Temporary vehicle import into USA
Discussion
Evening all,
I’m planning next year’s road trip, and my plan is to export my car from the UK to America using a HS7 temporary import form, and export it back 6 months later. I think I’ve got most of this sussed, but I’ve got a few points to clear up before I get excited.
1. On the HS-7 temporary import form, do I have to use a US address? If so, how do I get around this? Surely they cannot expect all visitors to have a permanent US residence?
2. Are there any American car insurance companies that will cover a UK registered car in the US, without the need for a US residence address? If not, would anyone be willing to help me out with his (email me if so, please).
If I forget the above two complications, my understanding of the whole process is:
i. Apply for temporary import; allow 30 days for an import certificate.
ii. Arrange car insurance to start the day the vehicle lands in America.
iii. Arrange vehicle to be shipped (probably roll on roll off), collect vehicle from port and show customs the import certificate and any other UK vehicle documents.
iv. Enjoy my trip.
Does anyone care to expand on the above points? I’d appreciate any help or comments as the whole process is a bit daunting.
Best Regards.
I’m planning next year’s road trip, and my plan is to export my car from the UK to America using a HS7 temporary import form, and export it back 6 months later. I think I’ve got most of this sussed, but I’ve got a few points to clear up before I get excited.
1. On the HS-7 temporary import form, do I have to use a US address? If so, how do I get around this? Surely they cannot expect all visitors to have a permanent US residence?
2. Are there any American car insurance companies that will cover a UK registered car in the US, without the need for a US residence address? If not, would anyone be willing to help me out with his (email me if so, please).
If I forget the above two complications, my understanding of the whole process is:
i. Apply for temporary import; allow 30 days for an import certificate.
ii. Arrange car insurance to start the day the vehicle lands in America.
iii. Arrange vehicle to be shipped (probably roll on roll off), collect vehicle from port and show customs the import certificate and any other UK vehicle documents.
iv. Enjoy my trip.
Does anyone care to expand on the above points? I’d appreciate any help or comments as the whole process is a bit daunting.
Best Regards.
Matchstickslim said:
Actually, no, it'll probably be less than 6 months (3-4 I think). Not sorted my Visa yet but I don't have any doubts over it.
Why do you ask?
The bit in bold, I suspect. If you are eligible for the US visa waiver program, getting a visitor visa (B-2) to give you more than max 90 days, is very difficult. Are you past retirement age, by any chance? Being presumptuous about issuance of a US visa is, perhaps, courting disappointmnet....Why do you ask?
Matt Harper said:
The bit in bold, I suspect. If you are eligible for the US visa waiver program, getting a visitor visa (B-2) to give you more than max 90 days, is very difficult. Are you past retirement age, by any chance? Being presumptuous about issuance of a US visa is, perhaps, courting disappointmnet....
Hi, I appreciate that - perhaps you are rigt. Although I did look into Visa's a while back and it didnt seem to be a problem, I'll reconsider!Thanks.
Matchstickslim said:
Actually, no, it'll probably be less than 6 months (3-4 I think). Not sorted my Visa yet but I don't have any doubts over it.
Why do you ask?
Just wanted to see if you had it sorted out as yet. The US is probably one of, if not the most difficult countries in this world to get a Visa for entry. You have two options - 1st is the Visa Waiver Program that will let you stay for a maximum of 90 days for pleasure travel. The second that would be appropriate for the type of visit you are proposing is a B2 tourist visa. The problem is that if you are eligible for travel on the VWP you are extremely unlikely to be granted the B2. If they do reject your B2 application you will also severely limit your chances of being able to use the VWP again due having a visa application refused.Why do you ask?
Its definitely worth you spending some time investigating the options available to you before making any Visa application.
Edited by EK993 on Tuesday 29th November 02:26
Matchstickslim said:
Thank you for the comments, however I'd think getting insurance will prove more difficult!
Does anyone have any suggestions?
Rent a Mustang from Hertz for the 3 months that you'll be allowed to be in the US. It's going to be a great deal cheaper, far less hassle, and you won't be worrying about breakdown service or accident damage.Does anyone have any suggestions?
one my UK friends took their car for a long US hol, they used Progressive Insurance you need to obtain a US address and insure the car for 12 months, but you get a refund when you cancel the policy like over here when the car returns
they said it was all done online
http://www.progressive.com/
they said it was all done online
http://www.progressive.com/
Viper said:
one my UK friends took their car for a long US hol, they used Progressive Insurance you need to obtain a US address and insure the car for 12 months, but you get a refund when you cancel the policy like over here when the car returns
they said it was all done online
http://www.progressive.com/
Thats great thanks, but again I have no US address - unless someone has a creative idea...they said it was all done online
http://www.progressive.com/
Also, I appreciate I could rent a nice car but I'm very attached to my own - as are my friends. This is very much a "Pistonheads" road trip and not your usual backpacking type!!
Viper said:
borrow a friends address
Jesus! - and the 'friend' then becomes liable for anything that goes wrong thereafter. It's not happening anyway. Progressive require you to provide the VIN for the vehicle (which won't be in their database, unless it was manufactured in or legally imported into the US). Additionally, they require utility bills with your name - at the address you give. There are so many cases of "It's easy. My mate did it" - but when push comes to shove, no details get provided to do this legally.
Good point Matt, insurers base the quote on the vehicles VIN number and UK vehicles won't be in their system.
OP - if you do manage to get through the other hurdles and get yourself and the car to the US, I would have thought your best bet for insurance cover will be with a UK insurer providing you cover whilst broad.
I can't imagine a US auto insurer wanting to quote for a UK driver coming to the US for 3 months with their UK spec RHD car. Its was tough enough getting a US insurer to cover me when I became resident here, had my US license, and bought a US car.
OP - if you do manage to get through the other hurdles and get yourself and the car to the US, I would have thought your best bet for insurance cover will be with a UK insurer providing you cover whilst broad.
I can't imagine a US auto insurer wanting to quote for a UK driver coming to the US for 3 months with their UK spec RHD car. Its was tough enough getting a US insurer to cover me when I became resident here, had my US license, and bought a US car.
Edited by EK993 on Wednesday 30th November 00:37
My understanding is that, just like Europe, where you drive into France, Belgium, Germany etc you can take your English car abroad on your English Insurance.
Also just like Europe, you are allowed to take your Mexican or Canadaian car into the US. Likewise you can ship your English car to the US and drive it for a maximum of 12 months and then it must leave the country.
When you enter the US on a normal short business or Holiday trip you have to give your adress there. This is normally your hotel or the adress of the friend or Villa that you are staying at.
Even if you are only at that hotel for 1 day, this is the adress you give. Have you considered maybe driving up into Canada for a week or two simply to comply with the 3 month IVP requirements.
Also just like Europe, you are allowed to take your Mexican or Canadaian car into the US. Likewise you can ship your English car to the US and drive it for a maximum of 12 months and then it must leave the country.
When you enter the US on a normal short business or Holiday trip you have to give your adress there. This is normally your hotel or the adress of the friend or Villa that you are staying at.
Even if you are only at that hotel for 1 day, this is the adress you give. Have you considered maybe driving up into Canada for a week or two simply to comply with the 3 month IVP requirements.
so called said:
My understanding is that, just like Europe, where you drive into France, Belgium, Germany etc you can take your English car abroad on your English Insurance.
Also just like Europe, you are allowed to take your Mexican or Canadaian car into the US. Likewise you can ship your English car to the US and drive it for a maximum of 12 months and then it must leave the country.
When you enter the US on a normal short business or Holiday trip you have to give your adress there. This is normally your hotel or the adress of the friend or Villa that you are staying at.
Even if you are only at that hotel for 1 day, this is the adress you give. Have you considered maybe driving up into Canada for a week or two simply to comply with the 3 month IVP requirements.
If you can persuade your UK insurance company to provide you with cover in the US, I guess you've cracked it then. Good luck with that idea.Also just like Europe, you are allowed to take your Mexican or Canadaian car into the US. Likewise you can ship your English car to the US and drive it for a maximum of 12 months and then it must leave the country.
When you enter the US on a normal short business or Holiday trip you have to give your adress there. This is normally your hotel or the adress of the friend or Villa that you are staying at.
Even if you are only at that hotel for 1 day, this is the adress you give. Have you considered maybe driving up into Canada for a week or two simply to comply with the 3 month IVP requirements.
Temporary importation for up to 12 months isn't in question - it is all about how to insure it - which is reasonably straightforward with a US manufactured vehicle (I did it with a C5 Corvette) and a US address, that you can prove you reside at (your name on the bills).
Visiting Canada or Mexico (being contigious) does not "re-set" I-94W, so driving up to Canada wouldn't extend beyond the original 90 days maximum.
There is no easy way to do this. It is possible to exploit a loophole, using blanket coverage of company owned vehicles, but the title of the imported car must be in the company's name to strictly adhere to the legality.
I drove my Corvette here for 11 months on UK plates and was never stopped, or questioned - but I was insured. 99% of US traffic police would be unsure about how to proceed with processing a UK registered vehicle - because they never encounter them. Canadian and Mexican registered yes - UK plates would be totally confusing to US cops - and the potential paperwork way too much hassle to bother with.
Matt Harper said:
so called said:
My understanding is that, just like Europe, where you drive into France, Belgium, Germany etc you can take your English car abroad on your English Insurance.
Also just like Europe, you are allowed to take your Mexican or Canadaian car into the US. Likewise you can ship your English car to the US and drive it for a maximum of 12 months and then it must leave the country.
When you enter the US on a normal short business or Holiday trip you have to give your adress there. This is normally your hotel or the adress of the friend or Villa that you are staying at.
Even if you are only at that hotel for 1 day, this is the adress you give. Have you considered maybe driving up into Canada for a week or two simply to comply with the 3 month IVP requirements.
If you can persuade your UK insurance company to provide you with cover in the US, I guess you've cracked it then. Good luck with that idea.Also just like Europe, you are allowed to take your Mexican or Canadaian car into the US. Likewise you can ship your English car to the US and drive it for a maximum of 12 months and then it must leave the country.
When you enter the US on a normal short business or Holiday trip you have to give your adress there. This is normally your hotel or the adress of the friend or Villa that you are staying at.
Even if you are only at that hotel for 1 day, this is the adress you give. Have you considered maybe driving up into Canada for a week or two simply to comply with the 3 month IVP requirements.
Temporary importation for up to 12 months isn't in question - it is all about how to insure it - which is reasonably straightforward with a US manufactured vehicle (I did it with a C5 Corvette) and a US address, that you can prove you reside at (your name on the bills).
Visiting Canada or Mexico (being contigious) does not "re-set" I-94W, so driving up to Canada wouldn't extend beyond the original 90 days maximum.
There is no easy way to do this. It is possible to exploit a loophole, using blanket coverage of company owned vehicles, but the title of the imported car must be in the company's name to strictly adhere to the legality.
I drove my Corvette here for 11 months on UK plates and was never stopped, or questioned - but I was insured. 99% of US traffic police would be unsure about how to proceed with processing a UK registered vehicle - because they never encounter them. Canadian and Mexican registered yes - UK plates would be totally confusing to US cops - and the potential paperwork way too much hassle to bother with.
There is a thread on here from a couple of years ago about driving your UK car in the US.
As far as driving up to Canada. In the 'old days' (2 years ago), before the fully electonic on line visa was introduced, if you went up to Canada for more than 3 days, then you had to fill in a new instant visa form, hence 3 months, Canada break, 3 months.
Never done this or checked if their is a minimum time between entries so that would be the first thing to check.
so called said:
My point is that you are not importing the car. As with European cover, you inform your UK insurance that you intend to use your UK registered car abroad for a period of time. This is perfectly legal in the US and is equal to driving your Canadian car down into the US.
There is a thread on here from a couple of years ago about driving your UK car in the US.
As far as driving up to Canada. In the 'old days' (2 years ago), before the fully electonic on line visa was introduced, if you went up to Canada for more than 3 days, then you had to fill in a new instant visa form, hence 3 months, Canada break, 3 months.
Never done this or checked if their is a minimum time between entries so that would be the first thing to check.
...and your point makes complete sense. I think the sticking-point is finding a UK insurer willing to provide coverage in the US. There is a thread on here from a couple of years ago about driving your UK car in the US.
As far as driving up to Canada. In the 'old days' (2 years ago), before the fully electonic on line visa was introduced, if you went up to Canada for more than 3 days, then you had to fill in a new instant visa form, hence 3 months, Canada break, 3 months.
Never done this or checked if their is a minimum time between entries so that would be the first thing to check.
Similarly, I'm sure some have shipped cars here and driven them around without incident - I'm just not convinced they were insured.
Finally, crossing a land border out of the US does not reset the number of days allowable under the VWP - of this I am absolutely, 100% certain.
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