Documentation

I thought it might be worthwhile to just document the paperwork that I have done in order to get approval to ship the car to the USA, so that if any one else ever tries to do it, it is available.  Reason is that just a couple of weeks ago I was asked to provide a letter of Approval from the US EPA, and I had never heard of this letter, nor did I know where to get it or what information was required as it is hard to find out.  Luckily Ian Wilson in NZ who brought his S1 back from Europe via the USA a few years ago was able to help me at very short notice, and something that for a moment I thought could have been a trip-stopper turn out to be just a minor hiccup along the way !!!   Big thanks, Ian !!


Carnet (Passport for car).  Obtainable from RAC in your state.  You pay a deposit as an insurance that you will take your car out of their country, and it has to be stamped in and out as you go, just like a passport.  You pay the cash deposit up front for it, and if you don’t have the exit stamps, you lose your deposit !   Not needed for USA, but WAS needed for Canada.  Only found out that Canada has changed their rules recently and no longer require it when I was applying for it. So check the laws for the country you are going to first.  Cost - $800 or so depending on countries you visit and their penalty fee for not removing your car from their country.
International Drivers Licence.  Obtainable from RAC in your state.  Obtain just prior to departure as it is valid from the day it is issued and max is 12 months. Best to carry one just in case some cop or border official decides you need one !  Cost - $25.00
Visa.  While Aussies don’t normally need a visa for the USA (can be obtained on entry), if you are there for more than 90 days you do need one and have to go to consulate in Australia to be interviewed etc. Note that Canada is included in America for visa purposes in that I thought I would escape the 90 day bit because I would be flitting across the border frequently.   WRONG !!   When travelling with a car you can’t afford to have incorrect documentation !  Cost - $140.00 plus getting to Sydney, courier envelopes etc.
HS-7 Form, US NHTSA  www.nhtsa.dot.gov    Obtain off internet, print and fill out.  To be presented to US Customs on arrival.  No big deal.   Cost - $0
EPA Non-Resident Temporary Importation Approval Letter and Memorandum of Exemption.  This letter and Memorandum now HAS to be in your hands when the vehicle clears customs in US, and takes a few weeks to obtain so you need to get this started well in advance. Details of what is required can be found at the bottom of this section.    Cost - $0
CBP Form 3299.  Declaration for Free Entry of Unaccompanied Articles. Obtained from internet, and has to be completed and signed by both Carrier Agent and owner/importer.  Cost - $0
EPA Form 3520-1  To be completed and handed in at time of importation.  Available off internet.   Cost - $0

Canada. From what I can see from here http://www.customsforum.com/3707-importing-vehicle-into-canada.html there is nothing special required for importing vehicle into Canada as long as it is a) imported by a visitor, and b) is in transit through Canada.

 That is about all the official documentation that is required, but obviously other things should be arranged / carried just in case.  Importantly, if you have a US address of someone that you can use, everything will be so much easier.  You frequently need to provide an address and Zip Code and US phone number as a contact.  For instance, I have a sister in Washington State, and use her numbers, but a friend is fine. Just have it available right from the start so you can use it as needed.

Marine Insurance.  Took out Marine Insurance for while the car is on the ship, arranged through the Shipping Agent.  $150.00.  And cancelled my Australian car insurance as soon as the ship sailed, saving $736 for the year.

US Insurance.  You cannot get insurance for your vehicle overseas from Australia, so this needs to be arranged in the country where you will be.  I arranged mine in the USA (as have others) with Progressive insurance, http://www.progressive.com/    However you cannot get a quote on line, but need to find an agent in the state in which you have a US address (see above comment).  This can sometimes be difficult, especially when you are trying to call 1800 numbers in the US from Australia !

(In talking to some of the people who travel with their cars extensively, they apparently often travel without insurance as it is virtually impossible to obtain in some countries – Which surprised me.)

Australian Rego.  The car is travelling on Australian plates and must have current registration. I will carry associated paperwork copies.

Car Docs.  I am going to carry copies of my original bill of sale, the original Euro certification for the car, as well as any other bits and pieces that prove my ownership / registration etc.

Information needed to obtain Nonresident Temporary Importation

Approval Letter from EPA

Nonconforming motor vehicles may be temporarily imported into the U.S. by a

nonresident for personal use by the importer for a period not to exceed one year.
Only individual nonresidents may import a vehicle through a nonresident exemption.
The conditions of this temporary exemption are:
• Vehicle may not be sold or otherwise transferred to another party in the U.S.;
• Vehicle must be used solely for personal use by the importer and members of the
importer’s immediate family while in the U.S.;
• Exemption is voided if the vehicle is either used for commercial purposes, or used
principally by any person other than the importer (or spouse of the importer); and
• Vehicle must be exported after one year, or upon the nonresident departing the U.S.,
whichever comes first.

To obtain a Nonresident Temporary Importation Approval Letter from EPA;

please provide the following information in a letter that is signed by the
requestor/importer:
1. Your full name, current foreign address, phone number, Fax number, and email address
(if applicable)
2. Your U.S. address, phone number, Fax number, and email address (if applicable)
3. Vehicle year, make, model and Vehicle Identification Number
4. Proof of vehicle ownership (copy of current title or registration from country of origin of
the vehicle, Importer and owner needs to be the same).
5. Proof of nonresident status (copy of passport, visa, work permit, or other official
document).
6. A statement explaining the reason for your visit to the United States.
(work/school/vacation).
7. The date of the importation
8. Location of the vehicle and the Nonresident at the time of request.
9. The duration of the importation.
10. A signed compliance Memorandum (this will be supplied by EPA once we have all of your
information). The exemption will not be issued until we receive a signed copy of the
memorandum issued by EPA.

Please mail, fax, or email this information to:

EPA Imports Line
Compliance & Innovative Strategies Division
Light Duty Vehicle Programs
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
David C. Hurlin
Imports Group
Managed by URS Federal Services
Phone: (734) 214-4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
Email: Imports@epa.gov