Gift Icon
Get a 20% discount from our partners! Discount code will get added automatically when you submit the form.
yellow A1 Auto Transport carrier on highway
4.7 Star Rating4.7 (67,926 reviews)
96.3% positive
No Surprises, Just Savings: Verified Carriers, Instant Quotes, and Best Price Guarantee!
You save 20% compared to other companies
Get quotes from trusted carriers, thoroughly vetted and fully insured. Enjoy trackable deliveries, fair pricing, and hassle-free transport from start to finish. Transport any type of vehicle and drive away worry-free.
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs
Customer Ratings By Feature
Value for Money ★★★★★ 4.9
Vehicle Care ★★★★★ 4.9
Fast Delivery ★★★★★ 4.9
Friendly Staff ★★★★★ 4.9
Globe
190+
Countries
Served
Car
2M+
Delivered
Services
Car
97%
Customer
Recommended
Dave loved the fast deliveryDave C.
★★★★★
Dave loved the fast delivery
My relocation to Chicago was fast, smooth and without any delay thanks to A1 Auto.
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidanceCourtney J.
★★★★★
Courtney enjoyed the honest guidance
Just what you need when trusting someone with your wheels! Kudos to this company!
Jeff enjoyed the fair priceJeff D.
★★★★★
Jeff enjoyed the fair price
Moved my ride hassle-free with these folks.Fair pricing, no surprises. Definitely recommend them!
Maria enjoyed the special care and safetyMaria L.
★★★★★
Maria enjoyed the special care and safety
Huge thanks to the movers – they were meticulous with my car. Love these guys.
Recently featured on USA Today

“A1 Auto Transport became synonymous with top-notch service delivery, unfailing punctuality and constantly preoccupied with customer satisfaction.

See Article— USA Today

What Cars Can I Import to the USA?

Published by Tamar Hela.

What Cars Can I Import to the USA?

Have you ever wished you could purchase a car unavailable here in the United States? With proper planning and paperwork, bringing an automobile from another country into the USA is possible.

Bringing an exotic sports vehicle, a vintage restoration, or a more fuel-efficient model into the country via import may be an exciting voyage.

In this article, you will learn about cars imported to the US, as well as popular choices of imported vehicles, and offer an overview of the importation process.

Top Cars Imported to the USA

The US imports a huge amount of cars every year. These cars range from luxury imports like a new BMW, to economical choices like a Nissan Micra.

See below for some popular choices of imported cars across various categories:

audi-etron.jpg

Popular high-performance imports

For those looking for something unique and high-performance, popular imports include:

  • Ferrari 488 GTB
  • Jaguar XKR-S
  • Lamborghini Aventador
  • Nissan GT-R
  • Maserati Gran Turismo
  • Toyota Supra
  • Porsche 911

These high-performance cars are highly sought after and relatively easy to import due to their popularity in the US market.

Popular, affordable imports

For those seeking a more affordable option, popular imports include:

  • Honda Civic
  • Hyundai Elantra
  • Toyota Corolla
  • Mazda 3
  • Subaru Impreza
  • Volkswagen Golf

Popular choices for those wanting to simplify their lives with a fuel-efficient and smaller model for easy driving within the city limits. For commuting to work, these cars will save your wallet.

Popular EV imports

Maybe the EV market is more your speed, so consider these top cars:

  • Kia Soul EV.
  • Hyundai Kona Electric
  • Nissan Leaf Plus
  • Jaguar I-Pace
  • Audi e-tron
  • Volkswagen e-Golf
  • BMW i3s

EV cars are a booming market for environmentally conscious consumers and for reducing their carbon footprint. Make the changeover as a courtesy to the environment from fossil fuels while saving money. Research the best EV for your current needs.

With so many brands and options available, choosing a vehicle that fits your lifestyle and family's necessities is the hardest decision. Careful consideration must be given before importing, including your set budget.

Pinned
New Deals are now available for shipping all types vehicles using our vetted reliable shippers. Compare price estimates & Unlock up 25% off.

Benefits of Importing Cars to the USA

The USA is a great place to import cars worldwide, thanks to its wide selection of vehicles and easy import process.

Here are a few of the benefits of importing a car:

  • Own a unique model that might not be available in the US.
  • Cheaper than buying one domestically
  • Imports hold better value
  • Original manufacturer warranties will still be honored
  • Top-of-the-line performance options
  • Wide selection of fuel-efficient models

Overall, importing cars to the US can be an excellent way to get something unique at a reasonable price and with little trouble.

volkswagen-e-golf.jpg

Researching Vehicles and Regulations

When researching the process of importing a car to the USA, it is essential to consider various factors, such as researching potential vehicles and their availability for importation.

Ensure to make a cost comparison from different countries, and foreign currency exchange rates will affect the car's final price.

Once a decision is made, try contacting the original manufacturer, who can assure you that the vehicle was designed to meet US safety and emissions standards.

Be aware that the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) is the document that proves all US safety and environmental standards manufactured by your car.

Another critical piece of documentation is the bill of sale with complete information on the timing of the sale and the amount paid. Get the title or registration documents from the original country.

Import laws can change over time, so staying current on current regulations is essential to ensure a legal importation process.

Duty fees and taxes may apply to the car based on the categorization; the duty rate is according to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Additionally, it is vital to know that some states may have additional restrictions on what vehicles can be imported. Knowing this information can help you avoid costly mistakes and delays.

Choose a shipping company that specializes in importing cars. Ensure they have insurance, excellent customer support, and competitive pricing. Get a bill of laden complete with transportation times and pricing schedule.

Be aware that the time of importation should be known, as some cars may be subject to additional taxes or restrictions depending on when they arrive. This knowledge can help streamline the process.

Check for the port of entry and whether it is equipped to handle your type of vehicle. It must be reported to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) within 15 days of the import.

Generally speaking, it is recommended to allow at least six weeks from the start of the process until arriving at the port of entry.

Have all of your paperwork ready at the time of the port of entry; otherwise, your vehicle may be delayed or denied access altogether.

Furthermore, researching potential vehicles and their availability abroad can help ensure you get precisely what you want without paying exorbitant prices.

Ultimately, by taking the time to research both cars and regulations, you can save yourself a lot of hassle in the long run.

Driving Across the Canadian Border

If you wish to dodge import regulations, purchasing and driving your automobile through the Canadian border could seem like a simple and quick answer.

However, crossing your fingers is not usually enough when entering the United States with a Canadian-registered vehicle.

While the car may be legal in the United States for up to one year after crossing the border, authorities may seize your car without warning upon expiration of this timeframe.

To allow your car to stay in the US indefinitely, you should either export or legally import it according to customs regulations before that one-year mark approaches.

For deThis process includes paperwork filings and paying government fees for ships and individuals seeking to bring their vehicles from Canada into the US; thus, there is no simple solution for car import without following the laws and regulations.

Racing Cars Importing Rules

Importing a racing vehicle into the US is subject to specific regulations depending on how it was initially manufactured. If it was built to be a racing car, Box 8 on the HS-7 Declaration form provided to Customs upon entrance allows for its permanent importation.

In this instance, proof of its original manufacturing as a racing vehicle must be provided as a letter from its manufacturer attached to the HS-7 form when submitted. There is no need for NHTSA clearance under these conditions.

On the other hand, if a vehicle was not created as a racing vehicle, importing it into the US can only legally happen temporarily under Box 7 on the HS-7 Declaration form and requires approval from NHTSA for Customs to process it for entry into the country.

It is essential for anyone looking to undertake such an importation transaction to be aware and mindful of these specific requirements before embarking on any endeavor involving bringing a racing vehicle into America from outside sources.

bmwi3.jpg

Successful Endeavors

Importing a vehicle into the United States requires careful preparation and research.

Acquiring valid licenses from the original manufacturer or a temporary license plate issued by the CBP before bringing in any foreign vehicle is essential.

Additionally, a valid form of documentation proving ownership must be presented at the port of entry. Without these documents, admittance to the US may be denied.

It is essential for those considering importing a car to understand all regulations and requirements necessary for successful importation.

These actions will help ensure your car makes it safely and legally into America.

Don't just let any company import your foreign car, hire with confidence the outstanding services of A1 Auto Transport. Their shipping operators and agents network will guide and deliver your imported car on time and within budget.

Get your free quote to start the shipping process today.

Share this content on social media for a chance to get up to 20% off your next shipment.
Copy link

Tamar Hela is one of our featured writers at A-1 Auto Transport, researching everything from AI auto shipments out of China to what paperwork is required to move long distance. We can safely say she's become well versed in all things shipping and logistics while making the information easy to digest and understandable. 

Tamar has been a copywriter for over 16 years and was trained in the 7-Figure Copywriting Accelerator course through American Writers & Artists, Inc. (AWAI). She's also an incredibly seasoned copyeditor, having previously been the Chief Editor and Publishing Director for Cosby Media Productions, based in Atlanta, Georgia. 

Email Me


Testimonial
Mylene Rutllant
It’s my number one pick in auto shipping to this day.
★★★★★
...my choice in terms of auto transport has to be A1 Auto Transport. It’s in the name, but also in the quality with which they do their jobs. I’ve never had a problem with this company.
Testimonial
Luis Rodriguez
You have my full support and recommendation!
★★★★★
A1 Auto Transport... From the get go, they were very different from my past options. Their website was very professional and up to date, full of useful information. I requested a quote using their online form, and I got an email response within an hour. Surprisingly fast!
Testimonial
Cristine Benoit
I can safely say this is a legit company that will get the job done.
★★★★★
There are a lot of options for auto transport these days, which surprisingly makes it harder to find a good company. I received more than 10 offers to ship my car, but I couldn’t decide on any of them... Fortunately, I made the right choice with A1 Auto Transport.
Testimonial
David Osallo
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10!
★★★★★
We give A1 Auto Transport a big 10 out of 10! We chose them to move our car from California to Vermont, since we needed professionals.

Visit our social, and see what our clients are saying about us:

Ship Your Vehicle With A-1 Auto Today
Customer Images
7790 people shipped using A-1 Auto Transport last week
Scratch-Free Guarantee
Vetted Carriers
Transparent Costs

Our Partners:

Better Business Bureau Accredited
FMCSA Member
INC. 500 Member
VeriSign Secured
AMSA Member

A-1 Auto Transport is a disclosed agent for the following shipping companies:

CSI Logistics
435 Division Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07201
FMC 22206
Intl Cargo
45 Campus Drive
Edison, NJ 08837
NO. 17858N
Trans Global Auto Logistics, Inc.
3401 E Randol Mill Rd,
Arlington, TX 76011
NO. 018191NF
CFR Rinkens
15501 Texaco Avenue
Paramount, CA 90723
NO. 013055NF
ABC Worldwide LLC
2840 NW 2nd Ave #105
Boca Raton, FL 33431
NO. 025472F
ShipYourCarNow LLC
1160 South Rogers Circle Suite 1
Boca Raton, FL 33487
NO. 025646
Merco Air & Ocean Cargo, Inc.
6 Fir Way
Cooper City, FL 33026
NO. 021869F
Copyright © 1988-2024, A-1 Auto Transport - All Rights Reserved.