Importing a car into the US - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

alabbasi · #1 07-28-2005, 05:46 PM

OK, I know that you can bring pretty much any vehicle older then 25 years into the US with little or no hassle as this is the cut off for EPA and DOT. However, I would love to get hold of a Euro Spec 560SEC or BMW M3. How hard is it to bring this to the US? Someone mentioned to me that it may be possible to ship it through Canada and then through the US.

Again not sure if that is possible.

Oppinions, thoughts ?

MTI · #2 07-28-2005, 06:07 PM

U.S. Customs is very touchy about sneaking anything into the U.S., including non-certified automobiles.

For a free copy of the "Instruction Handbook for Complying with Regulations of Imported Vehicles," information on safety or bumper standards, or a list of RIs, contact:

U.S. Department of Transportation
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance, NSA-32
400 Seventh St. S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20590, U.S.A.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Hotline:
Phone: (800) 424-9393
Fax: (202) 366-1024

For information on emission control standards for imported vehicles or a list of ICIs, contact:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Manufacturers Operations Division (6405-J)
Investigation/Imports Section
501 Third St. N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20001, U.S.A.
Phone: (202) 564- 9240

EPA Information Hotline:
(202) 564-9660 (Request the auto. imports facts manual)
Fax: (202) 565-2057
Fax: (202) 564-9596

compress ignite · #3 07-28-2005, 07:56 PM

IF the employees of the noodleheads "Inside The Beltway" catch you...
They'll take away the car,Fine you back to the stone age,Write your
grandchildren disparaging letters,AND may try to Prosecute you as a
VIOLATOR under the Homeland Security Act.
The legal processes for importing non-D.O.T./E.P.A. spec vehicles are
onerous on a good day and UNbelievably expensive.(We can't have
anyone who is not a vehicle manufacturer importing cars)

Over 20 years ago Volkswagen and Mercedes spent tens of millions of
dollars, to lobby our legislators,to make "Grey Market Cars" illegal.

"Spit every time you motor past a dealership"

Chris Bell · #4 07-28-2005, 09:31 PM

Is the 25 year old car exemption a rolling type of ban. In other words...in the year 2000 the ban extended back to 1975 but in 2010 the ban will extend back to 1985. If thats the case, it seems like you could just go out and get 1985 500SEC do 4.5 year restoration/rebuild including engine mods to get more power and then drive it free and clear. Or better yet, buy a 1986 560SEC and do a 5.5 year rebuild/restoration.

boneheaddoctor · #5 07-28-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Bell

Is the 25 year old car exemption a rolling type of ban. In other words...in the year 2000 the ban extended back to 1975 but in 2010 the ban will extend back to 1985. If thats the case, it seems like you could just go out and get 1985 500SEC do 4.5 year restoration/rebuild including engine mods to get more power and then drive it free and clear. Or better yet, buy a 1986 560SEC and do a 5.5 year rebuild/restoration.

You won't get it into the country until the 25 year limit is met...
You have to post bond worth what they say the car is worth...if their rules are not met...they keep the money and take the car....adn fine you...its not pretty.

And thats for a car that was built to US specs and being reimported (less than 25 years old)...A non-US spec car is far harder. I have shipped Two cars to Europe and brought one back into the USA (in 1992)

Chris Bell · #6 07-28-2005, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boneheaddoctor

You won't get it into the country until the 25 year limit is met...
You have to post bond worth what they say the car is worth...if their rules are not met...they keep the money and take the car....adn fine you...its not pretty.

And thats for a car that was built to US specs and being reimported (less than 25 years old)...A non-US spec car is far harder. I have shipped Two cars to Europe and brought one back into the USA (in 1992)

I should have been clearer, sorry. I ment do the rebuild on a US spec car to bring it to european specs. If the car is exempt from smog checks after 25 years, why not?

AustinsCE · #7 07-28-2005, 10:31 PM

If you ship it in parts, cant you build it as a kit car?

boneheaddoctor · #8 07-29-2005, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AustinsCE

If you ship it in parts, cant you build it as a kit car?

That is where it gets into the grey zone..........I've heard of it being done (with certain Right hand drive Civic SiR's in Cali....but if they visually inspect it before allowing it to be titled you may be in deep do-do.

boneheaddoctor · #9 07-29-2005, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Bell

I should have been clearer, sorry. I ment do the rebuild on a US spec car to bring it to european specs. If the car is exempt from smog checks after 25 years, why not?

OK, that does chang it a lot.... so my new answer will be sure why not? Easier to find a clean american spec car than to find a clean car from overseas..

alabbasi · #10 07-29-2005, 11:17 AM

I think its very simple to bring a car in that is over 25 years old. Just a nightmare to bring one in that is newer. I want to know how mini owners do it. Being from the UK I pretty much know every special edition and revamp of the original mini and can tell you that a lot of the cars listed on ebay as 60's and 70's Mini's are 80's and 90's mini's.

There is one on eBay right now with air bags and fuel injection that is supposed to be a 1975. I guess I have to wait a few years before I get the Euro Spec 560SEC :-).

thebenzbar · #11 07-29-2005, 01:47 PM

Okay this is interesting, say I want to bring in a 1979 Mercedes 280CE (W123 European version)... What does this >25 y/o exemption imply? Is it just a matter of filling out forms, paying freight costs, broker fees, etc...? Do I still need to purchase a bond for US Customs / EPA purposes??

I'm curious because there are many nice & rare Euro-spec cars overseas that can be had for cheap...

boneheaddoctor · #12 07-29-2005, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebenzbar

Okay this is interesting, say I want to bring in a 1979 Mercedes 280CE (W123 European version)... What does this >25 y/o exemption imply? Is it just a matter of filling out forms, paying freight costs, broker fees, etc...? Do I still need to purchase a bond for US Customs / EPA purposes??

I'm curious because there are many nice & rare Euro-spec cars overseas that can be had for cheap...

I believe the bond might be required as a blanket guess untill car proves to be legal and as described....however The exact details I am not certain of...the car I returned had a title in the USA but it still needed a bond that would not be released until it was proven to pass emmissions , inspection and a test to prove leaded fuel had not been used...(in 1992 leaded fuel was still common in Italy) a lot may have changed since then...

I had to post a simular Bond for my Harley-Davidson and it just needed an inspection agent to prove the numbers were as claimed on the import forms...

boneheaddoctor · #13 07-29-2005, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123c

There's loop holes in getting JDM cars into the US through Canada, not sure how it works, but there is a guy about 100 miles north of me, near the Candian Border who has been bringing JDM Toyota's in, and getting them state of Washington Titles. These are early 1990s models too

Here's a link to one of his ebay auctions:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&category=6443&item=4562429568

I'd love a real Silvia S15 or a Skyline....

alabbasi · #14 07-29-2005, 06:50 PM

To my knowledge, a car that is over 25 years old is considered some sort of collectors car and hence can go right through the ERA and DOT stuff. Canada has a 10 year law so if you can import a car from Canada, you should be able to sneak a 10 year old Euro Spec (this would include a 320hp E36 BMW M3).

#15 08-01-2005, 01:35 AM

i just went through the biggest headache with my 1986 Euro 500SEL, the car is from michigan, the first and last time it was registered was in 1986 in michigan, i bought it in an auction for next to nothing, i took it to DMV here in san diego, initially they said they needed two complience letters, one from EPA and DOT, i was finally able to get both of them. once i had them they next needed a customs form, i tried to tell them that the dot and the epa letters would never had been issued if the customs form was never filed, theylate understood and finally allowed me to register it, i received the tags and plates. i am now waiting for the dmv to issue a final approval. all of this took about 3 months, i don't know if it would be this hard in other states or if california is different.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Car wash and wax plan	Roncallo	Detailing and Interior	27	04-17-2005 10:48 AM
My beautiful car has been destroyed	JHZR2	Diesel Discussion	49	12-20-2004 02:06 AM
1984 230TE 5 Speed Wagon In the U.S. For Sale!	CEC	Mercedes-Benz Cars For Sale	7	12-03-2003 01:06 PM
1987 300E parts car SF Bay Area -- Cheap or Free if you tow it once for me	marinmbfan	Mercedes-Benz Used Parts For Sale & Wanted	2	12-10-2002 02:30 AM
importing a 1991 car from US to Canada	sixto	Off-Topic Discussion	1	04-16-2002 05:53 PM