Importing a Vehicle: Is the compliance letter always necessary?

[Spoom 8]

We took the car to our local garage a few months back, a 2003 Impala, and they said that it had stickers on it that certified that it complied with California safety standards as well as Canadian.

Assuming this were true, would I need to have the compliance letter from GM still, or would I be able to import it without the letter?

Also, if I do need to get the letter, we're still working on transferring the ownership of the vehicle from my dad to myself. Would the compliance letter still be valid if my dad got it right now and transferred ownership to me next week? (I'm out of town until Saturday.)

[Sam and Ben 2]

We took the car to our local garage a few months back, a 2003 Impala, and they said that it had stickers on it that certified that it complied with California safety standards as well as Canadian.

Assuming this were true, would I need to have the compliance letter from GM still, or would I be able to import it without the letter?

Also, if I do need to get the letter, we're still working on transferring the ownership of the vehicle from my dad to myself. Would the compliance letter still be valid if my dad got it right now and transferred ownership to me next week? (I'm out of town until Saturday.)

If I'm not mistaken, isn't the letter simply tied to VIN/model? If so, I don't see how ownership would come into validity issue.

[Wyatt's Torch 45]

As the owner of a 2007 Malibu, with a big ol' sticker on the driver's door showing that it was built in Missouri, I'm looking forward to finding out the answer of this question too!

[Flames9_RN 358]

As I recall, 1 person had the sticker on the car,and when they got to the border, the POE guard wanted the letter, the sticker wasn't good enough for him! But one goes to 10 other Poe's, and 9/10 say the sticker is fine!!

[trailmix 77]

As I recall, 1 person had the sticker on the car,and when they got to the border, the POE guard wanted the letter, the sticker wasn't good enough for him! But one goes to 10 other Poe's, and 9/10 say the sticker is fine!!

True.

You may want to print out this page to take to the border with you, if you are relying on the stickers.

Prior to filing your entry with CBP:

1. Ensure you have valid proof of ownership, which is an original certificate of title, or a certified copy of the original.

2. Manufacturer's letter, stating that the vehicle conforms to EPA and DOT standards,

3. Completed EPA form 3520-1 and DOT form HS-7. (If the vehicle has stickers on the engine (EPA) and inside the drivers-side door (DOT) stating that the car was manufactured to U.S. standards, you will not need a manufacturers letter. Some vehicles are listed by make, model, and year on the DOT and EPA web sites as conforming. If your vehicle is one of those, that would also negate the need for a manufacturers letter.)

[Colleens 40]

I have a 2003 Impala as well. Do you know where these stickers are? I have to take mine if for a recall tomorrow, so I will ask about it. It would be nice to not have to pay for a letter. It is amazing how quickly all these little things add up!!!

We took the car to our local garage a few months back, a 2003 Impala, and they said that it had stickers on it that certified that it complied with California safety standards as well as Canadian.

Assuming this were true, would I need to have the compliance letter from GM still, or would I be able to import it without the letter?

Also, if I do need to get the letter, we're still working on transferring the ownership of the vehicle from my dad to myself. Would the compliance letter still be valid if my dad got it right now and transferred ownership to me next week? (I'm out of town until Saturday.)

[MrsCat 6]

^ check under the hood of the car for the EPA sticker and check on the inside of the driver's side door for the DOT sticker. Both may be under the hood as well.

oops double post.

Edited November 12, 2009 by MrsCat

[Wis-Can 0]

I came through in September at Sault Ste. Marie. I had to ask to import my car, (you can wait and do it at a later date, just an FYI). They wanted both letters and a copy of my ownership paper. They made photocopies for themselves and gave me back originals. He had to pull out his manual he told me to make sure he was doing it right. Then they stamped my ownership paper and wrote on it. He laughed and said its so much easier to import a car into the US then it is to import it back to Canada. I told him hopefully that won't ever be necessary!

[Rustbelt 0]

We bought our car when we were previously living in Pennsylvania. I imported the car the other night and took with me the Pennsylvania title, the Canadian import papers AND the Ontario registration. All he did was fill out the 7501 (though I have a nagging suspicion that he should have circled one of the "conforming vehicle" options). He didn't even want to go look at the stickers.

But, FYI, when I had called them previously and asked, I was told that as long as I had the stickers (EPA and DOT) I didn't have to worry about getting a letter or anything. All I'd need is the Ontario registration and those stickers. I took the PA title along just in case, but as it happens that's what they went off anyway.

Steve's wife

[Wis-Can 0]

I really think it depends on the POE. My guy took out a manual to "follow along to make sure he got it right". There are guidelines to follow, but like anything else..its only as good as the person doing to job. Better to have too much info then not enough to get the job done. Good luck.

[Spoom 8]

Hrmm. I'm likely crossing at the Peace Bridge (Fort Erie to Buffalo) and I'd imagine that, given that it's one of the biggest ports between our two countries, they'd know what they're doing for car imports. Must check if I have those stickers...