Vehicle import · Eligibility checker
Can I import this vehicle into the United States?
Answer five questions. You get the likely import route, the HS-7 box and the EPA 3520-1 code to check, and an outline of the duty. Nothing you enter leaves this page.
Five questions
Which route fits my vehicle?
Your result appears here
Answer the five questions. You get the likely route, the HS-7 box and the EPA code to check, and an outline of the duty.
How it decides
Which rules does the checker use?
| Rule | Test | Source |
|---|---|---|
| DOT safety (NHTSA) | 25 years from the date of manufacture. The month counts. | 49 CFR 591.5(i); NHTSA importation FAQs |
| EPA emissions | The year of importation minus the year of manufacture is 21 or more, and the vehicle is in original configuration. | 40 CFR 85.1502 and 85.1511(f); EPA Form 3520-1, code E |
| Section 232 duty | No Section 232 duty on a vehicle manufactured in a year at least 25 years before the year of entry. | HTSUS heading 9903.94.04; CBP Section 232 FAQs |
The labels decide the rest. A vehicle built to U.S. standards has the manufacturer's FMVSS label and an EPA emission label in English. A Canadian-market vehicle has its own NHTSA and EPA routes. Any other vehicle under 25 years old needs a Registered Importer.
The purpose can change the route. A nonresident can bring a vehicle for up to one year. A rare vehicle can come in for show or display with NHTSA permission. U.S. service members get duty relief, but no DOT or EPA exemption. Read about each route on the vehicle import page.
Next step
Can Allied confirm the route for my vehicle?
Yes. Send a photo of the labels, the title or registration and the bill of sale. We confirm the HS-7 box, the EPA code and the duty in a written quote, before the vehicle ships.
For the rates by country, see the vehicle duty rates.
Request: Vehicle import entry (CBP entry, DOT HS-7, EPA 3520-1)
Quote on request
Questions
Eligibility checker: common questions
Why does the checker ask for the month of manufacture?
Because NHTSA counts the 25 years from the date of manufacture. A car built in October 2001 is eligible from October 2026, not from January. The EPA and Section 232 rules count calendar years only.
Where do I find the date of manufacture?
On the manufacturer's certification label, when the vehicle has one. Otherwise use a document such as the first sales invoice or a registration from at least 25 years ago. NHTSA also accepts a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society.
Is the result a ruling?
No. CBP, NHTSA and EPA decide at entry, from the vehicle, its labels and the documents. The checker shows the likely route so you can ask the right questions before you buy or ship.
What if the checker says Registered Importer?
The vehicle can enter only if NHTSA lists the make, model and model year as eligible. A Registered Importer then brings it into conformity under a bond. Many owners wait until the vehicle is 25 years old instead.
Checked your vehicle? Get the exact figures.
Call (908) 291-8001 or email info@alliedchb.com
Last reviewed September 26, 2026. This page explains customs rules in general terms. It is not legal advice. Duty rates and CBP procedures change often, and we confirm the figures for your shipment in writing before you commit.