Yes its allowed if you can show your car meets certain regulations.
You'll also have to consider if your car will be easily serviceable should you have a breakdown, or need a tune-up. Many european cars may need to have parts ordered and sent from europe in order to be fixed. The cost can be very high. You may also need to find a specialist to service and repair your car to prevent unknowledgeable people from working on and subsequently damaging your car. Specialists can be hard to find and can also be very expensive.
At an estimate the shipping cost for a car from the UK to the US probably costs around £1000 to £5000 depending on the company you choose and how respected they are. If your car is your baby and his of high value you dont really want joe shmoe shipping your car
Here's some info provided to me in a book by Sterling Corporate Removals. Hope you find it helpful.
- Sarah
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You'll need the following for customs clearance:
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o The ocean/air bill of landing (provided by your shipper)
o Foreign registration and any other documents covering the vehicle
o Manufacturer's certificate of origin (provided by seller at time of purchase)
o Written prior approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) stating that your vehicle meets all US emission requirements, or manufacturer's label in English affixed to the car stating that the vehicle meets all us emission requirements
o Proof if meeting any requirements of other federal agencies such as the department of transportation and state and local authorities
o Declaration that car has been run on unleaded petrol only (form provided by shipper)
Excluded vehicles based on age (no EPA Approval needed)
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o Excluded vehicles are vehicles that have been excluded from emission requirements of the clean air act. They may be imported by anyone provided that the vehicle is a:
o Light-duty gasoline-fuelled car or truck built before December 30th 1967.
o Light-duty diesel-fuelled car built before December 30th 1974 or light-duty diesel-fuelled truck built prior to December 30th 1975.
o Motorcycle built prior to December 30th 1977; or motorcycle powered engine with less than 50 cc displacement.
Any vehicle being imported permanently that does not require EPA approval will still have to meet the department of transportation and customs requirements. Please note that not all vehicles manufacture red for sale outside of the USA can be converted. Contact your local dealer for this information. In addition, conversion can be very expensive.
The vehicles listed above are exempt from the following regulations:
Autos manufacture red after December 31 1967
Any automobile manufactured after December 31 1967 must meet strict US standards for emission control and safety. All vehicles must be tested for compliance. It is possible to have your car tested in the UK. Depending upon the results of the test, an EPA approved certificate can be issued locally, or advice can be given regarding your specific case on conversion needs and costs, or a possible dispensation. Contact your shipper to arrange an EPA test.
Bonds/Conformity to Emission Control Standards
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In most ports, autos previously exported from the US may be imported duty free providing you have proof of exportation and/or proof that the auto was originally manufactured and sold in the US. However, at US customs discretion, these autos will automatically be transferred to a conversion facility (for the EPA or department of transportations regulations) and tested to prove the auto is compliant. The auto must have been operated on unleaded fuel or had the catalytic converter removed prior to use of leaded fuel overseas, in order to be re0imported. All other cars must be brought up to conformity immediately upon entry, the cost of which may be US$5,000 or more. It is generally both expensive and time consuming to bring a vehicle up to US emission control standards, and we would advise you not to proceed unless the car is of high value or was manufactured in the USA.
Duty Rates
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According to current regulations, duty will be applicable on any motor vehicle which is purchased brand new overseas and then shipped to the US. Used automobiles accompanied by a person who is a returning US resident or someone moving to the US will be duty free. There will be extra fees for bond charges to cover the EPA and department of transportation approval. You must attest that the automobile is for your own personal use and not for resale. If US Customs is advised that the vehicle has been sold, you will then owe duties on the auto which may run up to 3% of the value.
In addition to emission control standards all autos must meet safety requirements. The cost may be as much as US$10,000 to change headlamps, glass, safety restraints, door locks and others. Conversion is required immediately upon entry and may take as long as four months depending upon the port of arrival, work to be done, and the back-log. You have no control over which of the 8-10 available US facilities is used and you are completely responsible for the cost of conversion, transportation to and from the facility and any related costs due to customs or environmental protection agency tests or examinations.
Non-compliant vehicles which are unable to be converted will be exported or destroyed at the owner's expense.
These regulations are subject to change. Please contact a shipper to obtain the most current regulations relating to the importation of your automobile.
Note - if you are a non-resident, you may import a non-conforming vehicle duty-free if it arrives in conjunction with your arrival, and if you will be in the US for less than one year. It must be exported after one year and may not be sold in the US. However, depending on the port of entry, you may have to:
1. Purchase a bond from a surety company for anywhere from two-thirds to twice the value of your automobile as a guarantee that it will be re-exported within 12 months
OR
2. Place a cash bond for the full value of the vehicle in a non-interest bearing account in the name of the bond company car of the owner of the automobile.
Emission and safety requirements
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Please be advised that to import a motor vehicle, you must steam clean the undercarriage of the vehicle to red it of any soil and unwanted pests. In addition you must company with:
o EPA Requirements: http:www.epa.giv/otaq/imports
o Other federal agencies' requirements –
- 1. Customs
- 2. Safety Requirements
www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/imports/State requirements (which vary in each state. depending on your state, you may be required to fulful the following requirements:)
- A. proof that your vehicle meets federal emission requirements
- B. Proof that your vehicle satisfies the state's own requirements for inspection / maintenance (I/M) programs. Contact your local I/M office for more information.
Bringing your Vehicle up to standard
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Contact a Registered Importer in the US who can give you estimates for bringing your vehicle up to standard. You need to provide them with your vehicle registration number. Find an RI that specializes in European or "grey market" vehicles.
