Quick Overview of Vehicle Import Requirements

Vehicles 21 Years Old Or Older
U.S. version vehicles and engines
1. What is a U.S. version vehicle?
2. What you should know about exporting a U.S. version vehicle
3. EPA requirements for importing a U.S. version vehicle
  C. (1) For a U.S. version vehicle that has been modified or altered
  C. (2) For all other U.S. version vehicles
Canadian version vehicles and engines
1. For a Canadian vehicle that is identical to a U.S. version
2. For vehicle that is being imported by an Canadian who has obtained immigrant, worker, or student status
3. For vehicle that is inherited by a U.S. resident from a Canadian resident
Other non-U.S. version vehicles and engines
1. What is a non-U.S. version vehicle?
2. Exclusions
  B. (1) For old vehicles manufactured before the EPA regulations
  B. (2) For an engine not installed in a vehicle or chassis
  B. (3) For 2005 or earlier model year off road/recreational vehicles not safe or practical to drive on streets and highways
  B. (4) For a racing vehicle
  B. (5) For a vehicle powered by unregulated fuel
3. Exemptions
  C. (1) For situations of extreme hardship
  C. (2) For vehicles that are identical to U.S. versions
4. Importations by an independent commercial importer (ICI)
Temporary importations = vehicles or engines that are not intended to remain in the U.S.
1. For repair or alteration
2. For display
3. For testing purposes
4. For vehicle imported by diplomats or foreign military members
5. For vehicles imported by non-residents