Before you begin the car importing process, verify that your vehicle is eligible for importation into the U.S. Generally, vehicles must comply with standards set by:
- The U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). It focuses on safety standards;
- The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA requires vehicles to meet specific emissions standards.
To determine your vehicle’s eligibility for import into the United States, it’s essential to ensure that both EPA and DOT labels are affixed.
EPA Vehicle Emissions Label
The EPA vehicle emissions label is typically found under the hood or in the engine compartment of light-duty vehicles and trucks. Motorcycles and motor scooters have the sticker, located in an accessible place, e.g. under the seat or on the frame. As for heavy-duty vehicles, their label is located on the engineโs block.
EPA emissions label provides crucial information, including the manufacturerโs name, trademark, type of fuel used, miles-per-gallon rating, fuel consumption levels, etc. Additionally, this sticker includes a clear statement of compliance with EPA emission regulations.
The EPA set the following emission standards:
- Gasoline-fueled cars and light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1967;
- Diesel-fueled cars originally manufactured after December 31, 1974;
- Diesel-fueled light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1975;
- Heavy-duty engines originally manufactured after December 31, 1969;
- Motorcycles with a displacement of more than 49 cubic centimeters originally manufactured after December 31, 1977.
For cars older than 21 years, EPA compliance is not required. However, if your car does not meet U.S. emission standards, it must be imported through an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI). It is a company that has received permission from the EPA to legally import cars into the country. They also modify, test, and certify your car so it meets the required standards. Be aware, that because of all these additional modifications ICI fees can be quite substantial.
The list of approved entities isย here.
But keep in mind that the ICI import authority is usually limited to certain car makes and models. Before you arrange your import, contact your ICI. Confirm that it can import your specific auto. Additionally, ICI designation does not guarantee approval of the ICIโs treatment of an imported car. The EPA will closely examine the ICIโs test documentation. They will also review the information about the quality of modifications. This is to ensure your car meets all applicable requirements under import regulations.
DOT Certification Label
The Department Of Transport (DOT) does not allow cars that do not meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). All the regulations are listed onย this pageย of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website.
Cars made to meet FMVSS have a certification label on the driver-side door. Motorcycles have the label near the steering post and handlebars. The label must contain the following information:
- The car’s manufacturer;
- The date of manufacture;
- The Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR);
- The Gross Axle Weight Rating (GAWR) of each axle;
- The vehicle type classification (e.g., passenger car, truck, bus, motorcycle, etc.);
- The car’s Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
To simplify importation, buyers should ask sellers to confirm in the sales contract that the label is attached. This document should be presented during importation.
This label also allows Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to approve the carโs importation.
If your car does not have the certification label, it is non-conforming. In this case, the importer must collaborate with a Registered Importer (RI) and modify your auto. It is necessary to complete all the safety upgrades for admissibility.
RI is a company approved by NHTSA to import cars that were not originally made to comply with FMVSSs. RI is also allowed to perform necessary modifications to bring the autos into conformance. The list of Active Registered Importers isย here.
Vehicles older than 25 years are exempt from DOT compliance. It’s essential to understand that the 25-year rule refers to the car’s manufacturing date, not its model year. If the auto’s date of manufacture is not seen on a label from the original manufacturer, you need other documentation to prove its age. This must include an invoice showing when the vehicle was first sold. A registration document showing the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago is also acceptable. If you don’t have this information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society can help identify the car’s age.
Also, it is advisable to confirm the specific regulations and documentation necessary for importing a car under the 25-year rule. Additionally, it’s a good idea to consult local authorities or a shipping company likeย Atlantic Project Cargo. We can assist with the entire vehicle import process
Personal Use Exemption
If your vehicle lacks both the EPA and FMVSS labels, you can still import it under the โPersonal Useโ exemption. To do this, you must obtain a Certification of Conformity (CoC) from the carโs manufacturer. You must present this document to U.S. Customs upon arrival at the border.
How to get a CoC:
- Go to the page of EPA’sย Transportation and Air Quality Document Index System;
- In โCompliance Document Typeโ choose โCertificates of Conformityโ;
- Then choose the industry, model year of your car, and then appropriate manufacturer;
- Type in the vehicle model;
- Skip the โKeyword Searchโ;
- Click on the โSearchโ button;
- Save and/or print the PDF file.
If you need a CoC for a car with a model year before 2003, send the following information to EPAโs Imports Hotline:
- Model year of the car;
- Manufacturer of the car;
- Car model;
- Test Group number (only applies to light-duty cars and trucks โ model year 2001 or later) or Engine Family number (only for pre-2001 light-duty cars and trucks, and non-road and heavy-duty engines/vehicles). The number has 11 characters of both letters and numbers. It is found on the Vehicle Emissions sticker;
- Your name;
- Contact information (address, email address, or fax number where you want EPA to send the Certificate of Conformity).
EPA’s Imports Hotline: imports@epa.gov, phone: 734-214-4100, fax: 734-214-4676.
Declare your car import asย 2B on Form HS-7. If you declare it as a commercial shipment without the necessary labels, your auto will be denied entry.
Substantially Similar Rule
The Substantially Similar Rule allows vehicles that closely resemble already certified models in the U.S. to be imported without full testing. This simplifies the process for cars that meet U.S. safety and emissions standards.
However, “substantially similar” can be subjective and interpreted differently. The NHTSA and EPA assess whether a foreign car meets this standard by evaluating safety, emissions, and other specifications.
This rule might be helpful for those who do not know how to import European cars to the U.S. However, importers must still comply with all customs and import laws and regulations.
