

Confirm origin eligibility for the 6% MFN body/chassis parts lines — CPTPP brings nearly all of HS 8708 to zero.

CBSA examination

Goods clear against the commercial invoice and HS classification; CMVSS-scoped parts clear against that compliance step as well.

Customs release

Shipment released to the importer at the CPTPP rate (if claimed and documented) or the standard MFN rate.

Worked example

1,200kg of brake components and airbag modules, Bangkok to Toronto

A 1,200kg shipment of brake components and airbag modules (HS 8708.30, 8708.95) needs to move from BKK to YYZ. The fastest confirmed routing on that pair today is Korean Air Cargo through ICN, at 1-2 business days.

Before booking, UAL confirms the brake components fall within CMVSS scope for the commercial vehicles they're destined for, and separately classifies the airbag modules as UN 3268 (Class 9, Safety Devices, electrically initiated) for DGR purposes — a distinct requirement from the CMVSS compliance question, not the same check.

Both HS 8708.30 (brakes) and 8708.95 (airbags) carry a 6% MFN rate that this CPTPP-eligible origin brings to zero — a real duty saving on a shipment this size. On arrival, CBSA clears the shipment against the commercial invoice, HS classification, and the CMVSS documentation for the brake components.

Why ship automotive parts through UAL

Scoped correctly, not overstated

We don't apply a blanket compliance checklist to every auto part — we confirm which specific components are actually CMVSS-regulated and which aren't, so shipments don't carry paperwork they don't need.

DG classification handled separately

Airbag inflators and modules are dangerous goods cargo regardless of the vehicle compliance question — we classify and declare them as UN 3268 independently of any CMVSS check.

Production-line timing, respected

Auto parts freight is often line-critical. We route via whichever carrier has the transit time your production schedule actually needs.

DGR Note — Airbags & Restraint Systems

Airbag inflators and modules are Class 9 dangerous goods cargo — UN 3268

Air bag inflators, air bag modules, and seat-belt pretensioners are classified as Class 9, UN 3268 ("Safety Devices, electrically initiated"), and need UN-certified packaging and dangerous goods documentation for air transport — independently of whatever CMVSS requirement applies to the part itself.

See the full dangerous goods overview →

Source: 49 CFR 173.166 (Safety devices), cross-referenced against IATA DGR UN 3268 classification — confirm current DGR edition packaging requirements before booking.

Frequently asked questions

No. The Motor Vehicle Safety Act doesn't regulate shipments of individual parts, with narrow exceptions (tires, child car seats and booster seats). Most of what moves on this page — bumpers, gearboxes, radiators, suspension components — isn't separately certified at import. Don't assume a compliance burden that isn't actually there.

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Automotive Parts · 26 HS codes · CPTPP savings on 16 codes

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