CSMS Message: 16-000399

In the early 2000s, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) issued guidance to the States’ Departments of Motor Vehicles (DMVs) stating that CBP's signed and stamped Customs Form 7501 (hereinafter “CF 7501”) should be accepted as verification of a vehicle importation. CBP is now implementing a new electronic system for commodity importations, the “Automated Commercial Environment” or ACE. Now, an electronic ACE entry or a paper entry may be filed with CBP for vehicle importations. For paper entries, the CF 7501 may still be presented to CBP for stamping and signing. For their clients, customs brokers may print an ACE electronic equivalent of the CF 7501 for CBP to sign and stamp. DMVs may notice that the ACE electronic equivalent of the CF 7501 is slightly different.

For the purpose of individuals registering their vehicles in the United States, CBP will only stamp a paper CF 7501 or its ACE electronic equivalent upon request. CBP will not stamp any other form/document as substitution for the CF 7501 and CBP will not stamp or sign any other U.S. Government agencies’ forms (e.g., the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration HS-7 Declaration Form or the Environmental Protection Agency 3520-1 Form).

There has been confusion in the past that the CBP stamp signified compliance with other government agency statutes and regulations. It does not. The CBP stamp and signature only means that the importer completed the CBP import processing and provided proof of ownership by presenting the original certificate of title, or a certified copy of the originals.
As we move forward into the electronic world, CBP will be exploring opportunities to streamline this process with the DMVs; however, this policy will remain the same until further notice. If there are any questions or concerns regarding this policy, please contact Mr. William Scopa at 202-863-6554 or Mr. Randy Mitchell at 202-863-6532.