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Can I import this car to the USA?

Check eligibility under the 25-year rule, EPA, and NHTSA. See the current US car import duty for your car's country of origin, including Section 232 and Section 301. Get a result in 30 seconds.

The US car import process has three gates: the 25-year rule (which exempts vehicles 25+ years old from EPA and NHTSA compliance), US import duties (2.5% base plus Section 232 on modern cars or Section 301 on classics, set by where the car was built), and destination-state DMV requirements. Use the tool below to check your specific car. If you'd rather skip the math, our import specialists handle the entire process through our warehouses in California, Florida, and New Jersey.

 

US car import duty by country of origin

All-in duty rates as of October 29, 2026. Duty follows the country where the car was built, not where it ships from. A Porsche 911 bought in London pays the EU rate; a Jaguar E-Type bought in Hamburg pays the UK rate.

Built inClassic25+ years oldModernunder 25 years
European Union (all 27 member states)10%15%
Japan12.5%15%
South Korea12.5%15%
United Kingdom12.5%10% within the 100,000-car annual quota, 27.5% above it
Switzerland12.5%27.5%
Taiwan10%27.5%
Canada, Mexico12.5%, or free if entered under USMCA. Canadian-built cars of 1,000cc or less pay an extra 50% (Section 338).27.5%; USMCA-qualifying cars pay the 25% only on non-US content
Argentina, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Trinidad and Tobago12.5%27.5%
Algeria, Angola, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Guyana, Hong Kong, Iraq, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, Türkiye, United Arab Emirates, Uruguay, Venezuela, Vietnam15%27.5%
China40%52.5% (electric vehicles 127.5%)
Russia47.5% (22.5% for 1,000 to 1,500cc engines)60%
Belarus10%35%
Cuba, North KoreaImports prohibited under US sanctions
All other countries2.5%27.5%
  • Classic means built in a calendar year at least 25 years before the year of entry, which is 2001 or earlier for 2026 entries. These cars sit outside Section 232 (HTS 9903.94.04) and pay the 2.5% base rate plus the Section 301 layer that took effect July 24, 2026. For the EU, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Switzerland, the 2.5% base is absorbed into a combined 10% or 12.5% rate.
  • Modern cars pay Section 232 instead. Section 301 does not stack on a car that pays Section 232. China adds its existing Section 301 duties; Russia and Belarus pay the column 2 rate in place of 2.5%.
  • Every entry also pays the merchandise processing fee (0.3464%, $31.67 minimum, $614.35 maximum) and, for ocean freight, the harbor maintenance fee (0.125%). Light trucks carry a 25% base rate.

How US car import works

Four steps, end-to-end, from the seller's driveway overseas to yours in the US.

1

Get eligibility + quote

Importing a car to the USA takes four steps: confirm eligibility, collect the car overseas, ship it to a US port, and clear customs.

2

We collect the car overseas

Our agents arrange pickup at origin and clear export documentation through the local customs authority.

3

Container or air to a WCS warehouse

Vehicle arrives in Oakland, Miami, or Newark. Our team unloads, photographs, and prepares the CBP paperwork.

4

Customs clearance and delivery

Documentation cleared, duties paid on your behalf, vehicle trucked to your door anywhere in the US.

US Car Import Law Tracker

Below is a running log of every US regulation, tariff, and state DMV change affecting vehicle importers, with the official source for each.

Last update: Oct 29, 2026
Oct 29, 2026 Country-specific Major · Ban in effect Sep 29, 2026; list change Oct 30, 2026

Canada: big motorcycles banned, 50% duty now reaches microcars

Since Sep 29, Canadian-built motorcycles over 800cc (HTS 8711.50.00) can no longer be imported into the US; before that they paid the 50% Section 338 duty. A Sep 15 change added passenger vehicles with spark-ignition engines of 1,000cc or less (8703.21.01) and golf carts (8703.10.50) to the 50% list, and the duty now stacks on Section 232. A further list change takes effect Oct 30; CBP guidance is pending. USMCA origin gives no relief.
What this means for our customers: A typical Canadian-built classic car (over 1,000cc) still pays 2.5% plus the 10% Section 301 layer, or nothing if entered under USMCA. Microcars of 1,000cc or less pay an extra 50%. A Canadian-built motorcycle over 800cc cannot enter at all, so talk to us before you buy one. Duty follows where the vehicle was built, not where it is parked.
Source: White House fact sheet, Oct 23, 2026 ↗
Oct 14, 2026 Tariffs Major · In effect; applies to entries filed now

Pickups and light trucks: duty now depends on where the truck was built

Pickups and light trucks enter under heading 8704 at a 25% base rate, the 1964 chicken tax, at any age. What stacks on top is set by origin. EU-built trucks pay 25% total: trucks 25 years or older sit outside Section 232 and the EU Section 301 line adds nothing once the base rate is 15% or more, while newer trucks clear under 9903.94.50 at the base rate only. UK-built trucks pay 35% when 25 years or older (25% base plus 10% Section 301) and 50% when newer (25% base plus 25% Section 232). The UK quota rate covers passenger cars only, not pickups or light trucks.

What this means for our customers: Budget 25% on a Mercedes, VW or Fiat pickup from the EU whatever the year. On a UK-built truck the model year moves the duty line: a 1998 Land Rover pickup pays 35%, a 2003 one pays 50%. The 25-year rule still clears DOT and EPA, it does not touch the duty. Confirm the 8704 versus 8703 classification with your customs broker before you bid; a double-cab with rear seats can land either way.
Source: HTSUS heading 8704; 9903.94.50 (EU), 9903.05.81 (UK Section 301), 9903.94.01 (Section 232) ↗
Oct 12, 2026 Tariffs Major · Phase 3 open since Oct 6, 2026; eligibility limited

IEEPA refunds: CAPE Phase 3 opens, but only for trade court plaintiffs for now

CBP opened CAPE Phase 3 on Oct 6 for finally liquidated entries. For now it is limited to importers who are plaintiffs in a pending trade court refund case with an active reliquidation order and who gave CBP their importer of record number by Jul 30. On Oct 8 the court certified a class in Freestyle World v. United States, which could widen access for smaller importers. The government is separately contesting CBP's authority to reliquidate in V.O.S. Selections at the Federal Circuit.
What this means for our customers: If your car entered between Feb 4, 2025 and Feb 24, 2026 and the entry has not liquidated or liquidated recently, the refund runs through Phases 1 and 2 as before. Older, finally liquidated entries may have to wait for the class action. We are tracking every vehicle we cleared; customers who used an outside broker should contact us.
Source: Phillips Lytle: CBP opens Phase 3 of CAPE ↗
Oct 1, 2026 Tariffs Informational · Argued Sep 30; ruling pending; collection continues

Trade court hears the main challenge to the Section 301 tariffs

A three-judge Court of International Trade panel heard argument on Sep 30 in the lead Section 301 case, Burlap and Barrel v. Greer, together with the 25 states' challenge. Plaintiffs argue USTR made no country-specific findings and that duties of this scope belong to Congress. No ruling yet.
What this means for our customers: No change at entry. Budget classic imports at 10% all-in for EU-built cars and 12.5% for UK- and Japan-built cars. If the court strikes the tariffs, duty paid since Jul 24 could become refundable, so keep your entry summaries.
Source: Liberty Justice Center: Burlap and Barrel v. Greer ↗
Sep 25, 2026 Tariffs Informational · Collection continues; no court ruling yet

Section 301 duties hold through fall as court challenges move slowly

Two months in, the Section 301 rates from July 24 are unchanged: no amendments, no country moves, no new exclusions. The Court of International Trade picked Burlap and Barrel v. Greer as the lead case, briefing closed Sep 18, and argument is set for Sep 30. The 25-state suit filed Aug 3 is stayed until that case is decided.
What this means for our customers: Budget classic imports at 10% all-in for EU-built cars and 12.5% for UK- and Japan-built cars. If the court strikes the tariffs, duty paid since Jul 24 could become refundable, so keep your entry summaries.
Source: Liberty Justice Center: Burlap and Barrel v. Greer ↗
Sep 17, 2026 Tariffs Major · CAPE Phase 3 opens Oct 6, 2026

IEEPA refunds: third CAPE phase opens October 6

CBP's CAPE process has accepted $134.7 billion in IEEPA refund claims. Phase 1 (unliquidated and recently liquidated entries) opened Apr 20 and Phase 2 (reconciliation entries) Jun 29. Phase 3, for finally liquidated entries the trade court ordered reliquidated, opens Oct 6.
What this means for our customers: If your car entered between Feb 4, 2025 and Feb 24, 2026 and paid an IEEPA layer, the refund runs through CAPE. We are filing for every vehicle we cleared. Customers who used an outside broker should contact us to coordinate documentation.
Source: GHY: CBP CAPE IEEPA refund progress ↗
Aug 22, 2026 Country-specific Informational · Effective Aug 22, 2026

50% Section 338 duty on Canadian goods leaves most passenger cars out

A 50% additional duty on listed Canadian goods took effect Aug 22 under Section 338, and USMCA origin gives no relief on covered goods. Passenger cars over 1,000cc are not on the list. Motorcycles over 800cc (8711.50) are.
What this means for our customers: Canadian-built classics still pay 2.5% plus the 10% Section 301 layer, or nothing if entered under USMCA. A car built elsewhere and parked in Canada pays the rate for the country where it was built.
Source: White House fact sheet, Jul 2026 ↗
Aug 19, 2026 Tariffs Informational · Litigation pending; collection continues

25 states sue over Section 301 tariffs; court stays their case behind a lead case

Twenty-five state attorneys general filed suit at the Court of International Trade on Aug 3, calling the Section 301 action arbitrary and contrary to law. On Aug 19 the court stayed the states' case while it decides a sample case brought by small importers.
What this means for our customers: No change at entry. CBP keeps collecting Section 301 duties while the cases proceed.
Source: Oregon DOJ federal litigation tracker ↗
Jul 27, 2026 Tariffs Major · Effective Jul 24, 2026, 12:01 a.m. EDT

Section 301 duties take effect as Section 122 expires; rates now vary by origin

USTR's final Section 301 action took effect Jul 24, the same day the Section 122 surcharge expired. The UK and 16 other partners now pay an additional 10% stacked on existing duty rates. The EU and Taiwan pay the higher of 10% or the existing rate; Japan, South Korea and Switzerland pay the higher of 12.5%. Goods covered by Section 232, which includes most modern passenger vehicles, and USMCA-qualifying goods are exempt. Unlike Section 122, this action has no expiration date.
What this means for our customers: Classic cars over 25 years old sit outside Section 232, so the new layer reaches them. At the 2.5% passenger-car base rate, the all-in duty at entry works out to 10% on EU classics and 12.5% on UK and Japanese classics. Origin now changes the duty line, so have your customs broker confirm the exact figure for your HS code before you buy.
Source: USTR press release, Jul 23, 2026 ↗
Jul 27, 2026 Tariffs Major · Entry required before Jul 28, 2026, 12:01 a.m. ET

CBP confirms in-transit exception for cargo that sailed before July 24

CBP guidance confirms that goods loaded onto a vessel and in transit on the final leg before 12:01 a.m. ET on Jul 24 are exempt from the new Section 301 duties, provided they are entered for consumption before 12:01 a.m. ET on Jul 28 (HTSUS heading 9903.05.85).
What this means for our customers: If your car sailed before Jul 24, it can still clear under the old schedule, but only if the entry is filed before the Jul 28 cutoff. Have your broker check the entry date against the bill of lading today; after the window closes, the new Section 301 rates apply.
Source: CBP CSMS #69326983 ↗
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US Car Import FAQ

The questions importers ask us most often, organized by topic.

25-Year Rule & Show-or-Display

What is the 25-year import rule, and how is it calculated?
A vehicle becomes exempt from EPA and NHTSA compliance 25 years after the date of its manufacture (not the model year). We calculate eligibility by production month, since some 2001 cars built in late 2000 enter the window earlier than others.
Which 1999, 2000 and 2001 cars are now eligible?
Anything with a build date prior to 25 years before today's date. For 2026 entries, that covers most of model year 2001 and earlier. Use the tool above to confirm a specific car.
What is "show or display" and which vehicles qualify?
A NHTSA exemption for vehicles of technological or historical significance. The car must be on the official list, used fewer than 2,500 miles per year, and may not require US emissions compliance separately.
Can I import a Skyline GT-R R34 to the US?
Yes. R34 GT-Rs built in 2000 or earlier are now admissible under the 25-year rule. Specific build months from 2001 are entering the window throughout 2026.

Duties, Tariffs & Current Law

What is the current US import duty on a passenger car?
The base HTS rate is 2.5% for passenger cars and 25% for light trucks. EU-built pickups and light trucks stop at 25% at any age; UK-built ones pay 35% when 25 years or older and 50% when newer. Cars under 25 years old add Section 232: 15% all-in from the EU, Japan and South Korea, 10% from the UK within its quota, and 27.5% from most other origins. Cars 25 years or older skip Section 232 but, since July 24, 2026, pay Section 301 by country of origin: 10% all-in for EU classics, 12.5% for UK and Japanese classics. The duty table above lists every origin, and the tool calculates your total.
How do Section 232 tariffs apply to my import?
Section 232 covers passenger vehicles and light trucks. CBP exempts used vehicles manufactured in a calendar year at least 25 years before the year of entry, so for 2026 entries anything built in 2001 or earlier clears under HTS 9903.94.04. Section 301 does not stack on a car that pays Section 232. Check the tracker above for the latest changes.
Does the duty depend on where I buy the car?
No. Duty follows country of origin, which for a car is where it was built. A $110,000 Porsche 911 (993) bought in London is German-built and pays the EU rate: $11,000. A $150,000 Jaguar E-Type bought in Hamburg pays the UK rate: $18,750.
Am I eligible for an IEEPA tariff refund?
Possibly. IEEPA duties paid on entries between Feb 4, 2025 and Feb 24, 2026 are being refunded through CBP's CAPE process. Unliquidated and recently liquidated entries are already being paid. A third phase for older, finally liquidated entries opened Oct 6, 2026, but for now only for importers who are plaintiffs in a trade court refund case; a class action certified Oct 8 may open it more widely. We file for every vehicle we cleared. If you used an outside broker, contact us to coordinate the documentation.
What happened to the 10% Section 122 surcharge?
It expired July 24, 2026. Refunds on entries from Feb 24 to July 23 depend on the government's appeal in Oregon v. United States, still in briefing at the Federal Circuit. We log every affected entry we clear.
How is duty calculated: purchase price or appraised value?
Duty is calculated on the transaction value: the price actually paid, plus certain assists. CBP can challenge under-valuation, so the invoice should reflect the genuine purchase amount.

EPA, NHTSA & DOT Compliance

Does my car need EPA and NHTSA compliance to be imported?
If the vehicle is under 25 years old, yes. Either it was originally certified for the US market, or it must be converted by a Registered Importer (RI) for NHTSA and an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) for EPA. Vehicles 25+ years old are exempt from both.
What is an HS-7 / EPA 3520-1 form?
HS-7 is the NHTSA declaration filed with CBP at entry; EPA 3520-1 is the equivalent for emissions. We file both on your behalf as part of every import we clear.
Can a non-compliant car ever be imported?
Yes, under specific paths: 25-year rule, show-or-display, racing-use-only, or RI/ICI conversion. Each path has its own documentation. The tool above will tell you which applies to your car.

Documentation & Paperwork

What documents do I need from the seller overseas?
Original title or registration, bill of sale, and the export declaration from the origin country. For 25-year cars, we also need clear photos of the VIN plate and build date.
How do you handle the title transfer at the destination DMV?
We deliver the CBP 7501 entry summary, HS-7, EPA 3520-1, and the foreign title or its translation. Most state DMVs accept this package directly; some require a separate VIN inspection.
What if the car has no title in the origin country?
Some European countries issue a registration document rather than a title; both are accepted. For cars without any documentation, we can guide you through a state-by-state titling process. Vermont and Maine are common paths.

Shipping Logistics

Ocean vs. air: which makes sense for my car?
Ocean is the default: 30–35 days door-to-door from most European ports, $1,500–$3,500 for container consolidation. Air freight runs 7–14 days but documentation clearance can extend that. Air typically makes sense only for time-critical event vehicles.
How long does shipping take from Germany, the UK, or Japan?
Hamburg to Newark: about 28 days transit. Felixstowe to Oakland: about 35 days. Yokohama to Oakland: about 18 days. Add 7–14 days for documentation clearance and inland delivery.
Can I ship parts with the car?
Yes. Loose parts can be loaded inside the vehicle or alongside it in a consolidated container. They must appear on the packing list with their own HTS classification.
What happens if the car is damaged in transit?
Every vehicle is photographed at origin and at our US warehouse. Damage claims are filed against the carrier and, where applicable, the cargo damage protection policy. We handle the claim on your behalf.