Ensure the speedometer shows miles per hour (digital displays usually toggle easily) and that the car has daytime running lights , which are mandatory for Canada but usually fine for U.S. entry. 2. Required Documentation
The vehicle’s undercarriage must be free of foreign soil to pass U.S. Department of Agriculture inspections. A thorough power wash is highly recommended. buying a car in canada and bringing back to us
The Canadian registration or bill of sale. EPA Form 3520-1: For emissions compliance. DOT Form HS-7: For safety compliance. The Compliance Letter: (Mentioned above). CBP Form 7501: The formal entry summary. 3. Costs and Taxes Ensure the speedometer shows miles per hour (digital
Check the driver’s side door jamb for a manufacturer’s label. If it doesn’t explicitly say it meets U.S. standards, that compliance letter is your most important document. The Canadian registration or bill of sale
You generally don’t pay sales tax at the border, but you will pay it when you register the car in your home state. 4. Logistics: Moving the Car
Most U.S. insurers can issue a policy based on the VIN before the car is registered, which you'll need if you plan on driving it across the border yourself. 5. Final Step: State Registration