The Requirements of Importing a Vehicle to the United States

While it's not as expected of a practice, importing a vehicle to the United States is something that you may want to consider. The problem with doing so is that it can be a very complicated process, as some numerous rules and regulations have to be followed. All motorcars that are imported to the United States have to follow strict requirements regarding emission standards, safety standards, and even with bumper standards.

Imported cars that auto dealers sell in the country are manufactured abroad specifically for the US market. Automobiles made abroad, not specifically for the U.S. market, should be examined closely to see if they adhere to the same standards the United States requires. Here are the main things that you should know about the requirements:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

The Environmental Protection Agency in the United States creates and regulates the automobile emissions standards regarding air pollution.

Under certain conditions, the following vehicles do not have to adhere to emissions requirements:

• Racing cars
• Non-chassis mounted engines
• Vehicles built before 1968
• Unregulated fuel motorcars

You can visit the EPA's website here for more information:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/standards/index.htm

The emissions requirements themselves are based on strict measurements of carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxide, evaporative emissions, and particulate emissions.

A declaration form, Form 3520-1, must be included for U.S. Customs. It is located here: http://www.epa.gov/oms/imports/documents/3520-1.pdf.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) / The Department of Transportation (DOT)

If a vehicle is less than 25 years old, it must adhere to certain motor automobile safety standards, as dictated by the Department of Transportation, in addition to certain bumper standards.

You will need to fill out and file the DOT HS-7 form at the time of entry of the automobile to ensure that it follows these regulations. You can find it at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website here: //help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/435/~/importing-a-car-or-vehicle---obtaining-epa-form-3520-1-and-dot-form-hs-7.

If the automobile meets all of the safety standards, its original manufacturer must place a certification label on it. If it doesn't, the person importing the car must reach an agreement with a DOT Registered Importer to ensure that the car is modified to meet U.S. requirements. This contract must be placed on the DOT HS-7 form and given to the U.S. Customs officials during its arrival.

S. Customs and Border Protection

All imported vehicles have to be approved by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency. The required documents are:

• The original bill of lading
• The bill of sale
• The foreign registration
• EPA Form 3520-1
• DOT HS-7 Form

An ICI, known as an Independent Commercial Importer, is an option to consider, as they will ensure that your automobile is modified to meet the EPA's requirements.

Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's guide to importing automobiles at http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car.

A-1 Auto Transport will be able to help you out with this process! Contact us today.