Moving Household Goods to the United States - Importing an Automobile or Other Vehicle - Customs Forum

**admin** · 09-09-2011, 13:09 PM

It is important to know that imported vehicle, new or used, must comply with U.S. safety, fuel economy and air pollution. If an imported vehicle does not meet the standards, it must be brought into line, otherwise it must be destroyed or exported. Both advise the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), that although a faulty car can be admitted conditionally, changes impractical, impossible, or require such extensive engineering that the labor and material costs can be prohibitive. Foreign car manufacturers can also confirm whether a car corresponds to U.S. standards. For more information about importing a car to the U.S. Customs Web site at CBP.gov - home page under Publications, Videos and Forms in the import and export of the section, and on the DOT website and on the EPA website.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also requires that the undercarriage of imported cars free of foreign soil before they can be registered in the United States. This can be performed prior to shipment by spray or steam through a thorough cleaning.

Safety, bumper and theft prevention standards
Importers of motor vehicles must form HS-7-Statement (available at ports of entry) can be imported at the time a vehicle to explain whether the vehicle is with Department of Transportation requirements, will file. As a general rule, all imported motor vehicles less than 25 years old and have elements of automotive equipment with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards to be permanently imported into the United States. Vehicles after first September, established in 1978, must also integrate the bumper standard, and vehicles, beginning with model year 1987 must meet the theft-prevention standards.

Vehicles manufactured to meet these standards have a certification label affixed by the original manufacturer near the driver's door. If you buy a car abroad, the U.S. standards is certified, you can import your by making sure the purchase contract that fact and to expedite the submission of the contract to U.S. Customs for imports identified.

A vehicle must be a faulty vehicle will be introduced, if it confirms the manufacturer's label that it meets U.S. standards contributes. If there is a defective vehicle, the importer with a DOT-registered importer (RI)-contract to change the car and confirm that it meets all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The importer must also search for a DOT bond for one-and-a-half times the vehicle valuation. This bond is in addition to the normal Customs entry bond. Copies of the DOT bond and the contract with the RI must be attached to the HS-7. Before an RI can modify your vehicle, it must first be determined whether the vehicle is able to be modified to work with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards will meet. The process of modifying your vehicle can be very time-consuming and costly. A list of vehicles that is already determined position, by a modification of RI, the RI or from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) website at Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) / cars / rules / import available. For more information, write to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NSA-32), Office of Planning and Consumer Programs, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC will receive 20 590, or call: DOT Auto Safety Hotline at 1.888.327.4236: or fax your request to 202nd 366.1024.

If you do not have a copy of the U.S. Customs brochure Importing or exporting of car, the EPA standards are briefly described. Customs will require a formal entry, regardless of value to prohibit all imports of defective vehicles, if the alien claims an exception.

Trailers, motorcycles and mopeds are also subject to DOT standards.

Federal Tax Administration
Certain imported automobiles may be subject to the gas-guzzler tax imposed by § 4064 of the Internal Revenue Code. The tax is on a car that has imposed a fuel economy standard of less than 22.5 miles per gallon. Additional information can be obtained from any local district office of the Internal Revenue Service.

Emission standards
Unless otherwise specified, must fill importers of cars, light trucks, motorcycles and heavy duty engines and submit EPA registration form (EPA Form 3520-1) to Customs on entry. These forms can be collected by Customs on entry.

The following passenger cars, light trucks, motorcycles and heavy duty engines are subject to Federal emission requirements:

• Gasoline-powered cars and light trucks originally after 31 Made in December 1967.

• Diesel-powered vehicles that originally after 31 Made in December 1974.

• Diesel-powered light trucks originally manufactured after 31 December 1975.

• motorcycles more than 49 cubic centimeters originally after 31 Made in December 1977.

• Gasoline or diesel powered heavy-duty engines originally manufactured after 1st January 1970.

• methanol-fueled vehicles or engines manufactured for model years 1990 or later.

• Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) vehicles or engines (including propane) for the year 1997 or later model years manufactured.

Note that are defective motor vehicle or engine that is 21 years old or more and were not changed within this period, EPA shall apply except as by the Federal emissions requirements.

Beginning with the 1996 model year Federal emission requirements are also applicable for some non-motorized road equipment such as lawn and garden equipment, and agricultural and construction equipment.

For vehicles that are under U.S. emission standards, the following must be complied with when entering the United States:

Cars or trucks originally manufactured to meet U.S. emission standards
All 1971 and later model cars and trucks in this category can be identified with a label in a prominent location in the engine room. This label indicates that the vehicle was originally manufactured to work with U.S. emissions standards. For pre 1971 models, you should check the original line of the vehicle with the vehicle manufacturer.

Vehicles originally equipped with a catalytic converter or oxygen sensor is no longer the subject of the EPA requirement that the vehicle be bonded on entry. Vehicles that have had the catalytic converter and oxygen sensor is removed, or had these components damaged by the use of leaded gasoline are required to have these components replaced after importation.

Car or truck, not originally manufactured to meet U.S. emission standards
These vehicles must be imported through an independent commercial importer (ICI). The EPA registration form (EPA Form 3520-1) must be of the ICI, not the owner of the vehicle are presented. A list of ICI can be obtained from the entry or by the EPA. There is no ICI is overseas and the EPA does not accept conversions performed overseas. The ICI is responsible for the modification and testing of the vehicle to show that it complies with all U.S. emission standards. Such conversions typically cost several thousand dollars and several months to complete. The EPA does not accept responsibility for the quality of the work of an ICI or its contractual arrangements, carried out including cost. Since ICI do not necessarily accept all models, and in some models it may be difficult to convert, the EPA proposes that the importer complete arrangements with an ICI prior to shipping the vehicle into the United States.

Inquiries regarding the emissions requirements should be addressed to the attention of: The Environmental Protection Agency, Imports (6405 J), 1200 Pennsylvania Ave NW, Washington, DC 20460th You can also get to the EPA by phone at 202.564.9240, fax 202.564.2057, or access to the Imports Faxback System to documents including a current list of ICIS at 202.564.9660.

Shipping Arrangements
For your own safety, security and comfort that you NOT use your car as a container for personal belongings. The practice of shipping personal belongings packed into a car is recommended for the following reasons:

• Goods in the car must be present for customs control, you can not lock your car does. If you do, the duty may break the lock to inspect the goods.

• Your personal belongings are prone to be loaded onto the carrier while waiting for theft, while the U.S. is transported, or after they unloaded in the United States.

• not accept many shippers and freight forwarders will be your vehicle if it contains personal belongings. The carrier is obliged to the automobile and its contents on the ship manifest list. If the contents are not listed, is the carrier against the fines or penalties.

• The vehicle may be subject to seizure and its contents and you can face fines or penalties, if not tell you or your representative, the entire contents of the vehicle at the time of the automobile industry by the U.S. Customs is under investigation.

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