Found this very interesting posted at
Just imported and registered my Smart450 cdi - Club smart Car= by a Texan named ahlenius
Hello to all today was a great day after two years of doubt i finally imported my 2006 pulse cdi cabroilet to the USA!....and i did it because of this website and its members! a big thanks to RedGaucho and Chris Austin I have been a member for two years and drove my Smart(skittles) as my daughter calls it to Texas in March of 2007..ill skip the whole story and tell members how it was done legally and properly.Once again thanks to advice from RedGaucho heres what i did.
As there are many Smarts registered in the US it is not a problem getting Insurance so in saying that here are the Rules at least in Texas as with most States California may be differ
1) The car must be driven by the owner onto the united states and sold on US soil.
2) Sale documentation must include Bill of Sale,the owners title or registration..signed,the transfer of ownership papers from your state(as required).filled out by both parties and signed by both parties..go to the DMV and see what you need.do not be frightened by what they need because the customs import form overides alot of it!
3)To be safe download a HS-7 form from the Us gov with you as the importer and the declerant check the box marked conforms to all us &canadian bumper regs(which it does)
Find a licenced and bonded importer that is Knowledgeable on importing a Personel Vehicle that you have bought from an individual in the usa. should not cost more than $235
4)once the import is complete...5 working days you will get a perforated customs entry form
5) at this pont you may have to have a DMV form filled out insuring the car is not stolen...take it to your local police station for this.
6) get insurance
7)get your car inspected at your local state inspection center and get the inspection for local or imported cars i used Kwik Kar and they will ggive you the required paperwork
8)take all the above paperwork to your local DMV and you should get reg. and plates.
I hope this helps I am thrilled that I was able to keep my CDI here..my daughter is thrilled to....but alas sorry Exxon Mobil!
Today
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