Importing my 2015 Toyota Prius c by land

[mikeandkristina 6]

So I've been researching about how to properly import your vehicle from Canada to the US by land through a POE. I've read things such as calling Toyota and asking for a compliance letter and getting the letter through email. I've also read that if your car has these 2 stickers (EPA under the hood and DOT on the driver side door) then you don't need a compliance letter. I read it off a government website that was linked in another forum topic. Seeing as my car is a brand new car and is a hybrid, you'd think that my car complies with all USA rules. I found the EPA sticker under the hood, but i'm not sure about the DOT sticker. I found a black and white sticker that says this "MFD. BY: Toyota Motor Corporation 04/15" and has a few different acronyms with numbers. Theres a logo on the sticker that says "Canada CMVSS NSVAC Transport". Is that the DOT sticker that I'm looking for?

If I don't need to go through the hassle of obtaining a letter from Toyota then I don't want to.

Thanks!

[NikLR 13,231]

Do you own it free and clear? Does it have tpms?

[NewBrunswicker 19]

Getting a letter from Toyota Canada is as simple as calling and giving them the serial number of your car. It cost nothing and it is quite quick. It is not a hassle.

[at long last 58]

So this is how it went for me a few years back. I was spending 180 days each year visiting my fiance. I decided it was getting too expensive to keep renting a car here. I then drove to Seattle where I was going to fly from to visit fiance loaded my car for transport on a moving truck and it was delivered 4 days later. All was fabulous until the time came to actually move here. While I was still living in Canada I was able to maintain my registration and insurance in Canada. The insurance company set me up with the best option. WhenI I moved here my insurance and registration became null and void. DMV said I had to show my registration (current) to have it registered and insured here. It was a nightmare and the guy was rude and actually made me break down. I was then taken to a different DMV and they were so kind and helpful. Just be prepared is all I'm saying.

I did bring a copy of compliance letter from the car company.

Edited September 15, 2016 by at long last

[oncefuturealien 45]

I think you need the compliance letter regardless, because it also affirms that your car isn't under recall or anything. From all accounts it's not a big deal, it's something Toyota Canada does all the time.

[mikeandkristina 6]

@NikLR Mike owns the car completely.

[mikeandkristina 6]

Thank you for all your replies! I'll take the advice to just call Toyota and do it that way. Thank you!

[aprilhynes 2]

I am doing the same thing and did some research as well. My fiance called the border where I am crossing and talked to someone about how to do it. They said exactly the same as you have mentioned- look for the EPA and DOT stickers on your car. If you have both stickers, you don't need a compliance letter. I could only find the EPA sticker on my Nissan Versa and the Canada Transport sticker. I wasn't sure if Canada Transport was the DOT they were looking for, so I went ahead and called Nissan North America to get them to send me a compliance letter. That process was very easy, you just need your VIN # and they emailed me the letter the next day.

Also, as far as I know, if you're entering under a k1 visa, you shouldn't need to pay duty. But I'm not 100% sure on this.

[NikLR 13,231]

@NikLR Mike owns the car completely.

Wonderful. Call Toyota Canada and get the compliance letter. If you do not have TPMS, you will need to have it installed before you can register the car in the USA. Like running lights in Canada, this is a requirement in the USA.

[mikeandkristina 6]

What is TPMS?

[oncefuturealien 45]

Tire pressure monitoring system?

[mikeandkristina 6]

My car does have that.

[NikLR 13,231]

Since the car has TPMS, and is paid for, just get the compliance letter from Toyota Canada and you're golden!