11 replies to this topic

[fightrobot]

Hi all.

[background info]
I am a UK citizen and have lived in the UK all my life (25 years). I plan to move to America (California) in around 9 months time. I will be on a srudent visa for 4 years then have plans to stay forver after.

PROBLEM: I am set to build a mini from ground up (using a FRA shell) within this time. Once completed I want to take it to Californai with me. I have found a compnay that can physically acheive this for me at a reasonable cost. thats fine. What i want to know is, whats the law invling this? can i simply just transprt it and drive it on my UK license for the time im studying? will i need to change the plate or register it over there? how does this all work.

I really know nothing about how this works, so your advice will be greatly appreciated.

I am having to post in another thread about what plate my car will need in another thread. As i am building this mini from ground up using a FRA shell, im not sure if it will need a Q plate or not. I hoppe not. but i will need to find this out.


(i have had some small advice form a memer called ETHAL. So i would like to thank ethal once again for said advice. So anyone else's information on this matter will be great)

Cheers ALL

Fight Robot

[bardan]

http://www.cbp.gov/x...porting_car.xml
This will get info on entering the USA. The next will involve a California license plate. use your search engine for Department of transportation or Motor vehicle division for Cal. A general rule for most states is that they want your money for that plate. In addition, Cal. considers any car from out of state to be another source of pollution so they tag on a one time fee of about $500 unless you can prove it is California compliant for emission. If your car can be registered as a 1975 or older then it won't need an emission check, but they still get you for the fee.
Check the DOT website for a waiver for out of state students on Cal. registration. Some states do that. When my airline temporarily based crews in L.A. , Cal. didn't require a car left at the airport employee lot to have a Cal. plate.
There are some Minis in Cal. already. Look on Craigs list. That would save the import problems.
Good luck!

Edited by bardan, 22 January 2011 - 06:46 AM.

[Spitz]

I'm not in the US....I'm up in CA, but I hear alot of the issues of importing to the US.

To import to the US a car must be 25 years old. California may have additional restrictions on top of the 25 yr rule.

The rules for "kit" cars may be different.
Just make damn sure you confirm everything, have proper paper work, and meet requirments before buying anything you intend to take over there.
I've heard stories of cars being seized for improper importing etc., and either ordered sent back or crushed.
Don't try and put an old vin on a different car or something similar

[bardan]

Spitz is right, if the paperwork is not correct or the Customs agent suspects you are trying to pull off something illegal they will seize the car or very least hold up the process for a lengthy time (months). And yes, crush is one of their options....don't assume you have it right, double check everything.

Edited by bardan, 22 January 2011 - 06:47 AM.

[minijules]

It may be a much better idea to buy a mini out there, i found in minutes on ebay this little bad boy in san diego, http://cgi.ebay.com/...=item2c5a44f5fc

As a fra shell cost like 2k-2.5k it my be worth spending that little bit more on a car there and not having to pay import fee's, the cost of shipping etc. you wont have to change plates or anything, just purchase and drive

[Ethel]

A bit on the UK regulations as I missed the FRA shell bit last night. It will be a kitcar and need an IVA, and a Q plate (unless you build it using all new parts) either way it wouldn't make the 25 year rule.

The only, and definitely dodgy, way would be to build it under the donor identity and export it without putting it on the road over here, gambling on it clearing customs in the USA. That or buy something that's already registered & old enough.

[bardan]

Most states look at kit cars by what they visually appear to be ie. a Cobra can be registered as a 63-69. A mini could be registered as anything from 59-02. Importing parts is easy so assembling it in the US is not a big deal. Bringing it in as a running car may be problematic. Whatever you do check with the US customs and follow whatever proceedure they say.

[Mini'sBF]

Hey,
I am Germany, and really want to import our 1989 998 automatic right-hand drive mini. Don't want to buy another one there. I am hoping to ship in as a Display/Show car (and comply with the mileage requirements). Any advice would be really appreciated, to include business references which can do the ICI conversion or shipping. Thanks, Carl

[xrocketengineer]

Hey,
I am Germany, and really want to import our 1989 998 automatic right-hand drive mini. Don't want to buy another one there. I am hoping to ship in as a Display/Show car (and comply with the mileage requirements). Any advice would be really appreciated, to include business references which can do the ICI conversion or shipping. Thanks, Carl

Here are some links for you to research:

Shipping:
http://www.kline.com...ervice_Maps.asp
Check the tabs at the top, there is more info there.

Customs:
http://www.customs.g...porting_car.xml

EPA:
http://epa.gov/otaq/...ext.htm#21years
This one says the vehicle should be 21 years old for emission controls

NHTSA:
http://icsw.nhtsa.go...s/rules/import/
This one says 25 years old for safety equipment, however there might be some loop holes for meeting Canadian requirements.

That is for federal stuff. After that you have the specific state requirements with California probably having the most stringent.

Good Luck,

Ivan

[colinu]

I moved to California 18 months ago and brought one of my Minis with me (used Classiccore.com to ship it to Port Hueneme near LA in Feb last year). To register an "out of country" vehicle in California it has to be a 1973 or older car - i.e. that's what your current V5 and VIN plate must show. Kit cars in California need an SB100 before they can be registered (google it) but I'm told they are like hen's teeth to get a hold of, and I'm not sure if they would apply to a UK import or a Mini.
Want more info?... PM me.
Where in California are you heading?

Cheers,
Colin.

P.S.
My Mini isn't registered yet 'because I have the engine in pieces rebuilding it and will do a LHD conversion - hopefully have it on the road by June.

[Mini'sBF]

Ivan,
Thanks; not sure which State we are going to, but can go to just about any. But, the federal seems more stringent than the State, so I am more worried about getting cleared on Federal laws primarily.

[Mini'sBF]

Colin,
Thanks for the info. Dunno if we are going to Cali or not, but we can ship it into and register it in any State. Ours is running right now, but, I have no problem taking it apart and shipping it in pieces or as a kit (I have been advised not to try to the kit option). But I am eternally frustrated because I just want to get it into the country to work on it for a year or so, THEN I will wil try to register it. But, i am running into serious brick wlalls every way I turn. Can't I just pay to have the empty chassis shipped back as some sort of freight? We have spent SO much time and effort on this car. Good luck with yours, by the way. What status was yours in when you shipped it?

Carl