Importing a car into the US.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Guys,
It seems that foreign governments make it extremely hard for people to import cars from here. I feel they are hard lining the people & acting like there's some kind of fraud going on. Asking for documents & frame stampings that don't exist!! They may be doing that to the lady in New Zealand.
What does our government do?? First hand experience comments are best.
Bob

[Jay Friedman]

I don't have any recent first hand experience importing a car into the US, but I did export a'32 Ford from the US to New Zealand 7 years ago.  The US customs authorities at the seaport, Long Beach CA, from where it was to be shipped required proof of ownership of the car by the exporter (me) in the form of a title.  Problem was my state, Georgia, does not issue titles for cars manufactured before 1965, even though the car had been titled in Illinois before I bought it.  The only ownership documents I had were a current Georgia registration certificate and the old Illinois title signed over to me.  With some difficulty (4 hours wait in an office) I managed to get a statement from the Georgia motor vehicle authorities that they did not issue titles for 1932 cars like mine.  I then typed out a bill of sale which included a notarized sworn statement that the car was indeed mine and that it was not a fraudulent sale.  The car then went on a truck to California and then left on a ship for NZ in a container.  Upon arrival, the buyer in NZ reported he had to pay expensive customs duties to his government, but other than that there was no problem. 

[INTMD8]

I've brought in 2 from Canada.

Used a customs broker for both. 

One had shipped.  Customs required a letter from Ferrari stating the car met your emissions and safety standards and had to pay an import duty since it was not originally a US delivered or US built car.

2nd was a Charger that was originally a US car. Was able to provide documents proving that so no import duty. 

I brought that in myself and took me about 4 hours to get through customs. Not fun.

[Roger Zimmermann]

Should not the title be "Importing a car from the US"?
Anyway, I had no problem importing my '72 CdV from the US to Switzerland. In fact, I let do the work from a man importing cars from the US on a regular basis.
In Switzerland I had to pay import duties based on the weight and value. The same man did also the work to license the car; it went without problem, even with the speedometer in miles.
Edit: I do remember I had to supply a copy of my pass to the US customs. I'm attaching the title with the stamp os the "Vehicle export team". Just in case this car would come back to the US, this paper will allow the new owner to have less or no problem.

[fishnjim]

Don't you mean exporting from the US and import into a foreign country?

1. The title/registration rules were different, state controlled, pre-'64 Federal title law and most everyone, hence, adopted the new unified system, so the old ones often just don't fit today's paperwork.   Caveat Emptor.   One has to know what one is up against here for smooth sailing.   Penalties are higher when you cross state/country lines.

2. There has been an uptick in cross continent auto fraud via internet with natural disasters, auctions, etc. people arrested.   A clear title is a minimum to stay out of jail, no longer a guarantee, in some cases.   Could be flood car, etc.   

eg: My own state has no category for a "series 62" coupe.  You must check "coupe de ville", contrary to the VIN, if you have a pre-64 coupe.   Imagine if I tried to export that car???
Also, GA had no titles at all.   I had to apply for a new title here for a GA car which means inspections, etc. and that manuf. didn't use VIN codes.  It was held up by the state for months.  I had to stay on top of it.   It was non-running, so I had to trailer it for inspection.  (Another state I lived in, they sent a policeman to you for VIN checks and you needed two such inspection certificates.)   Manuf. had they're own ID system with body stampings, as they used a coach builder, and people often confuse the body number from the true vehicle identifier on the trim tag.  ie, exactly opposite prevailing GM, et al.   

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Guys,
Most of you are missing my point. I want to know how the US customs handles cars coming INTO the states!! Are they asking for frame VINS that never existed & other hard line requirements?  Then we can do a comparison as to how some other countries handle cars coming in. I'm not so concerned about American cars coming back as that little RHD MGA or an early Ferrari or an early VW.
Bob

[76eldo]

I have experience in bringing in a car from Canada.  There is a big difference if you are transporting the car yourself as opposed to having a commercial transporter do it.  If done as a private purchase its a simple stop at the border.  The car was never inspected, they only looked at the bill of sale and Canadian title.

As far as exporting cars through the port at Newark, NJ and a container facility in Elizabeth NJ, you need a photocopy of the title (original goes to the export company) and 6 copies of the "dock slip" which is basically a bill of lading.  They will examine the car and match the VIN on the car to the VIN on the title and dock slip.  If the car does not have a VIN plate on it or a frame stamping that is legible you will have a problem.

The exporting authority has to see a visible VIN number on the vehicle.

Brian

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

Guys,
I'm not interested in hearing about American cars coming from Canada or anywhere else. I'm interested in non American cars coming in from the other side of the pond. I'm not interested in the exporting of cars either. Again... I'm  trying to see how our customs treats imported cars.
Bob

[Mike Josephic CLC #3877]

Bob:

There are many possible answers to your question
due to the complexity of the laws.  It would help to
know, for example, if the car you are wishing to
import is 25 years old or more.  If so, the EPA
regulations do not apply.  Also, it does matter if
it is an American car that was produced here,
imported to Europe and now would be reexported
back to the U.S.  Cars may have a customs duty
accessed of 2.5% (depending on these factors).

Will you be the owner of the vehicle when you import
it?  Customs will need to see proof of ownership (title)
and other information before releasing it.

There are firms that do the shipping and customs
clearance and associated paperwork to insure that it
arrives safely and within the law.  You can Google this
and get a better idea of costs and what's needed.

Mike

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Guys,
I'm not interested in hearing about American cars coming from Canada or anywhere else. I'm interested in non American cars coming in from the other side of the pond. I'm not interested in the exporting of cars either. Again... I'm  trying to see how our customs treats imported cars.
Bob

Seeing as cars you are referring to are not Cadillacs or LeSalles, then it has nothing to do on this Message Board.

Bruce.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

 Mike,
Thanks for the great response. I'm not importing anything. Just trying to do a comparison in customs laws.
Bruce,
I can't use Cadillac as the incoming car because as Mike pointed out, it would be American goods returning. A slam dunk! I promise as soon as I get at least 2 responses on importing cars, I'll make some comparisons. This is all in response to the horror stories that overseas people post on this board regarding Cadillac's.
Bob

[dochawk]

We need *more* restrictive laws to stop these fur'ners from snatching up our Precious Cadillac Vehicles!

[David King (kz78hy)]

As noted already, the time span matters.  I don't know if is 25 years or not, but whatever that number is, it has to older than that.  Otherwise you CANNOT bring the car into the US.  All cars imported have to meet US specifications and that is for emissions and crash/safety.  That is why cool cars available in other parts of the world are not seen here.  If a non US car is found, it can be seized and crushed.

David.

[fishnjim]

Last I looked New Zealand isn't in the USA?   
We have google, etc. for looking this up or call to customs.

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

[INTMD8]

David, yes but it can be imported if it's a model that was sold here and the manufacturer provides a letter stating it meets EPA and DOT standards.

[Roger Zimmermann]

The next nightmare: what about a US vehicle which is exported and adapted to European regulations?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

The next nightmare: what about a US vehicle which is exported and adapted to European regulations? 

I would say that it all depended on what the export build removed, or added, from making it compliant with USA specifications.

I visited the Bowling Green plant where export vehicles were intermingled on the production line, and the guide pointed out that the export models were fitted with Amber Indicator Lights, and knowing what is involved, there would have been a change to the wiring at the rear to allow the Amber lights to flash without the red tail lights flashing at the same time.   (I have to do that conversion when converting cars to RHD for Australia)   But, these cars were destined for LHD countries.

Bob tried to import a Holden Utility into USA, and even though the Holden Commodore came into USA as a Pontiac, and a Chevrolet, the Utility could not.

Bruce.

[Roger Zimmermann]

The modifications for export are not limited to the amber rear lamps and wiring. Glasses, lamps, safety belts must be E approved for export in Europe, plus other things like noise regulation and emissions which are different compared to a domestic vehicle.