Has anyone successfully driven up from Central America to import?

[Kcizik]

Wouldn't that be epic?
I know there's a lot of hypothetical trips that people try to put together to fly down, purchase a vehicle, and drive it back. Most are thinking of an epic adventure and others for the chance of owning a sweet land cruiser or something not available in the US.

I'm actually really considering doing this... The big difference is: I live in Central America, have residency, have my truck in my name, and can legally take it out of the country and drive it to wherever. I'm sure I definitely would not be the first in this situation to do something like that.

Even doing my research there's still a lot of unknowns. I'm pretty sure I could make it to the border of Mexico/USA, but what happens after that? I've read that you have to advise beforehand that you plan on importing. So you pay the importation tax, the fees, but then what happens? Can I drive my vehicle with my CA tags in the US?

If anyone has done this before, please share from your experience. I know most would prefer sending it on a boat instead, but I would like to use it as a vacation/ sight seeing trip.

Has anyone ever imported one of these vehicle into New York? I'm also trying to research how complicated are the state's registration procedures.

Thanks!

 

[LSDbrand]

Wouldn't that be epic?
I know there's a lot of hypothetical trips that people try to put together to fly down, purchase a vehicle, and drive it back. Most are thinking of an epic adventure and others for the chance of owning a sweet land cruiser or something not available in the US.

I'm actually really considering doing this... The big difference is: I live in Central America, have residency, have my truck in my name, and can legally take it out of the country and drive it to wherever. I'm sure I definitely would not be the first in this situation to do something like that.

Even doing my research there's still a lot of unknowns. I'm pretty sure I could make it to the border of Mexico/USA, but what happens after that? I've read that you have to advise beforehand that you plan on importing. So you pay the importation tax, the fees, but then what happens? Can I drive my vehicle with my CA tags in the US?

If anyone has done this before, please share from your experience. I know most would prefer sending it on a boat instead, but I would like to use it as a vacation/ sight seeing trip.

Has anyone ever imported one of these vehicle into New York? I'm also trying to research how complicated are the state's registration procedures.

Thanks!

Hey men. I have actually done this. Hahaha. Brought my land cruiser from colombia all the way to the US. LITERALLY just got my US plates today for the car. I’m also a legal resident in the US. green card.

it’s a very long and painful stressful thing to do.
First and for most your car has to be at least 25 years old. If it’s not it’s imposible.

give me info on your car and I can help

 

[Kcizik]

Hey men. I have actually done this. Hahaha. Brought my land cruiser from colombia all the way to the US. LITERALLY just got my US plates today for the car. I’m also a legal resident in the US. green card.

it’s a very long and painful stressful thing to do.
First and for most your car has to be at least 25 years old. If it’s not it’s imposible.

give me info on your car and I can help

The truck is a ‘94 and the motor is the original, so for that part the truck is good to go.

How difficult was it to cross the US border and get to your home state?

 

[Toyboy]

Hey men. I have actually done this. Hahaha. Brought my land cruiser from colombia all the way to the US. LITERALLY just got my US plates today for the car. I’m also a legal resident in the US. green card.

it’s a very long and painful stressful thing to do.
First and for most your car has to be at least 25 years old. If it’s not it’s imposible.

give me info on your car and I can help

How didi you cross the darien forest? Did you ship the car in a container?

 

[LSDbrand]

The truck is a ‘94 and the motor is the original, so for that part the truck is good to go.

How difficult was it to cross the US border and get to your home state?

ok.

to give you my opinion. Unless you have to keep the truck(I’m guessing it’s an 80 series) becauseit has sentimental value or something I would just buy one in the US.

OTher than that send me DM and I can walk you thru the process over a call and a beer. Is very very long.

 

[LSDbrand]

How didi you cross the darien forest? Did you ship the car in a container?

Can’t cross the Darien as in sure you have seen online. There have been people that ya e done it etc. but it has all been sponsor expeditions and stuff. So he’s. Container like the other 99% of people doing the America’s.

 

[Kcizik]

ok.

to give you my opinion. Unless you have to keep the truck(I’m guessing it’s an 80 series) becauseit has sentimental value or something I would just buy one in the US.

OTher than that send me DM and I can walk you thru the process over a call and a beer. Is very very long.

Ok, I'll shoot you a DM.
This is the truck in question: 94 LJ79

 

[chelo]

I just did the drive in an 80 series. It was fun but i kept the driving to as much daylight. Borders were simple, except the u.s st the.moment for me.
Since i have a passport for el salvador. I registered the vehicle in my name to be safe but speaking Spanish at tbe Borders help.

 

[FLATU8ER]

To the OP, check with @jadebean

 

[OutInCreation]

Hey men. I have actually done this. Hahaha. Brought my land cruiser from colombia all the way to the US. LITERALLY just got my US plates today for the car. I’m also a legal resident in the US. green card.

it’s a very long and painful stressful thing to do.
First and for most your car has to be at least 25 years old. If it’s not it’s imposible.

give me info on your car and I can help

Hey I have been trying to buy a 1993 HDJ80 originally from Japan. The owners are Czech and shipped it to South America, traveled for about two years and entered California back in March with the intention of selling it in the USA. They did not do the research needed and got a ESTA PERMIT. They were able to get a CBP 7501 in Ohio that states, "This vehicle meets all US EPA and DOT standards in effect at the time of manufacture." But no duty paid or shown on form. They are now in New York and have tried to get a CBP 7501 and pay the import duty. They were told they could not import it with a ESTA permit. The Customs officer also told them the only way to would be to sell it to me in Colorado and have me do the importing. I have called many import brokers and none are willing to assist with this. Any information would be very much appreciated. They are ready to return home and ship the truck as soon as possible.

 

[LSDbrand]

Hey I have been trying to buy a 1993 HDJ80 originally from Japan. The owners are Czech and shipped it to South America, traveled for about two years and entered California back in March with the intention of selling it in the USA. They did not do the research needed and got a ESTA PERMIT. They were able to get a CBP 7501 in Ohio that states, "This vehicle meets all US EPA and DOT standards in effect at the time of manufacture." But no duty paid or shown on form. They are now in New York and have tried to get a CBP 7501 and pay the import duty. They were told they could not import it with a ESTA permit. The Customs officer also told them the only way to would be to sell it to me in Colorado and have me do the importing. I have called many import brokers and none are willing to assist with this. Any information would be very much appreciated. They are ready to return home and ship the truck as soon as possible.

Is the car already in the US? It sound like it? I’m gonna assume it it.

In california there is no way you can buy it. Import it. Sell or or register it. Ever. Never. Ilegal to do. There are ways that I don’t know but I have heard of but it makes your car an ilegal car etc etc so I’m not gonna get into that part of it.

There are a couple of things.

1. Car needs to be imported for permanent stay by an American resident from another country.

This means for example. Car is in mexico. You buy it I. Mexico. You put in a container then ship it to the US but not california. Then you import it as goods you own from mexico etc etc. about 6k total.

Another way is same same. Buy the car i mexico. Put it on a flat bed on a DOT registered transporter for goods etc etc and you get it over a road border (I did Laredo Texas) as goods you own etc etc.

With all Thai paperwork then you go to the state or your choice except cali and do whatever they ask to get it registered. It varies a lot from state to state. I did Georgia.

While the car is in the US. If you buy it you can’t do anything with it. Since it was imported moje US by europeas with the clause of it being exported from the US working 1 year. That’s the law. They have to take it out etc etc.

Anyways. That’s my 2 cents. I did this about 5 years ago and literally had to drive it to mexico. Get a Mexican bill of sale for the car and import it on a flat bed.

 

[LSDbrand]

Hey I have been trying to buy a 1993 HDJ80 originally from Japan. The owners are Czech and shipped it to South America, traveled for about two years and entered California back in March with the intention of selling it in the USA. They did not do the research needed and got a ESTA PERMIT. They were able to get a CBP 7501 in Ohio that states, "This vehicle meets all US EPA and DOT standards in effect at the time of manufacture." But no duty paid or shown on form. They are now in New York and have tried to get a CBP 7501 and pay the import duty. They were told they could not import it with a ESTA permit. The Customs officer also told them the only way to would be to sell it to me in Colorado and have me do the importing. I have called many import brokers and none are willing to assist with this. Any information would be very much appreciated. They are ready to return home and ship the truck as soon as possible.

And about the ESTA. They can’t get it. Because the car was not made for the US market. Unless you do all the test. About 100k US. you apply for the esta exception on classic vehicles over 25 years of age. But you can’t in california cus the law there is different. Just a reminder. Even if you title it in a bother state. Once you get to CA you can’t there so your ****ed again