Title 49, TransportationRelease 119-110

§30144 Importing Motor Vehicles on a Temporary Basis

Title 49 › SUBTITLE VI — MOTOR VEHICLE AND DRIVER PROGRAMS › PART A — GENERAL › CHAPTER 301 — MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY › SUBCHAPTER III — IMPORTING NONCOMPLYING MOTOR VEHICLES AND EQUIPMENT › § 30144

Last updated Sep 22, 2026|Official source

Summary

Lets certain people bring a personal car into the United States for a short time without following the normal import rules. It applies to foreign government staff on assignment here, members of international organizations listed under the International Organizations Immunities Act (22 U.S.C. 288 et seq.), people the Secretary of State allows to import cars free, and foreign armed forces on assignment. The Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury can ask for proof of status. The Transportation Secretary decides what proof is needed and must make sure the car is either exported at no cost to the U.S. Government or given to the Government when the person stops living in the United States or stops qualifying. The car cannot be sold while it is in the United States.

Full Legal Text

Title 49, §30144

Transportation, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)General.—
section 30112(a) of this title does not apply to a motor vehicle imported on a temporary basis for personal use by an individual who is a member of— (1)
(2)the armed forces of a foreign country on assignment in the United States.
(b)Verification.—
The Secretary of Transportation or the Secretary of the Treasury may require verification, that the Secretary of Transportation considers appropriate, that an individual is a member described under subsection (a) of this section. The Secretary of Transportation shall ensure that a motor vehicle imported under this section will be exported (at no cost to the United States Government) or abandoned to the Government when the individual no longer—
(1)resides in the United States; and
(2)is a member described under subsection (a) of this section.
(c)Sale in the United States.—
A motor vehicle imported under this section may not be sold when in the United States.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Pub. L. 103–272 Revised SectionSource (U.S. Code)Source (Statutes at Large) 30144(a)15:1397(h) (1st sentence).Sept. 9, 1966, Pub. L. 89–563, 80 Stat. 718, § 108(h); added Oct. 31, 1988, Pub. L. 100–562, § 2(b), 102 Stat. 2823. 30144(b)15:1397(h) (2d, 3d sentences). 30144(c)15:1397(h) (last sentence). In subsection (a)(1)(B), the word “importation” is substituted for “entry” for clarity and consistency in this chapter. In subsection (b), before clause (1), the words “that an individual is a member described under subsection (a) of this section” are substituted for “such status” for clarity. The word “imported” is substituted for “entered” for clarity and consistency in this chapter. In clause (2), the words “a member described under subsection (a) of this section” are substituted for “hold such status” for clarity. Pub. L. 104–287This amends 49:30144(a)(1)(A) to correct an erroneous cross-reference.

Editorial Notes

References in Text

The International Organizations Immunities Act, referred to in subsec. (a)(1)(A), is title I of act Dec. 29, 1945, ch. 652, 59 Stat. 669, which is classified principally to subchapter XVIII (§ 288 et seq.) of chapter 7 of Title 22, Foreign Relations and Intercourse. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see

Short Title

note set out under section 288 of Title 22 and Tables.

Amendments

1996—Subsec. (a)(1)(A). Pub. L. 104–287 substituted “International Organizations” for “International Organization”.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

49 U.S.C. § 30144

Title 49, Transportation

Last Updated

Sep 22, 2026

Release point: 119-110