TheSamba.com :: View topic - California legalization of 2004+ Eurovan/ Transporter. Possible?

Thu Sep 25, 2025 1:11 pm

Noob question, but I had to ask to make sure nothing has changed on this front. I have wanted to bring in a more recent Eurovan/ Transporter (from Canada/ Mexico) for a decade. I know I could if the vehicle were 25 years or older. Are there any outfits in California (where I reside) that have history with California specific importation? Thank you, in advance. Bill

P.S.- I had head Will Smith (the actor, of all people) has brought in three VW vans including a California version.

Thu Sep 25, 2025 1:27 pm

This is a US EPA/DOT law enforced by US Customs and Border Protection.

https://www.help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1100?language=en_US

Vehicles imported into the US must be at least 25 years old. There are no exceptions to this rule, anywhere.

You will not have success importing a 2004 foreign car into the US until 2029.

"Californa" versions of VW vans are just marketing names, and not related to any bureaucratic designation for the US California market. Think of it like the Pontiac Montana. It's just a name.

kourt

Fri Sep 26, 2025 11:29 am

One possible solution would be to buy a 2004 or newer Transporter T5 or T6 in Canada or Mexico and drive it. However, you would need to maintain the Canadian registration, probably have Canadian insurance and such. Same for a vehicle from Mexico.

You might face some legal challenges from time to timer to time from LEOs due to those registrations…. Think about if you get stopped for a speeding ticket or similar.

I live near Palm Springs and we have quite a few Canadians that leave a car down here, registered in their home province…. Most others just buy a US vehicle and keep it here instead.

The other issue could be getting repairs on a non-US market vehicle and getting parts for same, unless they’re shared with some other US Volkswagen model.

Fri Sep 26, 2025 11:43 am

My understanding is that foreign-plated cars may be driven by non-US residents in the US for up to one year, if they are registered in the home country and insured in the US. These cars still must be passed through US customs.

We have lots of Mexico plates here in Texas and some very interesting cars.

kourt

Fri Sep 26, 2025 7:01 pm

kourt wrote:

You will not have success importing a 2004 foreign car into the US until 2029.

Correct. Anyone telling you some goofball idea of how to get it here doesn't know what they are talking about. This happens constantly and I have told people to go ahead with that goofball plan and let me know how it worked out. For about the last 20 years haven't had a single person come back and show me they fully legal vehicle that is under 25 years old.

Don't worry, there is always a story of a buddy that knows a guy that imported what you want but for some reason, that guy can never be contacted to show you how to do it.

I do know of one way to do it. Go to an alternate reality. They cover it in Star Trek a number of times.

Sat Sep 27, 2025 11:12 am

This is such a bummer.

I just got back from a short road trip from London up to Edinburgh. Gorgeous countryside BTW. There were tons of modern VW Transporters / Eurovans in all sorts of configurations, including the long distance TDI. Wish we could get them in our grubby hands.

Sun Sep 28, 2025 4:48 pm

Endopotential wrote: This is such a bummer.

I just got back from a short road trip from London up to Edinburgh. Gorgeous countryside BTW. There were tons of modern VW Transporters / Eurovans in all sorts of configurations, including the long distance TDI. Wish we could get them in our grubby hands.

Good thing is, you have other options here in the US if you are looking for newer. Problem is, finding like a 2000 from Europe that is not all worn out or getting rusty is a bit of a challenge unless you are there in person to buy it. Then if you do, better hope that you have the ability to work on it or lucky to find a shop that would. The next thing is, when it needs a widget and it's not available in the US, then you pay more and wait longer.

As for the worn out and rusty ones, they know Americans are suckers for them and will buy one because it looks clean. Better also hope it not stolen either. Thus why to make sure it's done right, you pay a premium. Some are just enthralled with getting something different that they get burned.

Thu Oct 09, 2025 10:38 am

jjvincent wrote: Endopotential wrote: This is such a bummer.

I just got back from a short road trip from London up to Edinburgh. Gorgeous countryside BTW. There were tons of modern VW Transporters / Eurovans in all sorts of configurations, including the long distance TDI. Wish we could get them in our grubby hands.

Good thing is, you have other options here in the US if you are looking for newer. Problem is, finding like a 2000 from Europe that is not all worn out or getting rusty is a bit of a challenge unless you are there in person to buy it. Then if you do, better hope that you have the ability to work on it or lucky to find a shop that would. The next thing is, when it needs a widget and it's not available in the US, then you pay more and wait longer.

As for the worn out and rusty ones, they know Americans are suckers for them and will buy one because it looks clean. Better also hope it not stolen either. Thus why to make sure it's done right, you pay a premium. Some are just enthralled with getting something different that they get burned.

I keep thinking about, in a couple years, finding a 2003 Eurovan Westy with TDI and manual transmission in Europe. Flying over, driving it around, and then shipping it back. Kind of doing my own tourist delivery program.

Somewhere not terribly long ago I saw exactly what I wanted posted, but I'm still a couple years out from being able to bring it over anyway. But it can't be the only one.

Black 2003, Westy weekender, TDI, 5-speed, super nice shape. I'd just as happily settle for blue or red. I've had a silver 03 and my 02 is white, and those are just kind of boring.

Fri Oct 10, 2025 9:00 am

It was a trip to Iceland a couple years ago, where we rented a modest camper van, and drove around the entire island, that inspired us to buy the Weekender.

The van was a T6 Transporter with very basic modifications to make it a camper. It featured a TDI, and all wheel drive (VW 4Motion). It was great to drive, went anywhere, had huge tires, and was easy on fuel. The added diesel furnace was absolutely wonderful.

What it did not feature was a pop-top, and I lamented all the time being bent over inside of it. I was jealous of fellow tourists who had rented full height Sprinter and Transit conversions.

When we were considering camper options this summer, the pop-top was a must for us. Thus our 2003 Weekender was as close as we could come.

Fri Oct 10, 2025 9:14 am

jjvincent wrote:

Good thing is, you have other options here in the US if you are looking for newer. Problem is, finding like a 2000 from Europe that is not all worn out or getting rusty is a bit of a challenge unless you are there in person to buy it. Then if you do, better hope that you have the ability to work on it or lucky to find a shop that would. The next thing is, when it needs a widget and it's not available in the US, then you pay more and wait longer.

As for the worn out and rusty ones, they know Americans are suckers for them and will buy one because it looks clean. Better also hope it not stolen either. Thus why to make sure it's done right, you pay a premium. Some are just enthralled with getting something different that they get burned.

Respectfully disagree that there are other options here in the US. There is nothing with the short wheelbase and height of a t5 or t6 and the functionality of a poptop and superior camping interior.

Will I probably end up buying some kind of Sprosit (sprinter, promaster, transit) in the next few years? Yes. Would I rather by a t5 or t6 for the same or less money? 1000x yes.

A random example:

https://www.autotrader.co.uk/motorhome-details/202...6flrfc%3D1

Fri Oct 10, 2025 12:50 pm

I agree with mikemtnbike. The poptop is an ergonomic win.

I want to put boats and other junk on my roof without using a ladder. Can't do that with any of the Sprinter variants out there.

There is something about the smaller footprint and profile of the T4 that attracts me. It is inconspicuous and does not dominate the scene.

kourt

Fri Oct 10, 2025 5:48 pm

The reasonable footprint was one big reason we chose the Weekender; it fits nicely in our tight urban driveway, though a full camper would too, but it would have to be backed tight against our garage door.

It seems happy there

Sat Oct 11, 2025 5:20 am

I've tried to cover all the bases with my 02 weekender, 02 Itasca Sunstar and my 85 westy. A basic t5 - t6 pop up should have been offered here in the states by VW when the 02-03 Evans were up in age. I saw a ton of basic vW vans in Mexico that could be sent here for conversion.