Registering a Canadian car in California

Here are some web sites with information on the process of getting a Canadian car registered in California. The selections from the web sites indicate each agency's requirements for a "normal" case (relatively new, North American made car), but see the web sites for details.
 

U.S. Customs

"NONRESIDENTS may import a vehicle duty-free for personal use if the vehicle is imported in conjunction with the owner's arrival. Nonconforming vehicles must be exported within one year and may not be sold in the U.S. There is no exemption or extension of the export requirement. Conforming vehicles imported under the duty-free exemption are dutiable if sold within one year of importation. Duty must be paid at the most convenient Customs office before the sale is completed. Conforming vehicles so imported may remain in the U.S. indefinitely once a formal entry is made for EPA purposes. "

"Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally dutiable at the following rates:
    Autos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5%
    Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25%
    Motorcycles. . . . . . . . . . 3% or 3.4%

Duty rates are based on price paid or payable. Most Canadian-made vehicles are duty-free.
 

EPA

Importing Automobiles Frequently Asked Questions: www.epa.gov/region09/air/importfaqs.html
 

"EPA Form 3520-1 may be acquired by faxing a request to our Import Team in Washington, DC at (202) 564-9660 . If you have questions regarding the process, call the team at (202) 564-9240 during the hours of 9-4 Eastern Standard Time. It is recommended that you request a copy of EPA Automotive Imports Facts Manual, #420-B-94-006 (10/95) for general information regarding imports, including Canadian autos."

Note: contrary to the EPA web site, as an owner of a Canadian vehicle, you won't generally need DOT form HS-7 U.S.
 

U.S. Department of Transportation

Vehicle Importation Regulations: ww.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/can0010.html
 

Process:
1. Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle, and ask if the vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). The letter from the manufacturer must identify your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)

2. If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle complies with U.S. FMVSS, except for minor labeling requirements, you have an acceptable letter. This letter along with your vehicle registration should be presented to U.S. Customs at the border. U.S. Customs will review the manufacturer letter to assure that the vehicle complies. (DOT approval of the manufacturer letter was discontinued as of April 8, 1997.)

3. If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS, except for the speedometer, or headlights, you may have these components replaced at a dealer authorized by the factory to repair your vehicle. In addition to the documents cited in item 2, above, you must present the invoice for the speedometer or headlight replacement to obtain U.S. Customs approval.

4. If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS except for FMVSS No. 208 (automatic or passive restraint requirements) you WILL NOT be able to bring your vehicle into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless it is modified by an Registered Importer (RI). If an RI is willing to modify the vehicle, it may be expensive and may change your desire to import the vehicle.

California Bureau of Auto Repair (Smogcheck)

Bringing a car to California?: www.smogcheck.ca.gov/smogweb/consumer/bringing_a_car_to_California.htm

"Most vehicles sold in Canada, particularly newer ones, meet U.S. federal specifications for emissions and safety features. A federally certified vehicle may be registered in California without modification as long as it has all of the emissions equipment which was on the vehicle when it was first sold.

In order to register your vehicle in California, your vehicle must pass the California Smog Check. Smog inspections conducted in other states do not satisfy this requirement. Most motorists may obtain a smog inspection at any licensed Smog Check station. If you will be living in any of California's more polluted urban areas, known as Enhanced Areas, you must obtain your Smog Check at a station equipped with the BAR-97 emissions analyzer unit. All Smog Check stations in Enhanced areas have these machines.

If the under-hood emissions label on a Canadian vehicle does not indicate whether or not the car meets U.S. specifications, you may write to the manufacturer and ask whether this particular model/serial number vehicle meets U.S. EPA emissions requirements. State in your letter that if the vehicle does meet U.S. requirements, will the manufacturer please supply a letter, on company letterhead, stating that fact. After arriving in California, call (800) 622-7733 to make an appointment at one of the state's Consumer Assistance and Referee (CAR) centers. Be sure to bring the manufacturer's letter with you when you go to the Referee.

If the manufacturer replies that the car does not meet U.S. specifications, you should consider selling your car in Canada. In order to register the car in California you must first import it into the United States as a gray-market vehicle."

California DMV

The DMV considers students to be California residents, so students have to register their cars in California

Initial Licensing = $50
Annual Registration = 2% of value of car
Penalty for late registration: 40 -60% of regular registration, depending on how late you are.

Until recently, there was a $300 smog impact fee for bringing an out-of-state car into California, but this was repealed in 2000