VEHICLE IMPORTATION GUIDELINES
(Vehicles Manufactured for Sale in a Country Other than Canada)
January 9, 2006

The following provides information concerning the importation of a passenger car, truck, trailer, motorcycle, bus, or multi-purpose passenger vehicle (MPV) that was not originally manufactured to comply with U.S. or Canadian safety standards. Importers of motor vehicles must file an HS-7 Declaration form (available at ports of entry or at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import) at the time a vehicle is imported to identify the basis for the vehicle’s entry into the United Sates. As a general rule, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS) to be imported on a permanent basis. Vehicles (other than motorcycles) manufactured to comply with the FMVSS will have a certification label affixed by the original manufacturer in the area of the driver-side door. Motorcycles will have the label close to the intersection of the steering post and the handlebars. To make importation easier, when purchasing abroad a vehicle certified to the U.S. standards, a buyer should have the seller verify in the sales contract that the label is attached and present this document at the time of importation.

A vehicle without a certification label cannot be imported as a conforming vehicle. In this case, the importer must contract with a Registered Importer (RI) to modify the vehicle and post a DOT Conformance Bond in an amount equivalent to one and a half times the vehicle’s dutiable value. This bond is in addition to the normal Customs entry bond. Copies of the DOT Conformance Bond and the contract with an RI must be attached to the HS-7 form.

Under the contract, the RI will modify the vehicle and certify that it conforms to all applicable FMVSS. Before an RI can modify a vehicle, NHTSA must have determined that the vehicle is eligible for importation based on its capability of being modified to conform to all applicable FMVSS. If no determination has been made, the RI must petition NHTSA to determine whether the vehicle is eligible for importation. If the petitioned vehicle is not similar to one sold in the U.S., this process can become very complex and costly. A list of vehicles that have been determined eligible for importation can be found on NHTSA’s web site at http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import.

Since the cost of modifying a nonconforming vehicle, or the time required to bring it into conformance, may affect the decision to purchase a vehicle abroad, we strongly recommend discussing these matters with an RI before buying and shipping a vehicle to the U.S.

For federal regulations concerning vehicle emissions, contact the Environmental Protection Agency, Certification and Compliance Division – Imports Program, 2000 Traverwood, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, (734) 214-4100, or visit the EPA website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/. Information concerning duty or other Customs matters can be obtained from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling that agency at 1-877-CUSTOMS.

For information regarding titling, registration, or operation of a properly imported vehicle in a specific state, we advise you to contact the Department of Motor Vehicles or other appropriate agency in that state.

RIs who conform vehicles manufactured for sale in countries other than Canada are listed below.

An RI is an independent business and may be selective in terms of the work it performs. This agency does not endorse or recommend any of the listed RIs, nor does it represent or guarantee your satisfaction with any work or service these RIs perform.

* Registered with DOT and EPA (http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/icilist.pdf)