Vehicle Licensing Guide

Imported Vehicles (Foreign Market) Application For Title
VLIC-102E

PURPOSE:

To provide instructions on titling an imported vehicle (also known as a foreign market vehicle or grey market vehicle).

BACKGROUND:

An imported vehicle, for the purpose of this procedure, is any vehicle (including motorcycles) brought into the United States (US) from any foreign country (including Canada) regardless of where it's manufactured. These vehicles "may" or "may not" meet the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act (and the policies and regulations adopted as a result of this Act). This does not include vehicles imported from US territories (Puerto Rico, Virgin Island, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Mariana Island) or possessions.

Motor vehicles manufactured less than 25 or more model years ago are subject to the federal motor vehicle safety requirements and cannot be titled and registered in Virginia without proof of conformity with the federal motor vehicle safety requirements.

DMV will only issue registration for an imported vehicle when the customer submits proof that the vehicle complies with the federal motor vehicle safety requirements or is exempt from the federal motor vehicle safety requirements. If the vehicle is exempt from the federal motor vehicle safety requirements, it may be registered only for a specified period.

Customers needing additional information on proper forms should be directed to:

U. S. Dept. of Transportation
NHTSA
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
NEF-32
400 7th Street, S. W.
Washington, D. C. 20590
1-800-424-9393
http://www.NHTSA.dot.gov/cars/rules/import

OR

Classification and Value Division
U. S. Customs Service
Washington, D. C. 20229
(202) 927-0300

CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Submit the following:
   • Application for Certificate of Title and Registration, (VSA-17A)
   • Authentic source of ownership document
     
     NOTE: Military personnel deployed overseas may purchase vehicles from Overseas Military Corporations (OSMC.) OSMC are authorized to only sell vehicles built to United States specifications. Either a Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin or the customer's Bill of Sale will reflect the vehicle was purchased from an OSMC. No additional ownership documents are required if a customer presents documents showing OSMC purchase.
   • Department of Transportation NHTSA HS-7 Declaration (Importation of Motor Vehicles & Motor Vehicle Equipment Subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper and Theft Prevention Standards)
   • Original Bond Release Letter from US Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, if applicable (refer to VLIC-102E chart at the end of this procedure)
   • Any additional requirements specified in the VLIC-102E chart at the end of this procedure.
   
   NOTE: Translations must be provided for all documents written exclusively in a foreign language.
2. Submit at least one of the following:
   • United States Customs and Border Protection Entry Form 7501
   • Customs and Border Protection Form 368
   • Customs and Border Protection Form 3311
   • Customs and Border Protection Form 6059B
   • Customs and Border Protection Form 7523
   • Customs and Border Protection Form 3461
   
   NOTE 1: An original customs inspector's stamp and signature are no longer required on any Customs form for imported vehicles. Customs releases cargo electronically and an electronic stamp will appear on the Customs form. This is the acceptable form of the customs inspector's stamp and signature.
   
   NOTE 2: Military personnel or U.S. Residents returning from a foreign country may present Customs and Border Protection Form 3299, "Declaration for Title Entry of Unaccompanied Articles (CBP3299)" with an electronic Custom's stamp in lieu of Customs and Border Protection Form 7501. Customs and Border Protection Form 3299 is used only when the vehicle has been titled in the US, exported, and subsequently imported. There is no need to submit the HS-7. The vehicle make and identification number (VIN) must be specified on the Customs and Border Protection Form 3299.
   
   NOTE 3: Foreign military personnel stationed at military installations in Virginia under the auspices of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) are exempt from bringing their vehicles into compliance with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). They may register their vehicles for the length of their tour of duty only. A copy of their orders is sufficient to determine the length of their tour of duty.
   
   NOTE 4: Motorcycles imported from a foreign country must be accompanied by one of the customs forms and cannot be shipped to the United States as a "household good" unless shipped by the United States Armed Forces.
3. Provide proof of address. (Refer to VLIC-101.)
4. Pay the appropriate title, SUT, and registration fees.

DMV SERVICE PROVIDER'S PROCESS:

1. Verify that the customer has submitted all required documents and applications listed in customer requirements and any additional documentation listed in VLIC-102E chart at the end of this procedure.
2. Verify the authenticity of ownership documents.
3. Verify the customer's proof of address. (Refer to DMV-177 and VLIC-101.)
4. Process title according to data entry procedures.
   
   NOTE 1: If multiple vehicles are listed on the Customs and Border Protection Form 7501 and the customer is not titling all of the vehicles listed, make a copy of the Customs and Border Protection Form 7501 and return the original to the customer. On the copy of the Customs and Border Protection Form 7501 note that "the original document was witnessed and returned to customer" and include the copy with other documents received to process this transaction.
   
   NOTE 2: If customer is unable to provide the original Bond Release Letter, return the application to the customer and inform the customer that the "registered importer" will need to request the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to send an electronic copy (e-mail) of the letter to your CSC manager.
5. Collect the appropriate title, SUT, and registration fees.
6. Notify the customer of the following Virginia requirements:
   
   
   • State inspection must be performed on the vehicle and the state inspection sticker must be displayed on the windshield, if applicable
   AND
   • The locality sticker or decal must be displayed on the windshield, if applicable.
     
     NOTE: Some localities do not require a sticker/decal to be displayed on a vehicle, however payment of the local registration fee is still required. Check with the appropriate locality for requirements.
7. Inform the customer of the option to have DMV maintain an electronic record of their title. If they request this option, complete the transaction and give the customer the registration card that is generated for their record. Otherwise, give the paper title to the customer.
   
   NOTE 1: If the customer requests that DMV retain an electronic record of the title and returns at a later time to have a paper title printed, he must provide identification showing he is the registered owner of the vehicle. To print the paper title, refer to Requesting Paper Title in VLIC-102.
   
   NOTE 2: All liens, stops and helds must be satisfied and removed before the paper title may be printed.


<<<<<REVISION
8. Return any documentation presented that is not required for processing a title (e.g. marriage license, divorce decree, death certificate, and/or original power of attorney drafted by a law firm). These documents may be noted on the application but must be returned to the customer.   END REVISION>>>>>
9. Forward application and all supporting documentation with daily work for document preparation for sending to Document Imaging (refer to VLIC-75).

REFERENCE:

• Code of Virginia: § 46.2-100, 46.2-602
• CSC Data Entry: CSCNet

CONTACT:

For additional information contact:

• Your CSC Manager/Assistant Manager
• DMV DIRECT Help Desk at (804) 367-6646

PROCEDURE PROPONENT:

VSA/Titles and Registration Division

VLIC 102E Chart

Imported Vehicles (Foreign Market) Application for Title

NOTE:1990 or newer vehicles shall be not branded "Grey Market," unless Box 12 is checked on the HS-7.

Virginia Code § 46.2-602 prohibits registration and titling of vehicles not conforming to FMVSS.