Can I Import a Car From Japan to the USA?

1. How to Import Cars from Japan into the US
2. Standard Import Documentation
3. EPA sticker
4. EPA form 3520-1
5. FMVSS compliance label
6. NHTSA form HS-7
7. Find Your Shipping Terms
8. Calculate Your Import Duties Now
9. Choose Container Shipping
10. To Finish

Are you looking to use a shipping company to import a high-quality Japanese vehicle to the US? Maybe you have your eyes set on a prized Nissan. Or perhaps a new Mitsubishi has caught your attention.

Over the years, Japanese car imports have quickly become an essential element of US auto industries, offering consumers access to high-quality Japanese models at substantially reduced costs compared to domestically made models.

Additionally, specialty cars found exclusively in Japan offer adventurous buyers an exclusive opportunity and mature followers of certain manufacturers or genres the chance to add rare models from overseas to their collections.

How to Import Cars from Japan into the US

When importing vehicles from Japan to the US, certain steps must be followed to fulfill all government regulations before the vehicle can legally enter American soil.

Researching and organizing paperwork are keys to making the car-buying experience as straightforward and hassle-free as possible, making the journey less daunting for those hoping to receive their new ride without legal complications or delays at the border from customs agents.

Below is an outline of all steps required to acquire their desired automobile without legal complications or customs delays.

Standard Import Documentation

Importing a vehicle requires more than simply paperwork for that specific model. Standard import documents also must be filled out and submitted. Although these documents don't change according to type, they remain essential legal necessities during this process.

Commercial invoices, packing lists, entry summaries (US Customs and Border Protection forms 7501), and bills of lading are essential in ensuring international vehicles are imported legally, and all fees and taxes are properly paid upon entry to US territory.

Customs authorities use these documents as detailed records once an entry arrives or enters the US borders.

As paperwork completion is key to smooth import procedures and can help avoid delays at the border, becoming acquainted with all necessary documents before embarking on an international vehicle purchase is vital for both time and cost savings in the long run.

EPA sticker

An EPA vehicle emission label, more commonly called an "EPA sticker," verifies whether vehicles comply with Environmental Protection Agency emission standards in the US.

The sticker contains key details regarding each vehicle's compliance with emissions requirements and provides valuable data to help conduct inspections or regulate emission standards.

This document includes key information like manufacturer details, engine group number, and test group number.

Attaching this label to any vehicle cannot be overemphasized, as it not only displays environmental awareness but also verifies repairs have been carried out according to guidelines established by the Environmental Protection Agency.

All newly manufactured cars must contain an updated EPA emission label by law. If an older car has undergone modifications, its window sticker should also be updated.

Drivers should take great care in inspecting their vehicles regularly. Any sign of exceeding emissions limits set forth by the EPA could spell trouble.

EPA form 3520-1

EPA Form 3520-1 is essential for those striving to ensure that their vehicles conform with Environmental Protection Agency emission control standards.

It contains necessary details regarding each vehicle registered and must be filled out if anyone wishes to register their car with them.

Users must provide comprehensive vehicle details on this form, including its make, model, manufacturing date, and VIN number. This helps verify compliance with current emission control standards and allows inspectors to review vehicles during the inspection.

Form 3520-1 can also serve as evidence of compliance if there were any disputes surrounding an inspection or vehicle registration, making this form an essential piece in ensuring all registered vehicles comply with EPA emissions regulations.

FMVSS compliance label

Confirming compliance with safety regulations, particularly with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), is crucial.

All motor vehicles covered under FMVSS should feature an FMVSS label on their driver-side door to display that they passed all tests and meet requirements for compliance with safety.

This helps ensure vehicles are as safe as possible and protect drivers on the roads.

However, the absence of a label on your car does not imply that it does not fulfill safety regulations.

Vehicles manufactured abroad or for markets outside the US might not need to comply with specific labeling laws like FMVSS labeling requirements in certain regions but still adhere to core safety regulations.

For your peace of mind, if you are uncertain whether your vehicle meets FMVSS compliance, it is wise to consult an accredited expert and seek their opinion before driving an unsafe product.

NHTSA form HS-7

NHTSA Form HS-7 Importers must submit and complete NHTSA Form HS-7 to comply with FMVSS safety standards for vehicles imported into their countries of residence.

Similar to its Environmental Protection Agency counterpart (EPA Form), this document requests basic vehicle data from importers.

This form outlines 13 conditions under which vehicles may either meet or breach FMVSS compliance; further supporting documentation will be necessary if any apply to your imported cars.

Attribute accurate vehicle details when filling out an NHTSA Form HS-7 to allow vehicles to satisfy compliance protocols and regulations mandated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Documentation must be thorough, correct, and comprehensive to pass all required safety tests successfully. Importers should select from 13 listed choices the option with appropriate supporting documents that meet their assessment before importing foreign-made motor vehicles into America.

Find Your Shipping Terms

Understanding which shipping terms to apply when purchasing from foreign suppliers is vital when purchasing vehicles overseas.

They help both parties understand the costs and responsibilities of each transaction, including the financial ramifications and potential liabilities.

At all stages of negotiations, both parties must clearly understand who will take on which aspects of delivery.

Additionally, this will ensure future clarity between buyer and seller regarding who should cover which fees during importation.

Calculate Your Import Duties Now

Calculating import duty payments on vehicles can be an intricate task. To assess this accurately, it's crucial that you first be informed about general rates applicable for different classes. This will indicate the total sum you owe in customs fees and duty payments.

Car import duty rates stand at 2.5% of their value. Meanwhile, trucks face 25%. And motorcycles can either go free of any duty charges altogether or incur just 2.4% duties.

Depending on which kind of vehicle you import, it's better to calculate them beforehand and get specifics. Failing to do so could require you to pay more than necessary.

As part of your import duties calculation, other factors must be considered. One such consideration is whether your vehicle falls into the category of being a gas guzzler. An extra tax payment could be assessed if its fuel economy rating falls under 22.5 miles/gallon.

When selecting which vehicles to import, double-check their fuel economy ratings. This way, you can avoid incurring unnecessary additional tax liability.

Choose Container Shipping

Shipping a car in a container is the best way to ensure your vehicle stays protected from point A to point B. It prevents any damage or tampering with the vehicle since it will be secured and strapped down with cables inside the container.

You won't need to drive your car onto any ramps, as a crane will lift and load it onto the vessel. Once it reaches its destination, another crane will offload it, further preventing any nicks or dents inflicted upon your car due to improper handling.

This method also provides peace of mind knowing that your car remains secure throughout its travels and has no risk of being tampered with while en route.

Proper preparation can greatly reduce the risk of something going wrong in transit. This preparation may include the following:

• Disconnecting the car battery
• Attaching a power disconnect switch
• Turning off the alarm
• Emptying your vehicle and securing personal items

Rest assured that when it arrives safely at your destination port, you'll still have an operational vehicle ready for use.

To Finish

Importing cars from Japan to the US requires plenty of paperwork. Besides the standard import documents, you must complete several forms from the EPA, FMVSS, and NHTSA.

Then, you must calculate the import duties. Figuring out the shipping terms and shipping methods completes the process.

If you need assistance importing cars from Japan to the US, A1 Auto Transport can help. Our expertise as one of the premier auto transport providers ensures seamless service delivery.

By applying specific shipping methods tailored for classic or sports car delivery, our team understands which steps must be taken for the safe transport of your cargo to its final destinations.

Discover our services, quickly locate what you are seeking, and get an instant shipping cost estimate.