Importation and Certification FAQ's

PART IV
Group 4: Equipment

1. Importing Motor Vehicle Equipment.
2. Importing an Engine or Transmission.

1. Importing Motor Vehicle Equipment.

In order to be imported, motor vehicle equipment that is subject to an FMVSS has to be manufactured to conform to that standard and be so certified by its original manufacturer. This is true whether the equipment is new or used. The equipment standards include those pertaining to:

Also, certain motor vehicle replacement parts must meet the marking requirements of 49 CFR Part 541 Federal motor vehicle theft prevention standard.

Any equipment subject to any of the above standards must be in compliance at the time of importation. Non-compliant equipment may not be imported.

2. Importing an Engine or Transmission.

There is no FMVSS that applies to engines and transmissions as equipment items. Therefore, their importation is not regulated by DOT. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does regulate the importation of engines. Further information on this subject may be found on the EPA’s website at http://www.epa.gov, or by contacting that agency at 734-214-4100.