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jpcook Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2017 Posts: 2 Location: Charlotte NC
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:11 pm Post subject: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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I am looking at importing a 1978 Thing from Mexico into the US. I wanted to see if anyone has used a company recently that they'd recommend. I can get the car to the Tijuana area, it is currently in La Paz.
Thanks,
Jason _________________ 1986 Syncro- Dottie |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Mon Nov 21, 2022 1:19 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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You are headed for a world of hurt if you want to put that on the street. It isn’t smoggable _________________ .ssS! |
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BenJAMin Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Thu Dec 01, 2022 10:30 am Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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Getting it into the USA is easy. But, you'll have problems if you're wanting to register in California. Getting it across the border is easy, you'll declare it and be issued forms CBP 7501, EPA 3520-1, and DOT HS7. You'll be duty free because it was built in the NAFTA zone. |
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Dusty1 Samba Member
Joined: April 16, 2004 Posts: 1366
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Posted: Fri Dec 02, 2022 10:59 am Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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Abscate wrote: |
You are headed for a world of hurt if you want to put that on the street. It isn’t smoggable |
Comparing apples to oranges but I have a buddy who has a whole garage full of "grey market" Ducati motorcycles. He keeps track of old race bikes and where they end up. There is generally no MSO on race machinery because it was never intended to be street legal.
They don't call it "grey market' for nuthin'.
He flew out to Denver and picked up an old 851 and rode it back. Ran it through a local shop so it had a working headlight and tail light. Probably didn't have a working brake light because he got rear ended by a camper in Oklahoma. The weird part is his insurance paid for "repairs". He upgraded to carbon fiber wheels and a titanium exhaust.
You might have to take your socks off to count everything funky with that deal.
The classic trick with Mexican VWs is to plop the Mexican body on a legitimate U.S. chassis.
Trick is to achieve a workable compromise. All the way legal on California is a PITA if it's even possible. Of course all the way illegal is a PITA everywhere if you want to drive it.
BTW Maine will happily sell you Maine tags no matter where you live.
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jpcook Samba Member
Joined: October 17, 2017 Posts: 2 Location: Charlotte NC
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Posted: Mon Dec 05, 2022 4:42 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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Thanks, I'm going to register it in North Carolina, no smog requirement on a 20+ year old vehicles. I'm still looking for a company if anyone knows of one that does the paperwork and moves it across the border. _________________ 1986 Syncro- Dottie |
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BenJAMin Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 12:10 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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This makes it easier. If you can get to Tijuana you will find that it's just 3 forms when you declare it at the border. This is the best way. Otherwise, find a customs broker. |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2022 10:56 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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Know what those motorcycle cops are doing when they and their buddies go thru slow to stopped traffic at "going home or to work hour"? They are looking for 2 things (A) expired tags (B) out of state license plates. You have 20 days to register your car in California unless you are active military.
"Hi, you have a tail light that is flickering, can I see your license and registration please? Looks good, you still live at the address on your license? I see, so explain the NC plates."
You are toast. Not only will there be fines, but they will hurt.
The process to pass smog on a 1978 Thing would be to prove one with the same engine family was sold in the US or California in 1978 and that a smog profile was done on it. If not then you can pay the $10K - $15K to test the engine family, prove that t passes 1978 California (they might let you use Federal standards due to NC plates, but it could be questionable because San Ysidro would have been the port of entry) and then if everything else passes Federal and California standards for 1978 you can legally license it here. Otherwise it is a trailer queen and you can drive it around your property or off road.
Oh yeah, and if you do the NC thing, don't piss off any neighbors, friends, co-workers, TheSamba members, other drivers, or ex-wives https://www.chp.ca.gov/notify-chp/chp-reg-(out-of-state-registration-violators) _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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14Eyes Samba Member
Joined: April 15, 2022 Posts: 54 Location: North of Raleigh, NC
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Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 11:26 am Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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Why is everyone here in such a twist about California? The guy lists himself as living in Charlotte NC and said he was going to title it in NC, so I don’t see how California factors into this at all |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Wed Dec 07, 2022 1:03 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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MIssed it, or location added post post.
Tijuana is a usual import spot for CA cars. _________________ .ssS! |
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SGKent Samba Member
Joined: October 30, 2007 Posts: 41031 Location: Citrus Heights CA (Near Sacramento)
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Posted: Sun Dec 18, 2022 11:12 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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the address was added later. _________________ “Most people don’t know what they’re doing, and a lot of them are really good at it.” - George Carlin |
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calvinater Samba Member
Joined: September 06, 2014 Posts: 3306 Location: 802
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Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2022 5:18 am Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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why do you guys assume. all members live in Califoriniacation? _________________ "Albatross"! |
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Abscate Samba Member
Joined: October 05, 2014 Posts: 22573 Location: NYC/Upstate/ROW
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Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2022 6:52 am Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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All VWs end up in CA, and all restaurants are Taco Bell _________________ .ssS! |
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steve244 Samba Member
Joined: March 18, 2022 Posts: 1644 Location: GA
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EVfun Samba Member
Joined: April 01, 2012 Posts: 5446 Location: Seattle
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Posted: Mon Dec 19, 2022 4:00 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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Anybody can look up importers but I haven't imported a car so I couldn't recommend one. With a little reading it looks like the Bug needs to be at least 25 years old to escape needing to meet the year of manufacturer safety standards, a federal requirement for newer imports. Interestingly, a couple sites also listed the 2004 Beetle Ultima Edition as a blacklisted car, meaning it will never be legal to import.
It doesn't sound hard to legally import a 1997 or older Mexican Bug based on a little reading. A friend of mine imported an older Toyota diesel pickup from Australia. He got flagged for an enhanced inspection because it wasn't clean enough but even that proved fairly painless. It did cost him though. Until the car is released to him it had to be moved by licenced import movers so he had a few expensive towing bills. _________________
Wildthings wrote: |
As a general rule, cheap parts are the most expensive parts you can buy. |
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BenJAMin Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2022 12:24 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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The Ultima Edicion being on that list doesn't mean it can "never" be imported. It just means that a petition to let it in early because of historical significance was denied. The car can be imported in 2028 |
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Mike Fisher Samba Member
Joined: January 30, 2006 Posts: 17963 Location: Eugene, OR
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Posted: Wed Dec 21, 2022 3:40 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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You can pick from brokers/importers on www.uShip.com _________________ https://imgur.com/user/FisherSquareback/posts
69 FI/AT square Daily Driver
66 sunroof,67,70,71,71,71AT,72,72AT,73 Parts
two 57 oval ragtops sold
'68 Karmann Ghia sold
Society is like stew. If you don't keep it stirred up you end up with a lot of scum on the top! - Russ_Wolfe/Edward Abbey |
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SLO-N-LO-69 Samba Member
Joined: July 06, 2006 Posts: 622 Location: Central Florida
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Posted: Fri Dec 30, 2022 11:20 am Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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BenJAMin wrote: |
The Ultima Edicion being on that list doesn't mean it can "never" be imported. It just means that a petition to let it in early because of historical significance was denied. The car can be imported in 2028 |
Interesting, I know never knew that. So assuming there are a bunch floating around south of the boarder we could see a flood of modern bugs in 2028+? That could be really cool to see. That's only a few years away so I better start saving! |
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BenJAMin Samba Member
Joined: February 01, 2004 Posts: 461 Location: Michigan
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Posted: Tue Jan 03, 2023 1:34 pm Post subject: Re: Importing from Mexico to the US |
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You can import up to 1998 now. Just make sure that its build date makes it 25 years old. If you had a 1998 that was built in May you would have to wait until May for example |
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