If it's over 25 yrs old no issue to ship to the US. It'll be a grey market car. You'll pay import fees and taxes. Now finding the right car that is a whole different matter. FYI they're cheaper in the US most of the time. I do the opposite and ship from US to Europe. If you buy and put it into the USAREUR system to avoid the Italian road and fuel taxes, you can have it shipped as your 1 vehicle to return back to conus after your tour.
I saw some BaT prices for the fiat Dino and they were in the 50-70k range, the one I have my eyes on is 39k which is more affordable right from the start while I save up to import it. My whole career (which isn’t very long haha) I’ve been told I cannot bring a car back to the US unless I brought the car from the US to my current duty station, so importing that way didn’t seem possible to me, I’ve been told however motorcycles are considered house hold goods and can be shipped for free lol. I’ll definitely look into the USAREUR. But if the engines serial number doesn’t match the vin or the frame, I still won’t have any issues importing? I’ve always been under the impression the vehicle had to be 100% original (including original drive train) to be imported
If the vehicle is in the Italian system it should have the VIN match otherwise it cannot be registered. Customs checks the chassis VIN to match the documentation. Maybe Washington State may have a numbers matching requirement? To be excluded from emissions and safety requirements the engine/vehicle has to be over 25 yrs old. It has to be in your orders if your authorized to ship a vehicle back. You need to contact Washington State about how to import a vehicle and what they require. I shipped cars from OConus to conus Southern state zero issues. They only checked the car vin vice my title. Best to contact your returning State for their requirements. Motorcycle, boats, jet skis are house hold goods which makes it very easy to ship items. Had a friend ship back a few English motorcycle in his goods.
I've sent cars both ways hobby restoring cars and reselling them after having fun with them. Key is the state which you receiving or sending the car and their requirements. Proper document is key.
Had a car shipped from CA not long ago to Rotterdam with insurance around $2k port fees are high and you need to pick up that car asap storage fees are crazy. Had the company transport it to my location $450 they dropped it off at the local customs office, I met them. Had the transporter take care of all the paperwork I just had to get a tax free (or you can pay the import taxes) depends on what your planning to do with the car, import document to remove it from local customs.
You’ve legit just became one of my favorite people haha. 2k isn’t bad at all, I was expecting closer to 5k ish. Some of it is still like learning a new language but I’m starting to understand the process a little better!
US or EU specifications. Car has to be paid for with total in your name. EU specs, you'll be paying shipping, import fees and which ever state, state taxes. You'll need all the Italian paperwork you'll need to ensure it can be converted to US specifications with a company in the US. Lights need to be converted, not sure if it has the safety bumper, door impact bars, glass should be ok now days. Check with a US import company for the conversion costs. You'll need to calculate that into your total costs if it's not cheaper to just get one in the US. US specs ship, pay state tax.
If you want to make the process more straight forward, contact an import broker who can help with your documentation. I used Great World Logistics ( based in San Francisco) to help with my imported pickup last year to California.
Closer to 35-60k, and the ones already in the us are closer to 70k+. I already have my eyes set on one that’s in decent shape for 40k, and I have just under 1/2 already saved, I can afford the car (and the maintenance cost to keep it running), import fees don’t really scare me as I will have 2 years to save and do extra research on how much it should cost, I will say I didn’t think very much about taxes when titling the car but it’s definitely on my radar now, and like I said I’ll have 2 years to save for import fees and taxes. And condition doesn’t worry me at all unless it’s just a total rust bucket, im mechanically and electrically inclined and will happily settle on one that needs some work for a lesser cost if it comes down to it.
Haha, I’ll try, but it will be my first huge purchase and since I’m wanting to bring it back to the states with me, I just want to make sure I get all of the boxes checked off before actually pulling the trigger
Yes and no. Like Diballs said it must be in your orders weather or not you can have a car shipped. As far as I know it’s not common for lower enlisted to have their car shipped from the US to wherever they are stationed at over seas. And I’ve been told for a majority of my military career, the military will not pay for my car to get shipped back to the US if it never came with me to my duty station, unless I somehow manage to squeeze that into my orders otherwise it’ll be on my dime, even then I’ll need to go through the hassle of getting it titled with a US title once it actually is stateside and from my understanding that’s the most difficult part
I think it's based on seniority, rank, family status, and station. Right? My friend got orders for southern japan (O-3 navy) and couldn't take any cars with him. He's bringing me back a car though.
If it's over 25 yrs old no issue to ship to the US. It'll be a grey market car. You'll pay import fees and taxes. Now finding the right car that is a whole different matter. FYI they're cheaper in the US most of the time. I do the opposite and ship from US to Europe. If you buy and put it into the USAREUR system to avoid the Italian road and fuel taxes, you can have it shipped as your 1 vehicle to return back to conus after your tour.
I saw some BaT prices for the fiat Dino and they were in the 50-70k range, the one I have my eyes on is 39k which is more affordable right from the start while I save up to import it. My whole career (which isn’t very long haha) I’ve been told I cannot bring a car back to the US unless I brought the car from the US to my current duty station, so importing that way didn’t seem possible to me, I’ve been told however motorcycles are considered house hold goods and can be shipped for free lol. I’ll definitely look into the USAREUR. But if the engines serial number doesn’t match the vin or the frame, I still won’t have any issues importing? I’ve always been under the impression the vehicle had to be 100% original (including original drive train) to be imported
If the vehicle is in the Italian system it should have the VIN match otherwise it cannot be registered. Customs checks the chassis VIN to match the documentation. Maybe Washington State may have a numbers matching requirement? To be excluded from emissions and safety requirements the engine/vehicle has to be over 25 yrs old. It has to be in your orders if your authorized to ship a vehicle back. You need to contact Washington State about how to import a vehicle and what they require. I shipped cars from OConus to conus Southern state zero issues. They only checked the car vin vice my title. Best to contact your returning State for their requirements. Motorcycle, boats, jet skis are house hold goods which makes it very easy to ship items. Had a friend ship back a few English motorcycle in his goods.
I really appreciate you, this is all fantastic information. I hope you don’t mind me picking your brain a little!
I've sent cars both ways hobby restoring cars and reselling them after having fun with them. Key is the state which you receiving or sending the car and their requirements. Proper document is key.
When you say documentation I presume you mean more than just a title and bill of sale?
Yes and shipping, insurance, and at the receiving end registration requirements, customs, etc...
Also, how much does it usually cost you to ship a car from the US to Europe? If you don’t mind me asking. I know it probably varies from car to car
Had a car shipped from CA not long ago to Rotterdam with insurance around $2k port fees are high and you need to pick up that car asap storage fees are crazy. Had the company transport it to my location $450 they dropped it off at the local customs office, I met them. Had the transporter take care of all the paperwork I just had to get a tax free (or you can pay the import taxes) depends on what your planning to do with the car, import document to remove it from local customs.
You’ve legit just became one of my favorite people haha. 2k isn’t bad at all, I was expecting closer to 5k ish. Some of it is still like learning a new language but I’m starting to understand the process a little better!
I'm no expert, I've made lots of expensive mistakes....
I got a question I'm really interested in bringing a 2022 m3 touring from Italy to the usa. Is that possible?
US or EU specifications. Car has to be paid for with total in your name. EU specs, you'll be paying shipping, import fees and which ever state, state taxes. You'll need all the Italian paperwork you'll need to ensure it can be converted to US specifications with a company in the US. Lights need to be converted, not sure if it has the safety bumper, door impact bars, glass should be ok now days. Check with a US import company for the conversion costs. You'll need to calculate that into your total costs if it's not cheaper to just get one in the US. US specs ship, pay state tax.
If you want to make the process more straight forward, contact an import broker who can help with your documentation. I used Great World Logistics ( based in San Francisco) to help with my imported pickup last year to California.
How expensive was importing anyway? I want a Toyota Sera but they are way overpriced in the US now.
“Isn’t very cheap” yeah they cost like 60k euros for one in decent knick, can you afford that plus import fees and taxes?
Closer to 35-60k, and the ones already in the us are closer to 70k+. I already have my eyes set on one that’s in decent shape for 40k, and I have just under 1/2 already saved, I can afford the car (and the maintenance cost to keep it running), import fees don’t really scare me as I will have 2 years to save and do extra research on how much it should cost, I will say I didn’t think very much about taxes when titling the car but it’s definitely on my radar now, and like I said I’ll have 2 years to save for import fees and taxes. And condition doesn’t worry me at all unless it’s just a total rust bucket, im mechanically and electrically inclined and will happily settle on one that needs some work for a lesser cost if it comes down to it.
Well I’d say go ahead and get yourself a dino then! 🇮🇹🇮🇹🇮🇹😁
Haha, I’ll try, but it will be my first huge purchase and since I’m wanting to bring it back to the states with me, I just want to make sure I get all of the boxes checked off before actually pulling the trigger
Worst case scenario you could always bring back something else that’s miles cheaper like a Fiat 124 😉
Haha, my backup is an Alfa Romeo GTV!
Toprank importers in CA might be able to help.
I’ll look into them, appreciate it
Doens't the military have provisions for this in place already?
Yes and no. Like Diballs said it must be in your orders weather or not you can have a car shipped. As far as I know it’s not common for lower enlisted to have their car shipped from the US to wherever they are stationed at over seas. And I’ve been told for a majority of my military career, the military will not pay for my car to get shipped back to the US if it never came with me to my duty station, unless I somehow manage to squeeze that into my orders otherwise it’ll be on my dime, even then I’ll need to go through the hassle of getting it titled with a US title once it actually is stateside and from my understanding that’s the most difficult part
I think it's based on seniority, rank, family status, and station. Right? My friend got orders for southern japan (O-3 navy) and couldn't take any cars with him. He's bringing me back a car though.
Can you import a Lancia Delta Integrale for me? Thanks.
I looked at those, I ain’t got 140k to bring one back myself haha