Importing a car from Germany - or any other Euro country

[fastzilla]

This may not be the right place for this post but here goes:

I've found a car that I love in Germany. How do I get it to the US. The transportation seems to be the easy part. I have no idea about VAT, import tax, etc.

Wondering if anyone here can shed some light. Need to get this part figured out before I even consider getting serious on the car. Thx!

 

[Triheart7]

Sorry I do not know the answer to your question, but when you post something like this you will be questioned as to the narture of the automobile (Of course unless it is a one of a kind, unbelievable deal, etc.... then you can tell me to shut up and brag later!).

 

[centerpunch]

Make, model, and year of manufacture?

Unless the car was certified and manufactured to meet US NHTSA and EPA specs or can be modified to a configuration that's already been certified, if it's not 25 years old, it is virtually impossible to bring most cars in.

 

[fastzilla]

The most beautiful car I have ever seen (on the net - never seen one in person). Have another post in the OT forum on info about these cars. Want to keep this thread to the importing/tax (i'm new, don't want to get d-hall just yet )

Here is a sneek peek:
http://www.jameslist.com/advert/112560/for-sale-morgan-other

 

[fastzilla]

I'm sure the car can be modified to meet the US regulations. See above link for car info.

 

[centerpunch]

Do NOT buy a euro-spec car!

Morgans are available in the US. If you want one, buy a US spec one.
http://www.morgancars-usa.com/
http://www.morganwest.net/
http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/sales/ww.php

There's a used one (in Texas!) on ebay now that claims to be a US spec car, but don't buy it without verifying that!
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2005-Morgan-Aero-8-Silver-blue-low-miles-/330512282310

This import page (about Land Rovers, but warnings still apply) shows the sticker the car should have and warns of non-US VIN numbers.
http://www.eastcoastrover.com/imports.html

If a car was imported without EPA/DOT approval, is somehow titled, the Feds can seize and destroy the car.

EDIT: Sorry, didn't see you were after the hardtop model. Importation warnings still apply.

 

[Sinovac]

Make, model, and year of manufacture?

Unless the car was certified and manufactured to meet US NHTSA and EPA specs or can be modified to a configuration that's already been certified, if it's not 25 years old, it is virtually impossible to bring most cars in.

100% correct.

 

[Sinovac]

It is a beautiful car, but it has an ash frame. If you get one, make sure you have it tented once a year for termites, particularly in Texas

 

[GEE-TEE]

Yes the Morgan is sweet. One of my friends and fellow GT owners has one here in LA. At first I thout it looked like it hit a tree in the front but after a while it grows on you... I would love to get a new VW Scirocco here. I wish there was an easy way as I am in love with these cars.

 

[twobjshelbys]

The guys on Top Gear (US) ran one through its paces on this week's show. It sure is gorgeous. Wooden frame? They had it up to something like 170 but said the front end got pretty light.

 

[fastzilla]

Thanks for the replies! I'll definitely look into the EPA goodies. The car could always make a trip back to the factory to be modified on it's way over. I know there is a way to get "grey market" vehicles into the states for loop holes like "show cars" or the like. They've been doing it for years on motorcycles. San Antonio is a no emissions county in TX so we have one less local issue to worry about. More concernied with where to get the paperwork/etc to start the process. Again the car is moot at this point until I figure out the importing.

The e-bay is an Aero 8. The AeroMax is an aluminum frame as was the GTN - only wood is the body.

 

[PeakCompletions]

I just went through this with importing my Matech GT1 car...

Get a good agent to work through all the kinks, and make sure you get all EPA approval forms signed BEFORE they ship the car. I had to sign all kinds of releases and guarantees never to drive on public roads plus provide a race program schedule to get a special classification to get it in the country.

There are lawyers who specialize in this who are much more help.

Going with a US imported car if possible would be the way to go.

 

[fastzilla]

From the figures I've found there have only been 11 imported into the US. New ones are not available. If I want one I'm going to have to climb that mountain. PM me if you have any attorney/agent contacts. I'll be asking my attorneys today for the same.

I need to contact the manufacturer and see if they will cretify a car to US standards.

 

[FordGT4fun]

Hi fastzilla as i noticed on your link the car (morgan) is located by a famous luxury dealer in Germany.
As i know the dealer sells worldwide and should know about all the formalities to keep the car US conform.
Maybe you should directly contact the sales team.
Here the link
http://www.autosalon-singen.de/
Hope i could help you
Regards
Pierre

 

[fordcapri]

Don't often post on here anymore, but always read the threads.

The Morgan inquestion Is a spectacular car, but I have seen it a couple times at various shows in the last 12 months. I am sure you won't be disapointed with the car in the looks, or in the heritage of the vehicle. With the regard to importing in to the U.S.A, if the vehicle is new, you do not have to pay V.A.T or import duty. The only tax you will have to pay will depenend on which state you will import it to the U.S.A.

I am sure if you have bought one which is not U.S.A spec, the factory will be willing to convert it to U.S spec for you, to save you all the problems.

There are many companies that specialise in transportation of vehicles and will take care of all the paper work for you. I could even put you in touch with one in the U.S.A, who has a counter part that works with him from the U.K.

Hope this helps :thumbsup

 

[GT38]

Morgans at Pebble Beach 2010 - stunning cars in person.

 

[fastzilla]

Thanks for the replies. I think contacting the dealer will be a great place to start. I'm glad to hear your knowledge of them FordGT4Fun - I've very cautious of anything on the net. I'm starting to associate VAT as the same thing as sales tax here in the states - nothing new, just a matter of who collects it :lol

I'm sure the factory will make the conversion as you and I both assume - would be in everyone's best interest to do so.

I'll probably make contact this next week. I need to get a few projects off and running - new year, back to work!

My wife thinks the car is ugly....but I think she may change her mind. A trip over there would be a nice break as well. But it looks like I would be a hungry child in a candy store over there - better leave the check book at home and only bring what I go there to spend :biggrin

 

[fordcapri]

Importing a Morgan

Well, if you are going to go through the trouble of flying over, what you must do is go to the Factory of Morgan Cars, who will give you a guided tour. You can actually see what goes in to a hand built car, and a must for anybody buying one of these cars. After this, once your wife has seen these cars in the real flesh, she will probably be telling you to buy one. Once you are there, and they see you are a potential customer, they will probably disclose to you future models coming, that are based on the model you are looking at. By doing this you will get yourself the car you want, the spec you want, and it will be built to US specifications. Depending when you are going, if it is later in the year you must visit Goodwood Festival of Speed, a must on any car enthusiatics list.

 

[fastzilla]

I've watched Goodwood on tv when it's came on late at night - that's my kind of event! I would love to get into vintage racing but simply do not have the time, yet. You can bet that if I fly over I will make a trip to the Morgan factory. My wife has got a glimpse into custom built/hand built from boats & likes it. But we'll see. Once I do my research (which I'm doing now) I don't kick tires, I buy. I've never been out of North America so that is on my mind - I don't want to be the "food" at the feast if you know what I mean.

 

[Neilda]

If you needed any help in the UK, you have only to ask. I'd be happy to garage it alongside the GT if you needed to have it 'held' for a while in the UK. I would imagine if you could get it to Morgan, they could then send it out to you in Texas.