Car Import

A Land Rover Defender that is less than 25 years old (not classified as an old-timer) is officially not allowed in the USA due to not meeting all US safety regulations. Therefore, driving a foreign-plated Defender in the USA as a foreigner requires some upfront paperwork.

 

To drive your Defender in the USA, you need to temporarily import it. With a temporary import, you are exempt from specific requirements and regulations, allowing you to bring your car into the USA for a maximum of 12 months as a non-resident. This exemption, known as an EPA exemption, must be requested and approved by the EPA before you ship your vehicle.

 

You must send a short letter by email to the EPA, stating the purpose of your trip, its duration, and your route, especially how you plan to export your vehicle. Examples of such letters can be easily found on the internet, and your shipping company may also assist, although we chose to handle it independently upfront.

 

While we needed EPA exemption approval for shipping our Defender, it’s worth noting that when crossing the border overland (e.g., from Canada into Alaska, then back into the USA), border control did not request these papers. However, when leaving the USA, it is a requirement to provide evidence to the EPA that you exported your car within the 12-month time period.

If you plan to stay in Canada for less than three months with your vehicle, no paperwork is needed. There is no specific car importation process required. For stays longer than three months but still temporary with your foreign-plated vehicle, a registration is necessary, which involves obtaining a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1).