Importing...who to grab

[HJ-45CrewCab]

Shipping agent

I shipped my hj-45 from Brisbane to Baltimore through a shipping agent. The agent knows and takes care of everything. He even arranged delivery to the port with the seller. Mine was shipped on a RO/RO and the ship was totally enclosed. The same ship is used by Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Subaru, and Mercedes, so there is no damage from weather. I was able to track the ship on their website, and the truck was delivered no problems. The disadvantage of RO/RO is that nothing (like spare parts) can be loose in the vehicle. Advantage is you dont have to pay for a crane to unload it. Shipping agent was probably more than working directly with a shipping line, but I did not have to do or worry about anything. Did everything via email. This is the ship my cruiser was on as it went from AU to Singapore, korea, japan, Panama, and US.

 

[40Flipper]

Shipping lines don't normally let you deal direct. Most of them require an agent of some type in the middle.

 

[65FJ45]

What about the taxes? I read that trucks were 25% and cars were much less. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[madams557]

What about the taxes? I read that trucks were 25% and cars were much less. Anyone know anything about this?

That is correct. The U.S. Customs regulations details the tariff for commercial vehicles (anything that looks like a truck) is at 25% while passenger vehicles is 2.4%. Nothing you can do about that. There was an advantage of driving up to Canada to get my truck and that is you are allowed up to $1,000 of duty free upon return if you purchased something while there. So, it was like getting a $1,000 off the sale price of the truck.

 

[40Flipper]

What about the taxes? I read that trucks were 25% and cars were much less. Anyone know anything about this?

I've never paid 25% before. These are considered passenger vehicles in MA. Perhaps it's a state thing? I only pay 5% sales tasx in MA. There are tarriiffs but certainly not 25%. You should get a good freight/ customs broker to help with that at the lower rate

 

[madams557]

I've never paid 25% before. These are considered passenger vehicles in MA. Perhaps it's a state thing? I only pay 5% sales tasx in MA. There are tarriiffs but certainly not 25%. You should get a good freight/ customs broker to help with that at the lower rate

Its on the customs form. Passenger vehicles - 2.4% Commercial vehicles - 25%. I imported a 45 truck. Maybe an argument could be made that a troop carrier is a passenger vehicle, but I think the tariff is based on GVW.

I wonder if that tariff was hidden in your broker fees.

 

[madams557]

Well, I just looked and it appears as though the tariff code through USITC has changed in 2006. The new regulations include something new in regards to friendly trade countries and non friendly trade countries.

http://dataweb.usitc.gov/scripts/tariff_current.asp

Canada must have been a not-so-friendly trade country in 2003.

Or it looks like code 87042100 covers trucks under 5 tons. 25% across the board. Whereas 87021060 may cover a diesel troopie and friendly trade partners will receive a 2% tariff.

 

[D'Animal]

Its on the customs form. Passenger vehicles - 2.4% Commercial vehicles - 25%. I imported a 45 truck. Maybe an argument could be made that a troop carrier is a passenger vehicle, but I think the tariff is based on GVW.

I wonder if that tariff was hidden in your broker fees.

All Trucks without bed covers or camper shells are considered Commercial verhicles in CA.

 

[tlaporte]

All Trucks without bed covers or camper shells are considered Commercial verhicles in CA.

I just brought one in through customs in Long Beach last month. HJ47 Troopy soft top. I paid 2.5% tariff on sale price. Two forms, $75, and 15 minutes of my time and I was down to the wharf to pick up my truck. The key for me was having the forms filled out in advance, so there were no questions, no difficulties or anything with the customs agent. Would have been out there even faster if I hadn't spent five minutes in the wrong line

madamms557 has it right: if it's 25 years or older, do it yourself. Have your OZ contact find a shipper over there with whom he is comfortable and sort things out from his end.

Since you're in CO, you're either bringing them in through LA/Long Beach or SF. I'm guessing that there are plenty of Mudders who would help you out with the logistics at this end. Obviously if you're doing it as a business, they're going to expect at least some consideration, but it definitely wasn't a big deal in my experience.

Just remember to bring a battery charger!

 

[stainless 40/45]

how did you get an 1983 in,it does not meet the 25year rule

 

[tlaporte]

how did you get an 1983 in,it does not meet the 25year rule

Titled as an 83, but it's build date is 82. The army needed some time to gussy it up before it landed in the field, so when it was finally registered and titled in Australia, they apparently went by the Army's plates and markings on the dash which have 1983 dates, rather than the factory build date.

-- Tom

 

[40Flipper]

Its on the customs form. Passenger vehicles - 2.4% Commercial vehicles - 25%. I imported a 45 truck. Maybe an argument could be made that a troop carrier is a passenger vehicle, but I think the tariff is based on GVW.

I wonder if that tariff was hidden in your broker fees.

I definitely would have noticed if shipping was 25% more. 2.5% every time.

 

[40Flipper]

Titled as an 83, but it's build date is 82. The army needed some time to gussy it up before it landed in the field, so when it was finally registered and titled in Australia, they apparently went by the Army's plates and markings on the dash which have 1983 dates, rather than the factory build date.

-- Tom

I just did an "83" as well. It was built in 10/82 so I had the uy write the bill of sale to match the VIN tags and not the registration.

 

[1tontoy]

I read at the DOT website that the 25 year rule is based off of the MANUFACTURED DATE.

 

[40Flipper]

I read at the DOT website that the 25 year rule is based off of the MANUFACTURED DATE.

True. The main concern is that ,when imported, the gov't workers would look at the paperwork and see 1983 and destroy the vehicle without checking the VIN. I had them write it up as the manufactured date on all the shipping docs just to prevent any confusion and possible disasters by the vigilant government port workers.