This federal form is issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation. It is required when importing a motor vehicle under Box 8 of the HS-7 declaration. The form must be submitted to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port of entry before the vehicle can be released. Any importer, broker, or customs agent handling vehicle importation in the United States must understand and correctly complete this form.
This form is required if you are importing a motor vehicle that does not meet all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). This includes off-road vehicles, race cars, show or display vehicles, and vehicles manufactured for foreign markets. The importer of record must complete and submit all required documents and photographs to CBP at the time of entry. Non-conforming vehicles imported without this form may be refused entry or held by the agency until proper documentation is submitted.
The form collects information across five main categories:
Follow these steps to fill out the form correctly and avoid delays at the port of entry:
NHTSA requires that all submitted documents are legible, accurate, and complete. The agency may request additional information within a review period of up to 30 days after submission. Incomplete submissions or missing photographs are returned for correction. Regulations require that all information match the submitted vehicle identification number exactly. Missing or mismatched information can delay vehicle release by weeks and may trigger non-compliance proceedings by the agency.
For related federal forms, see the DOT HS-7 Form and DOT Vehicle Inspection Forms. After completing vehicle importation, you may also need the Motor Vehicle Licensing ALV-8 Form for state registration.
What vehicles require this form?
Any motor vehicle imported under Box 8 of the HS-7 declaration requires this form. This applies to off-road vehicles, show or display vehicles, race cars, and foreign-market vehicles that do not meet applicable United States safety equipment standards.
Is the Box HS 7 Form the same as the standard HS-7 Form?
No. The standard HS-7 Form covers all vehicle import declarations. The Box HS 7 Form refers specifically to vehicles declared under Box 8, which applies to non-conforming vehicles that do not meet federal safety standards.
How long does the NHTSA review process take?
NHTSA typically completes its review within 30 days of a complete submission. Cases with incomplete documents or unusual equipment configurations may take longer. Submissions missing required photographs are returned for correction before the review clock starts.
Can I submit this form electronically?
Yes. CBP accepts electronic submission of the form and associated documents through the ACE (Automated Commercial Environment) portal. Paper submissions are also accepted at all U.S. ports of entry. See the DOT F-1681 Form for additional importation documentation requirements.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Form Name | Box Hs 7 Form |
| Form Length | 1 pages |
| Fillable? | No |
| Fillable fields | 0 |
| Avg. time to fill out | 15 sec |
| Other names | motor vehicle box hs7 form, transportation importation box hs7, dot motor box hs 7, motor vehicle 8 hs7 form |