No, unfortunately, that’s not possible.
For use on American roads, your car seat must have FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) approval and be marked with a corresponding label.
Unfortunately, you won’t find new car seats with USA approval in stores or online shops. You can look for used car seats with USA approval on classified ad sites. Some travelers have brought car seats from past trips back to Germany and then sell them there.
A USA-approved car seat is marked with a label stating “This child restraint system conforms to all applicable federal motor vehicle safety standards.”
You can find a car seat with USA approval in local stores in the USA or from American online shops.
For example, you can ask your hotel if they accept packages and then order a car seat online to your hotel. Alternatively, you can shop at local stores or choose an online order with in-store pickup.
In America, each state has its own laws regarding car seats. Therefore, it’s important that you inform yourself thoroughly for your trip. Depending on your child’s age, there are regulations regarding the direction of travel and harness systems.
USA approvals are based on FMVSS standards (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards), while in Germany and the EU, ECE Regulation No. 44/04 or ECE R129 (i-Size) applies. There are differences in testing procedures and car seat installation requirements.
Yes, in the USA, the LATCH system (Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children) is widely used, while in Germany and Europe, the ISOFIX system is standard for car seat installation.
That depends on the type of trip you’re taking. For trips with only a few days of rental car use or taxi rides, I would rent a car seat locally.
If you’re traveling for a longer period and driving a lot with a rental car, buying one might be worthwhile. Often, the rental costs for several days are equivalent to the purchase price of an inexpensive car seat.
No, because the approval standards differ, the use of a US car seat in Germany, as well as the EU, is not legally permitted.
You can try to sell your car seat purchased in the USA locally. Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist are good options for this.
Alternatively, you can transport your American car seat back to Germany with you. This is usually free for accompanying children. In Germany, you can sell this seat, for example, on classified ad sites, because many families are already looking for a suitable seat before their trip to the USA.
