Taking your UK Yank to the USA for a Holiday?

[fatboy18]

Hi, Im wondering if this is possible? Thinking of a 3 week vacation next year to include Vegas. Anyone ever done this?
Just wondering how practical this would be?

[acr_nick]

I'm sure it's possible just expensive no doubt. Either shipping by boat or flying the car over and back gumball manage it all the while some how

[*Al*]

The UK plates on a yank over there will raise some eyebrows!

[KevinCamaroSS]

You could rent a car over there for much less money than the shipping costs.

Edited to add: You also would be without the car for some period of time whilst it is in transit.

[shovelheadrob]

It's entirely possible, I know someone who ships a vintage Ferrari all over the world to enter various rallies. It costs a lot of money & I dread to think what the insurance adds to it for a car that is probably worth around a million £.
If you're serious I'll ask who he uses. But as already said you'd be without your car for a few weeks either side with sea freight & air freight will require very deep pockets. I'd just rent a modern muscle car.

[fatboy18]

Next year there is a big Viper event in Vegas (track time too) I was speaking to someone last weekend and he suggested I take my car over, I know friends who have done this using their british registered Harleys and have ridden to Sturgis, so I thought I would ask the question here to see if anyone had any tips or advice.
My Viper is not a Daily driver so it would not be a problem shipping, but the tricky part of picking it up from somewhere and dropping it off might be a PIA? Just thought I would ask the question.
Roll on roll off ferries are seldom full and the chap I was speaking to said some blinding deals can be done?

[Matt Harper]

5ohmustang said:

If it is anything over 25 years forget it.

Why?

[acr_nick]

I'm sure it's possible to get a late bookings on a cargo ship over but it is taking a bit of a risk as you might find they are all busy that time and then get fought paying extra as your desperate. I'd love to do it too and if planned right I might be able to sell my current acr in time to go over and buy a gem v acr while there and go to Vegas with it.

[Viper]

Might be worth talking to Joel, he shipped his viper over left it in LA for a while, drove it to Texas and back and competed in that Texas road race all on a made up plate that read actually read 'Skunk'

Or Jan/Nigel she drove her ACR to the big viper event on her UK plates, remember chatting to Nigel about US insurance it sounded do-able

[fatboy18]

Cheers

[Matt Harper]

5ohmustang said:

Matt Harper said:

Why?

The 25 import rule. I am pretty sure they do not allow short term imports to the U.S.

NHTSA website:

7. Importing a vehicle that is at least 25 years old.
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS. Such a vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form to be given to Customs at the time of importation. If you wish to see that form, you may download a copy from our website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You should note that the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture. If the date of manufacture is not identified on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle by its original manufacturer, to establish the age of the vehicle, you should have documentation available such as an invoice showing the date the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago. Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle could be used.

[Matt Harper]

It's no big deal, but you stated, "If it is anything over 25 years forget it."

The reality is that if it's over 25 years old, it isn't subject to most of the rules and regs - so it's easier, not more difficult if it's over 25 years old.

Maybe that's what you meant.

[Logbert]

Was thinking of doing the same as OP one day, will keep an eye on this thread

[zxttfan]

Generally the answer is yes, you can temporarily import a vehicle into the USA. You can have the car here for a year and then it must be exported out of the country or its subject to seizure (and usually crushed). Here's a couple of links that better explain the process:

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/287/~...

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1664/...

[ukcobra]

*Al* said:

The UK plates on a yank over there will raise some eyebrows!

I took my Mustang back to the US for a while, and the UK plates were not noticed at all. Mainly I think because they are used to seeing lots of different plates from different states. I think it would stand out more if it was on a car not sold in the US.