Jump to main content.

Importation Flow Chart

NOTE: This Flow Chart is a summary of the importation process. For complete details see the appropriate sections of the manual.

1) If your vehicle or heavy-duty engine (HDE) is excluded:

Excluded Vehicles/HDEs
Vehicles not subject to emission requirements See Excluded Vehicles - Section B.1
A vehicle or engine is excluded if it is a:	and	was originally manufactured before:	On Form 3520-1, Declare Code:
Light-duty gasoline-fueled vehicle or truck		January 1, 1968	E^*
Light-duty diesel-fueled vehicle		January 1, 1975	E^*
Light-duty diesel-fueled truck		January 1, 1977	E^*
Motorcycle		January 1, 1978	E^*
Heavy-duty gasoline or diesel-fueled engine		January 1, 1970	E^*
* All the above vehicles are now imported as 21 years old or older using code E.
Other Exclusions
Non-chassis-mounted engines used for a light-duty-vehicle or light-duty truck. Declare code "W" on Form 3520-1.		Runs solely on unregulated fuel - Declare code "Y" on Form 3520-1.
Racing vehicles lacking features associated with safe and practical street or highway use, or vehicles that cannot exceed 25 mph. EPA approval letter must be attached to Form 3520-1. Declare code "L" on Form 3520-1.		Off-Road Vehicles For 2005 or earlier model year vehicles having a maximum speed of 25 mph, exhibiting features such as tracked road contact means, inordinate size, or military combat or tactical vehicles. Off-road vehicles will now use form 3520-21. The 2006 and later model year off-road vehicles are subject to certification.
THESE VEHICLES MAY BE IMPORTED BY ANYONE WITHOUT EPA APPROVAL OR BOND.

2) If your vehicle/HDE is not excluded and is being imported temporarily:

Temporary Importations
Emission requirements for these vehicles/HDEs are waived See Temporary Importations - Section B.2
Purpose	May Be Imported By:	Bond Required:	On Form 3520-1 Declare Code:
- Repair/Alteration	Anyone	Yes	G
- Testing	Anyone	Yes	I
- Display	Anyone	Yes	K
- Diplomat/Armed Forces/Personnel on Official Business	Foreign Diplomats/Military	No	N
- Non-resident	Individual Nonresident	No	O
Prior EPA approval is required for Temporary Importations. No EPA approval will be required for Foreign Diplomat and Foreign Armed Forces.

3) If your vehicle/HDE is not excluded and is being imported permanently, and

a) is a U.S. Version Vehicle/HDE:⁽¹⁾

U.S. Version Vehicles/HDEs
See U.S. Version - Section B.3.a
If Vehicle/HDE:	May be Imported by:	Bond Required:	Approval Required:	On Form 3520-1 Declare Code:

is 21 years old or older	Anyone	No	No	E

has had the catalyst, oxygen sensors, or filler neck restrictor removed or altered	Anyone	Yes	No	F⁽²⁾

has not been modified or altered	Anyone	No	No	B

(1) U.S. versions are manufactured according to an EPA certificate of conformity and with an EPA emission label in the English language.
(2) Importer resposible for reinstalling or replacing catalytic converter, oxygen sensor and fuel filler neck restrictor after importation, as required.

b) is a Canadian Vehicle/HDE:

Canadian Vehicles/HDEs
See Canadian Version - Section B.3.b
	Identical to U.S. Version		Not Identical to U.S. Version

Vehicle:	Bond:	May be Imported by:	Code:
is a 1988 through 1995 model year LDV, LDT, HDGE	No	Anyone	EE
has a letter from the U.S. Representative of the OEM attached to Form 3520-1	No	Anyone	EE
is on EPA identical list	No	Anyone	EE
is on EPA identical list and imported for resale or lease	No	Anyone	FF

Vehicle:	Bond:	Approval Required:	Code:
21 years or older	No	No	E
Canadian owner has documented immigrant, worker, or student status	No	No	M
Obtained through inheritance	No	No	M
All others (are not excluded and do not qualify for an exemption)	Must be imported by an ICI. See ICIs under Non-U.S. Version Vehicles.

c) Is not a U.S. or Canadian Version Vehicle/HDE:

Non U.S. Version Vehicles/HDEs
See Non U.S. Version - Section B.3.b
These vehicles/HDEs can be imported if:	Individual has an EPA Exemption		Entered by an ICI	Individuals may not directly import

Vehicle Is:	Bond:	Approval Required:	Code:
21 years old or older	No	No	E
Needed and unforeseen extra-ordinary circumstance	No	Yes	M
Identical to U.S. version vehicle or HDE*	No	No	EE
Modified to be identical to U.S. version vehicle or HDE*	No	Yes	EE
	* requires letter of proof from U.S. representative of the OEM

Vehicle Imported for:	Bond:	Condition:	Code:
Modification to specific certificate	No	ICI must have certificate for specific make, model, OP year.	A
Modification & testing	No	Vehicle at least 6 OP years old.	C
Precertification testing	Yes	ICI has 180 days to obtain certificate or export.	J
Modification to OEM's certified version	No	Copy of OEM's instructions attached.	Z

This page is maintained by EPA's Office of Transportation and Air Quality (OTAQ).
For more: About Us | Get Email Updates | Browse the A to Z Subject Index.

Local Navigation

Jump to main content.