What is Required to Temporarily Import a Car to the USA?

U.S. Temporary Vehicle Import Regulations

Whether you’re a Canadian snowbird heading south for the winter, a student enrolled in a U.S. school, or just planning an extended road trip, you may be wondering what’s involved in temporarily importing your car into the United States. Thankfully, the U.S. makes allowances for temporary vehicle imports without too much red tape involved but there are still several regulations and requirements to be aware of before you cross the border.

Here’s everything you need to know to make the process smooth and compliant.

What Does Temporary Vehicle Importation Mean?

“Temporary” vehicle importation means that you are bringing a car into the U.S. for a limited period of time without the intention of permanently registering or titling it in the country. The rules for temporary importation are governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT).

There are different categories under which you can temporarily import a car, and each has its own documentation and eligibility requirements.

You may be eligible to temporarily import your vehicle if:

• You are a Canadian resident visiting the U.S. for vacation or business.
• You are a student attending a U.S. educational institution.
• You are a temporary worker or a person on a non-immigrant visa.
• You are a foreign diplomat or military personnel stationed in the U.S.

In most of these scenarios, your vehicle may be allowed to stay in the U.S. for up to 12 months without needing to meet full U.S. compliance standards. If you are planning on keeping your vehicle in the United States for longer than 12 months, you will need to arrange for a Formal Entry (i.e., a permanent import) of the vehicle, which involves additional steps and import fees.

Documentation Requirements

When discussing documentation requirements for temporarily importing a vehicle to the United States, we need to distinguish between what documentation is required according to the letter of the law, and what documentation you are typically asked to provide in practice.

In theory, you should be prepared to provide:

1. Proof of Ownership: This can be your Canadian vehicle registration or a bill of sale showing you legally own the car. If you are leasing the vehicle, the border guard could ask for a letter from the leasing company (i.e., the legal owner of the vehicle) giving you permission to bring the car into the country.
2. Passport and Visa (if applicable): CBP may ask to verify your temporary residency status, so bring all relevant immigration documents (e.g., student visa or temporary work visa).
3. Form HS-7 (DOT Declaration): Form HS-7 declares the vehicle’s eligibility to be driven on American roads under U.S. safety standards. For temporary importation, you would typically check Box 5 (nonresident, conformity not required for temporary import).
4. Form 3520-1 (EPA Declaration): Form 3520-1 is used to confirm that the vehicle complies with U.S. emissions regulations or qualifies for an exemption due to temporary use. Typically, you would select either Code B if your vehicle has a U.S. EPA emission control label or Code EE if it has a Canadian emission control label.

In practice, based on our experience, it is highly unlikely you will be asked to produce either Form HS-7 or Form 3520-1 for a temporary vehicle import at a U.S. land border crossing. Cross Country Valet has facilitated numerous temporary vehicle imports over the years, and we have not once been asked to produce either of these two forms. Similarly, we have never been asked to produce a letter of permission for bringing a leased vehicle into the United States.

Think about it: Over 200,000 Canadians cross the U.S. border in a vehicle every day, on average. Each one of these border crossings constitutes a temporary vehicle import. Do you think the border guards are asking all of these people for DOT and EPA forms?

For most Canadians who are driving their vehicle into the U.S. for a period of less than a year, simply providing your passport and stating the purpose and duration of your travel will suffice to clear your vehicle for U.S. entry.

That being said, if you have arranged for someone else to drive your car to the U.S. on your behalf, additional paperwork will likely be required. This paperwork includes:

1. CBP Form 3299: This declaration form is used when U.S. non-residents are importing personal effects, including a vehicle, separately from their own arrival into the United States.
2. Authorization Letter: CBP will want to see a letter of authorization signed by you, giving permission to whomever is bringing your vehicle into the United States without your presence.

Any reputable company that is helping to deliver your vehicle to the United States should be able to assist you with this paperwork.

Other Considerations

Safety and Environmental Concerns

Normally, vehicles imported permanently must meet U.S. DOT and EPA regulations demonstrating that they are mechanically and environmentally sound (hence the existence of DOT Form HS-7 and EPA Form 3520-1). However, for temporary imports, vehicles are often exempt from these rules if the stay is under 12 months and the car is not sold or otherwise disposed of in the U.S.

That said, your vehicle must:

• Be removed from the U.S. within 12 months (no extensions allowed).
• Not be used for commercial purposes (unless expressly authorized).
• Remain under the control of the person who imported it.

Insurance Considerations

Another thing to be aware of when driving a temporarily imported car in the U.S. is your insurance policy. Many Canadian auto insurance providers include U.S. coverage automatically for a certain duration (e.g., six months), but longer stays may require additional documentation or policy extensions.

You may also want to carry supplemental liability or travel insurance, depending on your activities.

State Laws and Local Registration

Even though your car is temporarily imported, some U.S. states may still require you to register the vehicle if you remain for an extended time, especially if you take up residence or employment. This is more of a state-level issue than a federal importation one.

If you’re just visiting, however, you generally don’t need to worry about registering your car in a U.S. state.

Exiting the U.S. with Your Vehicle

Before the 12-month period expires, you must export the vehicle by driving it back to Canada or otherwise removing it from U.S. soil. Failing to do so can result in fines and penalties, as well as difficulty re-entering the U.S. in the future.

In Summary

Temporarily importing a car into the U.S. is fairly straightforward for Canadians, especially if you’re just visiting or staying for a limited time. However, being prepared with the right documents and complying with import and export deadlines is essential to avoid legal or financial trouble. If you need additional guidance, don’t be afraid to call the border directly to ask about your specific situation — those border guards aren’t as intimidating as you think!