U.S. law - using Cdn carseats in the U.S.

Alright, here's the scoop: there's a good chance we'll be moving to the U.S. soon. We've got 2 brand-spanking new Princess Radians (approved to 65 lbs in Canada). I've told dh I'm pretty sure we'll need to purchase a couple more new seats if we do move, in order to conform to U.S. laws. I don't know the specifics as to why these laws are what they are, or really, what they are. Can someone enlighten me (and dh) with specific (he's a Chartered Accountant and deals with specifics and fine print all day long so that's what he's looking for) information on the necessity of using U.S.-approved seats in the U.S.?

What would happen if we continued to use the seats we have if we do end up living on American soil? Dh says that since we'd be bringing our Canadian vehicle, we should be able to use the Canadian carseats.

Then, the other point he's made is the Radian has been in the States for a while now, and we just very recently brought it into Canada. If the only difference is a sticker - and it's really from the U.S. anyways - what's the fuss about?

*No flames, please. I'm just looking for links to information to back up my understanding on foreign carseats to dh. Thanks!*

I would use them. A cop would have to know it was canadian to do anything about it and they don't know jack here.

Technically it's illegal because they don't meet the standards set forth by FMVSS 213---or they're not labeled as such, if they do. Some of the CDN laws are different--like you must use top tethers, here they are optional.

If you're moving to a state with a proper use clause, and you were stopped by a PO who was a CPST and they checked your seats out, you could be ticketed.

I remember reading that seats in Canada must be tested and approved by TC. Here they are spot checked by NHTSA.

Susan

The difference is that Canadian seats have been tested and regulated to Canadian standards where US seats have been tested and regulated to US standards. Really it is law to have a US seat for US residents and vice versa just like how the legal age for drinking alchol is different in Canada then in the US but it is still law and we are expected to abide by it.

Here is a post that sort of discuss' the difference between ECE/US/CDN seats and some of the differences. If your DH is moving due to work you could likely claim replacing your seats as a moving expense.



From Momika's original post:

The US law reads:

A person may not manufacture for sale, sell, offer for sale, introduce or deliver for introduction into interstate commerce, or import into the United States, any motor vehicle or motor vehicle equipment....unless the vehicle or equipment complies with the standard...Title 49 Section 30112 of the US Code of Law

Child seats are items of motor vehicle equipment. The fine is up to $1000 per violation. Federal Law does not address USE so consumers can technically use a non-US certified child seat, but when they brought it in (importation) they broke the law. However, US State Laws prohibit the USE of non-US child seats. US Customs has the right to seize non-complying child seats. Visitors/tourists are given special consideration. (A child seat in US law is one designed for children up to 50 pounds.)

Buying a non-US child seat and bringing it in risks US Customs seizure and fines. Bringing a US seat into Canada is also technically illegal in Canada...visitors get special consideration.

Flights originating in the US require child seats to be certified to US regulations and have the statement on the label in red "approved for aircraft." Europeans going back from the US are unhappy to find that their European infant seat can't be used on board for the return trip...it was ok to get here though.

European (ECE...European Economic Community) and US and Canadian and Australian regulations are different. The myth that ECE, Australian, or Canadian requirements are tougher is false. Some aspects of requirements and testing are tougher or easier in each respective country. For example:

- US requires dynamic (crash) testing with a lap belt only for infant and toddler seats...tougher than anywhere else in the world.

Nearly every infant child seat sold in Europe meeting ECE requirements will FAIL the US test because the seat shells are too weak and will fracture. There are very few exceptions. The US test assumes the worst case scenario...lap belt only, the ECE allows the shoulder belt to be looped around the back of the infant seat for support. Europe had lap-shoulder belts in the outboard rear of cars since 1973...the US since 1989...lots of US vehicles in service with all lap belts in the rear.

Without modification nearly every ECE toddler seat (forward-facing) will FAIL the US test because the head will move too far. The ECE allows the shoulder belt to be used with some form of lock off. - - Locking clips do not exist in Europe.

- Chest clips (harness clips) are not legal in the ECE...require only one latch for release...theoretically emergency release is faster.

- The US crash test pulse is different that the ECE crash pulse and Australian. The ECE pulse is easier than US for some products but the reverse is also true..they are just different.

- Canada uses the US pulse but with a non-moving seatback...US seatback moves...can't predict which is tougher because some models react differently in each test.

- ECE requires impact padding around head...US, Canada require none.

- ECE requires puzzle buckles...must put 2 tongue pieces together then latch. US, Canada, Australia don't.

- US has stricter buckle release force tolerances.

- US has tougher belt webbing abrasion testing...keep 80% of new webbing breaking strength after 2500 rubbing cycles over a hex bar...ECE has no abrasion test but a minimum breaking strength.

- Canada has similar tests to the US but toddler seats are tested with a tether (easier)

- Canada requires bi-lingual French-English labeling...ECE requires native language instructions (many have 10 languages) but no required text.

- US has strict recall and remedy requirements....ECE has none....Australia's are easy...Canada is medium.

- US has an out of control product liability climate...ECE has very weak product liability...normally loser pays...Australia is getting worse...Canada will soon be out of control.

- US/Canada have strict flammability testing...California has a special test...UK has a moderate test...Germany and the other ECE countries have none (why? they don't allow their kids to smoke in child seats)

- ECE has no test for aircraft suitability...US has an inversion test...dummy can't fall out when upside down.

- ECE won't allow overhead shield seats or T-shields

- Only the US has a required airbag warning label...Canada is voluntary but must be bi-lingual.

- Australia requires 6 point belts...(left shoulder, right shoulder, left hip, right hip, 2 at crotch)...the crotch strap is 2 separate straps (inverted "V") to avoid male kids from becoming sopranos.

- Japan will officially accept either ECE or US approval but the product must go through certain "political" tests to be accepted.

There's lots more...the point being that there is no country with the "best" requirements. All countries have some tough tests, some weak tests, some seemingly silly outdated tests. Use a US approved seat in the US, a Canadian approved seat in Canada, an ECE approved seat in Europe, an Australian approved seat in Australia, etc.

Thanks for the replies so far - does anyone else have any additional info?

I have cdn radians as well and just emailed the owner of sunshine kids. Apparently the radians are identical in the US as in Canada. Meaning the only difference is the stickers on the sides. So they do meet US codes even tho they were bought in canada. Email russ@skjp.com that's who i talked to. He's even looking into it further cuz i asked if I could just get the US stickers then for my cdn bought radians...Good luck!

Unregistered said:

I have cdn radians as well and just emailed the owner of sunshine kids. Apparently the radians are identical in the US as in Canada. Meaning the only difference is the stickers on the sides. So they do meet US codes even tho they were bought in canada. Email russ@skjp.com that's who i talked to. He's even looking into it further cuz i asked if I could just get the US stickers then for my cdn bought radians...Good luck!

Click to expand...

Russ has been known to say a lot of varying things when it comes to stickering of the seats. I do believe that physically they are the same seats, however, you'd be looking at a lot of stickers to transform the seat from CMVSS to FMVSS.

The OP of this thread has moved to the US, and did replace her CDN seats with US ones. I actually knew her IRL, though haven't heard from her since the move.

I've locked the thread due to the age of it. Feel free to start a new thread if you'd like to discuss the sticker issue regarding the radians further.