You can permanently import your vehicle without exporting it first by filing an informal entry directly with the Austin office, as long as the vehicle originally meets US emissions and safety standards.
“I am in Austin, Texas, and have my foreign car here with me. How do I complete the permanent vehicle import process, and which CBP office or customs broker can process this?”
Summary
You do not need to pay a customs broker to do this for you. You can file the paperwork yourself, and the local Austin port of entry is equipped to handle it.
Because your vehicle is already in the US, your options depend entirely on whether it was built to US standards.
If your vehicle originally conforms to and standards, you can file the entry yourself at the Austin port of entry.
If the vehicle does not conform to EPA and DOT standards, you cannot file the entry yourself. You must hire an or to modify the vehicle and file a formal entry.
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How the local import rules work
You asked if you have to export the vehicle first. You do not. CBP allows nonresidents who brought a vehicle in on an oral declaration to file paperwork later to document the permanent entry, superseding the original oral declaration.
You also asked if you need a customs broker and where to go. The law prohibits CBP officers from acting as your agent, but you are not required to hire a commercial broker. You can handle the entry yourself at the Austin Port of Entry, located at 3600 Presidential Blvd.
To qualify for this informal process without a bond, the vehicle must be for your personal use, not intended for resale, and must conform to US EPA and DOT standards.
Next steps
Follow these steps to clear customs in Austin and get your Texas title and registration.
File your customs entry in person
Go to the Austin CBP Port of Entry at 3600 Presidential Blvd. File CBP Form 7501 (Type 11 Informal Entry), EPA Form 3520-1, and DOT Form HS-7. You must write exactly this statement on the face of the 7501: "This vehicle originally entered the United States at the port of _________ on (insert date) by the individual filing this CF 7501."
Get a Texas emissions inspection
Take the vehicle to a state-certified inspection station. Travis County requires an emissions inspection, not a safety inspection, for non-commercial vehicles. You will need proof of liability insurance meeting Texas minimums to get this done. The station will give you a Vehicle Inspection Report.
Get a VIN inspection
Contact local law enforcement to have a trained auto theft investigator inspect your vehicle. They will verify the vehicle identification number and give you a signed Form VTR-68-A.
Apply for Texas title and registration
Go to the Travis County tax office. Bring your DOT Form HS-7 from step 1, the Vehicle Inspection Report from step 2, the VTR-68-A from step 3, a completed Form 130-U, proof of insurance, and the original foreign ownership document with a certified English translation.
Legal sources
These rules come directly from US Customs and Border Protection and the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles.
CBP Guidelines for Importations of Personal Vehicle
Nonresidents can permanently import a vehicle already in the US by filing a CF 7501 to supersede their original oral declaration.
To facilitate the "entry" of vehicles into the United States by nonresidents who enter the United States and make oral declarations, then at a later date decide that they will remain in the United States with their vehicle, local CBP offices will allow the individuals to file a CF 7501 to document the "entry" of that vehicle.
CBP Importing a Motor Vehicle
You are not legally required to hire a customs broker to process your vehicle entry.
Law prohibits CBP officers from acting as agents or making entries for an importer. However, you may employ a commercial CBP broker to handle your entry.
Texas Ports of Entry
Austin has an official CBP Port of Entry.
Port of Entry: Austin
TxDMV Out of State and Imported Vehicles
Travis County requires an emissions inspection prior to registration.
Non-Commercial vehicles registered in one of the following 17 counties are not required to obtain a passing safety inspection, but are required to obtain a passing emissions inspection prior to registration: Brazoria, Collin, Dallas, Denton, El Paso, Ellis, Fort Bend, Galveston, Harris, Johnson, Kaufman, Montgomery, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant, Travis, Williamson.
TxDMV Out of State and Imported Vehicles
A law enforcement auto theft investigator must inspect the vehicle to verify the VIN.
The vehicle must be inspected by a trained auto theft investigator who is a law enforcement officer of this state or a political subdivision of this state.
TxDMV Out of State and Imported Vehicles
You must provide a certified English translation of your foreign ownership document.
Present the ownership document. You must provide a certified English translation of any document printed in any language other than English.
This is general guidance, not legal advice. Confirm your specific situation with a licensed immigration attorney or customs broker.
SettleKit is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice.
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