Registering a Vehicle Imported From Another Country in California in 2026

Direct imports

A vehicle imported directly from another country, a direct import in the DMV's words, must be registered with the DMV, and the DMV's imported vehicle registration page defines a direct import vehicle as one not manufactured to be used or sold in the United States. Because of that, the DMV says, direct imports typically do not meet U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and do not meet California emission standards, and some cannot be registered in California or anywhere in the United States, under Health and Safety Code sections 39024.6, 43150 through 43156, 43203.5, 43600 and 44200 through 44210. The DMV refers to its brochure Buying a Vehicle from Out-of-State, Can You Register it in California, for the rules and exceptions.

What the DMV asks for

The DMV lists an out-of-state title or other proof of ownership; evidence that the vehicle cleared customs, meaning stamped and endorsed U.S. Customs and Border Protection forms HS-7, 3299, 3311, 3461, 6059 and 7501; a weight certificate for an imported truck or pickup, from a weigh station located through publicscales.net; the fees; and the forms: an Application for Title or Registration (REG 343), a Verification of Vehicle (REG 31), a Lien Satisfied/Legal Owner/Title Holder Release (REG 166) where it applies, a Statement of Facts (REG 256), a Declaration of Gross Vehicle Weight/Combined Gross Vehicle Weight (REG 4008), and a Vehicle/Vessel Transfer and Reassignment form (REG 262), which is printed on security paper to satisfy federal odometer disclosure rules and so is not available online.

The DMV may also require evidence that the vehicle meets federal safety standards, mandatory for a vehicle manufactured after 1995: the federal certification label on the vehicle, or a letter from the manufacturer confirming it meets the safety and U.S. emission standards, which the DMV says is usually obtainable only for vehicles made in Canada, or a copy of the Department of Transportation bond release letter from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. On emissions it may require a certificate that a California Air Resources Board licensed laboratory inspected the vehicle, the EPA and California emission labels on the vehicle, and a smog certificate, which applies to gasoline vehicles made after 1968 and diesel vehicles made after 1980; the smog check guide covers the inspection.

The standards and the agencies

The DMV says a vehicle or engine imported from another country must meet the requirements of six agencies: U.S. Customs and Border Protection for entry, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for emissions, the U.S. Department of Transportation for safety, the Internal Revenue Service for gas-guzzler taxes, the California Air Resources Board for California emissions, and the California Board of Equalization for use tax. To be driven in California the vehicle must meet CARB and EPA emission standards and the federal safety standards; the DMV warns that a direct import more than two years old may be expensive or impossible to convert. Its contacts: CARB at 1-800-242-4450 and helpline@www.arb.ca.gov for the direct import program and California emission standards, the EPA's publication Procedures for Importing Vehicles and Engines into the United States (EPA-420-B-10-027), the NHTSA site for federal importation and certification standards, CBP at 1-877-227-5511 for clearance, the IRS for the gas-guzzler tax and the BOE for use tax.

Vehicles that cannot be registered

A direct foreign import not originally manufactured to meet California emission standards and the federal safety standards cannot be registered in California unless it is modified and tested under CARB's direct import program, per the DMV. Motorcycles, off-highway vehicles and diesel-powered vehicles cannot be converted to California emission standards at this time, so they cannot be registered unless they were originally manufactured to meet U.S. and California standards. A vehicle that can be modified to meet the standards registers by the steps in the DMV's brochure Registering a Nonresident Vehicle.

The 20-day fee deadline and the 30-day permit

Registration fees for a direct import must be paid to the DMV within 20 days of the vehicle's entry into California, even when the other requirements are not yet met; the DMV says the date fees come due for out-of-state vehicles otherwise depends on residency and exemptions covered on its registration fees page. Once all fees are paid the DMV issues a one-time 30-day temporary operating permit so the owner can complete the remaining requirements. The fee schedule's line for a vehicle arriving from outside California is the non-resident service fee of $28 on an original registration from out of state, under Vehicle Code section 9252, with a $28 non-resident reregistration fee for the same registration year; the use tax goes to the state tax agency, which the DMV names as the Board of Equalization. The general registration lines, $76 registration including the $3 alternative fuel fee, the $34 CHP fee, the vehicle license fee and the transportation improvement fee, apply as to any vehicle. Because the vehicle was manufactured outside the United States, the DMV brands its title NON-USA when it carries no federal certification label and U.S. emissions label from the manufacturer; title brands are explained on the vehicle title guide.

Questions about imported vehicles in California

What is a direct import vehicle?

A vehicle not manufactured to be used or sold in the United States, per the DMV, which is why it usually does not meet federal safety standards or California emission standards.

Can my imported car be registered at all?

Only if it meets, or is modified and tested to meet, U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and California emission standards. The DMV says a direct import that was not built to those standards cannot be registered unless it is modified and tested under the California Air Resources Board's direct import program, and that motorcycles, off-highway vehicles and diesel vehicles cannot be converted at all.

When are the fees due?

Within 20 days of the vehicle's entry into California, per the DMV, even if the other registration requirements are not yet met. Once all fees are paid the DMV issues a one-time 30-day temporary operating permit to finish the rest.

Why would my title say NON-USA?

Because the vehicle was manufactured outside the United States and carries no federal certification label and U.S. emissions label from the manufacturer; the DMV brands the title NON-USA in that case.

Which customs forms does the DMV want?

Stamped and endorsed U.S. Customs and Border Protection forms HS-7, 3299, 3311, 3461, 6059 and 7501, as evidence that the vehicle cleared customs.

Who do I call about emissions?

The California Air Resources Board at 1-800-242-4450, per the DMV, for the direct import program and for a vehicle built after 1968 (cars) or 1978 (motorcycles) that does not comply with EPA or CARB requirements.