🇺🇸 United States

Bringing your own vehicle to the US

If you're driving your own vehicle across a land border into the US — or shipping a vehicle in from overseas for a road trip — you are subject to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) rules. The headline is this: non-residents may temporarily import a personal-use vehicle for up to one year without paying duty, as long as the vehicle leaves the country within that year.

The non-resident 1-year exemption

Non-residents may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use for up to one year, provided the import is in conjunction with the owner's arrival. The vehicle must be used for the importer's (or their spouse's) personal use — not for business, and not loaned out.^[1][2]

Vehicles that do not conform to US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emissions standards must be exported within one year — no extensions — and cannot be sold in the US.^[3]

The EPA requires written approval (Form 3520-1, using "code O" for the non-resident exemption) plus an EPA exemption letter, filed prior to import. Do not show up at the border without this paperwork if your vehicle is non-conforming.^[1]

The ATA Carnet — usually NOT for tourist road trips

The ATA Carnet is an international "passport for goods" valid for one year. It allows duty-free temporary admission for commercial samples, professional equipment, and goods for exhibitions, fairs, and similar events. CBP accepts carnets for these purposes.^[4][5]

For a private passenger vehicle imported for tourism, you almost always use the CBP non-resident 1-year exemption — not an ATA Carnet. Carnets for vehicles are primarily used for commercial and exhibition entries, not personal road trips.^[4]

Overlanders driving in from Mexico or Canada

If you are crossing overland on a foreign-plated vehicle from Mexico or Canada, you will be processed under the CBP non-resident temporary importation rules at the border. Bring:

• Vehicle title or registration in your name (or proof of right to use if not titled to you).
• Proof of US auto insurance covering the vehicle — your Mexican or Canadian policy will not extend. Buy a short-term US non-owner or non-resident policy before you cross.
• Your passport and visa or visa-waiver documentation.
• EPA Form 3520-1 if the vehicle is non-conforming — filed in advance with the EPA, not presented at the border for the first time.
• A clear answer to "when will the vehicle leave the US" — CBP agents want to hear a date within 12 months.

Shipping a vehicle in from overseas

For roll-on / roll-off or container shipping (commonly via Baltimore, Jacksonville, Galveston, Long Beach), the same non-resident 1-year exemption applies, but you will have additional paperwork at the port:

• Bill of lading from the shipping company.
• Proof of ownership / original title.
• ISF (Importer Security Filing) filed in advance by your customs broker.
• EPA and DOT declarations (HS-7 for DOT).
• CBP entry filing (Form 7501).

Use a licensed customs broker. Port clearance of a vehicle is not a DIY task unless you've done it before.

What you cannot do

• Cannot sell the vehicle in the US during the temporary admission period if it's non-conforming.
• Cannot use the vehicle for business — rideshare, delivery, rental, anything commercial voids the exemption.
• Cannot lend the vehicle to someone who isn't you or your spouse without voiding the exemption.
• Cannot stay beyond one year. There is no extension on the non-conforming-vehicle exemption.