New Mexico: titling an imported car
New Mexico's MVD manual says staff must not process imported vehicles without a CBP Vehicle Release showing DOT, EPA and customs compliance and the applicable waiting period.
Sources checked 2026-10-17. Not legal advice; rules change.
At a glance
- Import ease (where verified): Official sources state barriers or hold-ups for typical 25-year imports. MVD manual says not to process imported-vehicle transactions without a CBP Vehicle Release showing DOT, EPA and customs compliance and the waiting period.
- Kei / mini-truck: No kei or mini-truck rule found in the sources read. No kei or mini-truck rule found in the official pages read.
What the official sources say
- New Mexico MVD Chapter 8: foreign-manufactured vehicles made to be sold outside the U.S. do not meet federal standards; on import, owners must conform to USDOT and EPA standards 'prior to applying for New Mexico Title and Registration.' The applicant must provide a vehicle release from U.S. CBP indicating the vehicle meets DOT requirements per the HS-7, is held at least 30 days from the import date with an NHTSA Bond Release letter, meets EPA standards, and meets CBP requirements.
Source: New Mexico MVD Chapter 8: Special Title Situations - Same chapter: the Vehicle Release must indicate that the vehicle meets USDOT requirements, EPA standards, U.S. customs requirements and the applicable waiting period; 'Do not process imported vehicle transactions without a Vehicle Release.' Acceptable port-of-entry documents commonly are CBP 7501 and DD1252, with the VIN on them, plus a VIN inspection and NCIC clearance.
Source: New Mexico MVD Chapter 8 - Same chapter, documents: ownership documents corresponding to the country of origin (certified English translation required), bill of sale if needed, dealer's invoice if needed, VIN inspection by a certified inspector, Affirmation Certifying Ownership (MVD-10010), odometer statement, the Vehicle Release, and excise tax (greater of NADA value or purchase price). A notarized metric-odometer conversion statement is required when federal rules require a miles odometer.
Source: New Mexico MVD Chapter 8
Not verified (do not rely on ImportClock for these)
- The manual does not mention the 25-year exemption; it is not known what Vehicle Release CBP issues for an HS-7 Box 1 vehicle, or whether the 'waiting period' applies to it.
- The chapter is a staff procedure manual; a separate public New Mexico MVD page for importers was not read.
- No kei or mini-truck rule and no emissions rule were found.