I'm going to move to California from my home country in Europe (Spain). I would like to know if any of you have experience and can tell me about moving cars from Europe to the US as owner so I have some information before contacting brokers there, because I would like to to know if I'm getting a good deal from them.

p.S: Selling my cars here and buying others is not an option

 

We have friends that have moved from Germany to the US. Pretty easy process. Are you looking for in a container or open on a ship?

 

Container, but my doubts are focused on legal procedures. Is it possible to use a car with european license plates for some time, for example?

 

Interesting. I have a friend that moved from S.E. Asia to the US and shipped his GTR here, had the exact OPPOSITE experience. Awful process, car sat in the container FOREVER, waiting to get cleared at customs. Then the process of converting everything to US Spec, ugh.

 

Was it a LHD country? I assume that makes everything more complex...

 

I sold my 94 Speedster to a guy in Germany, had to change the headlights, speedometer along with other small items. I have a feeling you will have to have all the items required by the Feds installed on the car and registration set up before you will be able to get the car released.

 

Might be worth some research on the US Dept of Transportation and Customs/Border Patrol websites. Surely they discuss clearance procedures for non-US spec autos. If they can either be converted at reasonable cost, or exempted (which I believe is possible for older vehicles), I'd lean toward shipping it in a container for the added protection. Either way, a stressful event I would think. Depending on your particular economics, you may also be able to find a US military or State Dept employee who shipped their US-spec vehicle over there, interested in a sale. I have friends who've done exactly that. My 2 cents...

 

Is it a US spec car or a European? All my friends had US spec'd cars so if it is European I am sorry but I cant help you

 

Euro Spec cars can NOT be registered in the US without a conversion to full US spec. Only five companies in the US have the license to do that work. Fees for the paperwork alone are $25,000.

 

Unfortunately california is the worst state for this. to bring the car in the us pretty much hassle free the car has to fall under 25 year old rule. then you can put it on antique plates. but california, it also has to comply with the smog regs for the state, which that alone depending the car can be super expensive.

in pretty much other states you dont have to do that.

Now if the car is newer then 25 years old, then good luck !!! defiinatley not worth it. you can but a new one for what will cost and be involved for that process.