trykeman Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 As I am new to this site and without a 7. I am wondering if anyone has attempted to import one from the UK? Are there any glaring pitfalls? Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 Welcome to the forum. Post 13 on this thread will steer you in the right direction. http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?10365-1999-Birkin-S3-(Last-5-of-build)/page2&highlight=import Then for forum members, Bigdog, has imported one from Germany fairly recently so he will be a good source of information. Cheers mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 welcome to the forum. Post 13 on this thread will steer you in the right direction. http://www.usa7s.net/vb/showthread.php?10365-1999-birkin-s3-(last-5-of-build)/page2&highlight=import then for forum members, bigdog, has imported one from germany fairly recently so he will be a good source of information. Cheers mike x2 :cooldude: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super7guy Posted September 26, 2015 Share Posted September 26, 2015 I am in preparation to export a 1962 Lotus Super 7, SB1497; so far seems pretty straight forward on this end. Wayne Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 I am in preparation to export a 1962 Lotus Super 7, SB1497; so far seems pretty straight forward on this end. Wayne Wayne, Because it's more than 25 years old. Been there, done that. Bill S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super7guy Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Not sure that the age makes a difference for the export. Shipping company only wants Bill of Sale and Title docs. There may be difference based on age for import into the UK. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted September 27, 2015 Share Posted September 27, 2015 Not sure that the age makes a difference for the export. Shipping company only wants Bill of Sale and Title docs. There may be difference based on age for import into the UK. If it's under 25 years old and not on the NHTSA non conforming list, it can't be brought in to the country legally. See the attached two links for all the details: http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ and http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page2.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blokko Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Aside from Mike (Croc's) very detailed explanation of potential issues, I'll add some more mundane stuff.... UK prices seem quite firm at the moment - some people in the UK have complained that there isn't much choice in the used market, so decent examples are going to be priced accordingly. That said, we are now at the end of the blatting season, so maybe prices will soften. This is the site with the most cars for sale Is a right hooker going to be ok, or do you have a specific LHD car in mind? It is going to cost you money to exchange cash into GBP and get the car shipped 3 times (seller - port - your place). Have you ascertained how easy it will / won't be to register a Caterham in your State? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo MIke Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) So, what if you imported a Caterham, Westfield etc. that's less than 25 years old from the UK and shipped the drivetrain separately to the US? And NOT in the same crate. Has anyone done this? The other link was kinda vague about this. Would the same rules apply that apply to new lotus 7 kit cars? Does anybody have a government link that explains importing kit cars? Edited September 28, 2015 by Buffalo MIke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 (edited) So, what if you imported a Caterham, Westfield etc. that's less than 25 years old from the UK and shipped the drivetrain separately to the US? And NOT in the same crate. Has anyone done this? The other link was kinda vague about this. Would the same rules apply that apply to new lotus 7 kit cars? Does anybody have a government link that explains importing kit cars? Once a car has been built, it is a built car and cannot be undone. You may be able to sneak it past Customs, but is it really worth the risk? Keep in mind the cost of partial dismantling, crating it all up, separate shipping of the crates (including pick up and delivery) and then reassembling it here. Doubtful you would be saving anything and could have the whole car siezed or denied entry. Oh, and possible criminal charges for claiming the car as something it isn't. Other than all that, give it a try and let us know how it works for you. Edited September 28, 2015 by lucky dawg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NVP66S Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 Once a car has been built, it is a built car and cannot be undone. You may be able to sneak it past Customs, but is it really with the risk? Keep in mind the cost of partial dismantling, crating it all up, separate shipping of the crates (including pick up and delivery) and then reassembling it here. Doubtful you would be saving anything and could have the whole car siezed or denied entry. . Just for reference, crating and shipping my Westfield kit added $6K to the cost. That didn't include the drivetrain, instruments, and wiring. It was done by a factory supported shipper that does them routinely, so you aren't likely to get a better price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted September 28, 2015 Share Posted September 28, 2015 So, what if you imported a Caterham, Westfield etc. that's less than 25 years old from the UK and shipped the drivetrain separately to the US? And NOT in the same crate. Has anyone done this? The other link was kinda vague about this. Would the same rules apply that apply to new lotus 7 kit cars? Does anybody have a government link that explains importing kit cars? The EPA Clean Air Act governs this http://www2.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/kit-car-policy Remember that the EPA applies a 21 year threshold, not 25 years like NHTSA. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buffalo MIke Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I'm aware of the shipping costs. What I was looking for is a government link explaining the difference between importing a new kit car W/O drivetrain, and importing a used KIT car W/O drivetrain. Removing the drivetrain on a motorcycle engine seven, and supplying my own engine I don't think would be a big deal. I'm sure it's no secret with the NHTSA when a new Caterham "KIT" comes across the pond that it will most likely be driven on the road, and it is NOT a 1966 Super Seven like lucky dawgs 2012 CSR. And I know I'm stirring the pot a bit, and pushing it being a newbie, but didn't the NHTSA seize some Land Rovers for building them with under 25 year old parts and titling them as being much older. I think lucky dawg needs to surrender his car to the authorities immediately, and cough up some fine money. Better yet, don't pay so I can purchase it at a government auction to use as a track car, wait a bit, and title it as a 1962 lotus! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I'm aware of the shipping costs. What I was looking for is a government link explaining the difference between importing a new kit car W/O drivetrain, and importing a used KIT car W/O drivetrain. Removing the drivetrain on a motorcycle engine seven, and supplying my own engine I don't think would be a big deal. I'm sure it's no secret with the NHTSA when a new Caterham "KIT" comes across the pond that it will most likely be driven on the road, and it is NOT a 1966 Super Seven like lucky dawgs 2012 CSR. And I know I'm stirring the pot a bit, and pushing it being a newbie, but didn't the NHTSA seize some Land Rovers for building them with under 25 year old parts and titling them as being much older. I think lucky dawg needs to surrender his car to the authorities immediately, and cough up some fine money. Better yet, don't pay so I can purchase it at a government auction to use as a track car, wait a bit, and title it as a 1962 lotus! A new kit car is not a car, but car parts. This is because they have never been assembled into a car. Importing these parts to the U.S. would be perfectly legal. Importing a car (whether a kit car or otherwise) that has been disassembled and misrepresenting it as car parts that have never been built into a car before, when you know this to be untrue, would not be legal. Importing is a federal matter; titling and registering are a state matter. These are two very different subjects. It all can be a bit confusing at first. We're here to help, sir! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lucky dawg Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 I'm aware of the shipping costs. What I was looking for is a government link explaining the difference between importing a new kit car W/O drivetrain, and importing a used KIT car W/O drivetrain. Removing the drivetrain on a motorcycle engine seven, and supplying my own engine I don't think would be a big deal. I'm sure it's no secret with the NHTSA when a new Caterham "KIT" comes across the pond that it will most likely be driven on the road, and it is NOT a 1966 Super Seven like lucky dawgs 2012 CSR. And I know I'm stirring the pot a bit, and pushing it being a newbie, but didn't the NHTSA seize some Land Rovers for building them with under 25 year old parts and titling them as being much older. I think lucky dawg needs to surrender his car to the authorities immediately, and cough up some fine money. Better yet, don't pay so I can purchase it at a government auction to use as a track car, wait a bit, and title it as a 1962 lotus! Since you apparently don't like the answers to your questions, and have been unwilling or unable to look at the NHTSA sites, here is a link that should help you http://icsw.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/mport/. If you still are not satisfied, give it a try and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Croc Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Guys lets keep it civil please. What I was looking for is a government link explaining the difference between importing a new kit car W/O drivetrain, and importing a used KIT car W/O drivetrain. I am not sure you will find a nice neat link on a website that will make that fine definitional distinction - I have never seen one. The Government does not make our life easy that way, which is really frustrating. The answer to your question is going to be contained in the definition of "motor vehicle" in the Clean Air Act to which there is supplemental administrative guidance in regulations and other unpublished EPA guidance papers not available to the normal person without hiring an attorney. What I have learned from my imports is that the usual fair American way of looking for legal loopholes and diving through them is not viewed happily by NHTSA/EPA/et al when it comes to vehicle import compliance as on the fringes of the rules, things are applied inconsistently as I have painfully discovered on my imports. So you have three options: (a) Roll the dice and import without doing any more homework and find out what the rules are in practice on that day, at that port, for that inspector. Do you feel lucky? (b) Start dialing the NHTSA and EPA until you find a helpful, intelligent, car enthusiast official who wants to help you do the right thing as he appreciates your sincerity in checking (they do exist - I found one...once). They will steer you on to the right path but even then they will admit (at least they did to me) that when you are in the gray area of a unusual or 'risky' import, the final outcome will very much depend on which inspector, which port, time of the month, luck, which day of the week it is and is it a good day, etc types of variables. © You hire a specialist attorney to advise you on this matter. More expensive than option (b) it does save you time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmustang Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 (edited) http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page2.html#Anchor-10-55977 and http://www.bordercenter.org/chem/vehicles.htm Let us know what the Feds have to say when they stop your assemblage of parts at the border/port I suspect you are a young man, full of passion, but not quite grasping what those of us who have actually imported someone from out of the country are telling you. The above links will help, but a phone call to the agencies previously mentioned is going to be required on your part. In other words, it's not all in black and white, get off your behind and do some of your own homework and stop expecting it to all be handed to you on a silver platter. I'm aware of the shipping costs. What I was looking for is a government link explaining the difference between importing a new kit car W/O drivetrain, and importing a used KIT car W/O drivetrain. Removing the drivetrain on a motorcycle engine seven, and supplying my own engine I don't think would be a big deal. I'm sure it's no secret with the NHTSA when a new Caterham "KIT" comes across the pond that it will most likely be driven on the road, and it is NOT a 1966 Super Seven like lucky dawgs 2012 CSR. And I know I'm stirring the pot a bit, and pushing it being a newbie, but didn't the NHTSA seize some Land Rovers for building them with under 25 year old parts and titling them as being much older. I think lucky dawg needs to surrender his car to the authorities immediately, and cough up some fine money. Better yet, don't pay so I can purchase it at a government auction to use as a track car, wait a bit, and title it as a 1962 lotus! Edited September 29, 2015 by mrmustang Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted September 29, 2015 Share Posted September 29, 2015 Why not just buy it here? There are dealers of 7 here (every single one) -- you help the fellow Americans and easier to deal with than these enormous red tapes imposed to us by our great leaders. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trykeman Posted October 3, 2015 Author Share Posted October 3, 2015 Trykeman here. Since my question I have purchased a 1989 Caterham in England. It loads on the ship on October 8. So far. So good. As this progresses I will post any problems Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BusaNostra Posted October 4, 2015 Share Posted October 4, 2015 (edited) I tried to buy a formula type car in Norfolk England, I indicated in the broker form that the car is only for racing not intended for the road use. They gave me a 9 yards of red tapes. I've been asked what racing league the car belongs and if i have a racing license....on and on. I never heard this before. They warned me that the car will be sent back or impound until I complete the process. I got scared and I told the owner that I will pass. I wonder what difficulty if you declare the car is for road use. Shipping is not the problem....the problem is if you can take it out from the gate without the authority questioning the process. Good luck I hope everything will be ok and custom will not give you a hard time. Let us know I would like to try this again if it works for you..... Edited October 4, 2015 by BusaNostra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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