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Temp import to USA - EPA approval letter Temp import to USA - EPA approval letter
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Trip Paperwork Covers all documentation, carnets, customs and country requirements, how to deal with insurance etc.
Photo by Marc Gibaud, Clouds on Tres Cerros and Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia

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Mount Fitzroy, Argentinian Patagonia



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  #1  
Old 4 Jun 2017
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BruceP View Post
No, they don't count that. They like you to leave the continent.

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Not the continent, just North America. A run to Belize would reset the clock for example.
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  #2  
Old 4 Jun 2017
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For the visa, yes, but not the EPA. They like to see proof of exit. In 2011 I sent them the ferry receipt from France to England. That seemed to satisfy them :-)

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  #3  
Old 4 Jun 2017
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Originally Posted by BruceP View Post
For the visa, yes, but not the EPA. They like to see proof of exit. In 2011 I sent them the ferry receipt from France to England. That seemed to satisfy them :-)
Fair enough.
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  #4  
Old 5 Jun 2017
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EPA approval obligations - departing USA overland
Thanks for the replies - much appreciated.

I am aware of the immigration rules around ESTA's and contiguous countries. We have B1-B2 visas so not concerned about either my wife or I from an immigration perspective.

My question is about the bikes not the riders. What do we need to do with them to satisfy the EPA requirement for them "to leave the USA"? Will Canada/Mexico suffice or do we need to go to Belize/Guatemala? If it's the latter, we would not fly to the US. We would ride from Panama and enter the US overland from Mexico (when illogically the same EPA rules are not applied).

Our plan is to go to Canada/Alaska from Miami. At worst interpretation, the EPA rules could effectively "imprison" us in North America until we reach Guatamala/Belize. Not an attractive proposition if you need to fly home unexpectedly!
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  #5  
Old 23 Jan 2019
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Hi!

This is Rossi from Germany.

Are there any changes depending on this EPA forms.

We will cross the border from Mexiko to USA on our own bikes next year and I`m not shure if we have to apply this forms before we start our journey...

Best, Rossi
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  #6  
Old 24 Jan 2019
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It's EXTREMELY UNLIKELY you will be asked for the EPA permit coming from Mexico - BUT I would go ahead and get it anyway as it's FREE and COULD save a lot of hassle if you get a border control guy on a bad day.
Better safe and well documented than sorry.
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  #7  
Old 25 Jan 2019
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Thanks
Thanks a lot for this information Grant Johnson - So I will try to fill in the form ;-)

Best, Rossi
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  #8  
Old 28 Jan 2019
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Today I heard from the EPA Exemption, are there any forms online? I haven't found any on the EPA Site or should I just write a brief letter with my project to imports@epa.gov. They probably have a lot to do now after the Shutdown. Have 5 months to have everything together. I've also read something about the 7500 miles on the ODOmeter, you do not need this EPA exemption, or is it just for US citizens?
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  #9  
Old 28 Jan 2019
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On the following page you can find some informations in german language and how to get in contact with EPA

https://www.aroundpanamericana.de/motorrad/dokumente/

Best & Grüße,

Rossi
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  #10  
Old 30 Jun 2022
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Originally Posted by garmei View Post
Hi all,

I picked up this issue in another thread and made some enquiries with the EPA. Essentially, you need a letter of approval from the EPA to allow you to temporarily import a vehicle in to the US. The process involves the filling out of a form (3520-1) at border customs when you enter the US, and to fully complete the form you must produce the EPA approval letter. Apparently this will take about 3 weeks to arrange.

I believe this is a fairly recent change in procedures of temp. importation.

I made some enquiries with the EPA. The reply is below.
Hope this is of use.


"You should apply for the exemption prior to reaching Customs. Attached is the list of information you will need to submit for applying for a Nonresident exemption"

And this was the contents of the attached:

Information needed to obtain Nonresident Temporary Importation
Approval Letter from EPA
Nonconforming motor vehicles may be temporarily imported into the U.S. by a
nonresident for personal use by the importer for a period not to exceed one year.
Only individual nonresidents may import a vehicle through a nonresident exemption.
The conditions of this temporary exemption are:
• Vehicle may not be sold or otherwise transferred to another party in the U.S.;
• Vehicle must be used solely for personal use by the importer and members of the
importer’s immediate family while in the U.S.;
• Exemption is voided if the vehicle is either used for commercial purposes, or used
principally by any person other than the importer (or spouse of the importer); and
• Vehicle must be exported after one year, or upon the nonresident departing the U.S.,
whichever comes first.
To obtain a Nonresident Temporary Importation Approval Letter from EPA;
please provide the following information in a letter that is signed by the
requestor/importer:
1. Your full name, current foreign address, phone number, Fax number, and email address
(if applicable)
2. Your U.S. address, phone number, Fax number, and email address (if applicable)
3. Vehicle year, make, model and Vehicle Identification Number
4. Proof of vehicle ownership (copy of current title or registration from country of origin of
the vehicle, Importer and owner needs to be the same).
5. Proof of nonresident status (copy of passport, visa, work permit, or other official
document).
6. A statement of the reason for the importation.
7. The duration of the importation.
8. A signed compliance Memorandum (this will be supplied by EPA once we have all of your
information). The exemption will not be issued until we receive a signed copy of the
memorandum issued by EPA.
Please mail, fax, or email this information to:
EPA Imports Line
Compliance & Innovative Strategies Division
Light Duty Vehicle Programs
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
David C. Hurlin
Imports Group
Managed by URS Federal Services
Phone: (734) 214-4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
Email: Imports@epa.gov

I'll be applying for one of those then!

Great info
Have purchased bikes in Canada ,but we’re on kiwi licences,and travelling north late July before turning all the way south chasing the weather .was aware of letter but not timeframe so will get onto it today
Cheers Nick
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