Vehicles under 25 years old must meet U.S. federal standards to be permanently imported.

: Check under the hood for a "Vehicle Emission Control Information" label. If missing, you need a letter of compliance from the manufacturer.

To buy a Canadian car and permanently bring it into the U.S., you must navigate a formal importation process involving federal safety and emissions compliance, customs duties, and state-level registration.

: Look for a certification label in the driver's side door jamb. Canadian cars often have a CMVSS label instead; in this case, you must obtain a Manufacturer’s Letter of Compliance confirming the car meets U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).

: The "Entry Summary" provided after clearing customs, which is required by the DMV.