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Most people drive vehicles that were specifically made and sold for use in the United States. But there are some cases in which importing a car from a foreign market is preferred.
If you want to bring a car to the U.S., you need to follow these procedures established by the U.S. government.
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To bring a car to the U.S., follow this process
The U.S. DOT established particular guidelines concerning the emissions and safety requirements of vehicles owned and operated in America. When you plan to import a vehicle from abroad and operate it within U.S. borders, you need to make sure it abides by these regulations. If your car does not meet these requirements, the government says you have three options: bring into compliance, export or destroy.
Because U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the NHTSA strictly oversee the import of foreign automobiles and their compliance with American regulations, hiring a customs broker could be a valuable asset. A licensed broker is empowered by the CBP to assist you in making sure your vehicle — and any other possessions — is compliant.
A broker can also help you find helpful laws that could assist your vehicle import, such as the Show and Display rule that lets you import non-compliant European supercars specifically being used for display at collector’s shows.
These regulations only apply to vehicles less than 25 years old, though, so if it’s past its 25th birthday, your car should be able to slide through Customs with no problem. You can also get exemptions if you have special authorization for members of the armed forces or international relations.
Make sure that you proactively prepare for importing your vehicle to ensure you made prior arrangements with Customs and have the proper documentation (bill of lading, the bill of sale, foreign registration, etc.), or else the government won’t release the vehicle to you when it crosses the border.
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