Each year, our team of international vehicle importers ship cars to the USA from Europe, Australia, the Middle East, Asia, and many other countries around the world. Our team understands the detailed process of importing cars to the USA and knows how to handle a variety of different types of imports. As a premier vehicle importer in the USA, we can complete a car import with door to door service to anywhere in the United States.
Other types of vehicle imports include classic autos, trucks, motorcycles, motor homes, RVs, boats, agricultural/industrial vehicles and many others. With our help, it is even easy to buy a car overseas and import to the USA without even seeing the vehicle.
Schumacher’s import specialists will guide you through the entire process and help determine which category of vehicle import your shipment belongs to based on the intent of your stay. Whether you need to temporarily import or keep your vehicle here permanently, Schumacher is here to help.
To start your vehicle import into the USA, fill out the quote request at the top of the page and read the guide below.
How to Import a Car or Other Vehicle
When importing a car into the USA it is important to know the eligibility of the vehicle. Actually shipping a car to the USA is simple, but can only be done if it qualifies.
As a guideline, when looking for an auto import specialist, they should inform you that the vehicle must be:
- US specifications (engine) or
- 25 years or older if it is not made to US specifications or
- Imported temporarily, for less than 12 months
Whether or not a vehicle qualifies to be imported depends on the engine and transmission. That is why the import requirements apply to boat imports, cars, motorcycles, RVs and most other vehicles. The process for importing a motorcycle into the USA will be very similar to importing a car. As long as there is an engine, the import process is strict. Most commonly we import used cars or classics because of these regulations.
If you don’t pass those requirements, your car, truck, or motorcycle simply cannot be imported without special approval from the import authorities. You will first need to fill out an application with the DOT and EPA. If you do receive the special import approval, you will need to convert your vehicle. Often this makes importing vehicles much more expensive and impractical.
Permanently vs Temporarily Importing a Vehicle into the USA
Examples of the different categories of imports include permanent imports and temporary imports.
Permanently Import a Car into the USA
To permanently import a vehicle to the US, you either have to be a US company, citizen, or hold legal status to work and live in the country. The vehicle must also be eligible for permanent import or else temporary is your only option.
Check your vehicle’s permanent import eligibility with our easy auto import tool.
Temporarily Import a Car into the USA
When importing vehicle temporarily, the automobile does not have to conform to US standards. However the vehicle must leave the country within a year. This is very strict and the government will make sure it does not stay in the country illegally.
The following are all classified as temporary vehicle imports to the USA:
- Race
- Display
- Repair
- Leisure
- Vacation
- Exhibition
- Events
Documentation for US Vehicle Imports
Once you have found that your vehicle is eligible for import into the US, you should prepare the documentation. The documentation necessary for all car imports into the United States:
- Original bill of lading
- Bill of sale
- Foreign registration
There are some exceptions to this documentation, but those need to be looked into for your particular shipment and country. Visit our page on the guidelines for importing cars to the USA to find info on nonconforming vehicles, applications, and approved/disapproved vehicle lists or fill out our online quote form to get a rate from a fully licensed and bonded international vehicle importer!
How Much Does it Cost To Import a Car in the USA
The cost to import a car depends on many factors that will add up to the total price. Factors such as the vehicle specifications, origin/destination, and shipping type all affect the cost to import. An example is a car import from Europe will be different in cost than an import from Asia from the same destination. For this reason, our auto import representatives create custom quotes for each shipment.
To get the cost to import your car, fill out our Online Quote Form today!
Destination Ports of Entry to Import a Car into the US
When working with Schumacher, we have six main ports of entry to ship your car to the US:
- Los Angeles, California
- San Francisco, California
- New York
- Miami, Florida
- Houston, Texas
- Savannah, Georgia
From these locations we can then move your vehicle to anywhere in the US, or you can pick them up from the warehouse. We also have many ports we work with for roll-on roll-off for you car import. In these situations we will either deliver your vehicle to you or move them to our nearest warehouse.
Why Choose Schumacher as Your International Vehicle Importers
With over 40 years of experience, we’ve helped thousands of customers import their vehicles into the United States. From cars, bikes, RVs, boats, and even planes, Schumacher can ship your vehicle to the USA from all over the world.
As a fully licensed and bonded international vehicle importer, we have distinguished ourselves as the premier independent international car shipper in the USA. Our safety records exceed the industry standards, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing that your vehicle is in safe hands. Whether you’re importing a car from Europe or Oceana, we can complete your shipment with the utmost care and service.
USA Car Import Authorities
The following is a list of the authorities that car importers are involved with and whose standards every vehicle must comply. We’ve supplied their contact info below.
Department of Transportation (DOT)
- 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590
(855) 368-4200
Environmental Protection Authority (EPA)
- 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20460
(202) 272-0167
Customs and Border Protection Agency
- 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20229
(877) 227-5511 or (202) 325-8000 for international calls
More Vehicle Shipping Info
Fill out our Online Quote Form and start your car import to the USA today!
For info on any of the above or to discuss your particular shipment, call in at:
US 562-408-6677 or Toll-Free 800-599-0190
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