Canadian vehicles started being manufactured to be identical to United States version vehicles in 1988, but many of these vehicles do not have a U.S. emissions label in the engine compartment. If the Canadian Pontiac Vibe does not have a U.S. emissions label, the car is not on the list of Canadian vehicles considered by EPA to conform with U.S. emissions requirements. So to import the car into the U.S., you need a letter from the manufacturer's U.S. representative or the Canadian manufacturer's representative.
Instructions
1. Obtain a letter from the manufacturer's U.S. representative. A list of available representatives is available on the EPA website. The U.S. representative should be able to tell you contact his Canadian counterpart, if you want to obtain a letter from the manufacturer's Canadian representative. The letter should state when the car was manufactured, and whether it meets all U.S. emission requirements with the exception of labeling or warranty." The letter must be signed. If you get the letter from a Canadian representative, the letter must be signed by the emission compliance department.
2. Choose a customs port of entry that will be convenient for you to pick up your Canadian Pontiac Vibe. A list of ports by state is available on the U.S Customs and Border Protection website. If you are importing for resale you need to be a registered importer or become a registered importer.
3. Make arrangements with the shipper or carrier to send the Canadian Pontiac Vibe.
4. Present to customs the sales receipt and car registration papers.
5. Give customs the original bill of lading from the shipper or carrier you used. The shipper or carrier you use should already be aware of customs requirements.
6. Complete Environmental Protection Agency form 3520-1. This form will be given to you by customs. On the form, use declaring code "EE" and attach the letter you received from the manufacturer's representative. If you are importing the car for resale, the engine compartment must contain the manufacturers label of conformity in English. The label states emission control information, engine size, engine type, tuneup and adjustment information. For detailed information on the label requirements go to the Government Printing Office website under Code of Federal Regulations 40 CFR 86.093-35.
7. Complete Department of Transportation form HS-7. This form is required by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration. Customs will provide you with this form.
8. Pay duty and taxes to the customs cashier. The duty and tax amount will be determined based on the price you paid for the car. For a Pontiac Vibe, duty is 2.5 percent of the purchase price. You can pay duty by cash (U.S. currency only), personal check drawn on a U.S. bank, travelers check, government check, or money order. Some locations will accept credit cards, but those locations are not listed so you will have to ask Customs in advance, at the location of your car's arrival.
9. Pick up your Canadian Pontiac Vibe from the inspection area. Ask your state's Department of Motor Vehicles for temporary license plates. Get a list of the paperwork that your state's DMV requires from U.S. Customs to register your car, so you can receive the paperwork at time of inspection.
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