You can import a car to the US, but it must meet federal safety and emissions standards, and the process takes months and costs thousands of dollars

A car imported from another country is legal to own and drive in the US only if it satisfies the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) safety standards and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions standards that explore on the date it was manufactured. Most cars sold outside the US do not meet these standards. Even if a car is identical to a US model, a foreign-market version may have different bumpers, lighting, or emissions equipment that makes it illegal to import.

The import process itself is not a single transaction. You must clear the car through US Customs and Border Protection, arrange for an EPA and NHTSA inspection, pay import duties and taxes, and often hire a customs broker or importer to handle the paperwork. The entire timeline typically runs four to eight weeks, and the total cost — including shipping, duties, inspections, and modifications — often exceeds $5,000 to $15,000 depending on the car's value and origin.

Key Takeaways

  • Only cars that meet NHTSA safety standards and EPA emissions standards for their model year can be imported; most foreign-market vehicles do not may have access to without expensive modifications.
  • You must file EPA and NHTSA import forms before the car arrives in the US, and both agencies must clear it before you can register it.
  • Customs duties, broker fees, shipping, and inspection costs typically add $5,000 to $15,000 to the purchase price.
  • A car can only be imported if it is at least 25 years old (which exempts it from current safety and emissions rules) or if it meets the standards that applied when it was built.
  • Importing a car does not make it easier to resell; a car with import history may be harder to sell and worth less than a domestic equivalent.

The 25-Year Rule: The Only Straightforward Path

The simplest way to import a car is to buy one that is at least 25 years old. Cars manufactured 25 or more years before the current year are exempt from NHTSA safety standards and EPA emissions standards. A 2000 model-year car, for example, became importable in 2025. Once a car reaches that age threshold, you can import it without proving it meets current US safety or emissions rules.

Even at 25 years old, the car still must clear US Customs and Border Protection and be properly titled and registered in your state. You will still need to pay import duties (usually 2.5 percent of the car's value for passenger vehicles), arrange shipping, and file the necessary customs paperwork. But you avoid the EPA and NHTSA pre-import inspection process that newer cars require.

Many people import classic and collector cars this way — Japanese sports cars, European models, and limited-production vehicles that were never sold in the US market. The 25-year exemption makes these imports legal, though not necessarily cheap or quick.

Importing a Newer Car: EPA and NHTSA Requirements

If the car is younger than 25 years old, it must meet the safety and emissions standards that were in effect when it was manufactured. This is where most imports run into trouble. A car built for the Japanese market, for instance, may have different airbag placement, bumper height, lighting systems, and emissions equipment than a US-market version of the same model.

Before the car arrives in the US, you must file an EPA Form 3520-1 (Declaration of Importer of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines) and an NHTSA Form HS-7 (Declaration of Importer of Motor Vehicles). These forms tell the agencies that you intend to import the vehicle and ask them to determine whether it meets the standards for its model year. The EPA and NHTSA will review the car's specifications — engine type, emissions controls, safety features — and either clear it or deny the import.

If the agencies determine the car does not meet standards, you have limited options. You can modify the car to meet US standards (which is expensive and often impractical), you can request a waiver (which is rarely granted), or you can abandon the import. Some importers specialize in modifying foreign-market cars to meet US standards, but this work can cost as much as or more than the car itself.

Customs, Duties, and the Cost of Importing

Once the EPA and NHTSA clear the car, it enters the US through a port of entry and passes through US Customs and Border Protection. At this stage, you pay import duties — 2.5 percent of the car's declared value for most passenger vehicles — plus any applicable taxes and fees. You also pay for shipping from the country of origin to the US port, which varies widely depending on distance and shipping method but typically ranges from $1,500 to $5,000.

Many importers hire a customs broker to handle the paperwork and represent them before Customs. A broker's fee typically runs $300 to $800 per shipment. The broker files the entry documents, arranges payment of duties and taxes, and coordinates the release of the car from the port.

After the car clears Customs, you may need to arrange for a final inspection by a third-party inspector or the importer themselves to verify the car's condition and may support it matches the EPA and NHTSA documentation. Some states also require an additional inspection before registration. These inspections can cost $200 to $500 each.

Registering and Titling an Imported Car

Once the car clears Customs and any required inspections, you can register and title it in your state. The process varies by state, but most states require proof that the car has cleared EPA and NHTSA inspection, a bill of sale, proof of ownership from the country of origin, and a completed title process. Some states require an additional safety inspection before they will issue a title.

You will need to obtain a US title in your name. If the car was previously titled in another country, you will need to provide documentation of that title or proof of ownership. Some states accept a bill of sale and customs entry documents as proof of ownership if a foreign title is not available or cannot be obtained.

The registration and titling process itself typically takes two to four weeks once you have all the required documents. During this time, you cannot legally drive the car on public roads, though you can move it under a temporary permit if your state issues one.

Why Importing Often Does Not Make Financial Sense

The total cost of importing a car — purchase price, shipping, duties, broker fees, inspections, and modifications — often exceeds what you would pay for the same car or a similar model already in the US market. A car that costs $20,000 in Japan, for example, might cost $8,000 to ship, $500 in duties, $500 in broker fees, and another $2,000 to $5,000 in modifications or inspections. The total landed cost becomes $31,000 to $36,000, which may be more than a comparable US-market car.

Resale value is another consideration. A car with import history may be harder to sell and worth less than a domestic equivalent, because many buyers are wary of imported vehicles and because the car's history is less transparent. Insurance companies may also charge higher premiums for imported cars or require additional documentation.

Importing makes sense primarily for cars that are not available in the US market — classic models, limited-production vehicles, or cars that were never sold domestically. For common models that are sold in the US, buying a domestic-market car is usually faster, cheaper, and simpler.

Working with an Importer or Customs Broker

If you decide to import a car, you will likely need to work with either a customs broker, a car importer, or both. A customs broker handles the paperwork and logistics of clearing the car through Customs and the EPA and NHTSA. A car importer typically buys cars overseas, arranges shipping and customs clearance, and sells them to US buyers — sometimes handling the entire process for you, sometimes selling you the car and leaving the final steps to you.

If you hire a customs broker, expect to provide them with the car's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number), detailed specifications, a bill of sale, and proof of purchase. The broker will file the EPA and NHTSA forms, arrange payment of duties and taxes, and coordinate the release of the car from the port. The entire process typically takes four to eight weeks.

If you buy from a car importer, ask what is included in the price and what you are responsible for. Some importers handle everything up to registration; others deliver the car to you and leave the registration to you. Get a clear written agreement about who pays for what, what timeline is expected, and what happens if the EPA or NHTSA denies the import.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I import a car that was never sold in the US?

Yes, if it is at least 25 years old. If it is newer, it must still meet the safety and emissions standards that applied when it was manufactured. Many foreign-market cars do not meet those standards without modifications, which can be expensive or impossible.

What happens if the EPA or NHTSA denies my import?

You cannot legally bring the car into the US for road use. You can request a waiver (rarely granted), modify the car to meet standards (often impractical), or abandon the import. Some importers specialize in modifications, but the cost can be substantial.

Do I have to use a customs broker?

No, but most people do because the paperwork is complex and the broker handles it for you. If you import only one car, a broker's fee ($300 to $800) is usually worth the time and hassle saved. If you import multiple cars, you may find it worthwhile to learn the process yourself.

How long does the entire import process take?

Typically four to eight weeks from the time the car ships until you can register it. This includes shipping time, customs clearance, EPA and NHTSA inspection, and state registration. The timeline can stretch longer if documents are missing or if the agencies request additional information.

Will an imported car be worth less when I resell it?

Often yes. Buyers may be wary of imported vehicles, and the car's history is less transparent than a domestic-market car. Insurance and resale value can both be affected. Importing makes sense primarily for cars that are not available domestically or for collectors, not for everyday vehicles.