The United States welcomes tourists from around the world and invites visitors to bring their personal vehicles to enjoy during their stay. Whether you're planning an extended vacation, temporary work assignment, or educational program, importing your car under the tourist procedure allows you to explore America with the comfort and convenience of your own vehicle.
The US government recognizes that international visitors often prefer the familiarity and reliability of their own vehicles during extended stays. The tourist vehicle importation process is specifically designed to accommodate this need while ensuring compliance with American safety and environmental standards.
To import a vehicle into the US as a tourist, you must fulfill the requirements of three key federal agencies:
US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) - for entry and duty exemptions
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - for emissions compliance
Department of Transportation (DOT) - for safety standards
You will be granted a stay of up to one year maximum to enjoy your vehicle in the United States. However, it is critically important to note that your vehicle must be exported before this period expires, as violation of this requirement can lead to substantial fines and seizure by US Customs.
For smooth customs clearance, it's essential to work with a reputable customs broker who specializes in temporary vehicle imports. Your broker will handle the temporary filing process to avoid any issues with your entry.
Key customs requirements include:
Temporary import filing under nonresident exemption
Duty-free status when coordinating vehicle arrival with your entry
Proper documentation including bill of lading and foreign registration
Export guarantee ensuring vehicle departure within one year
The duty exemption for a nonresident's vehicle is claimed on CBP Form 3299 (declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles), and it depends on the car arriving at about the same time you do. Ship so that the vessel lands within a few weeks of your own entry, not months before it. The documents the broker needs at the port: the 3299, DOT HS-7, a copy of your passport, a copy of the foreign registration or title, a power of attorney for the clearing agent, and the bill of lading.
If your vehicle is newer than 21 years old, you must apply for a special exclusion to receive a tourist exemption from EPA. This process typically takes 2-3 weeks to receive approval, so advance planning is essential.
The EPA application process involves:
Nonresident temporary importation request submitted in writing
Comprehensive documentation including vehicle details and visit purpose
Compliance memorandum that must be signed and returned to EPA
Final approval letter required before customs clearance
When completing EPA Form 3520-1 at the border, use box CODE O to indicate temporary importation status. This designation alerts customs officials that your vehicle has EPA approval for tourist use.
DOT filing is the most straightforward part of the process and is typically handled by your customs broker. The process involves:
Form HS-7 completion declaring safety compliance intentions
Box 5 designation marking the vehicle as intended for tourism
Temporary exemption from full DOT safety modifications
Unlike permanent imports that require extensive safety modifications, tourist vehicles receive temporary exemptions provided they're used solely for personal transportation and exported within the one-year limit.
Submit your EPA nonresident temporary importation request including:
Personal information and US contact details
Vehicle specifications and ownership proof
Visit purpose and duration
Signed privacy consent statement
Work with an experienced international car shipping company to:
Coordinate vehicle collection from your location
Arrange secure container or RoRo transport
Time arrival with your US entry for duty-free treatment
Prepare all shipping documentation
Engage a reputable customs broker who will:
Handle temporary import filing with CBP
Complete EPA Form 3520-1 with CODE O designation
Submit DOT Form HS-7 with tourism designation
Coordinate customs clearance at the port of entry
Upon arrival, ensure:
All forms are properly completed and submitted
EPA approval letter is presented to customs officials
State registration requirements are understood and met
Appropriate insurance coverage is obtained
Two ways to get the car here, and the choice is mostly about how soon you need it. In a container by sea, 14 to 60 days depending on origin; from Europe or the UK to WCS's Newark warehouse, about 26 days at sea. By air freight, 3 to 10 days from collection overseas to your door, at several times the cost, which is the option WCS uses for race cars and event vehicles on a fixed date. Either way the EPA letter has to be in hand before the car is booked, because the broker cannot file the 3520-1 without it.
On arrival WCS's agent handles customs clearance, unloading at the warehouse and delivery, and can refer you to a short-term insurer for a foreign-registered car. The state clock starts on entry: California, for example, gives you 14 days to register, and every state requires insurance before the car is driven.
Below is an updated template incorporating current requirements:
[Your Full Name]
[Your Foreign Address]
[City, Country, Postal Code]
Phone: [Your Phone Number]
Email: [Your Email Address]
Date: [Current Date]
TO: EPA Import Line
Compliance & Innovative Strategies Division
Light Duty Vehicle Programs
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Subject: Request for Nonresident Temporary Importation Approval - Tourist Vehicle
Dear EPA Imports Team,
I am writing to request a nonresident temporary exemption for my personal vehicle during my visit to the United States for [work/school/vacation/tourism] purposes.
Personal Information:
Name: [Your Full Name]
Foreign Address: [Complete Foreign Address]
Foreign Phone: [Your Phone Number]
Email: [Your Email Address]
US Contact Information During Visit:
US Address: [Your US Address During Stay]
US Phone: [US Phone Number]
Duration of Stay: [Start Date] through [End Date]
Vehicle Information:
Year: [VEHICLE YEAR]
Make: [VEHICLE MAKE]
Model: [VEHICLE MODEL]
Vehicle Identification Number: [VIN NUMBER]
Country of Registration: [COUNTRY]
Visit Details:
Reason for visit: [Detailed purpose of visit to United States]
Date of planned importation: [Planned Import Date]
Duration of importation requested: [Duration - maximum 1 year]
Compliance Declaration:
I understand and agree to the following conditions:
The vehicle will not be sold or transferred to another party in the US
The vehicle will be used solely for personal use by myself and immediate family members
The exemption will be voided if used for commercial purposes or primarily by others
I will export the vehicle upon departure from the US or after one year, whichever comes first
This vehicle was not originally manufactured for the US market
Mandatory Consent Statement:
I consent to EPA collecting and storing my name, mailing address, email address, phone number and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
Supporting Documentation Attached:
Copy of vehicle registration/title from country of origin
Copy of passport showing nonresident status
Proof of US address during planned stay
I understand that this approval letter will be required by my customs broker to complete Form 3520-1 using CODE O designation for temporary importation.
Sincerely,
[Your Signature]
[Your Printed Name]
The most serious aspect of tourist vehicle importation is the mandatory export requirement. Failure to export your vehicle before the one-year deadline or upon your departure can result in:
Substantial financial penalties imposed by US Customs
Vehicle seizure by federal authorities
Future visa complications affecting your ability to return to the US
Permanent import duties applied retroactively
Once your vehicle enters the US, you must comply with individual state requirements:
Vehicle registration within state-specified timeframes (often 14-30 days)
Mandatory insurance coverage meeting state minimum requirements
Valid driver's license (international or state-issued)
Emissions testing in some jurisdictions
Your tourist vehicle exemption becomes void if the vehicle is:
Used for any commercial purpose or business activity
Rented or loaned to non-family members
Used primarily by someone other than yourself or your spouse
Operated in ways that generate income
Given the complexity of coordinating three federal agencies plus state requirements, working with experienced professionals is highly recommended:
EPA application review ensuring all requirements are met before submission
Professional shipping coordination with timing optimized for duty-free treatment
Customs broker referrals to specialists in temporary vehicle imports
Documentation preparation reducing the risk of delays or rejections
Timing misalignment between vehicle arrival and personal entry
Incomplete EPA applications causing weeks of additional delays
Improper form completion at the border leading to complications
State compliance oversights resulting in fines or registration issues
No, EPA approval is strictly limited to one year maximum. The vehicle must be exported when you leave the US or after one year, whichever comes first.
The vehicle must be exported when you depart. Some travelers have attempted to leave temporarily while keeping their vehicle in the US, but this violates EPA regulations and risks seizure.
Yes, all foreign-registered vehicles require EPA approval for temporary importation, regardless of their country of origin.
Temporarily, yes; permanently, no. The tourist procedure, a carnet, and a temporary entry for modification or restoration all let a non-conforming car in for up to a year, and all require it to leave. The routes that keep a car under 25 years old in the country are covered in the 25-year rule guide: Show or Display for cars built in runs of 500 or fewer, a Registered Importer conversion, or a factory-built race car.
Yes, immediate family members may operate the vehicle, but it cannot be used primarily by anyone other than yourself or your spouse.
Ready to begin your temporary import? Contact West Coast Shipping's import specialists today for a personalized consultation, including a review of your EPA letter before it goes in, and discover how simple bringing your own car along can be.