The owner of the goods is responsible to pay for the exams and any damage incurred during inspections by Customs officials.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\nNote<\/b>: The import regulations for the 48 contiguous United States and Alaska are included herein. Significant distinct requirements for the import of household goods shipments into Hawaii exist; as the 50th state in the United States, shipments from the other 49 states in the United States are not subject to U.S. Customs. Shipments to Hawaii from foreign countries are subject to all the same rules and regulations that apply to the rest of the United States. Only shipments of used household goods and personal effects may enter the U.S. under informal entry.<\/span><\/p>\r\n <\/p>\r\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\r\nMOTOR VEHICLES<\/b><\/h3>\r\nDOCUMENTS REQUIRED<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) form EPA-3520-21 (if applicable)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- OBL (foreign purchased vehicles)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Bill of sale \/ pro-forma invoice with statement of value (foreign purchased vehicles)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Title of ownership translated into English (foreign purchased vehicles)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Department of Transportation (DOT) form HS-7<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Proof of conformity by either:<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- U.S. title \/ registration<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Letter of conformity from the manufacturer<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Foreign military sales contract that indicates vehicle meets USA-EPA \/ DOT regulations<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Exemption as a model 25-year old vehicle as proven by the title<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- Copy of U.S. title or registration when previously registered in the USA (vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning residents \/ owners of the goods)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Completed EPA-3520-1, DOT, HS-7 and Customs 7501 forms (vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning importer)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Letter of permission from the EPA (non-residents importing vehicles as a tourist)<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\u00a0<\/h4>\r\nSPECIFIC INFORMATION<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- For vehicles previously owned and shipped from the U.S. by the returning resident \/ owner of the goods, the ownership names must match with the owner of the goods\u2019 of the shipment on the vehicle title and registration.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- A non-U.S. resident can import a vehicle for a period of up to 12 months as a tourist, but no extension will be allowed.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- The owner of the goods is required to obtain a permission letter prior to shipping the vehicle from the EPA.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Vehicles imported by non-residents for tourism may not sell or offer for vehicle for sale and it must be exported prior to the 12 month period or is subject to seizure and penalties by Customs.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- Some ports of entry (POE) require a bond for up to three times the value of the vehicle to ensure the timely export of the vehicle.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- Additional port specific declarations may be required for this temporary importation.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- A bill of sale or pro-forma invoice with the statement of value must include the vehicle\u2019s description, vehicle identification number (VIN), model, and year of manufacture.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- In general vehicle models that are 25 years or older and with the original drive train are exempt from EPA \/ DOT regulations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Vehicle models less than 25 years old that were not previously titled in the U.S must comply with EPA \/ DOT regulations.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- The cost and time to bring a vehicle into compliance by an ICI (certified conversion shop) make the process an unwise economic decision in most cases.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- It is strongly recommended not to import non-complying vehicles.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- In the event an owner of the goods elects to attempt to import a vehicle it should be sent separately from household goods and personal effects shipments to avoid delays in the receipt of the shipment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- The owner of the goods must make arrangements with an ICI shop in the USA prior to shipping the vehicle in order to get an estimate and to determine if the vehicle can be brought into compliance.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Marine engines and gas-powered generators are also subject to EPA requirements and Form EPA-3520-21 is normally required for those items<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- If an imported vehicle does not conform to these standards, it must be brought into conformity; otherwise it must be destroyed or exported.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- The U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free from foreign soil before they can be entered into the United States.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- This may be done by steam spray or by thorough cleaning before shipment.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- Do not store personal items in any motor vehicle.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
PETS<\/b><\/h3>\r\nDOCUMENTS REQUIRED<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- Rabies vaccination record<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Veterinary health certificate<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\u00a0<\/h4>\r\nSPECIFIC INFORMATION<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- The importation of pets is subject to health, quarantine, agriculture or wildlife requirements, and prohibitions.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Pets are subject to examination at the first port of arrival for any evidence of disease.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- A valid rabies (rage) vaccination record must accompany dogs arriving from areas not free from rabies.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- There is no requirement for a rabies certificate for domestic cats.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Contact the destination agent to determine if special certificates and admission requirements apply, providing the common and scientific name of the animal along with the country of origin that it is being shipped to ensure all appropriate government agencies can be contacted.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Most turtles and monkeys are not allowed entry into the U.S.A.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\u00a0<\/h3>\r\nANTIQUES, ARTIFACTS, CARPETS, PAINTINGS<\/b><\/h3>\r\nDOCUMENTS REQUIRED<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- Purchase invoice<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Detailed inventory<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
SPECIFIC INFORMATION<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- U.S. Customs requires items to be at least 100 years old be classified as antiques.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- A recently purchased antique should indicate the circa date on the invoice.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Antiques are duty free.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Carpets of Iranian origin that have been used in the foreign household for at least 12 months and are being imported with the owner of the goods\u2019 household goods and personal effects are generally approved for import.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- It is recommended that if you have a large number of carpets or they<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- are new that you do not ship as the USA currently has an embargo on Iranian origin goods, subject to change at any time.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Paintings of nominal value can be shipped with household goods shipments.<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Artifacts of any type should not be shipped without first checking with the USA agent and the country of export, as different regulations may apply depending on the country of origin, type of artifact and circa date.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
\r\n- Additionally, many countries are parties to CITES Treaties or Acts that do not allow the import or export of certain types of artifacts or require permits that must be issued prior to export.<\/span><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n
<\/p>\r\n
RESTRICTED\/DUTIABLE ITEMS<\/b><\/h4>\r\n\r\n- Plants and seeds (an import permit and plant and plant product declaration form are required)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Soil (an import permit is required)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Meats and meat byproducts (e.g., bouillon soups)<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Medications<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Fruits and vegetables<\/span><\/li>\r\n
- Game and hunting trophies<\/span><\/li>\r\n