49 U.S.C. § 30142 — Importing motor vehicles for personal use

(a) General. The import ban in section 30112(a) does not apply to an imported motor vehicle if: (1) it is imported for personal use, not for resale, by an individual, except an individual covered by sections 30143 and 30144; (2) it is imported after January 31, 1990; and (3) the individual takes the steps required under subsection (b) to receive the exemption. (b) Exemptions. (1) To receive the exemption, the individual must (A) give the Secretary of the Treasury, acting for the Secretary of Transportation, (i) an appropriate bond, in an amount set under section 30141(d), (ii) a copy of an agreement with an importer registered under section 30141(c) to bring the vehicle into compliance with applicable safety standards, and (iii) a certification that the vehicle meets the requirement of section 30141(a)(1)(A) or (B); and (B) comply with terms the Secretary of Transportation sets to ensure the vehicle will (i) be brought into compliance with those standards within a reasonable time set by the Secretary, or (ii) be exported at no cost to the government, or abandoned to the government. (2) For good cause shown, the Secretary of Transportation may give the individual up to 30 extra days after the vehicle is offered for import to comply with paragraph (1)(A)(ii).