Bringing an European Spec Car into the US

[vader87]

Do any of you guys know I need to do to bring an European Spec car to the US? Thanks!

 

[UNGN]

what year are you talking about? New or old?

 

[vader87]

1989 BMW 5353i.

 

[loki993]

its a real pain, ive looked into it a while back. there is a list that the car must be on, if it is not that you have to petition to get it on the list and there all these fees and things like that. at least it was for the car i wanted, youres may be on the list that it may be easier. i have to find the website.


also if you dont mind me asking, why do you want to import it??

 

[vader87]

It was free and is a very nice car! Loaded! I have a way of getting it to the States free so I don't mind spending a little on the fees. Hope you find the list! Thanks for your time!

 

[loki993]

heres the link and all the rules:

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

did you mean 535i?? because thats on the list.

 

[vader87]

Thanks!

 

[loki993]

sure, still looks like it could be a real PITA though, let me know how it goes.

 

[Jbenn911]

16 years ago it was a real PITA!! I had an 84 5 series Alpina I wanted to bring back...The original model(530) was on the list. Talked to a registered importer in NYC and got the paperwork...Two bonds have to be posted. One is the EPA/DOT bond for the dutiable value of the car and the other is 1.5x the dutiable value. You then had 90 days to get the car re-vin'd and "converted" over or the 1.5x bond went bye-bye. It depended alot on the year and make of the car, as certain german cars designed to go over 220kmh already had safety glass, some had the ignition switch change...Check out that NHTSA site and call one of the importers, they can give you the scoop. You will get the bond money back. It was going to cost me about 6,000 back then to convert my car and I would have lost all the benefits that the Alpina cars were known for Ended up selling it and picking up a 200TQ Audi already spec'd..