Section C - Attachments

NON-EMISSION REQUIREMENTS

This manual describes only the EPA requirements, that is, only those related to the Federal emissions requirements. Importers of vehicles must also comply with the requirements of other Federal Agencies (e.g., Department of Transportation for safety requirements, IRS for gas guzzler taxes, U.S. Customs Service for tariffs, duties, etc.) as well as those of the state and local governments. EPA letters of approval or exemption are not intended to satisfy other non-emission Federal agency requirements, or any emission or non-emission requirements of State or local governments. Below is a list of contacts for other Federal requirements.

Customs

Questions regarding the importation of your vehicle should be directed to the Customs port where your vehicle will be entered.

Safety

For information on Federal safety requirements contact:

U.S. Department of Transportation
400 7th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20590
(202) 366-5291

Gas Guzzler Tax

A "Gas Guzzler Tax" may need to be paid on your vehicle. These taxes range from $500 to $3,850 per vehicle. For more information, contact:

Internal Revenue Service
Excise Tax Program
1111 Constitution Avenue, N.W.
SE:S:SP:Ex, Room 2016
Washington, DC 20224
(202) 622-3143

State Requirements

1. California Emission Requirements

The State of California has its own program for regulating the importation of nonconforming vehicles that are sold, registered, or operated in California. If you are a resident of, principally drive your car in, register or intend to sell vehicles in the State of California, you will need to comply with California's emission requirements in addition to the Federal emission requirements. For more information on California's requirements, contact:

State of California
Air Resources Board
Mobile Source Control Division
9528 Telstar Avenue
El Monte, CA 91731
1-800-242-4450

2. Proof of Federal Emission Compliance

Many State Department of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) require documentation indicating that Federal emission requirements have been met and proof of ownership before registration and/or titling of the vehicle will be permitted. EPA has indicated to representatives of State DMVs that the following documentation would be sufficient in order to show that a vehicle being imported under the EPA imports program meets Federal emission requirements:

a copy of the EPA Form 3520-1 submitted to Customs, and
for vehicles entered by ICIs, a verification letter from EPA which states that all applicable emission requirements have been met. To obtain such a letter, call (734) 214-41000.
for vehicles granted prior approval or exemption, a copy of the EPA letter of Prior Approval or exemption.

3. Proof of Gas Guzzler Payment

Some states may require proof of payment of the gas guzzler tax, if applicable to your vehicle (for more information on this tax, see section "Gas Guzzler Tax").

4. Inspection/Maintenance Requirements

Your state may operate an Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) program which is designed to satisfy the state's requirement for reducing excess emissions caused by vehicles that are not properly tuned or are in need of repair. Because I/M programs are customized to the needs or each local area, you should contact your local I/M office for more information on its requirements. A state test is not the same as a Federal test, and EPA will not accept state test results to satisfy Federal requirements (see "Emissions Testing" paragraph of Introduction section ).

HOW TO FIND THE VEHICLE EMISSIONS LABEL

VEHICLE EMISSIONS LABEL

The EPA vehicle emissions label is entitled "Vehicle Emission Control Information" and will contain the name and trademark of the manufacturer and an unconditional statement of compliance with EPA emission regulations.

AUTOMOTIVE AND LIGHT TRUCKS

1. 1971 and later conforming vehicles will have a label in the engine compartment.

2. 1968-1970 conforming motor vehicles will have a label on the doorpost indicating compliance with Federal motor vehicle safety standards. These vehicles may have an emissions compliance label in the engine compartment containing a statement that the vehicle complies with Health Education and Welfare Department (HEW) emission requirements.

3. 1967 and earlier motor vehicles are excluded from meeting U.S. emission requirements and will not have a compliance label.

MOTORCYCLES

1978 and later motorcycles will have an EPA emissions label on the frame.

HEAVY DUTY VEHICLES AND ENGINES

Heavy-duty vehicles or engines will have an EPA emissions label on the block of the engine.

emission label

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have any additional questions that are not answered by this Automotive Imports Facts Manual, you may contact the Imports Program at:

Telephone: (734) 214-4100,
8:30am-4:30pm Eastern U.S. time, Monday-Friday
Fax: (734) 214-4676, 24 hours every day

Mail or courier delivery at:
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Imports Program
2565 Plymouth Road
Ann Arbor, MI 48105

When calling EPA concerning a particular vehicle, please have ready the make, model, model year and vehicle identification number (VIN) of your vehicle (from the registration card) and, if it has already been imported, the importer of record, the port of entry, date of entry and entry number (from the EPA form 3520-1, which you can only get from the port of entry and which you should keep a copy for your records). When writing or faxing to EPA, include this information, plus a telephone number (with area code) where you can be reached during the day.

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