Need import help for US from Liberia - 1986 LJ70

[richmason]

Dear Forum,

We are moving from Liberia to Jordan in a few weeks and I can't take the LJ with me as diesels aren't allowed in SUVs. I need to ship the truck to the US. Is there anyone here with experience importing into the East Coast that can assist? The truck is an 86 so it passes the 25 year test. I'm using a Liberian shipping company and am leery about their ability to get it through customs and DoT. Also, if anyone has a contact at Olde North State Cruisers in NC that could help, that would be especially appreciated as their contact us button is broken on the website.

Best shipping quote I have so far is around $10k but very little leaves Liberia for the US as they don't manufacture anything.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[peterb]

Rich
I used Andrew at Lloyd International, 781-826-2478, agillis@lloydintl.com for shipping and Stewart at Dolliff & Co, 617-561-0900 for customs. Both were great to work with. $10,000 is very high for shipping but I shipped from Australia not Liberia.
Sorry, I don't have a contact at Olde North but they are good guys. Went on their Outer Banks run a few years ago.
Good luck with the move!
Peter

 

[richmason]

Peter did you have it delivered to your house or did you go to Customs?

Peter,

Thanks for the contact information. As the truck is over 25 years old, it looks like an easy procedure in principle to bring it in. I'd like to know some more about the details of the process. Did you have to be at the border when it came in or could the importer sign for it? I'm willing to pay for someone to handle all of this but only if I can avoid a $$$$ plane ticket from Jordan when the truck arrives at the port.

Any insight you can provide would be appreciated.

Best,
Rich

 

[45Kevin]

Have you considered trucking it to Gibraltar and shipping from there?

 

[GTSSportCoupe]

Can't help you with the shipping, but it might be cheaper to sell your LJ70 in Liberia, and buy another in Canada when you are ready. Shipping/Importing from Canada to the US would be much easier.

There are many imported 70 series here that are 25 years old, or will be very soon. You could buy a decent LJ7x/BJ7x for less than shipping your LJ70 from Liberia.

 

[peterb]

Rich
I did not have to be at the port for the import. The customs people handled that. I did have to complete a few forms. That part was pretty simple.
The difficulty I had was being unable to find a company to ship it from the port to my home. I finally gave up, flew to near the port as my first two flights were cancelled, hired a shuttle to the port and rented a truck and trailer to bring it back. if you have shippers promise you they'll have someone there to pick up your truck, be sceptical!!!
Good luck!
Peter

Peter,

Thanks for the contact information. As the truck is over 25 years old, it looks like an easy procedure in principle to bring it in. I'd like to know some more about the details of the process. Did you have to be at the border when it came in or could the importer sign for it? I'm willing to pay for someone to handle all of this but only if I can avoid a $$$$ plane ticket from Jordan when the truck arrives at the port.

Any insight you can provide would be appreciated.

Best,
Rich

 

[richmason]

Peter,

I think I have a guy in Maine who can drive down and store it until I can get back to the US or find a shipper. I've spoken to a dozen people and your guy in Boston looks like the only option. Thanks again for the tip. I've found a shipper who will send it in a container for $6000 or so but there are few guarantees that it won't be damaged and I'm concerned it will just disappear....

Cheers,
Rich

 

[richmason]

GTS,

I appreciate that there is no money to be made with this vehicle. The attachment is purely sentimental plus I've invested a lot of time and money into eliminating problems and I've been able to thoroughly road test it myself. Of course, it will now sit for two years at least so much of that investment may be for naught.

Cheers,
Rich

 

[peterb]

Rich
Having a truck sorted out and knowing what needs to be done and what has been done adds value. It may not be tangible but it's valuable to have that information.
Good luck with the import!
Peter

 

[richmason]

Peter,

Stewarts company in Boston found me an NC broker who can handle customs in Wilmington. Best price on container is $5000 from Demarco. Huge improvement. Good to go!

 

[peterb]

Rich
Wow, that is great news! Glad to help. This is what Mud is all about!
Peter

 

[winoism]

If you really want to ship it in a container that's ok but you are paying heaps more money.you have to pay trucking fees to move the container every time, storage fees are pricey for the container, loading and unloading of the vehicle are $$$. You may want to consider asking the shipping company for a " roll on, roll off" option if they have it. If you have a broker in the USA they can actually have the car delivered to themselves if you give them a power of attorney. Also dock are union so make sure your broker can get it off the dock themselves, or then they have to pay someone with the credentials to go get if off the dock. Also quarantine could be an issue. Importing cars is a difficult lengthy process and is never easy, raven when you have all your ducks in a tow, but it's worth it when you'd getting thumbs up from other people.. Good luck

 

[winoism]

Roll on roll off is about 2-3000 grand cheaper although it's not in a container. Make sure you have insurance on the vehicle as well.