Hello people I just joined the site so I guess I will give a little background on myself. I have been a technician with MB for 2 years now and I worked with Acura for 2 years before that. My ? is my aunt is currently stationed in germany and has purchased a 1983 sl380, she would like to have it imported to the US later this year when she returns. I dont know anything about what has to be done to be able to get it imported and once done to have it registered. Since she is in the military she said they would import the car for her for free, but what has to be done once the car is here? All help is greatly appreciated.
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Good News! If she waits until the car is over 25 years old (sometime this year, refer to build date on door jam), then it will be exempt from all US DOT, safety and emissions standards. Germany could also care less if she exports the car.
She will have to deal with two different U.S. agencies - DOT and EPA. The 25 year old exemption is only for DOT and does not include emissions. EPA does emissions and has its own rules which include various exemptions based on the age of the car and what country it was made for. They both have websites and it's best to get your information there. It can be a minefield of paperwork even with exemptions. Both agencies certify registered importers and have lists of same on their websites. I would start by talking to a lot of these folks until you're comfortable that you've got the straight story. By the way this is a backwards transaction - car are going the other way these days. The Euro is almost $1.54 today and it's likely the car would sell over there for more than a comparable replacement back here. The deal might need some sentimental value to make sense even with free shipping.
Vehicle: 90 300SE (84k Miles) 08 Lexus ES350 Ultra (5k Miles) 07 GMC Sierra SLE (6k Miles) Sold list -->
Location: FL
Posts: 1,842
Quote:
Originally Posted by deanyel
She will have to deal with two different U.S. agencies - DOT and EPA. The 25 year old exemption is only for DOT and does not include emissions. EPA does emissions and has its own rules which include various exemptions based on the age of the car and what country it was made for. They both have websites and it's best to get your information there. It can be a minefield of paperwork even with exemptions. Both agencies certify registered importers and have lists of same on their websites. I would start by talking to a lot of these folks until you're comfortable that you've got the straight story. By the way this is a backwards transaction - car are going the other way these days. The Euro is almost $1.54 today and it's likely the car would sell over there for more than a comparable replacement back here. The deal might need some sentimental value to make sense even with free shipping.
Have you ever done an import yourself? The EPA does not care about cars over 25 years of age. There are no standards. I have imported a car that was nearly 30 years old and the EPA saw it as exempt. The only exemption to this rule would be if the poster was in CA. They have an emissions cut-off date (1968 I think). Anything made after that date still has to conform to emissions standards. That is CA only.
You are correct that the car would make little to no sense to import due to the current exchange rates, import duties, custom brokers fees, port fees, ect... due on the car. Only 25+ year old ultra rare Mercedes would make sense to import.
You are correct that the car would make little to no sense to import due to the current exchange rates, import duties, custom brokers fees, port fees, ect... due on the car. Only 25+ year old ultra rare Mercedes would make sense to import.
Vehicle: 90 300SE (84k Miles) 08 Lexus ES350 Ultra (5k Miles) 07 GMC Sierra SLE (6k Miles) Sold list -->
Location: FL
Posts: 1,842
Quote:
Originally Posted by deanyel
Actually the whole post was correct.
Actually its not. Unless the laws have changed in the past 2 years since I imported a car from Europe, then you are incorrect. I can tell you are not speaking from experience.
Edit
EPA is actually 21 years, not 25! DOT is 25. I was even more correct then I had thought.
Last edited by mr.xpowerseller : 03-10-2008 at 07:28 PM.
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