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VEHICLE IMPORTATION GUIDELINES

(Vehicles Manufactured for Sale in a Country Other than Canada)

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.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.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 www.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-andengines. Information concerning duties, fees, or other Customs related matters can be obtained 

from U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-877-CBP-5511 (877-227-5511) or visiting

the Customs and Border Protection website at www.cbp.gov.

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. You can find a list of active RIs on our website at: https://www.nhtsa.gov/

importing-vehicle/registered-importers