The Smooth Way to Import Cars to the U.S. Using Trusted Transport Services
The Toyota Aristo from Japan or the Alfa Romeo 156 in Europe are beautifully made vehicles that plenty of U.S.-based consumers wish to own. Finding cars across the pond or all the way on the other side of the globe is a fun experience, especially if you have different tastes than what your local dealership has to offer.
The problem isn’t finding the right car. It’s getting a reliable auto transport company to safely ship your vehicle from one country to another. The logistics of pickup and delivery become particularly challenging when dealing with oceans, customs, and border control across multiple countries. To help ensure you get your vehicle, no matter its origin, here is a quick overview of what to expect.
What Cars Are Eligible for Import into the United States?
The right trusted car movers will start a conversation about shipping based on the type of car you are buying. Importing a vehicle into the USA is regulated by the NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Both agencies have a few rules you’ll need to follow.
For starters, your car must be under 25 years of age and without any modifications to the original engine. It must comply with FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards). There are some exceptions to the rule, but that is your basic framework. Before you can do any of that, you’ll need a copy of all the paperwork, including (but certainly not limited to):
- Bill of Sale
- Original Vehicle Title (from country of origin)
- New Vehicle Title
- New Vehicle Plates
- Bill of Lading (from transparent carriers)
- NHTSA Form HS-7
- EPA Form 3520-1
- CBP Form 7501
You may also need to provide insurance upon receipt of the vehicle. Always check your local regulations before shipping. For example, Maine doesn’t allow particular smaller Japanese trucks that many people wish to purchase. You don’t want your imported car stuck in a warehouse for years while you iron out paperwork or a miscommunication.
There are exceptions like show cars, military vehicles, and diplomatic imports. It all comes down to the paperwork.
Preparing for Your Foreign Import
Cross-country car shipping means moving from one country to another (like the U.S.). You can bet there will be fees as you move through this process. Everything from international shipping charges to U.S. Customs duties is required to be paid in full before the vehicle is released to your custody.
You’ll likely also find bond fees (if it is older than 25 years), brokerage/handling fees, insurance, state registration, and any inspections.
It basically comes down to when that vehicle reaches a U.S. port. That is when all fees are finally due unless you’ve arranged for some separate storage. Good transport carriers will offer shipping insurance and provide a delivery timeframe to work around these issues.
Even on the low end, you can expect to pay well over $1,000 for an auto transport company and all associated fees. On the high end, it will be in the $5,000 range. Shoot for $3,500 and start shopping around for the best domestic and international transport available.
Choosing the Right Transport Company for Your Vehicle’s Safety
The first thing to check when choosing a top-rated auto transport company is whether they ship nationally (domestically) or internationally (foreign). You don’t want to work with a company where you are the “guinea pig” to test out a new service offering.
You can work with “hybrid” auto transport companies that do international shipping and then partner with a domestic transport carrier. Either way, you want to double-check reputation, available options (open, enclosed, sea, air, rail, etc.), certifications, and licensing like a DOT number, shipping insurance, and excellent customer service that offers real-time tracking or direct updates from the driver.
When selecting a top-rated auto transport company, it’s important to know whether they operate domestically or internationally. Some specialize exclusively in domestic vehicle transport and does not provide international shipping services.
If you need to ship a vehicle internationally, you can work with an international carrier or freight forwarder to handle the overseas leg, and then arrange for domestic auto transport company to manage the domestic transport once the vehicle reaches the destination country. They should offer door-to-door shipping and handle most of the paperwork, or at least provide directions on how to fill out any necessary documentation.
Registration, Modifications & Import Requirements
A “tricked out” Ducati bike in Russia is not going to make it through customs in the USA. Getting your vehicle approved for import requires confirmation of numerous regulatory requirements. You want a new car in your driveway, not a contribution to the local scrap yard.
You simply cannot skimp on the regulations. All vehicle modifications need to be documented or listed as a specialty vehicle not needing such requirements (usually a Registered Importer or Independent Commercial Importer).
Each state has its own rules. California requires strict emissions standards that can throw a wrench in your shipping. Be sure to run the make, model, year, and engine size by your local DOT or DMV to ensure you won’t have issues. The same rule applies if the car lands in New York City, but has to then move from state to state.
The Nitty Gritty: Don’t Miss These Crucial Import Rules
The U.S. has some strange rules and higher inspection requirements than other countries. If you want a simplified pickup and delivery process, you’ll need to consider issues like:
Cleaning the Undercarriage
U.S. Customs is worried about soil, plants, seeds, insects, or other pest mammals getting up and into your vehicle. Always have the car cleaned, especially around the undercarriage, so nothing is hiding there during an inspection.
Empty the Car
Your vehicle is not a shipping container. No matter how much you might want to stuff all the gifts from recent shopping experiences, the vehicle must be completely clean and clear before working with an auto transport company. Anything left in the car will be subject to fines, delays, and seizures. Not to mention, if U.S. Customs thinks there is an issue, they have the legal authority to tear a car apart for double-checking.
Expect an Inspection
Your car will likely be inspected. This can range from a brief once-over using digital solutions at a distance to a full-scale, part-by-part inspection. The best car shipping services will have a folder with all the inspection paperwork easily organized, like:
- Original title and bill of sale
- Bill of lading
- HS-7 and EPA Form 3520-1
- CBP Form 7501
- Valid ID and foreign deregistration documents
- Any modification certificates (if required)
You can work through most of this paperwork online before the inspection. If you cannot be at the port of call when your vehicle arrives, you’ll want a “stand-in” with proper experience to fulfill your role. That is why a cross-country car shipping professional is so important.
Prepare for Safety Standards
Cars in the United States have to meet strict safety standards for bumpers, lighting, and theft prevention. Any modification or lack of such equipment is a big red flag. That includes items like a steering wheel on the wrong side or not having an airbag where it is required.
The good news is that most research suggests EU cars are just as safe, if not safer, than USA-made vehicles. The same is true for Japan and some Chinese-made cars. As long as you’re avoiding anything older than 25 years, you should be okay for importing using good car shipping companies.
Final Tips to Make Your Import a Success
Once you’ve selected a car and a shipping company, all that is left is securing a flexible delivery time window and choosing open vehicle carriers or enclosed auto transport options. Ensure that there are various options available for international logistics connecting to domestic transport.
Some people prefer a combination of choices. A typical pathway might include enclosed shipping for sea transport that then delivers to a U.S. truck for open-air transport, all while being actively tracked in real time with different phone numbers or email contacts for the driver or dispatcher. That way, you know where your car is at all times.
The best car shipping company will offer a transparent quote or estimate that includes all the details like price, delivery timeframe, addresses, and anything else you need to ensure complete peace of mind.
Vehicle Relocation Without Stress
Importing a new or used car into the U.S. takes work. There are many logistical challenges that only a qualified, experienced, and licensed car transport provider can solve. Take your time to get to know your provider so the cross-country shipping happens smoothly with as few delays as possible.
Be sure to keep copies of all paperwork. The odds are that your friends and family will want to learn from your experience if they also choose to ship a foreign-made vehicle into the United States in the future.
