Compliance Assessment
Compliance Support
Importing or exporting your vehicle can be a complex and time consuming process. The information below is intended to provide guidance and help answer FAQs.
Should you require further assistance, a registered importer may prove useful in guiding you through the process. You may access a list of registered importers at the NHTSA website provided below.
Please note that the final decision regarding the import/export of your vehicle rests with the relevant authorities. The policies and procedures described below are subject to change without notice.
Canadian vehicle importation to the U.S.
Who requires a Letter of Compliance?
As part of the importation process of your Canadian Mercedes-Benz vehicle, US authorities will require a Letter of Compliance. Mercedes-Benz Canada (MBC) will provide Canadian vehicle owners moving to the U.S. with a Letter of Compliance upon successful completion of the below described process.
What does the letter of compliance include?
This letter will provide you with the compliance assessment of your vehicle’s factory configuration with regards to U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and EPA emissions standards. It will also include vehicle model, model year, production date, VIN, confirmation that the vehicle was manufactured to meet Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) as well as a recall clearance statement.
For detailed information, please refer to the Vehicle Importation and Certification Requirements webpage on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) website.
What is the Process?
- Ensure that your vehicle is clear of active recalls by contacting your authorized Mercedes-Benz dealership or contacting Mercedes-Benz Canada customer assistance.
- Gather the following valid supporting documents:
- Canadian driver's license to show proof of Canadian residency
- Canadian permanent vehicle registration (not temporary)
- Submit your request for a Letter of Compliance at the link below.
- Ensure that all information provided is accurate and complete.
- Should the compliance team require further information, they will contact you via email.
- The compliance team will respond to your request within 10 business days.
Notes:
- Letters of Compliance will be provided in electronic format only.
- As per the Owner’s Service and Warranty Policy booklet provided with your vehicle, the factory warranty will no longer be available upon the vehicle’s exportation from Canada (applicable to MY 2017 or newer).
MBC does not provide Letters of Compliance for:
- Vehicles that were not originally manufactured to comply with U.S. FMVSS #138 and/or #208
- Vehicles within the 12-month non-export period as per bill of sale
- Vehicles owned by a dealership (franchised or otherwise)
- Vehicles owned by a non-resident of Canada
- Vehicles modified from their factory configuration
- Vehicles that have been declared a total loss
- Vehicles that were salvaged and rebuilt
- Vehicles with outstanding active recalls
- Vehicles of MY2021 or newer
- Canada unique models which have not been homologated for the US market, e.g.
- smart fortwo MY2006 or older (model 450)
- A-Class Hatch
- B-Class
- C-Class Wagon
- S-Class short wheelbase
- Other Canada unique models
- Vehicles where Mercedes-Benz is not the final stage manufacturer, e.g.
- Metris/Sprinter RVs
- Metris/Sprinter Cab Chassis
- Modified Cab-Complete Metris/Sprinters
- Vehicles with outstanding liens to Mercedes-Benz Financial Services (MBFS) or any other financial services provider.
U.S. vehicle importation to Canada
For U.S. customers relocating to Canada, please consult the Registrar of Imported Vehicles before importing your U.S. version vehicle. For more information, please refer to the FAQs section.
Vehicles manufactured for, or imported to/from, other markets than the U.S. or Canada
Please note that Mercedes-Benz Canada Inc. cannot provide assistance for vehicles going to or coming from markets other than the United States. Furthermore, MBC can only assist with vehicles that were originally manufactured for the U.S. or Canadian markets. For information regarding importing a Mercedes-Benz to any other market(s), please contact the relevant local authorities at the destination country. More information regarding importation of vehicles from countries other than the United States/Mexico into Canada can be found on Transport Canada’s website here.
Letters of Compliance are only issued for vehicle importation between Canada and the U.S. due to the similarity in emissions and safety standards as well as the frequency of customers requesting this service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Importing a Canadian vehicle to the U.S.:
A Canadian Mercedes-Benz vehicle is deemed inadmissible for importation to the U.S. when:
- It cannot be modified to meet the minimum requirements set by NHTSA;
- It was not homologated for the U.S. market, making it a “Canada unique model” which is less than 25 years old.
Importing a U.S. vehicle to Canada
Disclaimer
[1] In some cases, a compliance assessment will not be provided, to the discretion of Mercedes-Benz Canada’s compliance team. Some examples include but are not limited to vehicles more than 15 years old, special edition models, and models where certain equipment requirements cannot be validated. In addition, only letters of compliance are provided to customers; recall clearance letters, letters/certificate of origin and other documentation are not provided.
Customer Support
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