Importing a Car from India to the United States

Breeze Customs Blog
The Indian auto industry is worth over US$ 100 billion, contributing to 8% of the country’s total exports, including exports to the United States. As of 2021, India had the fourth-largest automotive industry in the world, producing 4,399,112 vehicles in that year alone.
The cost of buying a vehicle in the United States is very high. In India, however, it’s easy to find used cars for sale at much more affordable prices. So, if you’re considering importing a car from India to the United States, read on to learn about the top Indian cars you can import, the expected costs, and the steps you will need to follow.
Can I import a car from India to the U.S.?
Before you begin your import journey, you must first determine if the car you want is eligible for import from India to the U.S. As with all other foreign car imports, eligibility is based on whether your car conforms to the rules and regulations of the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the emissions standards and regulations of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Things to consider when importing a car from India
Indian cars are not manufactured according to U.S. standards, making them more likely to be nonconforming.
You need to consider that:
- Indian cars are right-hand drives and not left-hand drives as in the U.S.
- The speedometer in Indian cars shows speed in kilometers and not miles
- Safety and emission standards are way different in India than in the U.S.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a nonconforming vehicle is “a vehicle that does not meet safety standards set by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) (as per the Motor Vehicle Safety Act) or that has been altered from its original design.” It also refers to a vehicle not built to EPA standards.
You can import your nonconforming vehicle into the United States either by certification or exemption:
1. By certification
A nonconforming car can be imported if modified, tested, and certified by an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI)
2. By exemption
The EPA and CBSA allow you to import a nonconforming vehicle temporarily – with EPA’s pre-approval – if it is imported for the following purposes:
- Testing
- Display
- Repair or alteration
- Non-residents
- Competition/Racing
If qualified for EPA exemption, the car should be imported under a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) bond.
What are the top Indian cars I can import?
There are many cars manufactured in India, but the following are the most iconic, classic cars:
- Ambassador by Hindustan Motors
- Padmini by Premier
- 800 by Maruti
- Contessa by Hindustan Motors
- Omni by Maruti
- Gypsy by Maruti
- Safari by Tata
- Sumo by Tata
- Indica by Tata
- Scorpio by Mahindra and Mahindra
What if my Indian car is a classic or antique?
If the car you wish to import from India is older than 25 years, it may as well be exempt from meeting EPA and DOT requirements. Also called the 25-year rule for simplicity, the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 (IVSCA) exempts nonconforming foreign motor vehicles that are 25 years old or older (classic or antique) from the restrictions imposed by this Act. Moreover, If the car is at least 21 years old, there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation.
How much does it cost to import a car from India?
There are many costs to consider when importing a car from India into the U.S. These include:
- Import Duties: Importing a car from India to the United States means paying duties and fees. The amount of duty depends on the type of vehicle, its value, and its age. The import duty for Indian-made cars is 2.5%
- Customs Bond: A customs entry bond is required for every imported vehicle. You can choose to obtain a Single-Entry Bond (for one-time imports) or a Continuous Bond (for multiple imports within 12 months).
- DOT Bond (for nonconforming vehicles): Cars without a DOT certification label must be imported as nonconforming. In this case, you must register with a DOT-Registered Importer (RI) and post a DOT bond (the value of the bond should be 1.5 times the car’s dutiable value).
- Gas-Guzzler Tax: Some imported cars are subject to the Gas-Guzzler Tax. The amount of the tax is based on a combined fuel-economy rating assigned by the EPA. The higher the fuel economy, the lower the tax, and no tax is imposed on cars with a combined fuel-economy rating of at least 22.5 miles per gallon.
- Insurance: Once you import your car from India, you will want to purchase an insurance policy. This is because to drive in most states legally, you need to meet the minimum vehicle insurance requirements set by the state. When shipping your car from India, it’s also a good idea to have an insurance policy covering the shipping.
- Brokerage fees: If you work with a customs broker, you will need to pay a small fee for their services. Most people who import cars from India prefer to work with a customs broker to guide them and help streamline the importation process.
- Shipping fees: Indian cars are usually imported by ocean freight. Shipping fees depend on the size of your car and the carrier you choose. If you have an auto broker or shipping company manage the shipping process for you, request an estimate on shipping costs before you commit to working with them. Otherwise, a customs broker can help you find the best shipping partner to import your car from India.
- Licensing and registration: When your car arrives in the U.S., you will have to pay fees for its licensing and registration. The fees vary, depending on where you wish to register your car.
Are there trade agreements between the U.S. and India?
No, there are currently no trade agreements between the United States and India, and the U.S. does not exempt any products from tariffs when imported from India. This applies to cars as well.
What are the steps to import a car from India to the U.S.?
1. Determine your car’s eligibility
To import a car from India, you will first need to determine whether it qualifies for importation under U.S. regulations (both federal and state). For a vehicle to be able to enter the country, it must meet all the safety standards set by NHTSA.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also determines whether an imported car meets an acceptable level of emissions control for use on U.S. roads (known as “conformity” requirements).
2. Hire a customs broker
Most car importers prefer to hire a customs broker to help with the import process. A customs broker is a CBP-certified individual or company that specializes in importing cars and other goods from foreign countries into the United States.
We recommend working with a customs broker because they know all the import rules and regulations, have experience dealing with importing vehicles and can help you navigate any potential pitfalls.
Once you find a broker that meets your criteria, it’s crucial to read reviews about them and ask them questions before committing to work with them.
3. Ship your car from India to the U.S.A.
Next, you will need to find a shipping company that can handle the transportation of your car from India to the U.S. If you do not have an established relationship with an Indian auto shipper, consider using an agent or customs broker who has experience in the field.
You will also need to choose a port of shipping and port of entry. There are 13 major seaports in India and more than 300 land, air, and sea ports in the United States. This interactive port of entry map provides detailed information about each port and its requirements. Choosing a port of entry that handles vehicles and is closest to your destination state is best. We recommend speaking to a customs broker to simplify the process and help you choose the most suitable port of shipping and port of entry.
4. Prepare your paperwork
Now that you’ve determined your shipping method and port of entry, you’ll need to prepare your import documentation. The documents required to import a car from India to the United States are:
- A U.S. Customs Proforma Invoice
- The carrier’s Bill of Lading (BoL)
- A Bill of Sale showing VIN
- Foreign Registration
- An EPA form 3520-1
- A DOT form HS-7
- Your Importer Security Filing (ISF)
- A Letter of Recall and Conformity from the Manufacturer (if applicable)
You can either submit these documents to CBP yourself or have your customs broker file them on your behalf.
5. Pay the required duties and fees
Imported cars in the United States are subject to customs duty. The amount of duty you will need to pay depends on the value of your car. All foreign and Indian vehicles are dutiable at the following rates:
- 2.5% for cars
- 25% for trucks
- Either free or 2.4% for motorcycles
6. Get insurance for your vehicle
You will need to purchase insurance for your imported car. The cost varies based on the age and make of your car, where you live, how safe you drive and what kind of discounts you qualify for. It will cost more to insure an Indian car than an American one. Insurance companies usually consider the following factors when calculating premiums:
- The make and model of your car. Some cars are more expensive to insure than others. For example, a small car costs less than a large SUV.
- Your driving records. Expect to pay more for insurance if you’ve had multiple accidents or speeding tickets.
- Where you live. Some states have higher rates than others due to traffic congestion, the cost of living in the area, and other factors.
You’ll also need insurance on your vehicle while it’s being shipped from India to the U.S. Your customs broker can help arrange this in advance as well.
7. Register your car in the U.S.
Once you’ve submitted your import documentation and passed an inspection, you’re ready to register your vehicle with your state’s DMV and acquire license plates and permits.
For registration purposes, your responsibility as an importer is to establish that the imported vehicle conforms to import rules and regulations. You can do so by contacting the vehicle’s manufacturer and asking for a certificate of compliance with U.S. standards. Most manufacturers are already aware of the regulations and will issue a certificate of conformity when requested. You will need to have the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) on hand when speaking to the manufacturer since vehicles and their attributes are tracked with this number.
When U.S. Customs verifies that your vehicle conforms with EPA and DOT requirements, an informal entry (Customs Form 368) must be completed and submitted to your state’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) for registration. The process of acquiring plates and permits may be different from state to state, but in general, you will need to:
- Apply for a permanent vehicle registration
- Provide proof of insurance for your vehicle
- Pay any applicable taxes and fees associated with registering a new vehicle (these vary by state)
- Obtain license plates, which may be purchased from your local DMV location
- Obtain any necessary permits, such as a license plate sticker or emissions test certificate
How Breeze Customs can help you import a car from India
At Breeze Customs, we help hundreds of importers bring their vehicles into the United States every year without hassle. Starting with the process of checking your vehicle’s admissibility and ending with customs clearance, we’ll take all the work off your shoulders. Book a meeting with one of our Breeze Customs Concierges and we’ll take it from there.