What importing a car means and who can do it

Importing a car means bringing a vehicle from another country into the United States and registering it here. You can import a car you already own, buy one abroad and ship it, or have someone else's car shipped to you — but you must be the importer of record, meaning your name goes on the paperwork with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Any U.S. resident or business can import a car. You do not need to be a dealer or have special licenses. What you do need is a valid title from the country where the car currently is, proof that you own it, and money for shipping, customs fees, and compliance work. The car itself must meet certain age and safety rules that vary depending on where it came from.

The process takes roughly two to four months from the time the car lands in a U.S. port until you can register it with your state. Most of that time is waiting for inspections and paperwork to move through federal agencies. The actual work you do — gathering documents, hiring a broker, arranging shipping — happens in the first few weeks.

Key Takeaways

  • You must use a U.S. Customs broker to clear the car through CBP, and the broker charges a fee (typically $300 to $800) separate from shipping and compliance costs.
  • Cars from Canada and Mexico follow different rules than cars from other countries, and some vehicles cannot be imported at all if they do not meet EPA or NHTSA safety standards.
  • The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) requires most imported cars to be at least 25 years old or to have been sold new in the United States originally.
  • After the car clears customs, you must hire a registered importer or mechanic to modify it for U.S. emissions and safety rules before you can register it with your state.
  • You will need the original title, bill of sale, and proof of ownership from the country of origin, plus a VIN inspection once the car arrives in the U.S.

Understanding the 25-year rule and which cars can enter

The 25-year rule is the main gate that decides whether a car can be imported. NHTSA says that any car 25 years old or older can enter the U.S. without meeting current safety standards. A car is considered 25 years old based on its model year, not the date it was built. So a 1999 model year car became importable on January 1, 2024.

Cars newer than 25 years old can still be imported, but only if they were originally sold new in the United States. This means you can import a car that was exported from the U.S., used abroad, and is now coming back — but you cannot import a car that was built and sold new in Japan, Germany, or anywhere else, unless it is 25 years old. You will need to prove the car's original sale location with factory records or the original title.

Cars from Canada and Mexico have their own rules. A car from Canada or Mexico that is newer than 25 years old can be imported if it meets U.S. safety and emissions standards at the time of import, regardless of where it was originally sold. This is because of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA, now USMCA). You will still need to verify that the specific model meets EPA emissions rules for the year you are importing it.

Some cars cannot be imported under any circumstance. Vehicles that were never designed to meet U.S. safety standards, or that have been heavily modified, may be rejected by NHTSA even if they are 25 years old. Stolen vehicles and vehicles with outstanding liens in their home country will be flagged by CBP and cannot clear customs.

Gathering documents before the car ships

Before you arrange shipping, collect the original title or ownership document from the country where the car currently is. This document must be in your name or you must have a bill of sale showing the transfer to you. If the title is in another language, you will need an English translation done by a professional translator — CBP will not accept a translation you do the yourself or that a friend provides.

You also need proof that the car is not stolen and that there are no outstanding loans against it. In most countries, the title or registration document serves as this proof. Some countries issue a separate certificate of origin or export document. Contact the vehicle registration authority in that country (the equivalent of your state's DMV) to find out what documents they require for export.

Gather the vehicle identification number (VIN) and take photos of the car from multiple angles, including the engine bay and any damage. These photos help the customs broker and the NHTSA inspector verify the car's condition and identity when it arrives. Keep copies of everything you send to the broker or shipping company.

If you are buying the car from someone else abroad, make sure the bill of sale includes the seller's name, your name, the purchase price, the date of sale, and the VIN. Have the seller sign and date it. This document proves ownership transfer and is required by CBP.

Hiring a customs broker and arranging shipment

A U.S. Customs broker is a licensed person or company that handles the paperwork and fees when your car enters the country. You cannot clear a car through customs yourself — CBP requires a broker. You can find brokers through the National Customs Brokers and Forwarders Association of America (NCBFAA) website or by asking the shipping company you choose, as many have broker relationships.

The broker's job is to file the entry documents with CBP, pay the duties and taxes owed, and coordinate the VIN inspection with NHTSA. The broker fee is separate from shipping costs and typically ranges from $300 to $800 depending on the complexity of the car and the broker's location. Some brokers charge a flat fee; others charge hourly. Ask for a quote before you hire one.

For shipping, you have two main options: container shipping (the car goes in a sealed container with other vehicles or cargo) or roll-on/roll-off (the car is driven onto a ship). Container shipping is more expensive but safer. Roll-on/roll-off is cheaper but the car is exposed to weather and handling. Costs vary widely based on the origin country and the U.S. port where the car will land. Expect to pay $2,000 to $5,000 for most routes, though some are significantly more.

Choose a U.S. port of entry. The major ports for vehicle imports are Los Angeles, Long Beach, Newark, Savannah, and Houston. Your broker and shipping company will tell you which ports they work with. Once the car is in transit, the broker will file the entry with CBP and schedule the NHTSA inspection.

What happens when the car arrives and clears customs

When the car lands at the U.S. port, CBP inspects it for contraband and verifies the VIN matches the paperwork. This inspection usually takes a few days. At the same time, NHTSA schedules a separate inspection to confirm the car's identity and condition. The NHTSA inspector will check the VIN against the title, look at the engine and frame, and verify that the car matches the description in your import documents.

CBP will assess duties and taxes based on the car's value and country of origin. The duty rate varies — cars from most countries face a 2.5% tariff on the declared value, but rates differ for Canada and Mexico under USMCA. You will also pay a merchandise processing fee (currently 0.3464% of the car's value) and any applicable harbor maintenance fees. Your broker will calculate these and bill you.

Once CBP releases the car and NHTSA clears the inspection, the car is yours to move. However, you cannot register it yet. Before registration, the car must be modified to meet U.S. emissions and safety standards. This is where a registered importer comes in.

Compliance modifications and registered importers

A registered importer (RI) is a company licensed by NHTSA to modify imported cars so they meet U.S. emissions and safety rules. If your car is 25 years old or older, you may not need an RI — cars that old are exempt from many current standards. But if your car is newer than 25 years, or if your state requires it, you must have an RI do the work.

The RI will add or modify emissions equipment, safety features, and lighting to match U.S. rules. This might include catalytic converters, airbag systems, bumper heights, or lighting configurations. The cost depends on what the car needs and ranges from $500 to $3,000 or more. The RI will issue a compliance document (Form HS-7) when the work is complete, and you will need this to register the car.

If your car is 25 years old or older and your state does not require compliance work, you can skip the RI step. However, some states still require a safety inspection or emissions test before registration, so check with your state's DMV first. You can also hire a regular mechanic to do the work if an RI is not available in your area, but the mechanic must follow NHTSA guidelines and you will need documentation of what was done.

After compliance work is complete, you will have all the documents needed for state registration: the original title, the customs entry paperwork, the NHTSA inspection report, and the compliance certificate. Take these to your state's DMV along with proof of insurance and your driver's license to register the car.

State registration and title transfer

Each state handles imported car registration differently, so contact your state's DMV before you import to understand the exact steps. Most states require you to bring the original foreign title, the customs entry documents, the NHTSA inspection report, and proof of compliance work. Some states will issue a new title in your name; others will issue a branded title that notes the car was imported.

A few states require an additional safety or emissions inspection before they will register an imported car. This is separate from the NHTSA inspection and the compliance work. Your state's DMV website will list these requirements. If your state requires an inspection, you must complete it before you can register the car, even if the car is 25 years old.

Once the DMV issues your title and registration, the car is legal to drive on U.S. roads. You can then register it with your insurance company using the new title and registration documents.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a car that is currently financed or has a loan against it?

No. CBP will not clear a car through customs if there is an outstanding lien or loan in the country of origin. The lender must release the lien and sign off on the title before you can export the car. This is why you need the original title in your name with no liens listed.

What if the car does not pass the NHTSA inspection?

If the VIN does not match the paperwork or the car's condition does not match the description you provided, NHTSA can refuse to clear it. You can appeal the decision or have the car re-inspected. If the car is deemed unsafe or the VIN is questioned, you may need to hire a lawyer or work with the broker to resolve the issue, which can add weeks and cost.

Do I have to use a registered importer, or can a regular mechanic do the compliance work?

If your car is 25 years old or older, most states do not require an RI. A may have access to mechanic can do the work if they follow NHTSA guidelines and document what was done. However, if your car is newer than 25 years, you must use an RI licensed by NHTSA. Check your state's rules before you hire anyone.

How long does the whole process take from start to finish?

Shipping typically takes two to four weeks depending on the origin country. Customs and NHTSA inspections take another two to four weeks. Compliance work takes one to two weeks. State registration is usually same-day or within a few days. Total time is roughly two to four months, though delays can extend this.

What if I import a car and then decide I do not want to keep it?

Once a car clears customs and is registered in your name, you own it. You can sell it like any other used car. However, the title will show it was imported, which may affect its resale value. Some buyers are concerned about imported cars because of potential hidden damage or unknown maintenance history.