What happens when you import a car

Importing a car into the United States means bringing a vehicle from another country and registering it here. The U.S. government requires imported cars to meet specific safety and emissions standards, and you must follow a defined process with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The car cannot be driven on public roads until it clears these agencies and your state issues a title and registration.

Most people import cars because they own one abroad and are relocating, or because they want a specific model not sold in the U.S. market. The process takes several weeks to several months, costs between $1,000 and $5,000 in fees and modifications depending on the vehicle, and requires you to work with CBP at the port of entry, then with NHTSA and EPA to confirm the car meets U.S. standards.

Key Takeaways

  • Your car must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port where it arrives before you can take possession of it.
  • NHTSA and EPA will review the vehicle to confirm it meets U.S. safety and emissions rules; some cars require modifications or cannot be imported at all.
  • The car must be at least 25 years old, or it must be certified by the manufacturer as meeting U.S. standards, or you must modify it to comply.
  • You will need the original title from the country of origin, a bill of sale, and proof of ownership to begin the process.
  • After federal clearance, your state's motor vehicle department will issue a title and registration once you provide proof the car passed inspection.

Determine whether your car can be imported

Not every car can be imported. The NHTSA has a 25-year rule: vehicles manufactured 25 or more years ago can be imported without meeting current U.S. safety standards, because they are considered classics. If your car is newer than 25 years old, it must either be certified by its manufacturer as compliant with U.S. safety standards, or you must modify it to meet those standards.

Check the NHTSA website or contact them directly at 1-888-327-4236 to learn whether your specific vehicle model and year can be imported. You will need the vehicle identification number (VIN) and the year of manufacture. If the manufacturer has not certified the model for U.S. import and the car is less than 25 years old, you may still be able to modify it, but this is expensive and not always possible.

The EPA has similar rules for emissions. Vehicles more than 25 years old are exempt from EPA emissions testing. Newer vehicles must meet U.S. emissions standards or be modified. Contact the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality or check their website to confirm your vehicle's emissions status before you proceed.

Arrange transport and clear U.S. Customs

You must ship the car to a U.S. port. Common ports for vehicle imports include Los Angeles, New York, Newark, and Houston, though any port with a CBP facility can receive vehicles. Hire a shipping company that specializes in vehicle transport; they will handle the logistics and coordinate with CBP. The shipping company will provide you with a bill of lading, which is your proof of shipment.

When the car arrives, CBP will inspect it for safety and to confirm it matches the documentation you provided. You must be present or have a customs broker represent you. CBP will charge a processing fee (typically $100 to $200) and may charge storage fees if the car sits at the port while you arrange the next steps. Once CBP clears the vehicle, you can take possession of it, but you still cannot drive it on public roads.

If you are importing the car yourself rather than hiring a shipping company, you will still need to file entry documents with CBP. Form 3461 (Entry/when ready Delivery) is the standard form. A customs broker can file this on your behalf for a fee of $300 to $500.

Submit the vehicle to NHTSA and EPA for compliance review

After CBP clears the car, you must submit it to NHTSA and EPA for compliance verification. If your car is 25 years old or older, you can skip this step — it is automatically exempt. If it is newer, you must provide documentation that the manufacturer certified it for U.S. import, or you must arrange modifications.

Contact NHTSA's Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Division at 202-366-5291 or through their website. They will tell you what documentation or modifications your vehicle needs. If modifications are required, you will need to hire a shop certified to perform them. Common modifications include installing airbags, adjusting lighting systems, or changing emissions equipment. This can cost $500 to $3,000 or more depending on the vehicle.

The EPA process is similar. Contact the EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality or visit their website to determine whether your vehicle needs emissions modifications. Once modifications are complete, you will need to have the vehicle inspected by an authorized facility and provide proof to both agencies.

Gather and submit required documents

You will need several documents to complete the import process. Collect the original title or ownership document from the country where the car was registered. If the title is in a language other than English, you will need a certified translation. You will also need a bill of sale showing the purchase price and date, proof of ownership (such as registration documents from the country of origin), and your U.S. driver's license or passport.

For NHTSA and EPA, you will need the vehicle's VIN, the date of manufacture, and the engine specifications. If the manufacturer certified the vehicle for U.S. import, you will need a letter from the manufacturer stating this. If you had modifications done, you will need receipts and inspection reports from the certified facility.

Keep copies of all documents for your records. You will submit some documents to CBP at the port, others to NHTSA and EPA, and the rest to your state's motor vehicle department when you register the car. The process is not centralized, so tracking which agency needs which document is your responsibility.

Register the car with your state

Once NHTSA and EPA have cleared the vehicle (or confirmed it is exempt), you can register it with your state's motor vehicle department. Each state has different requirements, but all will require proof that the car passed federal inspection, the original title or a certified translation, proof of ownership, and proof of insurance.

Some states require an in-person inspection by a state motor vehicle inspector before they will issue a title. Others accept the federal clearance as sufficient. Contact your state's motor vehicle department to learn their specific process. You can usually find this information on their website or by calling the main office.

Once your state issues a title and registration, you can legally drive the car on public roads. The title will note that the vehicle is imported, but this does not affect your ability to use it or sell it later.

Understand the timeline and costs

The entire import process typically takes 6 to 12 weeks from the time the car arrives at the port. CBP clearance usually takes 1 to 2 weeks. NHTSA and EPA review can take 2 to 4 weeks if no modifications are needed, or 4 to 8 weeks if modifications are required. State registration usually takes 1 to 2 weeks once you submit all documents.

Costs vary widely depending on the vehicle and whether modifications are needed. Shipping typically costs $1,500 to $5,000. CBP and customs broker fees add $300 to $700. NHTSA and EPA modifications, if required, can cost $500 to $3,000 or more. State registration and title fees vary by state but are usually $100 to $300. Budget $3,000 to $9,000 total for a straightforward import, or more if significant modifications are needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I drive the car before it clears NHTSA and EPA?

No. The car cannot be driven on public roads until it has cleared all federal agencies and your state has issued a title and registration. Driving it before this is illegal. You can have it towed or transported on a flatbed, but not driven.

What if the manufacturer will not certify my car for U.S. import?

If the car is less than 25 years old and the manufacturer will not certify it, you can still modify it to meet U.S. standards, but this is expensive and not always feasible. Some vehicles cannot be modified to comply. NHTSA can tell you whether modification is possible for your specific model.

Do I need a customs broker?

You do not need one, but most people hire one because the process is complex and involves multiple agencies. A customs broker handles the CBP paperwork and coordinates with the port. They typically charge $300 to $500 and can save you time and mistakes.

Will my imported car have a different title than a U.S.-made car?

Your state will issue a standard title, but it will be marked as an imported vehicle. This does not affect your ability to drive it, insure it, or sell it. Insurance companies and buyers will see the notation, but it does not reduce the car's value or legal status.

What if my car fails EPA or NHTSA inspection?

If it fails, you have the option to modify it and resubmit, or to abandon the import. If you abandon it, CBP will handle disposal. Modification is usually the better option if it is possible, but you should get a cost estimate from a certified shop before deciding.