Elvira

My husband heard somewhere that people who are moving to the US are allowed to import a car free of duty.

Does anyone here have any information on this, or can someone tell me where I can find out more?

Thanks!

BritGuyTN

importing a car unless it is a classic or if its just for a year or two
can be a nightmare

i think it is duty free only if you are a non resident, apparently the current Duty Rate for imported automobiles is 2.5% of the declared value

Big D

As stated can be a nightmare - all the emissions and safety features - changing or deflecting headlights...plus cars are cheaper over here (literally half price in many cases) and the petrol is weaker and may knacker the engine - is it a classic you are thinking of?

Elvira

No, latest model Merc.
If we buy one, it will be direct from the factroy. They will customize it to suit local regs regarding emissions etc. Apart from duty, one will save on dealer's cut which may be hefty.
We were entitled to bring our personal belongings duty free when we first came here in 2002. I just wonder if a car qualifies under the same heading.
Thanks all for your help.

BritGuyTN

i'm almost certain that given the example made, duty will need to be paid - and also possibly sales tax when you register it for the first time - but I think duty is only 2.5%

I bought a used car in kentucky and when I registered i got whopped for 9% despite the car being 5 years old - cost me over $3000. i suggest you check with your local dmv

I'm not sure whether you/your husband are affiliated with MB in some way but buying direct from the factory usually doesn't save a whole amount once you factor in the shipping cost etc. thats obviously not the case if you are buying one of the cars made over here.

i know the old ML was a pile of crap for quality and derided universally, not sure about the new one

Rete

You're here already for three years. You won't qualify for duty free. The auto had to have been purchased prior to your immigration and meet all the safety and emission rules for the State you are moving to. You need a letter of compliance from the auto manufacturer stating that the vehicle meets all criteria for import to the US.

My husband was able to bring his vehicle from Canada at the time of his entry as a K-1 beneficiary.

Big D

I know people in Texas who have done similar things with BMW but you are a resident now so will not be eligible for duty free, and as mentioned in another post you are liable to sales tax once you register it!

Do you get a trip to Frankfurt out of the deal? Enjoy and hope it works out

Dan725

Sounds like an awful lot of bother to me, given that cars are not overly expensive here anyway.

robskatie

You will most certainly have to pay the sales tax based on your resident state, we brought our car over from the UK, and even though it was only 1 year old and US spec, it was still a nightmare. I guess it depends on how much you will actually save on the purchase price, when all is said and done you may just end up paying the same as you would if you brought one here, minus the hassle

Big D

Two questions:

1. Why did you bother as cars are cheaper here (esp considering xchange rate)

2. Why were you driving a US spec car in the UK?!?!?!

robskatie

Two answers:
1. As I said the car was not very old and we did not have to pay to ship it back.
2. We were driving a US spec car in the UK due to my husband being in the military, that o.k??!!

Jess5377

Are you talking about the European Delivery Plan? I don't know if it saves much money as they ship it to your local dealer, but I believe everything is factored into the price already- duty etc. Most people do it just to drive through Europe first as a vacation

Big D

Perfectly OK! Thanks for clearing that up!