Customs inspections

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License plate shortage update

A personalized "Notice" Washington license plate with a Department of Licensing frame.

To address an ongoing shortage of standard vehicle Washington license plates, we are temporarily authorizing the printing and use of non-embossed plates.

The transition to non-embossed plates will begin the week of September 23.

Visit our Licensing Express page to learn more.

Learn what documents you need if you want to import a vehicle or boat from another country.

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Before you get started

If you import a vehicle or boat from a foreign country and want to register it in Washington, it must clear U.S. Customs.

Gather the required documents

You must have U.S. Customs or Department of Defense documents, which must:

Include the year, make, and Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) or Hull Identification Number (HIN, if it is a boat).
Be from U.S. Customs, not from a brokerage or foreign customs office.
Be signed and stamped by Customs.

Military personnel

If you licensed a vehicle or boat in a foreign country while you were on active duty, submit the Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or Manufacturer's Certificate of Origin (MCO) when you license it in Washington.