Buying A Canadian Car In The Us May 2026

You must declare the vehicle at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Port of Entry . : DOT Form HS-7 : Declares safety compliance. EPA Form 3520-1 : Declares emissions compliance.

: Look for a certification label in the driver's side door jamb. Canadian cars often have a CMVSS label instead; in this case, you must obtain a Manufacturer’s Letter of Compliance confirming the car meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). buying a canadian car in the us

Importing a Motor Vehicle | U.S. Customs and Border Protection You must declare the vehicle at a U

: Vehicles 25 years or older are exempt from most DOT and EPA requirements, significantly simplifying the process. Customs Process & Documentation EPA Form 3520-1 : Declares emissions compliance

To buy a Canadian car and permanently bring it into the U.S., you must navigate a formal importation process involving federal safety and emissions compliance, customs duties, and state-level registration.