Environmental Protection Agency (EPA):
- You need to submit EPA Form 3520-1 to declare the vehicle’s emissions compliance.
- Vehicles must meet U.S. emission standards under the Clean Air Act unless they are over 21 years old, which may qualify for an exemption. Non-conforming vehicles require modification by an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI) before release.
Department of Transportation (DOT):
- File DOT Form HS-7 to declare compliance with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
- Vehicles less than 25 years old must comply with FMVSS unless imported as non-conforming, requiring modification by a DOT-registered importer (RI). Vehicles over 25 years old are exempt from FMVSS under the 25-year rule.