Importing a C7 -How to do it???

[MyM8V8]

I'd really like to buy a C7 Z51 and import it to the UK. My mate is in the states and has just been to a dealer to ask for me. They said that the car must stay in the states for 6 months post purchase. That does not sound right to me???

Anyone done this and got one through IVA? What about buying from France Belgium or Luxembourg??

Any help appreciated Guys.

[ViperDave]

no reason for it to stay in the US for 6 months unless you are a returning resident, then there are tax advantages to it. You may though have trouble convincing a main dealer to be helpful and sell you a new vehicle without residency, worst case though if your mate is living there and you trust him, he can buy it for you and then "sell" it to you to export, nb you will have to pay the state sales tax though.

[scs1]

Bought a new C6 from Corvette Mike in Anaheim. I just gave him the spec I wanted and he sourced the car from a GM dealer.
Corvette Mike also has a branch in New England which I guess makes shipping a little cheaper.
He has a few C7s on his website at the moment.

[MyM8V8]

scs1 said:

Bought a new C6 from Corvette Mike in Anaheim. I just gave him the spec I wanted and he sourced the car from a GM dealer.
Corvette Mike also has a branch in New England which I guess makes shipping a little cheaper.
He has a few C7s on his website at the moment.

Many Thanks.

[Corv99]

scs1 said:

Bought a new C6 from Corvette Mike in Anaheim. I just gave him the spec I wanted and he sourced the car from a GM dealer.
Corvette Mike also has a branch in New England which I guess makes shipping a little cheaper.
He has a few C7s on his website at the moment.

Just out of interest what sort of cost on top of car as that?

[MyM8V8]

ViperDave said:

no reason for it to stay in the US for 6 months unless you are a returning resident, then there are tax advantages to it. You may though have trouble convincing a main dealer to be helpful and sell you a new vehicle without residency, worst case though if your mate is living there and you trust him, he can buy it for you and then "sell" it to you to export, nb you will have to pay the state sales tax though.

Apparently, if bought in Delaware, there is no car sales tax?

[Adeyb]

I have heard GM will penalise a dealer for knowingly selling a C7 for export at the moment, perhaps the 6 months is a sales stipulation?

[scs1]

When I first talked to a GM dealer I was told that they would not sell a car for export but they gave me "Corvette Mike s" contact details.
He is not a GM dealer he mainly deals in older vettes.
I gave him the exact spec that I wanted and he was able to source the car from a dealer in the mid west.
I gave him a deposit ,paid to have the car trucked to his place in Anaheim then flew out to LA ,checked it out and arranged to have the car shipped back via Long Beach. I paid more or less the US list price as I presume Mike made his money by getting a discount from the dealer.
I notice that he now seems to have a few new cars in stock.
If I were to do it again I would probably try Corvette Mike near Boston Mass. (its a franchise from the LA operation) as the shipping would be cheaper and quicker.

[ViperDave]

MyM8V8 said:

ViperDave said:

no reason for it to stay in the US for 6 months unless you are a returning resident, then there are tax advantages to it. You may though have trouble convincing a main dealer to be helpful and sell you a new vehicle without residency, worst case though if your mate is living there and you trust him, he can buy it for you and then "sell" it to you to export, nb you will have to pay the state sales tax though.

Apparently, if bought in Delaware, there is no car sales tax?

Yeah there are a few states out there with no sales tax, My viper was in Texas but the dealer i brought from also had premises in Virginia where it was titled before export and i paid no US sales tax. HMRC had a rather big xmas party at my expense though

[ringram]

Its not just the state sales tax to look at.
Montana is also free, as is Oregon. But Oregon has the lowest new car title fee's I could find.

Therefore that's the best place to buy
Ask the dealer to title it there, you are supposed to change title if you live in another state within x months.

But I suspect if you buy it and drive it on a jolly across the USA to a ship port, you can then just export no problem.

I trust you are going for the new 8l90E model mate?

[roughrider]

MyM8V8 said:

I'd really like to buy a C7 Z51 and import it to the UK. My mate is in the states and has just been to a dealer to ask for me. They said that the car must stay in the states for 6 months post purchase. That does not sound right to me???

Anyone done this and got one through IVA? What about buying from France Belgium or Luxembourg??

Any help appreciated Guys.

If you buy a pre-owned C7, any dealer will help. They're just not allowed to sell a new vehicle for export. I bought a pre-owned 2011 Z06 in N.Carolina. They won't charge sales tax, as you are from abroad. I could have shipped it roll-on/roll-off [ferry], but i don't want anyone wrecking the clutch trying to do a burn-out while moving it around, so i've had it put in a 20' container. I also bought Euro-spec rear lamps in the USA to convert when it arrives.

Edited by roughrider on Thursday 24th April 15:59

[Pixel-Snapper]

Aye up Paul long time no speak.

Have you got back in a Z now? I've still got pictures of your old blue one we did at stoney cove.

Are you still local? I moved back to hinckley and live in burbage now.

Feel free to PM me.

[MrNoisy]

Mind if I ask a couple of questions on this topic too?

I'm looking at importing a C7 to the UK also but am fortunate enough to be living and working out here in the states for another year or so. I currently have a C6 which I considered importing but would probably be quite worthless in the UK by then given how stuffy us brits are about mileage. 100k+ atm and increasing by the day This Nevada year round sunshine is a killer Shame as the car is as fresh top and bottom as the day it left the factory. Anyway.....

What do you guys who have imported do about things like the headlamp wash system and mirrors etc? I know anything is possible and I'm pretty handy with the wrenches so it doesn't intimidate me, I would just like to get a feel for the process. I've read the IVA/SVA doc top to bottom I'm just interested in the "physical" solutions you guys have made.

Also, it would be a personal import and would be clear of duty/VAT so happy with that side of things too.

Finally, what d'ya think? AW, VY or wait for the new DSOM? 100% on the black wheels.

Sorry for one of my first posts here been to "leech" some free info but I promise I have plenty to offer back in the future Oh, and prior to "exporting" myself to the states in 2011 I'd attended every Le Mans from 2003 to then so have some PH cred

Cheers - which Corvette club/Forum is the most active in the UK?

[z06tim]

Welcome to PH, and check out www.corvetteclub.org.uk. Lots of us are active on there too.

I can't comment on the washers and other issue you mention as mine is a little older being a 2001 MY.

Anyway, I essentially did the same thing as you (relocated to the UK after living in the US for nearly five years). One thing I would recommend is make sure you have owned the car for 6 months before you import it, otherwise I'm afraid you will have to pay the dreaded VAT/duty.

[MrNoisy]

z06tim said:

Welcome to PH, and check out www.corvetteclub.org.uk. Lots of us are active on there too.

I can't comment on the washers and other issue you mention as mine is a little older being a 2001 MY.

Anyway, I essentially did the same thing as you (relocated to the UK after living in the US for nearly five years). One thing I would recommend is make sure you have owned the car for 6 months before you import it, otherwise I'm afraid you will have to pay the dreaded VAT/duty.

Thanks Tim,

I very nearly bought a C5 Z06 instead, in fact it was what I was searching for, amazingly capable car. My C6 came up for sale with a very slight synchro issue on down changes into 2nd and was an absolute steal I couldn't refuse! I had promised the good lady all these shenanigans would stop when we relocated to the States for a bit. She was unimpressed to say the least to find me dropping the transaxle on jack stands 1 month into ownership It's paid off though, the car has been a belter and now i've got to grips with the power (and modified the suspension) it's a fine track weapon. Always have a bit of a moment though when I see a spotless black 01-04 Z!

I'm completely happy with the Duty/VAT rules, I should have no issues been on the right side of the dates. Lot's of guys I know/work with have shipped cars and trucks back so again all the shipping and customs is fine. I don't know anyone personally though that has taken a late MY Vette? I think the rear light issue will be less so with the 7 over the 6 as the cluster is more "euro" to start with. It's all doable i am sure.

cheers
Ritchie