SUBCHAPTER III—IMPORTING NONCOMPLYING MOTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT

§30141. Importing motor vehicles capable of complying with standards

(a) General.—Section 30112(a) of this title does not apply to a motor vehicle if—

(1) on the initiative of the Secretary of Transportation or on petition of a manufacturer or importer registered under subsection (c) of this section, the Secretary decides—

(A) the vehicle is—

(i) substantially similar to a motor vehicle originally manufactured for import into and sale in the United States;

(ii) certified under section 30115 of this title;

(iii) the same model year (as defined under regulations of the Secretary of Transportation) as the model of the motor vehicle it is being compared to; and

(iv) capable of being readily altered to comply with applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter; or

(B) if there is no substantially similar United States motor vehicle, the safety features of the vehicle comply with or are capable of being altered to comply with those standards based on destructive test information or other evidence the Secretary of Transportation decides is adequate;

(2) the vehicle is imported by a registered importer; and

(3) the registered importer pays the annual fee the Secretary of Transportation establishes under subsection (e) of this section to pay for the costs of carrying out the registration program for importers under subsection (c) of this section and any other fees the Secretary of Transportation establishes to pay for the costs of—

(A) processing bonds provided to the Secretary of the Treasury under subsection (d) of this section; and

(B) making the decisions under this subchapter.

(b) Procedures on Deciding on Motor Vehicle Capability.—(1) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish by regulation procedures for making a decision under subsection (a)(1) of this section and the information a petitioner must provide to show clearly that the motor vehicle is capable of being brought into compliance with applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter. In establishing the procedures, the Secretary shall provide for a minimum period of public notice and written comment consistent with ensuring expeditious, but complete, consideration and avoiding delay by any person. In making a decision under those procedures, the Secretary shall consider test information and other information available to the Secretary, including any information provided by the manufacturer. If the Secretary makes a negative decision, the Secretary may not make another decision for the same model until at least 3 calendar months have elapsed after the negative decision.

(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall publish each year in the Federal Register a list of all decisions made under subsection (a)(1) of this section. Each published decision applies to the model of the motor vehicle for which the decision was made. A positive decision permits another importer registered under subsection (c) of this section to import a vehicle of the same model under this section if the importer complies with all the terms of the decision.

(c) Registration.—(1) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish procedures for registering a person who complies with requirements prescribed by the Secretary by regulation under this subsection, including—

(A) recordkeeping requirements;

(B) inspection of records and facilities related to motor vehicles the person has imported, altered, or both; and

(C) requirements that ensure that the importer (or a successor in interest) will be able technically and financially to carry out responsibilities under sections 30117(b), 30118–30121, and 30166(f) of this title.

(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall deny registration to a person whose registration is revoked under paragraph (4) of this subsection.

(3) The Secretary of Transportation may deny registration to a person that is or was owned or controlled by, or under common ownership or control with, a person whose registration was revoked under paragraph (4) of this subsection.

(4) The Secretary of Transportation shall establish procedures for—

(A) revoking or suspending a registration issued under paragraph (1) of this subsection for not complying with a requirement of this subchapter or any of sections 30112, 30115, 30117–30122, 30125(c), 30127, or 30166 of this title or regulations prescribed under this subchapter or any of those sections;

(B) automatically suspending a registration for not paying a fee under subsection (a)(3) of this section in a timely manner or for knowingly filing a false or misleading certification under section 30146 of this title; and

(C) reinstating suspended registrations.

(d) Bonds.—(1) A person importing a motor vehicle under this section shall provide a bond to the Secretary of the Treasury (acting for the Secretary of Transportation) and comply with the terms the Secretary of Transportation decides are appropriate to ensure that the vehicle—

(A) will comply with applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter within a reasonable time (specified by the Secretary of Transportation) after the vehicle is imported; or

(B) will be exported (at no cost to the United States Government) by the Secretary of the Treasury or abandoned to the Government.

(2) The amount of the bond provided under this subsection shall be at least equal to the dutiable value of the motor vehicle (as determined by the Secretary of the Treasury) but not more than 150 percent of that value.

(e) Fee Review, Adjustment, and Use.—The Secretary of Transportation shall review and make appropriate adjustments at least every 2 years in the amounts of the fees required to be paid under subsection (a)(3) of this section. The Secretary of Transportation shall establish the fees for each fiscal year before the beginning of that year. All fees collected remain available until expended without fiscal year limit to the extent provided in advance by appropriation laws. The amounts are only for use by the Secretary of Transportation—

(1) in carrying out this section and sections 30146(a)–(c)(1), (d), and (e) and 30147(b) of this title; and

(2) in advancing to the Secretary of the Treasury amounts for costs incurred under this section and section 30146 of this title to reimburse the Secretary of the Treasury for those costs.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 960; Pub. L. 103–429, §6(23), Oct. 31, 1994, 108 Stat. 4380.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Pub. L. 103–272

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30141(a)	15:1397(c)(3)(A), (C)(i).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(c)(2), (3)(A)–(D); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2818.
30141(b)	15:1397(c)(3)(C) (ii)–(iv).
30141(c)	15:1397(c)(3)(D).
30141(d)	15:1397(c)(2).
30141(e)	15:1397(c)(3)(B).

In subsection (a)(1)(A)(iv), the words "prescribed under this chapter" are substituted for "Federal" for consistency in this chapter.

In subsection (a)(3), before clause (A), the words "any other fees" are substituted for "such other annual fee or fees" to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (B), the words "this subchapter" are substituted for "this section" for clarity. See H. Rept. No. 100–431, 100th Cong., 1st Sess., p. 19 (1987).

In subsection (b)(1), the words "procedures for making a decision under subsection (a)(1) of this section" are substituted for "procedures for considering such petitions" and "procedures for determinations made on the Secretary's initiative" because of the restatement. The words "(whether or not confidential)" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement.

In subsection (b)(2), the word "permits" is substituted for "shall be sufficient authority" for clarity. The word "conditions" is omitted as being included in "terms".

In subsection (c)(1), before clause (A), the words "under this subsection" are added for clarity. The word "including" is substituted for "include, as a minimum" to eliminate unnecessary words. In clause (B), the words "(relating to discovery, notification, and remedy of defects)" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (c)(3), the words "directly or indirectly" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement.

In subsection (d)(1), before clause (A), the word "conditions" is omitted as being included in "terms".

Pub. L. 103–429

This amends 49:30141(c)(4)(A) and 30165(a) to correct erroneous cross-references.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (c)(4)(A). Pub. L. 103–429 substituted "any of sections 30112" for "section 30112" and inserted "any of" before "those sections".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1994 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 103–429 effective July 5, 1994, see section 9 of Pub. L. 103–429, set out as a note under section 321 of this title.

§30142. Importing motor vehicles for personal use

(a) General.—Section 30112(a) of this title does not apply to an imported motor vehicle if—

(1) the vehicle is imported for personal use, and not for resale, by an individual (except an individual described in sections 30143 and 30144 of this title);

(2) the vehicle is imported after January 31, 1990; and

(3) the individual takes the actions required under subsection (b) of this section to receive an exemption.

(b) Exemptions.—(1) To receive an exemption under subsection (a) of this section, an individual must—

(A) provide the Secretary of the Treasury (acting for the Secretary of Transportation) with—

(i) an appropriate bond in an amount determined under section 30141(d) of this title;

(ii) a copy of an agreement with an importer registered under section 30141(c) of this title for bringing the motor vehicle into compliance with applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter; and

(iii) a certification that the vehicle meets the requirement of section 30141(a)(1)(A) or (B) of this title; and

(B) comply with appropriate terms the Secretary of Transportation imposes to ensure that the vehicle—

(i) will be brought into compliance with those standards within a reasonable time (specified by the Secretary of Transportation) after the vehicle is imported; or

(ii) will be exported (at no cost to the United States Government) by the Secretary of the Treasury or abandoned to the Government.

(2) For good cause shown, the Secretary of Transportation may allow an individual additional time, but not more than 30 days after the day on which the motor vehicle is offered for import, to comply with paragraph (1)(A)(ii) of this subsection.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 962.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30142(a)	15:1397(f)(1).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(f); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2822.
30142(b)	15:1397(f)(2).

In subsection (a)(2), the words "after January 31, 1990" are substituted for "after the effective date of the regulations initially issued to implement the amendments made to this section by the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988" for clarity. See 49 C.F.R. part 591.

In subsection (a)(3), the words "the individual takes the actions required under subsection (b) of this section" are substituted for "if that individual takes the actions required by paragraph (2)" for clarity and because of the restatement.

In subsection (b)(1), the word "compliance" is substituted for "conformity" for consistency in this chapter.

In subsection (b)(1)(B), before subclause (i), the word "conditions" is omitted as being included in "terms".

§30143. Motor vehicles imported by individuals employed outside the United States

(a) Definition.—In this section, "assigned place of employment" means—

(1) the principal location at which an individual is permanently or indefinitely assigned to work; and

(2) for a member of the uniformed services, the individual's permanent duty station.

(b) General.—Section 30112(a) of this title does not apply to a motor vehicle imported for personal use, and not for resale, by an individual—

(1) whose assigned place of employment was outside the United States as of October 31, 1988, and who has not had an assigned place of employment in the United States from that date through the date the vehicle is imported into the United States;

(2) who previously had not imported a motor vehicle into the United States under this section or section 108(g) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 or, before October 31, 1988, under section 108(b)(3) of that Act;

(3) who acquired, or made a binding contract to acquire, the vehicle before October 31, 1988;

(4) who imported the vehicle into the United States not later than October 31, 1992; and

(5) who satisfies section 108(b)(3) of that Act as in effect on October 30, 1988.

(c) Certification.—Subsection (b) of this section is carried out by certification in the form the Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury may prescribe.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 963.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30143(a)	15:1397(g) (3d, last sentences).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(g); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2823.
30143(b), (c)	15:1397(g) (1st, 2d sentences).

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "(including a member of the uniformed services)" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. In clause (1), the words "from that date through the date the vehicle is imported into the United States" are substituted for "that date and the date of entry of such motor vehicle" for clarity and consistency in this chapter. In clause (2), the words "under this section or section 108(g) of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966" are substituted for "this subsection" to preserve the exemption for motor vehicles imported under the source provisions between October 30, 1988, and the effective date of this restatement. In clause (4), the word "imports" is substituted for "enters" for clarity and consistency in this chapter. In clause (5) the word "satisfies" is substituted for "meets the terms, conditions, and other requirements . . . under" to eliminate unnecessary words.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Subsections (b)(3) and (g) of section 108 of the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966, referred to in subsec. (b)(2), (5), are subsecs. (b)(3) and (g) of section 108 of Pub. L. 89–563, which were classified to subsecs. (b)(3) and (g), respectively, of section 1397 of Title 15, Commerce and Trade, were repealed and reenacted in sections 30112(b)(1)–(3) and 30143, respectively, of this title by Pub. L. 103–272, §§1(e), 7(b), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 945, 963, 1379.

§30144. Importing motor vehicles on a temporary basis

(a) General.—Section 30112(a) of this title does not apply to a motor vehicle imported on a temporary basis for personal use by an individual who is a member of—

(1)(A) the personnel of the government of a foreign country on assignment in the United States or a member of the Secretariat of a public international organization designated under the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.); and

(B) the class of individuals for whom the Secretary of State has authorized free importation of motor vehicles; or

(2) the armed forces of a foreign country on assignment in the United States.

(b) Verification.—The Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury may require verification, that the Secretary of Transportation considers appropriate, that an individual is a member described under subsection (a) of this section. The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that a motor vehicle imported under this section will be exported (at no cost to the United States Government) or abandoned to the Government when the individual no longer—

(1) resides in the United States; and

(2) is a member described under subsection (a) of this section.

(c) Sale in the United States.—A motor vehicle imported under this section may not be sold when in the United States.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 964; Pub. L. 104–287, §5(57), Oct. 11, 1996, 110 Stat. 3394.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Pub. L. 103–272

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30144(a)	15:1397(h) (1st sentence).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(h); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2823.
30144(b)	15:1397(h) (2d, 3d sentences).
30144(c)	15:1397(h) (last sentence).

In subsection (a)(1)(B), the word "importation" is substituted for "entry" for clarity and consistency in this chapter.

In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words "that an individual is a member described under subsection (a) of this section" are substituted for "such status" for clarity. The word "imported" is substituted for "entered" for clarity and consistency in this chapter. In clause (2), the words "a member described under subsection (a) of this section" are substituted for "hold such status" for clarity.

Pub. L. 104–287

This amends 49:30144(a)(1)(A) to correct an erroneous cross-reference.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The International Organizations Immunities Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is title I of act Dec. 29, 1945, ch. 652, 59 Stat. 669, which is classified principally to subchapter XVIII (§288 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 288 of Title 22 and Tables.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted "International Organizations" for "International Organization".

§30145. Importing motor vehicles or equipment requiring further manufacturing

Section 30112(a) of this title does not apply to a motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment if the vehicle or equipment—

(1) requires further manufacturing to perform its intended function as decided under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation; and

(2) is accompanied at the time of importation by a written statement issued by the manufacturer indicating the applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter with which it does not comply.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 964.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30145	15:1397(e).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(e); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2822.

In clause (2), the word "importation" is substituted for "entry" for clarity and consistency in this chapter. The words "of the incomplete motor vehicle or item of equipment" are omitted as unnecessary because of the restatement. The words "prescribed under this chapter" are substituted for "Federal" for consistency in this chapter.

§30146. Release of motor vehicles and bonds

(a) Compliance Certification and Bond.—(1) Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section, an importer registered under section 30141(c) of this title may license or register an imported motor vehicle for use on public streets, roads, or highways, or release custody of a motor vehicle imported by the registered importer or imported by an individual under section 30142 of this title and altered by the registered importer to meet applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter to a person for license or registration for use on public streets, roads, or highways, only after 30 days after the registered importer certifies to the Secretary of Transportation, in the way the Secretary prescribes, that the motor vehicle complies with each standard prescribed in the year the vehicle was manufactured and that applies in that year to that vehicle. A vehicle may not be released if the Secretary gives written notice before the end of the 30-day period that the Secretary will inspect the vehicle under subsection (c) of this section.

(2) The Secretaries of Transportation and the Treasury shall prescribe regulations—

(A) ensuring the release of a motor vehicle and bond required under section 30141(d) of this title at the end of the 30-day period, unless the Secretary of Transportation issues a notice of an inspection under subsection (c) of this section; and

(B) providing that the Secretary of Transportation shall release the vehicle and bond promptly after an inspection under subsection (c) of this section showing compliance with the standards applicable to the vehicle.

(3) Each registered importer shall include on each motor vehicle released under this subsection a label prescribed by the Secretary of Transportation identifying the importer and stating that the vehicle has been altered by the importer to comply with the standards applicable to the vehicle.

(b) Reliance on Manufacturer's Certification.—In making a certification under subsection (a)(1) of this section, the registered importer may rely on the manufacturer's certification for the model to which the motor vehicle involved is substantially similar if the importer certifies that any alteration made by the importer did not affect the compliance of the safety features of the vehicle and the importer keeps records verifying the certification for the period the Secretary of Transportation prescribes.

(c) Evidence of Compliance.—(1) The Secretary of Transportation may require that the certification under subsection (a)(1) of this section be accompanied by evidence of compliance the Secretary considers appropriate or may inspect the certified motor vehicle, or both. If the Secretary gives notice of an inspection, an importer may release the vehicle only after—

(A) an inspection showing the motor vehicle complies with applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter for which the inspection was made; and

(B) release of the vehicle by the Secretary.

(2) The Secretary of Transportation shall inspect periodically a representative number of motor vehicles for which certifications have been filed under subsection (a)(1) of this section. In carrying out a motor vehicle testing program under this chapter, the Secretary shall include a representative number of motor vehicles for which certifications have been filed under subsection (a)(1).

(d) Challenging the Certification.—A motor vehicle or bond may not be released under subsection (a) of this section if the Secretary of Transportation, not later than 30 days after receiving a certification under subsection (a)(1) of this section, gives written notice that the Secretary believes or has reason to believe that the certification is false or contains a mispresentation.¹ The vehicle and bond may be released only after the Secretary is satisfied with the certification and any modification of the certification.

(e) Bond Release.—A release of a bond required under section 30141(d) of this title is deemed an acceptance of a certification or completion of an inspection under this section but is not a decision by the Secretary of Transportation under section 30118(a) or (b) of this title of compliance with applicable motor vehicle safety standards prescribed under this chapter.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 964.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30146(a)	15:1397(c)(3)(E)(i) (1st, 3d, last sentences), (vii).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(c)(3)(E); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2820.
30146(b)	15:1397(c)(3)(E)(ii).
30146(c)	15:1397(c)(3)(E)(i) (2d sentence), (iii), (iv).
30146(d)	15:1397(c)(3)(E)(vi).
30146(e)	15:1397(c)(3)(E)(v).

In subsection (a)(1), the words "Except as provided in subsections (c) and (d) of this section" are added because of the restatement.

In subsection (a)(2)(B), the words "showing compliance with the standards" are substituted for "showing no such failure to comply" for clarity.

¹ So in original. Probably should be "misrepresentation."

§30147. Responsibility for defects and noncompliance

(a) Deeming Defect or Noncompliance to Certain Vehicles and Importer as Manufacturer.—(1) In carrying out sections 30117(b), 30118–30121, and 30166(f) of this title—

(A) for a defect or noncompliance with an applicable motor vehicle safety standard prescribed under this chapter for a motor vehicle originally manufactured for import into the United States, an imported motor vehicle having a valid certification under section 30146(a)(1) of this title and decided to be substantially similar to that motor vehicle shall be deemed as having the same defect or as not complying with the same standard unless the manufacturer or importer registered under section 30141(c) of this title demonstrates otherwise to the Secretary of Transportation; and

(B) the registered importer shall be deemed to be the manufacturer of any motor vehicle that the importer imports or brings into compliance with the standards for an individual under section 30142 of this title.

(2) The Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register notice of any defect or noncompliance under paragraph (1)(A) of this subsection.

(b) Financial Responsibility Requirement.—The Secretary shall require by regulation each registered importer (including any successor in interest) to provide and maintain evidence, satisfactory to the Secretary, of sufficient financial responsibility to meet its obligations under sections 30117(b), 30118–30121, and 30166(f) of this title.

(Pub. L. 103–272, §1(e), July 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 966.)

Historical and Revision Notes

Revised Section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
30147(a)	15:1397(d)(1).	Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, §108(d); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, §2(b), 102 Stat. 2821.
30147(b)	15:1397(d)(2).

In this section, the words "(relating to discovery, notification, and remedy of motor vehicle defects)" are omitted as surplus.

In subsection (a)(1)(A), the words "for a motor vehicle" are substituted for "in, or regarding, any motor vehicle" to eliminate unnecessary words.

In subsection (a)(1)(B), the word "compliance" is substituted for "conformity" for consistency in this chapter.