Bringing my car from Canada into the USA on K1 Visa

[Ver & Jr 0]

I was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me. I will be crossing the Blaine border from BC into Washington state next week on my K1 visa and I will be driving my car across with me. It is a 2009 VW GTI and I have the label under by hood stating it is certified to the USA EPA federal emission standards. Do I still need to fill out paperwork? Or will the border provide that when I get there?

[NikLR 13,220]

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/218/kw/Requirements%20for%20importing%20a%20vehicle%20%2F%20vehicle%20parts

[VeeNDee 44]

I was wondering if anyone could answer a question for me. I will be crossing the Blaine border from BC into Washington state next week on my K1 visa and I will be driving my car across with me. It is a 2009 VW GTI and I have the label under by hood stating it is certified to the USA EPA federal emission standards. Do I still need to fill out paperwork? Or will the border provide that when I get there?

For what it's worth when I imported my car via Blaine I just brought my insurance and ownership papers inside with the compliance letter from the Toyota manufacturer. ( I didn't have the EPA sticker, just the CMVSS one from Canada). The other forms they speak of were all given to me at the border and mostly filled out by the guard himself other than a few basic questions. I was all worried about filling them out ahead of time but for me that wasn't an issue.

[Ver & Jr 0]

For what it's worth when I imported my car via Blaine I just brought my insurance and ownership papers inside with the compliance letter from the Toyota manufacturer. ( I didn't have the EPA sticker, just the CMVSS one from Canada). The other forms they speak of were all given to me at the border and mostly filled out by the guard himself other than a few basic questions. I was all worried about filling them out ahead of time but for me that wasn't an issue.

Thank you so much for the reply! I figured as much but wanted to make sure.

[camerica 59]

For what it's worth when I imported my car via Blaine I just brought my insurance and ownership papers inside with the compliance letter from the Toyota manufacturer. ( I didn't have the EPA sticker, just the CMVSS one from Canada). The other forms they speak of were all given to me at the border and mostly filled out by the guard himself other than a few basic questions. I was all worried about filling them out ahead of time but for me that wasn't an issue.

Did you get the compliance letter emailed to you, and did you have to provide them with anything other than the VIN in order to receive the letter? I have to deal with Toyota Canada as well.

[VeeNDee 44]

Did you get the compliance letter emailed to you, and did you have to provide them with anything other than the VIN in order to receive the letter? I have to deal with Toyota Canada as well.

I went through this in early January 2013 so I can't guarantee the process is still the same but I made a post with information on how to get the compliance letter. Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/410846-toyota-compliance-letters/

[camerica 59]

I went through this in early January 2013 so I can't guarantee the process is still the same but I made a post with information on how to get the compliance letter. Here's the link: http://www.visajourney.com/forums/topic/410846-toyota-compliance-letters/

I did see this post a few days ago. I am getting a recall done on Tuesday. What is the case # you speak of? Looked on my drivers side door inside and could not find sticker...will look elsewhere...Hoping to get this done before I go to my POA on September 20th!

[beccajayne93 17]

You need both the EPA sticker (emissions) AND the FMVSS sticker (safety) on your car - if you don't have the FMVSS sticker you need to call Volkswagen to get the compliance letter in order for the border to know that your car is safety-compliant. In most cases the manufacturer will just email it to you, but some use regular mail. Some require proof that you're moving and some require payment.

If you don't have the FMVSS sticker AND if Volkswagen will NOT send you a compliance letter, then you have to go through a Registered Importer who will make sure your car is compliant with the USA, and if it's not they will make it compliant for you (but registered importers cost a lot of money so I hope it's not the case for you).

**I just now realized that the original post is from back in August and not September! Sorry... but hopefully the information is helpful to anyone else looking!**

Edited September 6, 2015 by beccajayne93

[VeeNDee 44]

I did see this post a few days ago. I am getting a recall done on Tuesday. What is the case # you speak of? Looked on my drivers side door inside and could not find sticker...will look elsewhere...Hoping to get this done before I go to my POA on September 20th!

When you are on the phone with them, they will assign you a case number to write down for inquiries etc. You won't get it before then.