To buy a Canadian car and permanently bring it into the U.S., you must navigate a formal importation process involving federal safety and emissions compliance, customs duties, and state-level registration.
You must declare the vehicle at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port of Entry . : DOT Form HS-7 : Declares safety compliance. EPA Form 3520-1 : Declares emissions compliance. buying a canadian car in the us
: Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from most DOT and EPA requirements, significantly simplifying the process. Customs Process & Documentation To buy a Canadian car and permanently bring it into the U
Vehicles under 25 years old must meet U.S. federal standards to be permanently imported. : DOT Form HS-7 : Declares safety compliance
: Look for a certification label in the driver's side door jamb. Canadian cars often have a CMVSS label instead; in this case, you must obtain a Manufacturer’s Letter of Compliance confirming the car meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
: Check under the hood for a "Vehicle Emission Control Information" label. If missing, you need a letter of compliance from the manufacturer.
: The undercarriage must be free of foreign soil to pass U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections. Costs and Duties