Importing cars question....anyone know.....
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Importing cars question....anyone know.....
Once in a while, I see cars that have made it to US shores that aren't actually made for the US market. For example, I saw an A3 the other day, in California no less. How would one go about getting a car like that registered without some sort of modification? And with the A3, since that car isn't even made for the US market, how would an non-US modifiable car get approved for registration? All you brainiacs, I'd love to know.
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looked into it a few years ago when i found the Mercedes
ML500s selling for 15K less in Abu Dhabi, UAE -you'd think, being mfgr'd in Alabama, they would cost more going to oil country like UAE
anyway, as i recall, if car doesn't have EPA/DOT compliance stickers under the hood, then you can bring in as a show / exhibition use car but registration will be difficult
if you want to register to drive on the street, you'll have to post a bond with US Customs and have either 12 or 18 months to bring it in compliance with EPA and Dot regs and be certified by one of the outfits that does the retrofitting
that's how my customs broker 'splained it
don't think it's worth it unless you're doing something like the Ferrari F40, as the compliance outfits ain't going to be cheap
some folks, i've heard, bring the car in without engine transmission for or as salvage for body parts
then bring in the engine / transmission in separate, again, as for parts salvage
then re-install
but think that is a huge fine just waiting to happen
anyway, as i recall, if car doesn't have EPA/DOT compliance stickers under the hood, then you can bring in as a show / exhibition use car but registration will be difficult
if you want to register to drive on the street, you'll have to post a bond with US Customs and have either 12 or 18 months to bring it in compliance with EPA and Dot regs and be certified by one of the outfits that does the retrofitting
that's how my customs broker 'splained it
don't think it's worth it unless you're doing something like the Ferrari F40, as the compliance outfits ain't going to be cheap
some folks, i've heard, bring the car in without engine transmission for or as salvage for body parts
then bring in the engine / transmission in separate, again, as for parts salvage
then re-install
but think that is a huge fine just waiting to happen
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