To get a title for a Canadian car in the United States, you must successfully import it through a multi-step process regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Department of Transportation (DOT), and your state's Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The core challenge is ensuring the vehicle complies with U.S. safety and emissions standards. The most critical step is verifying your vehicle's admissibility before purchase, as many Canadian-market vehicles cannot be legally imported. The process culminates with your state's DMV issuing a U.S. title after you present all required federal import documentation.
The first and most important step is to check if your specific vehicle is eligible. The easiest way is to consult the DOT's list of vehicles that comply with U.S. safety standards, which includes many models made by manufacturers like Ford, GM, and Stellantis for the Canadian market. If the vehicle is not on this list, the import process becomes significantly more difficult and expensive, requiring a Registered Importer (RI) to perform modifications.
Once eligibility is confirmed, the federal import process begins:
- File with U.S. Customs: Submit EPA Form 3520-1 and DOT Form HS-7 to CBP at the port of entry at least 72 hours before arrival.
- Provide Original Documents: You will need the vehicle's original title from the Canadian province (e.g., Ontario's Used Vehicle Information Package or Quebec's certificat d'immatriculation) and a bill of sale.
- Pay Duties: You may be required to pay a 2.5% duty for cars under the USMCA trade agreement.
After clearing customs, you will receive the necessary paperwork to make your final stop the state DMV. You'll need to provide the CBP release documents, the original Canadian title, and potentially a letter of compliance from the manufacturer. The DMV will then process your application and issue a new U.S. title and license plates.
| Key Agency & Form | Purpose | Critical Consideration |
|---|
| DOT (HS-7 Form) | Certifies the vehicle meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). | Many Canadian cars, despite seeming identical, do not meet FMVSS. Always check the DOT list first. |
| EPA (3520-1 Form) | Certifies the vehicle meets U.S. emissions standards. | Most vehicles less than 21 years old require this compliance. |
| CBP (Customs) | Processes the vehicle's entry into the U.S. and collects any applicable duties. | You must use a designated port of entry with vehicle processing capabilities. |
| State DMV/RMV | Issues the final state title and registration. | Requirements vary by state; some may require additional inspections or paperwork. |
