INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW
How to Export a Vehicle From the U.S. (CBP Rules)
To export a used vehicle from the U.S. legally, you must file the export through the Automated Export System (AES) and present the title and supporting documents to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at least 72 hours before the vehicle leaves the country. This “72-hour rule” applies to every used self-propelled vehicle — regardless of value or destination — and missing it is the most common reason a car export is stopped at the port.
The rules below come from CBP’s vehicle export regulations at 19 CFR Part 192.
The 72-hour rule is the heart of vehicle export compliance
For a used self-propelled vehicle (cars, trucks, motorcycles, and similar), CBP requires you to file EEI in AES and submit the ownership documents in advance:
| Export method | What’s due 72 hours before export | When the vehicle is presented |
|---|---|---|
| Vessel or aircraft | Title + documents + AES filing (ITN) | At least 72 hours before export |
| Rail, highway, or under its own power | Title + documents + AES filing (ITN) | At the time of export |
The AES filing produces an Internal Transaction Number (ITN), which you submit to CBP with the ownership paperwork. Note the key difference from most goods: for used vehicles, EEI is required regardless of the $2,500 value threshold that exempts smaller shipments of ordinary merchandise.
Documents you need before you ship
Plan to provide CBP, in advance:
- Original certificate of title (or a certified copy) plus typically two complete copies. CBP holds the export against the title of record.
- Proof of ownership / lien release — if there is a lienholder on the title, you need a letter from the lienholder authorizing export.
- Bill of sale and the AES ITN.
- The VIN must match the title exactly.
If the title shows a lien and you cannot produce the lienholder’s written authorization, CBP will not release the vehicle for export. Resolve liens before you book transport.
Export-control and sanctions screening still apply
Most ordinary passenger vehicles are EAR99 — no Bureau of Industry and Security license needed to most destinations. But two things can change that:
- The vehicle. Armored vehicles, vehicles with military or tactical features, and certain technology can be controlled under the Export Administration Regulations or the ITAR. A standard sedan is not; a retrofitted armored SUV may be.
- The destination and parties. You still cannot export to an embargoed country or to a barred buyer. Screen the consignee and destination against the OFAC SDN list, the BIS Entity List, and the Denied Persons List before shipping.
The import side of the trip is governed by the destination country (age limits, emissions and safety standards, duties) — confirm those before you ship, because a vehicle that cannot clear customs abroad becomes an expensive problem. (Doing the reverse trip? See our primer on how to import a car to the United States.)
A clean vehicle-export sequence
- Confirm clear title and resolve any lien.
- Classify the vehicle (almost always EAR99; verify if it has special features).
- Screen the buyer, consignee, and destination.
- File EEI in AES and obtain the ITN.
- Submit title, documents, and ITN to CBP at the export port at least 72 hours out.
- Present the vehicle per the method-of-transport rule above and export.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to file in AES even for one cheap used car? Yes. For used self-propelled vehicles, EEI is required in AES regardless of value or destination — the standard $2,500 exemption does not apply.
How far in advance does CBP need the paperwork? At least 72 hours before export. For vessel and air shipments the vehicle itself must also be available for inspection in that window; for road, rail, and driveaway exports the vehicle is presented at the time of export.
What if there’s still a loan on the car? You need written authorization from the lienholder. Without a lien release or authorization letter, CBP will not allow the export.
Do I need an export license to ship a normal car? Generally no — standard passenger vehicles are EAR99. Licensing can apply to armored or military-spec vehicles, and you must still screen the destination and parties for sanctions.
Exporting vehicles and want the filing and title steps mapped out first? Reidel Law Firm provides a flat-fee Import/Export Compliance Memo covering your classification, AES and CBP obligations, and party screening in plain English. Get an import/export compliance memo →
