International Car Transport
If you're planning to transport a car or other vehicle from another country into the United States or transport a car or other vehicle from the USA to another country and you've never done it before, there's a fair amount of information you need to know because of various government regulations, including Customs, both in the US and overseas. Your international moving company or your international car transport service or other shipper may help handle some or all of the paperwork necessary to facilitate the process.
International Car Transport Options
If you're transporting a car, truck, SUV, RV, motorcycle or boat you have a few options to consider.
- International Moving Company – If you're shipping household goods with your vehicle, having your moving company transport vehicles for you allows you to complete all your international shipping through one company. If you're not shipping household goods with the vehicle, you can still use this option but you'll want to compare costs with cargo, freight and auto transport companies that specialize in transporting individual items overseas. In either event, GoAutoTransport can get you free international car transport quotes.
- International Auto Transport Service – Some auto transport companies have extensive experience in shipping vehicles overseas, especially located around or with operations in major port cities, like Seattle, Los Angeles, New York, Hawaii, Florida and San Francisco.
- You may also be able to use a freight or cargo service that specializes in importing and exporting.
Importing Vehicles to the USA
Almost all cars, vans, sport utility vehicles, etc. imported into the United States must be certified to meet American safety and emissions standards. Specifically, they must meet EPA fuel-emission requirements and the safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT). Additionally, the US Customs and Border Patrol regulates importing vehicles into the USA and you may be subject to customs duties.
- Cars being brought into the United States temporarily (for less than one year) are exempt from these restrictions. It is illegal to bring a vehicle into the United States and sell it if it was not formally entered on a US Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Form 7501.
- Passenger vehicles that are accepted for import on the basis that modifications must be made need to later pass certification or they'll have to be exported or destroyed. A bond may be required for the conditional entry of vehicles that don't meet these standards.
- If the vehicle is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements when a vehicle is imported. The vehicle must be in its original unmodified configuration. Vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain equivalent or newer EPA-certified engines.
- For Customs clearance you'll need the shipper’s or carrier’s original bill of lading, the bill of sale, foreign registration, and any other documents covering the vehicle. You'll also be required to complete forms declaring the emissions and safety provisions under which the vehicle is being imported. If the vehicle you're importing doesn't have a manufacturer’s label on the engine compartment in English certifying its compliance with US standards, the Customs inspector at the port of entry may require proof of eligibility to import under certain EPA exemptions or exclusions.
- Vehicles that do not meet all U.S. emission requirements, unless eligible for exemption or exclusion must be imported through an independent commercial importer (ICI). EPA will not allow the vehicle's release to the owner until ICI work is complete. The ICI will perform any EPA-required modifications and be responsible for assuring that all EPA requirements have been met.
- To safeguard against importing dangerous pests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be clean and free of soil. Have your car steam-sprayed or cleaned thoroughly before shipment.
- It is strongly recommended that you do not transport personal belongings in your vehicle. Not only are your possessions susceptible to theft, many shippers will not accept your vehicle if it contains personal belongings. Additionally, the list of specifically prohibited items (like ammunition, etc.) will be strictly enforced. If you leave contents in the car, all of the contents must be declared to Customs on entry.
US Customs Import Duties
Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally subject to Customs duties at a rate of 2.5% for autos, 25% for trucks and 2.4% for motorcycles (although some motorcycles may be imported duty free).
- Duty rates are based on price paid or payable. Most Canadian-made vehicles are duty free.
- As a returning U.S. resident, you may apply a $400 Customs exemption and exemptions of accompanying family members toward the value of the vehicle if it accompanies you on your return, is imported for your personal use, and was acquired during the journey from which you are returning. For Customs purposes, a returning U.S. resident is one who is returning from travel, work, or study abroad. After the exemption has been applied, a flat duty rate of 10% is applied toward the next $1,000 of the vehicle’s value. The remaining amount is dutiable at the regular duty rate.
- US citizens employed overseas or government employees returning on TDY or voluntary leave may import a foreign-made car free of duty provided they enter the US. for a short visit, claim nonresident status, and export the vehicle when they leave.
- Military and civilian employees of the US government returning at the end of an assignment to extended duty outside the Customs territory of the U.S. may include a conforming vehicle among their duty-free personal and household effects. The auto must have been purchased abroad and be in its owner’s possession prior to departure.
- Nonresidents may import an automobile or motorcycle and its usual equipment free of duty for a temporary stay to take part in races or other specific purposes. However, prior written approval from the EPA is required and such approval is granted only to those racing vehicles that EPA deems not capable of safe or practical use on streets and highways. If the contests are for other than money purposes, the vehicle may be admitted for 90 days without formal entry or bond if the Customs officer is satisfied as to the importer’s identify and good faith.
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- A vehicle may be temporarily imported for testing, demonstration, or racing purposes. A vehicle may be permanently imported for show or display. Written approval from DOT is required and should be obtained before the vehicle is exported from the foreign country to the U.S. Information on how to import a vehicle under show or display is available at DOT’s NHTSA Web site at www.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/rules/import.
- Imported cars should bear the International Registration Marker. The International Driving Permit, issued in five languages, is also helpful. Consult an international automobile federation or your local automobile club about securing these documents.
- You may be subject to additional state requirements depending on the state in which your car will be registered.
US residents importing a new or used car should consult their state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) about temporary license plates and what documentation their DMV may require from Customs.
More Auto Import Information
- Additional information on EPA requirements for importing vehicles is available on their web site at www.epa.gov.
- Additional information about the safety compliance requirements for imported vehicles is available on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's web site at www.nhtsa.dot.gov.
- Copies of the brochure Importing or Exporting a Car are available from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) web site at www.cbp.gov.
- The EPA's Automotive Imports Fact Manual is available from the Environmental Protection Agency's web site at www.epa.gov .
Exporting a Vehicle from the USA
If your international car transport needs require you to ship a vehicle from the USA to another country, your options are essentially the same as they are for importing a vehicle. Some of the requirements may be similar or they could be very different depending on your vehicle's destination country. Before you transport your vehicle to another country it would be wise to check any special restrictions or requirements of the destination country. The best place to start would the destination country's embassy or consulate. Additionally, international moving companies, international car transport services and export brokers may already have or should be able to get this information for you.
Here's an overview of what you should know:
- To export a motor vehicle from the United States, the exporter must provide documents that demonstrate proof of ownership. In almost all cases, this will be the certificate of title. Both the original documents and multiple copies will be needed.
- Only the original certificate of title, or a certified copy of the original, is considered valid proof of ownership. If the car has a lien or is leased, the exporter will have to attach to the certificate of title a letter from the lien holder or lease holder authorizing the vehicle to leave the country.
- If the vehicle is a new car that has never been titled, it can be exported by submitting a document known as a manufacturer’s statement of origin. The manufacturer’s statement of origin may be obtained from your car dealer. The original and two copies must be presented to Customs.
- Some very old used vehicles and some foreign vehicles purchased abroad may not have a certificate of title, or a junk scrap certificate in force and a manufacture’s statement of origin may not have been issued. In these cases, a bill of sale, sales invoice, right of possession, or other documents sufficient to prove lawful ownership may be used. In addition, the owner must certify in writing to Customs that the procurement of the vehicle was a bona fide transaction and that the vehicles presented for export is not stolen. Again, the original and two copies must be presented.
- If you are exporting through a land border port, you must submit the ownership documents to that port at least three days before export. On the day of export, you must present the vehicle to U.S. Customs to verify that the car being exported is the one described in the ownership documents.
- The car will be subject to Customs inspection at the time of export. If transport is by ship or plane, both the vehicle and ownership documents must be presented to Customs at least 72 hours before lading, at which time Customs will conduct its inspection.
- The vehicle will be authorized for export only after Customs has inspected it and certified that the ownership documents are in proper order. Your original title will then be stamped or perforated to show that your vehicle was exported from the United States.
Should you need additional information about exporting your vehicle, contact the Customs port from which you plan to export it. You can find their address and phone number by accessing the Customs Web Site at www.customs.gov.
Additional International Car Transport Considerations
There are some additional considerations you should be aware of for importing or exporting vehicles. Including:
- Don't put anything except a spare tire and jack in or on the vehicle.
- Vehicles must not have more than 1/4 tank of gasoline. Any RV propane tanks need to be emptied.
- Regardless of how you're transporting your vehicle, you'll probably be asked to provide a Power of Attorney in case your shipper needs to complete some paperwork on your behalf.
- Expect to pay port fees at your destination. You may also be charged customs duties.
- Once your car arrives at the destination port, you'll want to remove your license plates and retain them.
- Your destination country may require permits or pre-inspections. Some international auto transport companies may offer to handle this for you, but you may have to take responsibility for this item yourself.
- Have your shipper or carrier notify you of the vehicle’s arrival date so you can make arrange to get it processed through Customs. Shipments are cleared at the first port of entry unless you arrange for a foreign freight agent to have the vehicle sent in bond to a Customs port that's more convenient to you.
- You may also decide to employ a commercial customs broker to handle your entry.
Additional International Auto Transport Resources
Getting International Auto Transport Estimates
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