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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 6:55 am Post subject: What NOT to do when importing a car from Europe to the US |
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I've been reading on the web all kinds of articles about how to import a car from Europe to the US.
So far, I've found that cars that are more than 25 years old and that were made outside the US don't have to conform to the vehicle safety regulations that were in force in the US in the year they were built. At least that's the way I interpret what it says on the NHTSA website.
I've also found that there are a lot of forms to fill out and that various agencies need to be satisfied, like the IRS and the USDA (to make sure the car isn't bringing any bugs into the US), so that it seems a good idea to use a broker or import company to handle the details.
I'm not looking for an exhaustive "to-do" list since that's all on the web. But what can you tell me about pitfalls, things to avoid, things to do that will make the process go more smoothly? _________________ Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt. |
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pondoras box Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004 Posts: 1226 Location: Eerie PA
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:11 am Post subject: |
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US Customs and Border Protections run all the Port of Entries into the United States and they are the ones who either say yes you can or no you can not bring something into the United States. With that being said lets not turn this into a the government sucks thing and keep it informational only.
They (they Government) have resources to guide you through the process. One valuable resource is the website for know before you go. It has basic guideline for importing stuff back into the US. But there are phone numbers and websites that will help even more.
www.help.cbp.gov
1-877-227-5511
or
(703) 526-4200
Another source of information is going to a port of entry and speaking to someone, ask for a supervisor.
If you go to CBP's website there should even be a list of phone numbers to the ports if it would be easier to call and you should be able to make an appointment to speak to someone if you want to assure that you can sit down with someone to ask all your questions.
Hope this helps you. _________________ Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda)
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk |
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pondoras box Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004 Posts: 1226 Location: Eerie PA
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:20 am Post subject: |
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Ok additional information as found in the know before you go handout.
The Epa requirments can found at
www.epa.gov/otag/imports/factmtop.htm
Or visit their website for
www.epa.gov
for a automotive imports facts manual
The DOT's info for safety compliance is at
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page2.html
The brochure for CBP "importing a car" can be found at
www.cbp.gov
With a little work on your end you can avoid paying someone else money for what you can do for free.
I will do a bit more research here and see if I can come up with additional information but these sources should clear up some confussion.
Good luck! _________________ Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda)
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk |
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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 7:40 am Post subject: |
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Thanks for the links. From what I can see, EPA excludes an original, unmodified vehicle from emissions rules if it is more than 21 years old, and NHTSA has a similar exclusion from bumper and other safety requirements for vehicles more than 25 years old. But of course you have to provide proof of when the vehicle was manufactured, and that it is unmodified (for instance, still has the original engine). _________________ Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt. |
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*Darren Samba Member
Joined: July 29, 2013 Posts: 917 Location: MD
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Posted: Mon Aug 05, 2013 10:46 am Post subject: |
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You can go to samba member and split enthusiast John Henry's bugshop.org and read his story of importing his 50 split rag (which he has since sold). http://www.thebugshop.org/goother.htm Doesn't give you every little detail, but still worth reading about the trials and tribulations of buying a car in Europe and shipping to the USA. |
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BenJAMin Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 4:59 pm Post subject: |
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What kind of car are you thinking of and where is it located?
Here's the reader's digest version
You need CBP form 7501 showing duty paid
EPA 3520-1 shows emissions exemption
DOT HS-7 show DOT exemption
You will have to pay 2.5% duty on the car. You will need to hire a broker unless you plan on physically being there, and I would still recommend it because it will make it much less frustrating for you.
Once you have these documents, along with the registration document, you should be good. But,I have had to deal with customers and their own DMVs being stupid and having to be persuaded to register the car.
If you have any questions, I will try to answer. Not to advertise, but I work for a company that imports cars that is in NJ. |
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Malokin Martin Samba Member
Joined: August 19, 2007 Posts: 3100 Location: E-burg
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Posted: Tue Aug 06, 2013 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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How much of a stickler are they on the "original engine" deal? I imagine most VWs don't have the original engine. Just passing interest in an answer. |
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79SuperVert Samba Member
Joined: May 31, 2002 Posts: 9758 Location: Elizabeth, NJ & La Isla Del Encanto
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Posted: Wed Aug 07, 2013 5:12 am Post subject: |
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Since the car I'm looking at is 45 years old it is probably not an issue. I think a lot of the rules pertain to new cars (especially exotic ones) that are not sold here but that people want to import. _________________ Central Jersey VW Society
Wanted: Art Collins VW (Savannah, Georgia) items - license plate surrounds and other items. Also ivory "AM", "FM" and "SW" buttons for a US Blaupunkt Frankfurt. |
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pav266 Samba Member
Joined: November 22, 2006 Posts: 89 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA
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Posted: Sun Sep 15, 2013 6:35 pm Post subject: |
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I recently imported a '69 Citroen DS21. I used a broker and it was a trouble free easy process. He handled the shipping and coordinated all the paperwork.
It was well worth the cost
Paul _________________ Paul
1963 1200 Anthracite
1969 Citroen DS21 Pallas BVH
1974 Citroen SM 2.7L 5 speed injection electronique |
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lewis71bug Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2006 Posts: 478 Location: Dayton, Ohio
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 12:16 am Post subject: |
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I would love to hear from anyone that has done this recently. I'm preparing to return to the U.S. from Germany, and plan to bring my 1973 VW type2 arcomobil camper bus with me. I can not confirm that it has the original engine currently. The U.S. military will be shipping the vehicle for me, which there is no issue with, but I was advised I may have trouble on the receiving end. Is there any paperwork I can do myself to make the import easy, or what must I do, if anyone has done this and knows? _________________ Wayne
71 Super Beetle (in the states)
72 Super Beetle (european)
73 euro Bay camper (type 1 engine) |
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JBall8019 Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2012 Posts: 115 Location: Trumbull County, OH
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 6:33 pm Post subject: |
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Lewis71bug,
I had 2 cars shipped from the KMC area under orders to the port of Baltimore. I left the cars at a transport business on B40 near the Pizza Hut. (The one In between the KMC bowling alley and Ramstein AB) If the military still uses them, they were more than helpful with questions. _________________ John |
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lewis71bug Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2006 Posts: 478 Location: Dayton, Ohio
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Posted: Tue Jun 10, 2014 10:53 pm Post subject: |
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JBall8019 wrote: |
Lewis71bug,
I had 2 cars shipped from the KMC area under orders to the port of Baltimore. I left the cars at a transport business on B40 near the Pizza Hut. (The one In between the KMC bowling alley and Ramstein AB) If the military still uses them, they were more than helpful with questions. |
But...
I'm going to let the military transport it for me, since it's my only vehicle. Please correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe, since this type2 is more than 25 years old, I can fill out a CBP form 3299 (declaration for free entry of unaccompanied articles), DOT HS-7 and check box 1, EPA 3520-1 and check Code E. From my research, I believe this will be sufficient to get it imported. Am I missing something? _________________ Wayne
71 Super Beetle (in the states)
72 Super Beetle (european)
73 euro Bay camper (type 1 engine) |
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pondoras box Samba Member
Joined: March 22, 2004 Posts: 1226 Location: Eerie PA
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Posted: Thu Jun 12, 2014 11:14 am Post subject: |
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I thought the military takes care of all this for you. There should be guidelines for you and as long as those are met they pick it up and let you know when it arrives at the port and its ready for pick up.
It has been a while since I was in the Army and cant remember the name of the organization that helps you move but they will be able to get you squared away. _________________ Looking for anything from Hal Casey Motors out of Hamburg New York, from license plate surrounds to matchbooks.
1961 23 Window (Bobo)
1965 11 Window (Zelda)
1965 13 Window (Lucas)
1957 Oval ragtop
1988 Cabriolet VR6 conversion
Plus a lot of other rusty junk |
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lewis71bug Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2006 Posts: 478 Location: Dayton, Ohio
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Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2014 10:35 pm Post subject: |
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pondoras box wrote: |
I thought the military takes care of all this for you. There should be guidelines for you and as long as those are met they pick it up and let you know when it arrives at the port and its ready for pick up.
It has been a while since I was in the Army and cant remember the name of the organization that helps you move but they will be able to get you squared away. |
They do ship your vehicle, but typically it's the vehicle you brought over with you, or a newer U.S. spec'd vehicle that meets all current regulations/etc. In my case, it's a 40+ year old VW bus that I purchased from a German in Germany and has never been in the U.S.
I did take it to Kapaun this past Friday (for any current or prior service members familiar with the KMC area, I'm sure you're familiar with the vehicle registration center there). After cleaning every square inch of the bus for 3 days, it passed the EPA inspection. I was concerned when the person that does the shipping forms came out and said I can't ship it unless I can prove the engine is the original engine. After discussing this with her for several minutes, another inspector came out and said it would be fine, and we did the paperwork, and it's on the way to the U.S.
I'll try to remember to give a followup in about a month after I pick it up. I hope it goes smoothly on the receiving end. _________________ Wayne
71 Super Beetle (in the states)
72 Super Beetle (european)
73 euro Bay camper (type 1 engine) |
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JBall8019 Samba Member
Joined: April 09, 2012 Posts: 115 Location: Trumbull County, OH
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Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2014 5:36 am Post subject: |
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I hope it works out well! _________________ John |
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AquaBooks Samba Member
Joined: June 18, 2014 Posts: 18 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2014 9:25 am Post subject: |
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pav266 wrote: |
I recently imported a '69 Citroen DS21. I used a broker and it was a trouble free easy process. He handled the shipping and coordinated all the paperwork.
It was well worth the cost
Paul |
Did you use a broker here, or in Europe? _________________ 1971 Squareback
1973 Fastback
1992 Suzuki Carry |
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lewis71bug Samba Member
Joined: November 01, 2006 Posts: 478 Location: Dayton, Ohio
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