Import vehicles

[KOWBOY]

Is it possible to LEGALLY import a 1982 non-USA vehicle from Europe?

Seems like I've heard certain aged vehicles can be brought in but I can't recall the year of the cutoff date.

Any info on gettin' Texas title/registration would be greatly appreciated.

I ain't afraid of jumpin' thru hoops to get the paperwork squared away but it's gotta be legal.

 

[Waggoner5]

25 years old can be brought in. 15 years in Canada. Remember that brown wagon of mine registered in Canada? I have researched it until my brain wigged out. Let me know what info you need.
Texas registration of a 25 year old import is simple. You need import documents, Bill of sale with value, etc. I used a registered importer to bring in some 25 year old Pinzgauers into Texas and it was painless.

 

[KOWBOY]

Thanks Gary!

The seller says he can provide the vehicle paperwork and deliver to US port as part of the deal. Would I still need the services of a registered importer or could I just fetch the damn thang at the port of entry and trailer 'er back to Texas to get 'er legal??

Reckon somebody mize well use Josh's new tow rig.

 

[Fireman]

Whatcha buying. Better be a damned cruiser or youta of some sort. THis is getting down right em bare assing.

 

[KOWBOY]

Thinkin' 'bout makin' a lowball offer on a goofy lil' daily driver.

And no ... ain't a Ty-ota.

 

[Domek]

Better be a damned cruiser or youta of some sort. THis is getting down right em bare assing.

I did not wanted to say anything but I agreed, the golden years of this forum have gone by!

Thinkin' 'bout makin' a lowball offer on a goofy lil' daily driver.

And no ... ain't a Ty-ota.

is it a 4wheel drive at least?

 

[Bodean]

Why did yall ask what he was buying??? You know he lives for this s***!

 

[Waggoner5]

Thanks Gary!

The seller says he can provide the vehicle paperwork and deliver to US port as part of the deal. Would I still need the services of a registered importer or could I just fetch the damn thang at the port of entry and trailer 'er back to Texas to get 'er legal??

Reckon somebody mize well use Josh's new tow rig.

You will need to have all the correct customs paperwork filled out, duty paid and filled before the vehicle hits the US port. I did not trust myself to handle all of this so I hired a guy to make sure it was all done right from the get go. With his help, all I needed to do was to show up at customs, at port, and show my completed paperwork and pick up the vehicle. The RI was not necessary, but I recommend going this route as customs laws change daily and you dont want to show up at port ready to pick up just to find that you are missing something and that one thing will take a few days to produce. It cost me 1k to bring in 3 Pinz's to the RI and Duty was 300 I think for the 3 of them. No idea what it will cost today. This was '02.
G

 

[Fireman]

Why did yall ask what he was buying??? You know he lives for this s***!

I know, but when an old dog gets to old to get it himself, sometimes you just got to throw one to him for old times' sake!

 

[LukeZero]

Kowboy- you do know that you can get a MINI Cooper here in the US, don't you? I know they only have the pink ones in Europe, but you could get it painted.

 

[KOWBOY]

I did not wanted to say anything but I agreed, the golden years of this forum have gone by!

The strength of this forum is a direct reflection of the strength of our club ... which is a direct reflection of the strength of our members. I am but one man.

I
is it a 4wheel drive at least?

No.

Why did yall ask what he was buying??? You know he lives for this s***!

I started this thread cuzz I'm unfamiliar with import laws and was hoping for some quick information. What I MIGHT try to buy is irrrelevant. If anyone is not interested in Gary's information on import laws then please proceed to another thread.

You will need to have all the correct customs paperwork filled out, duty paid and filled before the vehicle hits the US port ...

And thanks Gary for providing that quick information I was looking for. On the slight chance that any sort of deal goes thru in the near future, I'll get up with you for some more details.

Kowboy- you do know that you can get a MINI Cooper here in the US, don't you? I know they only have the pink ones in Europe, but you could get it painted.

Nice.

 

[Fireman]

Grippy old fart!

 

[Bossman]

I am butt #one.

Fixed it for ya!

 

[Domek]

The strength of this forum is a direct reflection of the strength of our club ... which is a direct reflection of the strength of our members. I am but one man.:

Whaaaat? that's too much English for me!

Yes I know it's a strong Club w/ very strong members.... that's what I like about this club.

So the question is, how strong are you?

are you still strong enough to lead this club?

You claim to be the President and don't show to the events!

I had hi standards sir! ...and when I proudly joint this club that's when my standards went below the break even point!

so where are you on the scale?

don't tell me that they(standards) went up, therefore, you don't come back and visit this here forum

 

[KOWBOY]

Sounds like a mutiny is brewin' ...

Best cut this off at the nub.

So the question is, how strong are you?

Strong enuff to out fight ya, out drink ya, out cuss ya, out fxxx ya, and out drive ya.

are you still strong enough to lead this club?

All 'cept Josh ... and he's made it quite clear he don't wanna run it.

You claim to be the President and don't show to the events!

See ya in Hot Springs.

I had hi standards sir! ...and when I proudly joint this club that's when my standards went below the break even point!

Not nearly as low as ours when we let your sorry ass in.

so where are you on the scale?

'Bout 260.

don't tell me that they(standards) went up, therefore, you don't come back and visit this here forum

On here damn-near ev'ry day my lil' Mes'kin friend ... barrin' bid'ness trips or unforeseen hospital visits.

 

[Green Lantern]

What Gary says with one addition. The Customs folks know the licensed importers.
The Customs service was on a first name basis with the importer I used in 2000. There were no glitches or questions. I showed 'em the paperwork and they waved me through.

It was worth the $300 I paid to use the Registered Importer (RI). Also, getting the Texas title was easier using the RI. The RI posts a bond that Texas recognizes and that meant no testing or delay with the Texas title. If it's a weird, 3 wheeled car or something too small to drive on the Interstate be aware that Texas may take exception to it. You can find out by calling the State and tell them what you plan to do. Use the same office you plan to get your title from. Buy 'em a few beers or some Meskin food. They are the final word on your title.

Good luck,
Nick

You will need to have all the correct customs paperwork filled out, duty paid and filled before the vehicle hits the US port. I did not trust myself to handle all of this so I hired a guy to make sure it was all done right from the get go. With his help, all I needed to do was to show up at customs, at port, and show my completed paperwork and pick up the vehicle. The RI was not necessary, but I recommend going this route as customs laws change daily and you dont want to show up at port ready to pick up just to find that you are missing something and that one thing will take a few days to produce. It cost me 1k to bring in 3 Pinz's to the RI and Duty was 300 I think for the 3 of them. No idea what it will cost today. This was '02.
G

 

[Domek]

Sounds like a mutiny is brewin' ...

Best cut this off at the nub.

Strong enuff to out fight ya, out drink ya, out cuss ya, out fxxx ya, and out drive ya. :

How about eating a thick steak focker? you have no front teeth!

All 'cept Josh ... and he's made it quite clear he don't wanna run it.

leave the VP alone! ...he's much likeable than you sorry grumpy ass!

See ya in Hot Springs. :

that's yet to be seen!

Not nearly as low as ours when we let your sorry ass in.

Bite me!


[/QUOTE]

 

[KOWBOY]

How about eating a thick steak focker? you have no front teeth!

Just have to cut 'er into REALLY small pieces.

 

[KOWBOY]

Thanks Nick!!

So I pay the RI fella a few hun'erd bucks to handle the paperwork. Money well spent. Got it.

Nick, Gary, or anybody else ...

Still lil' confused on the duty tax. Is that a percentage of value that I pay to somebody? Maybe to the Port of arrival to US? Then do I pay Texas a sales tax on top of that to get the title? Will it matter if vehicle arrives in port on Eastern seaboard or Texas port as far as duty/sales tax goes??

How strange is it to drive a RHD vehicle with manual tranny?? Shiftin' with the left hand has got to take some thinkin' each shift.

Butch ...

Would need to add A/C. Vintage-Air under dash unit comes to mind and there's ample interior room. I know you've chunked these on some cruisers. Reckon it's possible to install the compressor on a European diesel engine?? Appears to be room under the hood ... just need to hillbilly-fab up some sorta bracket and cypher out a belt??

Any and all information is greatly appreciated Folks.

P.S.: Bodean ... please go to another thread.

 

[Domek]

I can check w/ my good friends from US Customs.

but I would need more info.

type of vehicle?

where does it come from?

those sort of things.

I'll call him tomorrow to find out about the procedure.

give me something, where does it come from?