Need help on importing

[bigdog]

I just brought a Caterham into the USA from Germany (I purchased it in the UK though) As it is a 1983 model year. There were no taxes other than port fees, And a few odds and ends. I believe it totaled $200-$300. I used all ways international shipping & customs brokers

6610 tributary St. Suite 102

Baltimore Maryland 21224

410-631-1862

 

This is who the US Government uses when shipping the cars for military personal overseas assignments.

 

My Caterham did not have nor did it need an MSO. It did have the old V5 UK registration as well as the German papers. It didn't have a title like the USA has at all. Just the registration. Washington state didn't have an issue with those papers at all. The VIN number is short. (LCS46400R) In fact. Just today I received my Washington title in the mail with that VIN assigned.

[Croc]

Just to reinforce BigDog's comment above, All Ways International was also highly recommended to me although I ultimately ended up not using them. I am currently using Cosdel who are proving to be very good for my car importing as they cover most of the big car collections on the West Coast and Monterey. I have a list of other import broker names who I would not recommend but I don't think I need to mention those!

[Ferrino]

Bigdog - would you possibly be able to break down all of the costs involved in importing your '83 car from the UK to the US, please? I'm trying to get a picture of how much shipping and broker costs come to.

 

I just brought a Caterham into the USA from Germany (I purchased it in the UK though) As it is a 1983 model year. There were no taxes other than port fees, And a few odds and ends. I believe it totaled $200-$300. I used all ways international shipping & customs brokers

6610 tributary St. Suite 102

Baltimore Maryland 21224

410-631-1862

 

This is who the US Government uses when shipping the cars for military personal overseas assignments.

 

My Caterham did not have nor did it need an MSO. It did have the old V5 UK registration as well as the German papers. It didn't have a title like the USA has at all. Just the registration. Washington state didn't have an issue with those papers at all. The VIN number is short. (LCS46400R) In fact. Just today I received my Washington title in the mail with that VIN assigned.

[BruceBe]

Getting a straight answer on importation matters is really difficult. You talk to import agents/customs brokers and they all say "not a problem" and then you discover that the US Government bureaucracy is ALWAYS a problem and you end up paying for the import delays/exams/etc that dog a problematic import. So whoever you are using for shipping, make sure that you have carefully selected them based on references, track record, etc.

 

...

 

For importing a kit car I think you would do well to start looking at what others do. Superformance with their South African Cobras/GT 40s, CAV with their GT40s, Birkin with their sevens, Caterham now with their cars, etc all employ a "roller" strategy. No drive train (engine/gearbox) is installed. You source that yourself separately and install it yourself. If I was doing this I would make sure I have an inventory of everything in that crate.

 

However, I am not sure you can just buy yourself a kit overseas and ship it here. Each of the kit manufacturers has exclusive licenses with USA distributors. How are you going to get a US kit that has the correct US VIN sequence for a new car and a Manufacturers Statement of Origin? The MSO is vitally important to get a new built kit car registered - even Florida legally needs them and that well known as the easiest state to do anything dodgy with registering vehicles in. To get that MSO I doubt an overseas kit manufacturer would just overlook their exclusive distribution agreement to supply you a kit?

 

If I was you I would consider buying the kit through a USA distributor. It may be more expensive but it is far less stressful and you know what you are going to get at the end of the day. Now if you want to buy a Caterham then I would be going down the road you are exploring as the prices are now so outrageously high that the big savings make sense for the effort you put in.

 

I'd like to reinforce the point regarding the MSO, which is issued by the manufacturer of the kit/roller. Without it, titling and registration can be immensely difficult.

 

We pull LCL shipments of parts from the UK (Caterham), and it is neither cheap nor easy. On the originating end, paperwork must be in order, and now there are new Customs regulations that may result in upwards of US$5K fines, if paperwork is not filed in the U.S. *prior* to voyage (ISF form). Utilizing an experienced and proven Customs Broker is essential, and as mentioned, things can and will go wrong - the culprit being US Customs, the port, the shipper, the warehouse - the list goes on and on.

 

Also, keep in mind that a "kit" does not necessarily mean that it is ready for transit via ocean container. Often, you will be contracting with a UK crating company ($$$), to package the "kit" for transport. Oh - and they charge VAT on crating, as the service/goods are provided in the UK.

 

Cheers,

-Bruce