I am going to bring my hot rod over from Australia to the USA, what problems am I likely to encounter on its arrival. Any advice on importing a vehicle. I will also have a good supply of parts in the container.
It depends on what state you are going to, every one has it's own rules. It also depends on the car itself, different states have different laws on what is acceptable.
The container is my own and is certified. I will probally arrive LA or Huston. The rod is street legal with shinny paint and has only recentely been finished.
Should not have to many problems with an older car. Have brought them south of the border and never had a problem.
(this what a friend to me yesterday) - I called my Customs agent and it goes like This. They dont want any car that has been Altered from original,No kit cars, No fibreglass,No car that has had a bunch of money spent on it lately,Photos are required with your Import approval application. So in fact original cars are what they want. I am luckly with what i bring. I think may be one of the Fibre body makers here might have had a word to Customs. So infact what i see they will cut out the built cars coming in and it will return to only project or original cars being imported.Also this was done with no pryor notice to anyone. If some one has acar on the water without an Import approval and it doesnt comply then they have a huge problem. (sorry this info was from the USA to Australia)
As long as the car is 25 years old or more you shouldn't have any problems. Here is some information: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
I imported my 37 Chevy Ute, although it was stock and also non-running condition at the time. Mine was a bit different as I purchased it, not shipping it over to drive my own car. We sent 3 Utes in a big40 ft container and all were "parts cars" for customs. Basically once it arrived, you need a company to pick it up after release from customs. Customs really just verify it is what the contents say, old cars are not a problem. They are looking for bigger bootleg or drugs items. The company that picks up the container then takes it to a warehouse so it can be unloaded. Ours were done in Long Beach. I don't see any issue for you, you already own the car and are just shipping it here to dirve, if I understand correctly.
Read the current regs on modified imports, there is a possibility that once you ship it out you may not be able to bring it back.
Your talking about cars being imported into Australia and what you say is apparently correct.However this post is about taking a car over to the USA. I had a post on here about the same thing and I also talked to Rod Hadfield who took cars over to USA.As long as they are registered here they can be driven over there.However make sure you insure them over there and it was suggested by denise(hotrodladycruiser) to use Grundys. Check this out. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429320
Phil,when are you planning on the trip?I am thinking of shipping over in mid January 2011 for an event in Mid February 2011. Also check this thread http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=429320
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