How to Bring a Car in From Europe

Importing a car from Europe can be complicated. Generally speaking, imports must meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of Transportation and the Environmental Protection Agency. Many foreign models don't and must be modified. Paying for these modifications on top of duties and taxes can become alarmingly expensive, so check the NHTSA's list of conforming cars.

Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• List of DMV requirements
• Shipper's original bill of lading
• Steam Cleaning
• EPA forms

1. Before importing a vehicle, ask your DMV about state-specific requirements, including emissions, temporary plates or special documentation from customs.
2. Make sure your sales contract verifies that the car has been built to U.S. standards. The manufacturer's certification label is attached to the vehicle (near the driver's door).
3. Before exporting your car, steam or thoroughly clean it to remove foreign soil (particularly on tires and the undercarriage). The U.S. Department of Agriculture doesn't want harmful pests sailing over with your car.
4. Show the U.S. Customs Service the shipper's original bill of lading, your bill of sale, foreign registration, and whatever vehicle documents you have, including original certificate of title or a certified copy of the original.
5. Complete the EPA's Form 3520-1 and the DOT's Form HS-7. Vehicles meeting U.S. emission requirements carry a manufacturer's label (in English) certifying this, in the engine compartment.
6. Verify that you need to pay duty on imported, foreign-made vehicles; generally, you do. You may be able to apply your $400 customs exemption (and accompanying family members' exemptions) toward its value. But be prepared: If your car's combined fuel-economy rating is under 22.5 miles per gallon--you might pay a gas-guzzler tax.
7. Get more information from the following sources: Environmental Protection Agency (epa.gov); Department of Transportation Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance NHTSA (nhtsa.gov); U.S. Customs Service (www.customs.ustreas.gov).

What to Look For:

• Complies with state requirements
• Complies with U.S. standards
• Thorough cleaning
• Title and bill of sale showing ownership
• Foreign registration and other vehicle documents
• Completed EPA and DOT forms
• Duty payment

Tips & Warnings

• If you import a passenger vehicle on the condition that it'll be modified, it must be made compliant, or it could be exported or destroyed.
• The U.S. government recommends against using your imported car as a shipping container, since some shippers don't allow it. Otherwise, everything in the car must be declared through customs and you might have to pay duties on the contents.