Last updated: May 2026. This post has been updated to reflect the latest US rules and regulations.
US Temporary Vehicle Import Regulations
Whether you’re a Canadian snowbird heading south for the winter, a student enrolled at a US school, or planning an extended road trip, you may be wondering what’s involved in temporarily bringing your car into the United States. The good news: for most Canadians, this process involves far less paperwork than you might expect.
At Cross Country Valet, we’ve facilitated numerous temporary vehicle imports to the United States, driving clients’ vehicles across the border on their behalf while they travel separately. If you need your car delivered to your US destination without driving it yourself, our door-to-door driveaway service handles the border crossing for you, including all required documentation. For those considering a snowbird transport arrangement, the process outlined below is exactly what applies.
Here’s everything you need to know about temporarily importing a Canadian vehicle into the US
What Does Temporary Vehicle Importation Mean?
“Temporary” vehicle importation means that you are bringing a car into the US for a limited “Temporary” vehicle importation means bringing a car into the US for a limited time with no intention of permanently registering or titling it there. The rules are governed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Department of Transportation (DOT).
You may be eligible to temporarily import your vehicle if you are:
- A Canadian resident visiting the US for vacation, leisure, or business
- A student attending a US educational institution
- A temporary worker or person on a non-immigrant visa (TN, L-1, H-1B, etc.)
- A foreign diplomat or military personnel stationed in the US
In most of these scenarios, your vehicle may remain in the US for up to 12 months without needing to meet full US compliance standards for safety or emissions. If you intend to keep the vehicle in the US beyond 12 months, you will need to complete a formal permanent import, which is a more involved process covered in our companion post on permanently importing a car to the USA.
Documentation Requirements
When it comes to documentation for a temporary vehicle import, it’s worth distinguishing between what the law technically requires and what you are actually asked for in practice at a land border crossing. These are not always the same thing.
What the Law Requires
Technically, you should be prepared to provide:
- Proof of ownership — your Canadian vehicle registration or bill of sale. If you are leasing the vehicle, the border officer may ask for a letter from the leasing company (the legal owner) authorizing you to bring the car into the US.
- Lienholder permission (if applicable) — if you have an outstanding car loan, your lender technically holds an interest in the vehicle. Some carriers and some border officers will ask for written permission from your lienholder. Check with your lender before crossing, especially for an extended stay.
- Passport and visa (if applicable) — CBP may verify your temporary residency status. Bring all relevant immigration documents (student visa, TN visa, work permit, etc.).
- Form HS-7 (DOT Declaration) — for temporary importation by a nonresident, check Box 5. Note that Box 5 requires your passport number and the country that issued it to be written on the form. NHTSA does not have authority to extend the one-year period once it begins.
- EPA Form 3520-1 — confirms emissions compliance or exemption. For temporary imports, use:
- Code B — if your vehicle has a US EPA emissions label (typically under the hood)
- Code EE — if your vehicle has a Canadian emissions label but not a US one
- If your vehicle has neither label, consult the EPA or a customs broker before crossing
What Actually Happens at the Border
Here’s the honest reality, based on our direct experience facilitating cross-border vehicle moves: for a typical Canadian driving their own vehicle into the U.S. for a stay under one year, it is very unlikely you will be asked to produce Form HS-7 or EPA Form 3520-1 at a land border crossing.
Think about the volume: hundreds of thousands of Canadians cross into the US in their own vehicles every week. Each one of those crossings is technically a temporary vehicle import. CBP officers are not requesting DOT and EPA declarations from every driver.
For most Canadians crossing for a seasonal stay, presenting your passport and answering questions about the purpose and duration of your trip is sufficient to have your vehicle cleared for entry.
When Your Vehicle is Travelling Without You
The situation is meaningfully different when someone else is driving your vehicle across the border on your behalf, as is the case when you use a driveaway service or vehicle shipping company. In this scenario, additional documentation will be required:
- CBP Form 3299 — a declaration form used when a US non-resident is importing personal effects, including a vehicle, separately from their own arrival in the United States.
- Authorization letter — a signed letter from you authorizing the driver or transport company to bring your vehicle into the US without you being present. This should clearly state your name, the vehicle details (make, model, year, VIN), the origin and destination, and the dates of transport.
Any reputable company facilitating cross-border vehicle delivery will be able to assist you with all of this paperwork and manage the CBP process at the port of entry.
Conditions of Temporary Importation
Regardless of how your vehicle crosses the border, the following conditions apply to all temporarily imported vehicles:
- The vehicle must be exported from the US within 12 months of entry. This deadline cannot be extended by NHTSA; it is set by international convention.
- The vehicle may not be sold or otherwise disposed of in the U. while temporarily imported.
- The vehicle must not be used for commercial purposes unless expressly authorized under a specific visa or permit category.
- The vehicle must remain under the control of the person who imported it.
What happens if you overstay? If you fail to export the vehicle within 12 months, it can be seized by CBP for non-payment of duty. There can also be consequences for future US entry. If you realize your stay will extend beyond a year, begin the permanent import process proactively; do not simply let the deadline pass.
Insurance Considerations
Before driving your Canadian-registered vehicle in the U.S. for an extended period, confirm your insurance coverage situation:
- Duration of coverage — many Canadian auto insurers include automatic U.S. coverage, but often only for a limited period, most commonly up to six months. For a full snowbird season (six to eight months), confirm with your insurer that your policy remains in force for the entire stay.
- Extended stays — if your stay exceeds your policy’s automatic US coverage period, you will need a policy extension or a separate US auto insurance policy. US insurers will typically ask for your Canadian vehicle registration and driving record.
- Lender notification — if you have a car loan, your lender’s terms may require you to notify them when the vehicle is taken out of Canada for an extended period. Check your loan agreement.
- Seasonal discounts — if your vehicle will not be driven during part of the year (the Canadian portion of a snowbird’s year), mention this when shopping for US coverage. It may reduce your premium.
State Registration Requirements
While your vehicle is temporarily imported at the federal level, some US states have their own rules that can apply depending on the length and nature of your stay:
- If you are simply visiting — you do not need to register your vehicle in a US state. Your Canadian plates and registration are valid for the duration of a temporary stay.
- If you establish residency — most US states require you to register your vehicle locally once you become a resident, typically triggered at 90 days of continuous residency. If you are working, enrolling children in school, or otherwise establishing ties in the state, you may cross this threshold.
- State-specific quirks — Florida, for example, requires a local address to register a vehicle. If you plan to register eventually, confirm local requirements with the relevant state DMV before you cross.
When in doubt, contact your destination state’s DMV directly before your trip; their requirements vary more than most people expect.
Exiting the U.S. with Your Vehicle
The requirements for exiting are minimal, but the timing matters:
- You must physically export the vehicle (drive it out, or have it transported out) before the 12-month entry anniversary.
- There is no formal exit declaration required at the border when leaving by land; you simply cross back into Canada with your Canadian-registered vehicle.
- If using a transport company for the return trip, additional paperwork may apply for the return journey.
- If you are not traveling back at the same time as your vehicle, ensure your driver or carrier has a current authorization letter dated for the return trip.
In Summary
Temporarily importing a Canadian vehicle into the U.S. is straightforward for most Canadians, particularly those crossing a land border in their own car for a seasonal stay. The paperwork requirements are light in practice. The key rules to keep in mind: stay under 12 months, don’t sell the vehicle, and make sure your insurance covers the full duration of your trip.
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!
Planning to have your vehicle transported to your US winter home this season? Learn more about our snowbird car transport service.
FAQs About Temporary US Vehicle Imports
Do I need to fill out any forms to temporarily bring my car into the US?
Technically yes: Form HS-7 (Box 5) and EPA Form 3520-1 (Code B or EE). In practice, most Canadians driving their own car across a land border for a seasonal stay are not asked for these forms. If someone else is driving your vehicle across, CBP Form 3299 and an authorization letter will be required.
Can I temporarily import a leased vehicle to the US?
Generally yes, but you may be asked for a letter from the leasing company (the vehicle’s legal owner) authorizing the temporary export. Contact your leasing company well before your planned crossing date — some have specific forms or require advance notice.
If I have a car loan, do I need permission from my lender?
Your lender technically has a security interest in the vehicle. While CBP doesn’t always ask, your loan agreement may require you to notify the lender before taking the vehicle out of Canada. Check your terms and obtain written confirmation if required.
Can my car stay in the USA for more than 12 months?
Not under a temporary import. After 12 months, the vehicle must be permanently imported (which involves compliance with U.S. safety and emissions standards and payment of import duties) or exported back to Canada. NHTSA cannot extend the 12-month period — it is fixed by international convention.
What if I fly to the US and have my car shipped separately?
This is a common snowbird arrangement. You’ll need to provide your transport company with an authorization letter and be prepared to complete CBP Form 3299. The transport company will handle the commercial filing and present documentation to CBP at the port of entry on your behalf. See our Canada-USA car transport page for more on how this works.
Do I need US insurance before I cross?
Your Canadian auto insurance typically extends to the US for a period, but confirm with your insurer how long that coverage lasts and whether it’s sufficient for your entire stay. For stays longer than six months, many Canadians obtain supplemental US coverage.