Vehicle Imports

• The first step is to arrange shipping and customs clearance with a freight forwarder and a U.S. Customs Broker. We are happy to provide recommendations on freight forwarder and customs brokers. Feel free to contact our office for information regarding freight forwarders and customs brokers.
• After the car arrives at our facility, we will do all of the necessary modifications to bring it into conformity with DOT and EPA regulations. This generally takes an average of 90-120 days. If the car is not equipped correctly or is in poor condition, there could be additional charges and additional time for your car to be released for DOT and EPA.
• We require a deposit of the base price plus agency fees with execution of the contract and the balance will be due upon receipt of parts for the vehicle or as billed to us by each supplier. The final payment must be in the form of a wire, ACH, or cashier’s check, personal checks will not be accepted for final payment.
• You will also need to furnish us a copy of your liability insurance and physical damage insurance for the car along with the deposit.
• We require all customs charges paid in full before we will take possession of the vehicle.
• After the conversion, we will put together a licensing package that will help you to get your tags and title in whichever state you choose except California. If the car needs to be certified in California please contact our office for additional information and requirements.
• If you have any further questions please call or email.

U.S Customs

Fees

• 2.5% duty and 1% Customs bond (or $450 whichever is greater) based on the declared value of the vehicle will be paid upon entry into the U.S.
• 1% U.S. DOT bond (or $600 whichever is greater) based on the declared value of the vehicle will be paid upon entry into the U.S. Unless the vehicle is a petition car, then the U.S. DOT bond will be purchased after the petition has passed. The U.S. DOT bond will be equal to 150% of the vehicles value.
• 1% U.S. EPA processing fee (or $750 whichever is greater) based on the declared value of the vehicle will be paid upon entry into the U.S.
• Value may be determined using Kelly Blue Book www.kbb.com or Edmunds www.edmunds.com to find out the value of your vehicle.

Freight Forwarder and U.S. Customs Broker

• Please provide the location of your vehicle and the closest airport or port so we can assist with details.
• Please consign all cars to yourself car of the Customs Broker that you decide to use so that they will be advised when your car arrives. Also ship the vehicle express release (non-negotiable seaway bill).
• Wallenius Lines and Transcar have a number of drop-off centers in addition to offices in most major ports, or in some cases they can pick up your car.

Documentation- A contract will be sent to you upon receipt of the information below.

• Copy of title/registration document
• Copy of bill of sale or proforma invoice (download here)
• Copy of non conforming document (download here)
• Copy of power of attorney
• Copy of bill of lading or seaway bill (shipping document)
• Copy of driver’s license/passport
• Copy of insurance for both sea and USA

Please make sure your shipper files an ISF form with US Customs 24 hours prior to shipping the vehicle to the USA and provide us with the confirmation number. Fines can be in excess of $5,000 for not filing the ISF.

For more information, visit U.S. Custom’s importing page http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml

U.S. DOT

• When looking to import a car or motorcycle, you will need to look at the NHTSA List of Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ to see if the car is eligible for import. If the car is not on the list, then we would need to petition the car for eligibility.
• If a car is right hand drive and not on the eligibility list for the right hand drive car model, then crash testing would be required.
• In an effort to lower the cost of conversion, clients have the possibility to obtain a letter of conformity from the manufacturer stating whether or not it complies with DOT standards. When importing a car from Canada, the manufacturer’s letter is extremely vital and saves the client a large sum of money.
• The modifications for DOT concern the safety aspects of the car or motorcycle. Some of the changes to your car should be the headlights, taillights, side marker light assemblies, high mounted 3rd brake light, bumper reinforcements, door reinforcement beams, a rollover fuel-spill prevention valve, seatbelt warning system, speedometer and certifications labels.
• If your car was manufactured on or after September 1, 1989 (1990 model) then it must have driver’s side passive restraint (airbags) and if it was manufactured on or after September 1, 1993 (1994 model) then it must have driver’s and passenger’s passive restraints (airbags).
• After the modifications are finished, we will submit a report to DOT and they clear the car or motorcycle 30 business days later.
• In order to get a quote for your car or motorcycle, please call or email us.
• If your car is 25 years or older, the car is exempt from DOT and EPA standards and you would only need a customs broker to clear the vehicle through customs.

For more information regarding the NHTSA vehicle importation and certification requirements, please visit NHTSA’s website http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/.

U.S. EPA

• The modifications for EPA pertain to the emission control system in the car.
• In an effort to lower the cost of conversion, clients have the possibility to obtain a letter of conformity from the manufacturer stating whether or not it complies with EPA standards. When importing a car from Canada, the manufacturer’s letter is extremely vital and saves the client a large sum of money.
• If the car was manufactured after January 1, 1996, then it must have OBD2 (On Board Diagnostics 2).
• First, if so equipped, we certify the existing catalytic converter and test its efficiency. Then check the oxygen sensor, change the evaporative canister and purge system, check the fuel control computer, change the filler neck and do a federal emissions test to the car.
• If the car is not emissions equipped, we replace all non-conforming parts with U.S. parts and there will be substantial extra charges and additional time.
• The emissions test, conducted by an independent EPA laboratory, costs $2500, and one test will be included in your estimate.
• You will be charged if the car fails the test so please have a tune up and oil change before the car is shipped.
• After testing is complete, we file a report with EPA and they clear the car 15 business days later.
• In order to get a quote for your car, please call or email us.
• If your car is 21 years or older, the car is exempt from EPA standards but the DOT standards still apply.

Please visit EPA’s importing website http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/index.htm for more information.