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
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?
geeman237 said:
"Justices" any updates on bringing your TVR over here? I saw you mentioned it was a 1993 model. I am sure you are aware of the 25 year rule to import a car into the US without restrictions. Just a thought but if you imported it on a 12 month visitor basis in 2017 one year before it reaches 25 years old then I wonder if you can 'grandfather' it in under the 25 year rule and keep it here as long as you like? The only snags then I could possibly see are (1) your visa status, in that in order to fully import it you might need to be a permanent US resident and (2) the car would probably be required to undergo annual Ca emissions testing, which might prove a challenge.
I've just bought a 1992 Griffith to import to the US next year. It doesn't reach 25 years old until November 2017 so I am keeping it in UK storage until then. My state of residence has no emissions tests to worry about though.
Best of luck.
Sadly not 1993, aiming to bring a Tuscan. A Sagaris is also tempting (jumped to £70k+ now??), but the absolutely perfect weather makes roof-off action irresistible. I've just bought a 1992 Griffith to import to the US next year. It doesn't reach 25 years old until November 2017 so I am keeping it in UK storage until then. My state of residence has no emissions tests to worry about though.
Best of luck.
As I travel frequently, the last stage is checking that the car can stay in for a year while I go in and out of the country. I read that the car had to leave when you did, which would throw an enormous spanner in the works. I will see this done, been a very long time coming.
KenInOntario said:
Buy my one that is for sale in Canada. Insure it here, travel the USA then sell it afterwards.
All legal & above board!
I have a 2nd I plan to drive up Pikes Peak in the summer.
http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/TVR/Tuscan/COLLINGWOOD...
Just seeing this now. Why is it up for sale after all the work getting it over to Canada??All legal & above board!
I have a 2nd I plan to drive up Pikes Peak in the summer.
http://wwwa.autotrader.ca/a/TVR/Tuscan/COLLINGWOOD...
PM me if you can.
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