How to Export Vehicles from Japan and Convert Them to American Specifications

Cars sent from Japan must meet U.S. customs requirements

Vehicles exported from Japan to the United States must meet US standards for emissions and safety. It is highly unlikely the Japanese car will meet all the standards. Some changes to the car will probably be needed before exporting it. Without the appropriate changes, the car will be destroyed by US customs officials or sent back to Japan.



Follow these guidelines set by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and you will have no problem getting your car from Japan on through customs in the United States.

Instructions

1. Find a shipping professional in Japan. He will help you with all the shipping documents on the Japanese side. You are responsible to set up the shipping of your car from Japan to the United States. Ask the shipping company to tell you the date of arrival so you can inform U.S. customs.

2. File Form HS-7 at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's website. This form confirms that the car complies with U.S. safety, bumper, and theft-prevention standards.

   The car will be considered a "nonconforming vehicle" unless it has the manufacturer certification label near the driver's side door. You can still import the car if it does not have the label, but it must be eligible for importation to the U.S.

3. Read the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's list of non-conforming vehicles that are eligible for importation and see if your car is on the list. The list is long and includes every car U.S. customs considers to be a "conforming vehicle." If your car is not on the list you will have to undergo a lengthy and expensive process.

4. File EPA Form 3520-1, which deals with U.S. emissions standards. Note that some states require you to pay any federal taxes owed before approving the emissions standards.

   Vehicles that do not meet EPA requirements will have to be imported by an independent commercial importer (ICI) and then must be changed to meet EPA standards before being driven in the U.S. Some ICIs charge high fees for their services. Compare several ICIs in the United States to find a reasonable price.

5. Gather all your documentation for U.S. customs inspection. Relevant documents include the bill of sale, foreign registration and the U.S. government forms including the HS-7 and EPA 3520-1.

6. Clean the undercarriage of your car before shipment. The U.S. Department of Agriculture will not allow importation of a vehicle with any foreign soil on the undercarriage.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not put personal items in the car when shipping it to the US. This can cause major problems with customs because every item must be declared. Customs may send the car back to Japan.

• Some cars will be charged a federal tax if they fall under the gas guzzler tax in Section 4064 of the Internal Revenue Service's tax code. Your car will be exempt from this tax if it gets at least 22.5 miles per gallon.

References

• HS-7 Form
• NHTSA: List of Nonconforming Motor Vehicles That Are Eligible For Exportation
• EPA Form 3520-1
• CBP: Importing a Motor Vehicle
• EPA Certification and Compliance Division, Imports

Resources

• NHTSA: Importation and Certification FAQ's Directory