The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for a number of programs that manage import compliance for vehicles, including standard motor vehicles, regulated motor vehicle equipment items, motor vehicles not designated for public roads and more. As of March 31, 2016, NHTSA rolled out new electronic reporting requirements.
Understanding NHTSA
NHTSA is responsible for a number of programs that manage import compliance for vehicles, including standard motor vehicles, regulated motor vehicle equipment items, motor vehicles not designated for public roads and more. Required data elements are submitted on paper or through the Automated Commercial System (ACS).
What’s changing under ACE
Data is no longer be accepted via ACS and all electronic data must be transmitted through ACE. As part of the ACE filing the program your product belongs to must be identified, and entries must include category code, manufacturing month (conditional) and drive side (conditional).
NHTSA will also require “party/entity” identification, including complete name, physical address, and detailed contact information, such as certifying individual; consignee; and owner. Several conditional data elements may also be required.
Certain NHTSA imports will also require additional data documentation confirming their import eligibility; these documents (including a Signed Manufacturer’s Compliance Letter, Importer’s Substantiating Statement and others) must also be filed through ACE.
Livingston developed an easy-to-complete NHTSA – Declaration Form that can be used by new and existing clients to ensure proper database setup. This form only needs to be completed once at the initial account/database setup stage.
Understand the DOT NHTSA category codes. Download the complete list of codes below:
DOT NHTSA NHT Codes
DOT NHTSA HTS Codes
Trust Livingston with your NHTSA imports
The customs and trade experts at Livingston are here to help. With a full staff of U.S. regulatory affairs experts, we know the NHTSA requirements in detail, and are ready to help ensure your compliance is maintained. We are committed to a seamless ACE integration process for our current clients, regardless of their size, their number of transactions or their PGA requirements.
Livingston is committed to a seamless ACE integration process for our current clients, and we are ready to support new clients with their ACE needs, including their NHTSA and other PGA requirements.