Rules And Regulations For Importing A Car Into The U.S.

If you are looking to import a vehicle to the United States, there are several hoops to jump through depending on where your new car is coming from. Some of these options will cost money, and not just a little bit. In some cases, you’ll actually have to buy a few of the same model, but we’ll get to that in a second.

Comply With Regulations

The first and most obvious way to import a vehicle legally into the U.S. is to ensure it complies with federal laws and regulations, which can be prohibitively expensive. This involves installing required safety equipment, crash testing multiple models, and ensuring compliance with parts like headlights, bumpers, and airbags, as well as meeting EPA emissions standards, potentially requiring the purchase of several extra vehicles for testing.

Buy A Substantially Similar Model

This is the cheapest way to import a vehicle, primarily for those bringing cars across the northern border, not for European or Asian imports. You simply need to argue that your vehicle is similar enough to a U.S. model to avoid additional testing, requiring a letter from the manufacturer confirming the similarity. However, be cautious, as manufacturers may be hesitant to sign off on overseas models due to potential liability if the exporting nation's standards are lower.

Bring It Over To Show And Display

If showing off your new ride is your sole purpose for importing, you might qualify for an exemption, particularly for cars like the McLaren F1 or Aston Martin One-77. The government maintains a list of eligible vehicles, but your imported car must log no more than 2,500 miles per year and cannot be sold, as the exemption is intended solely for display, not profit.

Make Sure It's Of Age

If the car you're importing is over twenty-five years old, it can enter the country with minimal regulatory oversight, except in California, where vehicles made after 1975 must comply with regulations. For those outside California, this is likely the easiest way to bring a car home—just wait for it to turn twenty-five—but be sure to check your state laws to avoid any issues, as failing to follow the rules could result in your vehicle being scrapped.