VEHICLEIMPORTATIONGUIDELINES

(Imported from Canada) 

September 12, 2017

Importing a Canadian-Certified Vehicle as a Conforming Vehicle under Box 2B

To be imported free of restriction, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must be originally 

manufactured to comply with all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS)

and bear a label certifying such compliance that is permanently affixed by the vehicle’s original 

manufacturer. A motor vehicle that bears a label certifying compliance with all applicable 

Canadian motor vehicle safety standards (CMVSS), but not with the FMVSS, can still be 

imported as a conforming motor vehicle under Box 2B on the HS-7 Declaration form to be 

presented to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Customs) at the time of entry if the following 

requirements are met:

• The vehicle is being imported for personal use and not for resale;

• The vehicle is not a salvage vehicle, a repaired salvage vehicle, or a

reconstructed vehicle;

• The importer obtains a letter from the vehicle’s original manufacturer, on the 

manufacturer’s letterhead (and not that of a franchised dealer), identifying the vehicle by 

vehicle identification number (VIN) and stating that the vehicle conforms to all 

applicable FMVSS except for the labeling requirements of Standards Nos. 101 Controls 

and Displays and 110 Tire Selection and Rims or 120 Tire Selection and Rims for Motor 

Vehicles other than Passenger Cars, and/or the specifications of Standard No. 108 

Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment, relating to daytime running

lamps.

Note: To be imported under Box 2B a motor vehicle must be certified by its original 

manufacturer as complying with all applicable CMVSS. Certain vehicles that are at least 15 

years old that are not so certified can be imported into Canada without restriction. Such 

vehicles may not be imported into the United States under Box 2B.

A list of manufacturer contacts is provided below for the purpose of obtaining a letter

of conformity.

• If the manufacturer’s letter states that the vehicle complies with all applicable

FMVSS except for those pertaining to the speedometer or headlights, the vehicle can 

still be imported as a conforming motor vehicle under Box 2B.

• If the manufacturer’s letter states that the vehicle complies with all applicable

FMVSS but does not comply with the parts marking requirements of the Theft 

Prevention Standard at 49 CFR Part 541, the vehicle can only be imported as a

conforming motor vehicle under Box 2B if the importer furnishes Customs with an 

invoice from a franchised dealer or other commercial entity showing that the required 
theft prevention markings have been applied to the vehicle.

• If the manufacturer’s letter states that the vehicle complies with all applicable 

FMVSS but does not comply with the requirements of FMVSS No. 138 Tire 

Pressure Monitoring Systems, the vehicle can only be imported as a conforming 

motor vehicle under Box 2B if the importer furnishes Customs with an invoice from 

a franchised dealer or authorized repair facility of the vehicle’s original manufacturer 

showing that a tire pressure monitoring system identical to, and with the same part 

number(s) as the system the manufacturer installs on vehicles manufactured for sale 

in the United States has been installed on the vehicle for which entry is sought.

• If the manufacturer’s letter states that the vehicle complies with all applicable FMVSS 

except for the automatic restraint requirements of FMVSS No. 208 Occupant Crash 

Protection, the vehicle cannot be imported as a conforming vehicle under Box 2B. If

the manufacturer furnishes a letter of this kind, or refuses to furnish a letter at all, the

vehicle could only be imported into the United States on a permanent basis under Box 3 

on the HS-7 Declaration form, as detailed below. Please note that the manufacturer can, 

at its discretion, refuse to issue a letter stating that the vehicle complies with all 

applicable FMVSS, and that NHTSA is not in a position to influence the manufacturer

in this regard or to issue such a letter on the manufacturer’s behalf.

Importing a Canadian-Certified Vehicle under Box 3

A Canadian-certified vehicle less than 25 years old can be imported on a permanent basis under 

Box 3 on the HS-7 Declaration form, provided:

• The vehicle is not a salvage motor vehicle or a reconstructed motor vehicle.

• The vehicle is imported by a registered importer (RI) or by a person who has a contract 

with an RI to modify the vehicle so that it complies with all applicable FMVSS 

following importation. A list of RIs in active status with the agency can be found at 

www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import.

• A bond underwritten by a certificated surety in amount equivalent to 150 percent of the 

dutiable value of the vehicle is furnished to Customs at the time of importation to 

ensure that the vehicle is either brought into conformity with all applicable FMVSS 

within 120 days from the date of entry or is exported from, or abandoned to, the United 

States.

Before a vehicle can be imported under Box 3, NHTSA must also decide that the vehicle is 

eligible for importation, based on its capability of being modified to conform to all applicable 

FMVSS. The agency normally makes import eligibility decisions on a make, model, and model 

year basis. Because the requirements of the CMVSS closely parallel those of the FMVSS, rather 

than determining import eligibility on a make, model, and model year basis, NHTSA has issued 

blanket import eligibility decisions covering most Canadian-certified vehicles. However, 

because there are some dissimilarities between the CMVSS and FMVSS, a Canadian-certified 

vehicle manufactured after the date on which an FMVSS with differing requirements takes effect 

can only be imported under a blanket eligibility decision if the vehicle is originally manufactured 

to meet the U.S. standard. A chart identifying the particular FMVSS that must be met by 
Canadian-certified vehicles manufactured after specified production dates is set forth below. 

Covered vehicles that do not comply with an identified FMVSS can only be lawfully imported if 

NHTSA has separately decided that they are eligible for importation on a make, model, and 

model year basis. For example, Canadian-certified Smart Cars manufactured between September 

1, 2002 and October 30, 2007 are not eligible for importation under a blanket eligibility decision 

because they were not originally manufactured with an automatic restraint system that complies 

with the requirements of Standard No. 208 and/or they do not comply with one or more of the 

other specified standards. Such vehicles may nevertheless be eligible for importation under the 

separate import eligibility decisions that NHTSA has made for particular model and model year 

Smart Cars.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also regulates the importation of vehicles for 

compliance with the emissions standards administered by that agency. For further information 

on those requirements, you may call the EPA Imports Hotline at (734) 214-4100 or visit that 

agency’s website at http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/index.htm.
VEHICLES CERTIFIED BY THEIR ORIGINAL MANUFACTURER AS COMPLYING 

WITH ALL APPLICABLE CANADIAN MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS

Import

Eligibility

Number

Descriptions of Eligible Vehicles

Docket Number

Online Not Online

VSA-80 (a) All passenger cars less than 25 years old that were manufactured before

September 1, 1989; 96-114

(b) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1989, and

before September 1, 1996, that, as originally manufactured, are equipped

with an automatic restraint system that complies with Federal Motor

Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 208;

96-114

(c) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 1996, and

before September 1, 2002, that, as originally manufactured, are equipped

with an automatic restraint system that complies with FMVSS No. 208,

and that comply with FMVSS No. 214;

96-114

(d) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2002, and

before September 1, 2007, that, as originally manufactured, are equipped

with an automatic restraint system that complies with FMVSS No. 208,

and that comply with FMVSS Nos. 201, 214, 225, and 401;

NHTSA–2002-12937

(e) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2007, and

before September 1, 2008, that, as originally manufactured, comply with

FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 138, 201, 208, 213, 214, 225, and 401;

NHTSA–2007-28692

(f) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2008 and

before September 1, 2009 that, as originally manufactured, comply with

FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 138, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, 225, and 401;

NHTSA–2007-28692

(g) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2009 and

before September 1, 2010 that, as originally manufactured, comply with

FMVSS Nos. 118, 138, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, 225, and 401;

NHTSA–2012–0119

(h) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2010 and

before September 1, 2011 that, as originally manufactured, comply with

FMVSS Nos. 118, 138, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 225;

NHTSA–2012–0119

(i) All passenger cars manufactured on or after September 1, 2011 and

before September 1, 2017 that, as originally manufactured, comply with

FMVSS Nos. 138, 201, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 225.

NHTSA–2012–0119

VSA-81 (a) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less that are less than 25 years old and that were

manufactured before September 1, 1991;

96-114

(b) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less that were manufactured on and after

September 1, 1991, and before September 1, 1993 and that, as originally

manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 202 and 208.

96-114

(c) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less that were manufactured on or after

September 1, 1993, and before September 1, 1998, and that, as originally

manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 202, 208, and 216;

96-114

(d) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less that were manufactured on or after

September 1, 1998, and before September 1, 2002, and that, as originally

manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 202, 208, 214, and 216;

96-114
Import

Eligibility

Number

Descriptions of Eligible Vehicles

Docket Number

Online Not Online

(e) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less that were manufactured on or after

September 1, 2002, and before September 1, 2007, and that, as originally

manufactured, comply with FMVSS Nos. 201, 202, 208, 214, and 216,

and, insofar as it is applicable, with FMVSS No. 225.

NHTSA–2002-12937

(f) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2007

and before September 1, 2008, that, as originally manufactured, comply

with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 201, 202, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar

as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225;

NHTSA–2007-28692

(g) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2008

and before September 1, 2009, that, as originally manufactured, comply

with FMVSS Nos. 110, 118, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and

insofar as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225;

NHTSA–2007-28692

(h) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

of 4,536 kg (10,000lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2009

and before September 1, 2011, that, as originally manufactured, comply

with FMVSS Nos. 118, 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and

insofar as they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225;

NHTSA–2007-28692

(i) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of

4,536 kg (10,000lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2011

and before September 1, 2012, that, as originally manufactured, comply

with FMVSS Nos. 201, 202a, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar as

they are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 and 225;

NHTSA–2012–0119

(j) All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR of

4,536 kg (10,000lb) or less manufactured on or after September 1, 2012

and before September 1, 2017, that, as originally manufactured, comply

with FMVSS Nos. 201, 206, 208, 213, 214, and 216, and insofar as they

are applicable, with FMVSS Nos. 138 222, and 225;

NHTSA–2012–0119

VSA-82 All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a GVWR

greater than 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) that are less than 25 years old. 96-114

VSA-83 All trailers and motorcycles less than 25 years old. 96-114
MANUFACTURER CONTACT INFORMATION

Acura Client Services US: 1-800-382-2238

1919 Torrance Blvd. M/S 500-2N7E Fax: 310-783-3535

Torrance, CA 90501-2746 http://www.acura.com/ClientServices.aspx

CANADA: 1-888-922-8729

http://www.acura.ca/AcuraCaLive/index.asp

Audi of America, Inc.

2200 Fendinard Porsche Drive 

Herndon, VA 20171

US: 1-800-822-2834

http://www.audiusa.com/us/brand/en/about/main/contact

_audi.html

CANADA: 1-800-822-2834

http://www.audi.ca/ca/brand/en/about/main/contact_aud

i.html

BMW of North America, LLC US: 1-800-831-1117

300 Chestnut Ridge Road http://www.bmwusa.com/Standard/Content/ContactUs/

Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677-7731 CANADA: 1-800-567-2691

Fax: 1-866-217-1269

http://www.bmw.ca/ca/en/general/contact/contact.html

Chrysler Group LLC 

Customer Assistance Center

P.O. Box 21-8004

Auburn Hills, MI 48321-8004

US: 1-800-247-9753

http://www.chrysler.com/webselfservice/chrysler/index.j

sp?screenName=customer&country=us&emailUrl=goTo

EmailForm%28%27R%27%29

CANADA: 1-800-465-2001

http://www.chrysler.com/webselfservice/chrysler/index.j

sp?screenName=canada&country=canada&emailUrl=htt

p%3A%2F%2Fapp01.extra.daimlerchrysler.com%2Fwc

cs%2Fca%2Findex_en.jsp

Ferrari North America 

250 Sylvan Avenue

Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632

201-816-2600

http://www.ferrari.com/English/about_ferrari/Ferrari_to

day/Locations/FNA/Pages/FNA.aspx

Ford Motor Company 

Customer Relationship Center

P.O. Box 6248

Dearborn, MI 48126

US: 1-800-392-3673

http://www.ford.com/owner-services/customersupport/contact-ford

CANADA: 1-800-565-3673

http://ford.ca/app/fo/en/customer_support.do
General Motors

P.O. Box 33170

Detroit, MI 48232-5170

US: 1-800-463-7483

http://www.gm.com/utilities/contact_us/contact.jsp?dee

p=contact

CANADA: 1-800-263-3777

https://contactus.gm.ca/english/phone_us.aspx

Harley-Davidson Customer Service 

3700 W. Juneau Avenue 

Milwaukee, WI 53208

US: 414-343-4056

http://www.harleydavidson.com/wcm/content/pages/utility/hd_contact_us.

jsp?locale=en_us

CANADA: 414-343-4056

http://www.harleydavidson.com/wcm/Content/Pages/Utility/hd_contact_u

s.jsp?locale=en_CA&bmLocale=en_CA

American Honda Motor Co., Inc. US: 1-800-999-1009

Honda Automobile Customer Service Fax: 310-783-3023

1919 Torrance Boulevard http://automobiles.honda.com/information/customerMail Stop: 500-2N-7D relations.aspx

Torrance, CA 90501-2746 CANADA: 1-888-946-6329

http://www.honda.ca/contact_us

Hyundai Motor America

P.O. Box 20850

Fountain Valley, CA 92728-0850

US: 1-800-633-5151

http://www.hyundaiusa.com/contact-us.aspx

CANADA: 1-888-216-2626

http://hyundaicanada.com/Pages/About/Contact.aspx

Infiniti Consumer Affairs US: 1-800-662-6200

P.O. Box 685003 http://www.infinitiusa.com/iapps/contactus

Franklin, TN 37068-5003 CANADA: 1-800-361-4792

Fax: 705-330-3052

http://www.infiniti.ca/en/general/footer/contact_us.html

Isuzu Motors America, LLC

1400 S. Douglass Road, Suite 100

Anaheim, CA 92806

1-800-255-6727

http://www.isuzu.com/company_contact.jsp
Jaguar Cars

Attn: Customer Relationship Center 

555 MacArthur Boulevard

Mahwah, NJ 07430-2327

US: 1-800-452-4827

http://www.jaguar.com/us/en/#/about_jaguar/corporate/c

ontact_jaguar

CANADA: 1-800-668-6257

http://jlrna.iservicecrm.com/jlrna/cjaguar.htm

Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A. 

Attn: Consumer Services

P.O. Box 25252

Santa Ana, CA 92799-5252

US: 949-460-5688

http://www.kawasaki.com/OurCompany/ContactUs.asp

x

CANADA: 416-445-7775

http://www.kawasaki.ca/

Kia Motors America Consumer Affairs US: 1-800-333-4542

Dept. http://www.kia.com/

P.O. Box 52410 CANADA: 1-877-542-2886

Irvine, CA 92619-2410 Fax: 1-866-267-7424

http://www.kia.ca/pages/company/ContactUs.aspx

Jaguar Land Rover North America, LLC 

Attn: Customer Relationship Center

555 MacArthur Blvd.

Mahwah, NJ 07430

US: 1-800-346-3493; 1-800-637-6837

http://www.landrover.com/us/en/lr/contact-us/contactus/

CANADA: 1-800-346-3493

http://www.landrover.com/ca/en/lr/about-landrover/contact-us/overview/

Lexus Customer Assistance Center US: 1-800-255-3987

P.O. Box 2991-Mail Drop L201 http://www.lexus.com/contact/

Torrance, CA 90509-2991 CANADA: 1-800-265-3987

Fax: 416-431-8035

https://www.lexus.ca/lexus/experience/en/home/contact

us/contactus_general.jsp

Mazda North American Operations US: 1-800-222-5500

P.O. Box 19734 Fax: 949-727-6703

Irvine, CA 92623-9734 http://www.mazdausa.com/MusaWeb/contactMazda.acti

Attn: Customer Assistance Center on

CANADA: 1-800-263-4680

Fax: 905-787-7162

http://www.mazda.ca/root.asp?lang=eng
Mercedes-Benz USA, LLC 

Customer Assistance Center 

3 Mercedes Drive

Montvale, NJ 07645

US: 1-800-367-6372; 1-800-222-0100

http://www.mbusa.com/mercedes/contact_us/overview

CANADA: 1-800-387-0100

http://www.mercedesbenz.ca/content/canada/mpc/mpc_canada_website/en/ho

me_mpc/passengercars/home/about_us/contact_us.html

#_int_passengercars:home:metanav:contact_us

Mitsubishi Motors North America, Inc.

P.O. Box 6400

Cypress, CA 90630-9998

US: 1-888-648-7820

http://www.mitsubishicars.com/MMNA/jsp/contact.do

CANADA: 1-888-576-4878

http://www.mitsubishi-motors.ca/Contact.aspx?lng=2

Nissan Consumer Affairs US: 1-800-647-7261

P.O. Box 685003 http://www.nissanusa.com/apps/contactus

Franklin, TN 37068-5003 CANADA: 1-800-387-0122

Fax: 705-330-3052

http://www.nissan.ca/common/footer/en/contact.html

Porsche Cars North America 

980 Hammond Drive

Suite 1000

Atlanta, GA 30328

US: 1-800-767-7243

https://my.porsche.com/usa/dialogue/contactandinformat

ion/contactus/

CANADA: 905-629-9900

http://www.porsche.com/canada/en/aboutporsche/porsch

ecarscanada/contactdetails/

Saab Customer Assistance Center 

Saab Automobile USA

P.O. BOX 33166

Detroit, MI 48232-5166

US: 1-800-463-7483

http://www.gm.com/utilities/contact_us/contact.jsp?dee

p=contact

CANADA: 1-905-440-7697

https://contactus.gm.ca/english/phone_us.aspx

Subaru of America, Inc. 

Subaru Plaza

P.O. Box 6000

Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000 

Attn: Customer/Dealer Services

US: 1-800-782-2783

https://www.subaru.com/shopping-tools/contact-us.html

CANADA: 1-800-894-4212

http://www.subaru.ca/WebPage.aspx?WebPageID=5895

&WebSiteID=282
American Suzuki Motor Corporation US: 1-800-934-0934

Automotive Division Fax: 714-579-1272

P.O. Box 1100 http://www.suzukiauto.com/owners/contact_us.php?r=to

Brea, CA 92822-1100 p

Attn: Customer Relations Department CANADA: 1-866-828-7252

Fax: 905-764-1574

http://www.suzuki.ca/automotive?province=AB&cultur

e=en-CA#

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. US: 1-800-331-4331

19001 South Western Ave. Fax: 310-468-7814

Dept. WC11 http://www.toyota.com/help/contactus.html

Torrance, CA 90501 CANADA: 1-888-869-6828

https://www.toyota.ca/cgibin/WebObjects/WWW.woa/5/wo/Home.ContactUs8lavthb8H3fhrieXhIGk3g/0.11.0?fmg%2fcontact%2ff11

0000e%2ehtml

Volkswagen of America, Inc. 

3800 Hamlin Rd.

Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2829

US: 1-800-822-8987; 1-800-374-8389

http://www.vw.com/customerservice/contactus/en/us/

CANADA: 1-800-822-8987

http://www.vw.ca/en/tools/navigation/footer/contact_us.

html

Volvo Cars of North America, LLC 

Attn: Volvo Customer Care Center 

1 Volvo Drive

P.O. Box 914

Rockleigh, NJ 07647

US: 1-800-458-1552

http://www.volvocars.com/us/footer/pages/contactus.aspx

CANADA: 1-800-663-8255

http://www.volvocars.com/en-ca/Pages/default.aspx

Yamaha Motor Corporation, USA 

6555 Katella Avenue

Cypress, CA 90630

US: 1-800-962-7926

http://www.yamaha-motor.com/

CANADA: 416-498-1911

http://www.yamahamotor.ca/our_company/contact_us.php