State registration guide
Washington State JDM Import Registration Guide
Washington asks for a Customs document signed and stamped by US Customs before it will register a car imported from another country. Emissions testing ended on January 1, 2020, but ownership papers, federal import declarations and some inspections still apply. The agency pages behind this guide were checked on 12 October 2026.
State agency pages checked October 12, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you buy or ship.
On this page
Quick answer
Washington DOL's customs inspection page, checked 12 October 2026, says an imported vehicle must clear US Customs before it can be registered. The Customs or Department of Defense document must show the year, make and VIN, come from US Customs rather than a brokerage or foreign customs office, and be signed and stamped by Customs.
Key facts — Washington
- Federal age rule
- 25 or more years old (49 CFR 591.5(i)(1))
- EPA age code
- Code E: at least 21 years, import year minus manufacture year
- Emissions test
- Ended January 1, 2020 (Ecology)
- Customs evidence
- Signed and stamped by US Customs (DOL)
- Title application fee
- $40 for dealer/lessor retail sales or leases through December 31, 2036; $15 for other applications
- Incoming vehicle fees
- $75 since July 1, 2026; returning owners exempt
Overview
Federal rules apply separately. Under 49 CFR 591.5(i)(1), a vehicle that is 25 or more years old qualifies for the age exemption from the federal safety standards. EPA's Form 3520-1 is submitted to US Customs and Border Protection. Its Code E covers vehicles at least 21 years old (import year minus manufacture year) in original configuration. A replacement engine must match the model originally installed, or both the engine and any applicable aftertreatment must come from a certified donor vehicle at least as new as the imported car.
Before buying a kei vehicle, ask DOL in writing how it will classify the exact car or truck and what registration requirements apply.
Registration steps — Washington
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Clear Customs and file the federal declarations
A foreign-imported vehicle must clear US Customs before Washington will register it. EPA Form 3520-1 is submitted to Customs for covered imports. The DOL and WAC document lists checked for this guide do not name the federal forms, so ask the licensing office which copies to bring.
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Gather the ownership and Customs documents
WAC 308-56A-115 asks for the current ownership document issued by the exporting country, the executed CBP Entry Summary, and an English translation with the translator's notarized or certified affidavit. If that country cancelled the ownership document for export, add proof of ownership and any cancellation evidence; without it, the owner signs a statement of fact. If you are not the owner named on the document, you need a release of interest.
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Get a VIN inspection if you are referred
A licensing agent tells you at application whether an inspection is needed. If so, a DOL agent issues the WSP Inspection Request Form, and you book an appointment; WSP takes no walk-ins. Bring the car and the original paperwork. An unlicensed car must arrive on a licensed trailer, or you need a transit permit to drive it.
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Apply for the title
Sign the Vehicle Title Application in front of a licensing agent, who can notarize it, or in front of a notary. You and the seller also complete the Vehicle/Vessel Bill of Sale. A vehicle of model year 2010 or older qualifies for the odometer exemption, so no odometer miles are reported.
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Pay the fees and taxes
DOL says fees differ for every situation, so ask for a quote. State law sets a $40 title application fee for dealer or lessor retail sales and leases through 2036, and $15 for other applications. It lists $75 for a vehicle previously registered in another country (exempt if you registered it in Washington and kept ownership) and $65 when WSP completes an inspection. DOR lists an additional 0.5% use tax from January 1, 2026 where sales tax was not paid.
Washington emissions testing ended January 1, 2020
Ecology's page, checked 12 October 2026, says Washington's emission check program ended January 1, 2020, and owners are no longer required to have a vehicle's emissions tested before renewing registration. Driving a vehicle with modified emissions equipment or one that smokes is still illegal, and Ecology says tampering with emissions controls is illegal.
Ending the testing program left other rules in place. EPA's Form 3520-1 is still submitted to Customs for covered imports. DOL's Clean Car Law page requires California emission certification for new 2009 and newer models and lists 2008 and earlier models as exempt. Ecology also reports that it temporarily paused portions of some vehicle emissions standards in response to federal actions, so check its page for the current status.
Expected timeline
DOL's buyer page gives 6-8 weeks for an ordinary title and an additional $50 fee for Quick Title. DOL's Quick Title page separately excludes out-of-state vehicles, so confirm eligibility with the licensing office before planning around that service. Neither figure covers Customs clearance or port-to-plate time.
Common issues
- Submitting brokerage or foreign customs paperwork instead of a document from US Customs signed and stamped by Customs.
- Customs paperwork that omits the year, make or VIN. DOL's page lists the VIN and does not mention chassis numbers, so ask DOL before buying a car with a short Japanese chassis number.
- A translation without the translator's notarized or certified affidavit, which Washington requires for any document not in English.
- Driving an unlicensed car to a WSP appointment. WSP says to use a licensed trailer or buy a transit permit first.
- DOL asks for Customs documents signed and stamped, while WAC 308-56A-115 names an executed CBP Entry Summary. Ask the licensing office which printout it accepts before you ship.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions — Washington
- How do I title and register a car imported from Japan in Washington?
- Clear the car through US Customs, then apply at a vehicle licensing office with the exporting country's current ownership document, the Customs document signed and stamped by Customs, the CBP Entry Summary, and an English translation with a notarized or certified affidavit. Sign the Vehicle Title Application in front of a licensing agent or notary.
- Do Japanese export certificates need a certified English translation?
- Yes, for any document not in English. WAC 308-56A-115 requires an English translation, and the translator must provide a notarized or certified affidavit attesting to its accuracy. If the exporting country cancelled the ownership document, send proof of ownership and any cancellation evidence; without it, the owner signs a statement of fact.
- Does every Washington import need a WSP VIN inspection?
- No. WSP says vehicles from another state or country have gone through DOL stolen-vehicle screening since July 1, 2001, and it still inspects special cases, including vehicles without a proper VIN. A licensing agent tells you at application whether you need one. Inspections are by appointment only, with a request form from a DOL agent.
- Does Washington require smog testing for an imported car?
- No. Ecology says the emission check program ended January 1, 2020. DOL's Clean Car Law page requires California emission certification for new 2009 and newer models and lists 2008 and earlier models as exempt. Ecology also reports a temporary pause on portions of some vehicle emissions standards, so check its page before buying a newer car.
- Are kei trucks street legal in Washington?
- Get DOL's written classification and registration requirements for the exact kei truck before buying. Washington defines a neighborhood electric vehicle as electrically powered, so a gasoline kei truck does not fit that definition. A title can carry the comment "not eligible for road use" for a vehicle not manufactured for road use.
- How long does a Washington title take, and can I get a Quick Title?
- DOL's buyer page gives 6-8 weeks for an ordinary title and describes faster Quick Titles for an additional $50. DOL's Quick Title page also excludes out-of-state vehicles, an exclusion absent from the buyer page. Confirm eligibility with the office before relying on Quick Title for a foreign import. These figures do not include Customs clearance.
See also
Other state guides
Sources
Agency pages and forms below were checked on October 12, 2026.
- eCFR - 49 CFR 591.5, Declarations required for importation
- US Environmental Protection Agency - Form 3520-1, Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Engines Subject to Federal Air Pollution Regulations
- Washington State Department of Licensing - Customs inspections
- Washington Administrative Code - WAC 308-56A-115
- Washington State Department of Licensing - Buy and register a vehicle
- Washington State Patrol - Schedule a VIN Inspection
- Washington State Patrol - Frequently Asked Questions
- Washington Administrative Code - WAC 308-56A-150
- Washington State Department of Ecology - Emission checks ended
- Washington State Department of Ecology - Vehicle emissions standards
- Washington State Department of Licensing - Clean Car Law emission requirements
- Revised Code of Washington - RCW 46.17.100, Application fee
- Revised Code of Washington - RCW 46.17.120, Stolen vehicle check fee
- Revised Code of Washington - RCW 46.17.130, Vehicle identification number inspection fee
- Washington Department of Revenue - Motor vehicle sales/use tax
- Washington State Department of Licensing - Calculate vehicle tab fees
- Revised Code of Washington - RCW 46.04.357, Neighborhood electric vehicle
- Washington Administrative Code - WAC 308-94A-005, Off-road and nonhighway vehicle titles
- Washington DOL: Quick Title