A few questions on shipping a modern TVR in California.
Discussion
Preparing to spend more time in LA and fancy bringing a TVR (an S6 engined car or poss a V8 Cerbera) over. The 12 month period the car can stay in the U.S isn't ideal, but having one here would be worth the bother. I've been out testing a 355 spider, 550 and a Vantage but it would be much nicer having something unique.
A few questions for those more knowledgable than I.
1. Does a car need to be owned for 6 months in the U.K before it can travel to the U.S? I don't fancy buying a car and having to wait half a year before shipping it.
2. If it does need to be owned for 6 months, is there a way around this?
3. The car is permitted to stay in the US for 12 months, can the car be kept in the US for the full 12 months while I travel in and out?
4. Is it possible to ship the car out then back in when the grace period expires or would it be a case of buying another car and repeating the process? I recall many, many years ago Faisal (tvrfreak) had some way of driving up to Canada to "reset" the stay period for the car. Long time ago now, but might there be another option to extend?
5. Any recommendations for insurance in California on a British visitor car?
6. Any recommendations for shipping services over to California (LA)?
A few questions for those more knowledgable than I.
1. Does a car need to be owned for 6 months in the U.K before it can travel to the U.S? I don't fancy buying a car and having to wait half a year before shipping it.
2. If it does need to be owned for 6 months, is there a way around this?
3. The car is permitted to stay in the US for 12 months, can the car be kept in the US for the full 12 months while I travel in and out?
4. Is it possible to ship the car out then back in when the grace period expires or would it be a case of buying another car and repeating the process? I recall many, many years ago Faisal (tvrfreak) had some way of driving up to Canada to "reset" the stay period for the car. Long time ago now, but might there be another option to extend?
5. Any recommendations for insurance in California on a British visitor car?
6. Any recommendations for shipping services over to California (LA)?
Edited by Justices on Friday 6th November 15:06
The provision is intended to allow foreigners to tour the USA in their own car, so it needs to appear that this is your intention. The arrival of the car should coincide with your arrival, or be pretty close, and you need to be a non-resident (visa holder or visa waiver). I am not aware of a 6 month rule on prior ownership, but it may be the case to prevent people from doing what you want to do. If it is needed, form H7 would say so, but it doesn't. The 12 month term is a maximum, but enforcement is probably very difficult in such a vast country. The car could be confiscated if you exceed the time, but I'm sure there would be ample opportunity to export the car before it meets the crusher. You will probably have to keep the car registered in the UK, so that makes the DMV stuff simple. I have a an imported TVR that my insurance only know as a VIN number, but it's only insured for liability. If I wanted them to pay if it got damaged it might be very complicated and expensive. I use GEICO BTW.
Good luck! More TVRs in the USA please!
Good luck! More TVRs in the USA please!
Thank you all for the input.
A few emails to shipping companies have sorted out the shipping questions, fairly straight forward it seems. Although one shipping company told me I needed to arrange a Carnet de Passage which isn't true for temporary imports to the U.S. At least this has been the case with other people that have taken their UK cars over to the U.S that I have spoken with. Insurance option also sorted.
The only thing left to resolve is a potential travel/exportation problem. Arriving the same time the car does isn't an issue. However, as I travel in and out of the U.S frequently, I am hoping the car doesn't need to be exported when I go out each time. Hoping there is a way around this so it can remain there for the full 12 months.
Anything else I've missed?
A few emails to shipping companies have sorted out the shipping questions, fairly straight forward it seems. Although one shipping company told me I needed to arrange a Carnet de Passage which isn't true for temporary imports to the U.S. At least this has been the case with other people that have taken their UK cars over to the U.S that I have spoken with. Insurance option also sorted.
The only thing left to resolve is a potential travel/exportation problem. Arriving the same time the car does isn't an issue. However, as I travel in and out of the U.S frequently, I am hoping the car doesn't need to be exported when I go out each time. Hoping there is a way around this so it can remain there for the full 12 months.
Anything else I've missed?
I have a potential job offer, based in Sacramento, CA - and for 2 years. Part of the package is the company will supply a 40 foot container to take out all my stuff. (sure a TVR fits in that).
Pains me to either leave my Chimaera in the UK or even selling it before I go. I want look at importing the car legally.
So, it is a 1993 4.0 model - and after some sifting through the various posts have a few questions.
It currently has the Cats removed - I am presuming I would need to refit?
Do I have to undertake testing in the UK before I am allowed to export?
Thanks in advance!
Nosh
Pains me to either leave my Chimaera in the UK or even selling it before I go. I want look at importing the car legally.
So, it is a 1993 4.0 model - and after some sifting through the various posts have a few questions.
It currently has the Cats removed - I am presuming I would need to refit?
Do I have to undertake testing in the UK before I am allowed to export?
Thanks in advance!
Nosh
As a non-resident (meaning not a green card holder), you can bring it in temporarily for one year maximum. It would remain registered in the UK, so keep that legal and up to date, including road tax. Not that the systems are connected, but if you are involved in a nasty wreck, your insurance company will try to find a reason to walk away. You won't need the car inspected here either because you are just on a long holiday with your car, just as you would be in France.
Another idea that might interest you is to leave the engine, lights, seat belts and a couple of other bits behind and import your assemblage of vehicle parts to be used as the basis of your 100% legally built Range Rover convertible. The rules in Cali are stricter than other states when it comes to home grown vehicles, so check with them first (I think there may be a quota). This would be a permanent solution and the resulting vehicle would command a pretty good price stateside.
Another idea that might interest you is to leave the engine, lights, seat belts and a couple of other bits behind and import your assemblage of vehicle parts to be used as the basis of your 100% legally built Range Rover convertible. The rules in Cali are stricter than other states when it comes to home grown vehicles, so check with them first (I think there may be a quota). This would be a permanent solution and the resulting vehicle would command a pretty good price stateside.
Loach1 said:
As a non-resident (meaning not a green card holder), you can bring it in temporarily for one year maximum. It would remain registered in the UK, so keep that legal and up to date, including road tax. Not that the systems are connected, but if you are involved in a nasty wreck, your insurance company will try to find a reason to walk away. You won't need the car inspected here either because you are just on a long holiday with your car, just as you would be in France.
Being a 2 year opportunity means I cannot do this - and I need to stay out there for that long to negate a huge tax bill when I return to the UK..... Mmmmmmm..Loach1 said:
Another idea that might interest you is to leave the engine, lights, seat belts and a couple of other bits behind and import your assemblage of vehicle parts to be used as the basis of your 100% legally built Range Rover convertible. The rules in Cali are stricter than other states when it comes to home grown vehicles, so check with them first (I think there may be a quota). This would be a permanent solution and the resulting vehicle would command a pretty good price stateside.
But I love my Chim and don't want to sell it.....This is why...
I want to try and ship it out - drive it legally for two years and then if I don't stay out any longer, come home with it.
To be honest, the career opportunity of 2 years is part of a 7 year contract awarded to my company, so I may stay out longer - would be great to have my Tivv out there with me if I decided to stay
Nosh
You can take it for 12-months pretty much hassle free.
Any longer means either running to risk of it being seized and destroyed or importing it properly and then exporting it back to the UK.
Personally, I'd head out. Get settled in. Import the car for 12-months on the holiday exemption. Then return it to the UK after 12-months. Easiest, most straight forward option.
Any longer means either running to risk of it being seized and destroyed or importing it properly and then exporting it back to the UK.
Personally, I'd head out. Get settled in. Import the car for 12-months on the holiday exemption. Then return it to the UK after 12-months. Easiest, most straight forward option.
I have used Wallenius in Southampton with no problems. It cuts out the middleman and is the best way to get important details to your import agent in the time needed. On the other side I have used an agent in South Carolina, which I'm sure can help, but you may want an agent at the port of entry who is familiar with the people at CBT at the port.
The export side is easy - simply book the sailing and get the car to the port. It's the import that I would suggest getting help with, mainly because of the new procedures where CBT need to receive certain electronic info prior to sailing, which requires an agent.
PM if you want to discuss the ins and outs.
The export side is easy - simply book the sailing and get the car to the port. It's the import that I would suggest getting help with, mainly because of the new procedures where CBT need to receive certain electronic info prior to sailing, which requires an agent.
PM if you want to discuss the ins and outs.
Grantura MKI said:
I have offered to help you previously and you do not make contact? Guess you want to mess about and not work with people that do this sort of a thing on a daily basis?
Best of luck,
D.
Have you?Best of luck,
D.
Apologies - I missed that.
But there again, you offered help to the OP - read the thread above - I do not believe you have actually replied to any of my posts???
Nosh
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