What is the main reason most catalytic converter sold to california not legal?

To make it simple at one time ago there was car made [out] of California state, when this owner took it to that state California it would not pass inspection for it could not meet the requirements, then another person who just had purchased a car [in] California an inspection done in California and passed so he drove to out state of California state and had the car inspected and it failed. Go figure

different states - different inspection rules,- different methods and different equipment to check the inspections

California Catalytic Converter

Harry s answer from 3 years ago is the most accurate. CARB requires their "official stamp" on the catalytic converter in order to make it "legal" in California. Same catalytic converter you can buy for 48 other States, the only difference is the official "decal" or stamp ... oh, and the price of course - California charges manufacturers for the "privilege" of selling products in California, so the increased price of the product flows downline, and the extortion is passed on to the consumer via inflated prices for California consumers, for the exact same product without that CARB stamp, that you can buy in the other States. It is nothing but a racket, and we consumers are the target. And that notorious CARB stamp is the do/die visual inspection qualifier that prevents Californians from buying the same darn catalytic converter at a much cheaper price.

California has a stricter emissions regulations than other states. Legal California catalytic converters gives off lower emissions readings and are stamped with CARB number. Cat converters without this carb number are NOT illegal in calif but will fail inspections and most auto shops will not install it because it will fail inspections anyway..

I thought the info from Rock-auto was appropriate

Numerous states besides California require that new cars must meet California emissions standards. This potentially impacts every owner and buyer of new or late model used cars as well as the DIYers and professional mechanics that work on them.

Below are answers to some of the most common questions:

Are there still US federal emissions standards? Yes, states can choose to specify cars either meet federal or California emissions specifications.

How can I tell if a car is a California spec car? Look at the VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION label clearly displayed in the engine compartment. It meets California emissions specs if the label says “California emission standard (CARB certified)”, “sale in all 50 states (50-state certified)”, or “sale in the northeast”. The VEHICLE EMISSION CONTROL INFORMATION label is also where you will find "Engine Family" or "EFN" numbers.

I do not live in California or one of those California emissions states so why do I care? Used cars from the California spec states could show up for sale in any state. New states are steadily joining the California spec list. If the car is a California spec car then it might eventually need California spec replacement parts or service.

I live in a state requiring California specs. Can I go to a neighboring state that only requires Federal emissions specs and buy myself a car? You can probably buy any pre-2009 car, but check with your state’s department of licensing to avoid problems. For example, Washington State does not allow post-2009 cars without California emissions equipment to be registered if they have less than 7,500 miles (12,070 km) on the odometer. Washington residents might not be able to get license plates for a new car they buy in Montana. It is “might” because some car manufacturers are now putting California spec emissions (50-state certified) equipment on certain models no matter where they are sold. The only way to know for sure is look at that emissions decal under the hood.

Why are some of the replacement catalytic converters listed in the RockAuto.com parts catalog described as being for California emissions equipped models but “not legal for sale on vehicles licensed in the state of California?” Since January 1, 2009, California requires that aftermarket catalytic converters sold in California have special California Air Resource Board (CARB) certification and labeling. An exhaust manufacturer may have built a catalytic converter that meets or exceeds California emissions standards, but they have not yet received CARB certification so their catalytic converter cannot be sold in California.

If a catalytic converter meets California emissions standards but does not have CARB certification then can it still successfully be installed on California spec cars outside California? Yes.

I live in California. Will a new (manufactured after January 1, 2009) catalytic converter that meets California emissions standards but does not have CARB certification still enable my car to pass state emissions tests? No. The catalytic converter meets California emissions standards so the vehicle’s exhaust will likely pass emissions tests. But the vehicle should still fail because the test includes a visual inspection of the exhaust system. CARB certification requires special CARB numbers be stamped into the body of the catalytic converter. Without the CARB label on the new aftermarket catalytic converter, the state inspector will fail the car no matter how clean the exhaust is. Catalytic converters made before 2009 or newer ones without CARB certification still have a date of manufacture stamped on them per federal EPA requirements.

Will this get less or more complicated in the future? It might get less complicated if the California emissions standards are adopted by all the states or if car manufacturers decide to only make California spec cars. But it could get more complicated if other states besides California are allowed to come up with their own emissions standards or if California or other states write new regulations similar to the CARB certification for replacement catalytic converters.

You need a three way catalytic converter, there are several aftermarket brands, any will do, buy it for your make/model at an exhaust shop, it will be cheaper than the original, maybe even better. regards.

because it doesnt have a carb number.

edit* what this means to you. the builder of the exhaust component did not pay for the carb licensing, so even though it is a good product cannot be sold for use on a 50 state emissions car. its a money racket put simply, if it wasnt, then if the car passed emissions, it would be certified regardless of equipped parts.

it does not meet up to the specs for California's strict emission regulations. it does not carry a carb number, the California Air Resource Board deals with the standards.

California has stricter emissions laws than any other state, and most aftermarket companies do not conform to those laws, therefore they won't ship or sell products to a state they don't comply with.