Anyone shipped a classic from the USA?
Discussion
Just wondering, (as its prob well over a year until this will be an option)
Has anyone imported a classic from the states?
I'd love to scratch the itch of owning a proper muscle car but was wondering what, if any, issues I can face importing?
Easy to re-register? Has it got to be totally standard? What sort of shipping costs should I be looking at?
Appreciate any info, as I say it's a long way off, but something I'd like to do so may as well try and find out as early as I can.
Has anyone imported a classic from the states?
I'd love to scratch the itch of owning a proper muscle car but was wondering what, if any, issues I can face importing?
Easy to re-register? Has it got to be totally standard? What sort of shipping costs should I be looking at?
Appreciate any info, as I say it's a long way off, but something I'd like to do so may as well try and find out as early as I can.
i think paracetamol on here has shipped a few.
also try asking here: http://www.dubaipetrolheads.com/
many serial importers for personal and commercial reside there.
also try asking here: http://www.dubaipetrolheads.com/
many serial importers for personal and commercial reside there.
Hi Shirt- thanks for the introduction..
I have imported 2 classics (1970 280sl's) and 1 modern classic (Porsche 993). Its very straightforward and costs around $1-3k in shipping (depends on if you use roll on./ single container/ shared container). The car doesnt need to be standard- but needs to be obviously road worthy, not a rust bucket and quite together to be registered (though you can always import a car for restoration and not register it till its finished)
1. You arrange to buy the car in the US and employ a shipping agent in the US to have it shipped to Dubai. I would also advise that you have tires changed and any faults fixed in the US as it can be difficult to source parts in the UAE (esp odd sized tyres).
2. You bring the car in and use a good local clearing agent -the process of paying of taxes is manual for pre 1993 cars- after this date, its done via an on-line portal- becuase of this you need a switched on clearing agent (PM and I can recommend one). Tax is based on 5% of the value of the car and shipping and customs usually basis this on the invoice for the sale. The agent will also have charges but they are minor. He will also request all the local container handling costs (this can be quite a lot- ensure that the US shipper gives you an all up quote)
3. Once cleared (takes 3-4 days from arrival), you pay all the duties and fees to the Clearer and then the Clearer takes the car from the Port. The Clearer will hand you a small duty paid certificate - keep this very safe!
4. Its best to have the car sent the car to a garage with classic car experience to clean and check over (I use Max Garage) etc. Once checked over, you need to prearrange insurance- usually only 3rd party is avaialble. Be sure to print out the certificate because the Vehcile Registration Centre online system is not always operational.
5. Go to the Testing Centre and ask for a collector/classic car test- if the car is deemed a classic (I am not sure of the exact cut off dates- but no issue for a muscle car), they do a very basic visual checkover, the cars are not subject to damper checking, brake rolling road test, emissions etc. Just make sure the car is lovely, clean, idling well, not pissing out oil or smoke and seems generally together...
6. Once tested, then make your way to the VRO and hand them the test, insurance and duty paid certificates and voila!
Good luck, its a generally painless proccess and takes 4 hours from start to finish. Choose a nice cool day and go very first thing or after lunch and you should be good...the worst thing is waiting in the queue for the test...old cars generally dont like to idle cool in 40 deg C heat....
I have imported 2 classics (1970 280sl's) and 1 modern classic (Porsche 993). Its very straightforward and costs around $1-3k in shipping (depends on if you use roll on./ single container/ shared container). The car doesnt need to be standard- but needs to be obviously road worthy, not a rust bucket and quite together to be registered (though you can always import a car for restoration and not register it till its finished)
1. You arrange to buy the car in the US and employ a shipping agent in the US to have it shipped to Dubai. I would also advise that you have tires changed and any faults fixed in the US as it can be difficult to source parts in the UAE (esp odd sized tyres).
2. You bring the car in and use a good local clearing agent -the process of paying of taxes is manual for pre 1993 cars- after this date, its done via an on-line portal- becuase of this you need a switched on clearing agent (PM and I can recommend one). Tax is based on 5% of the value of the car and shipping and customs usually basis this on the invoice for the sale. The agent will also have charges but they are minor. He will also request all the local container handling costs (this can be quite a lot- ensure that the US shipper gives you an all up quote)
3. Once cleared (takes 3-4 days from arrival), you pay all the duties and fees to the Clearer and then the Clearer takes the car from the Port. The Clearer will hand you a small duty paid certificate - keep this very safe!
4. Its best to have the car sent the car to a garage with classic car experience to clean and check over (I use Max Garage) etc. Once checked over, you need to prearrange insurance- usually only 3rd party is avaialble. Be sure to print out the certificate because the Vehcile Registration Centre online system is not always operational.
5. Go to the Testing Centre and ask for a collector/classic car test- if the car is deemed a classic (I am not sure of the exact cut off dates- but no issue for a muscle car), they do a very basic visual checkover, the cars are not subject to damper checking, brake rolling road test, emissions etc. Just make sure the car is lovely, clean, idling well, not pissing out oil or smoke and seems generally together...
6. Once tested, then make your way to the VRO and hand them the test, insurance and duty paid certificates and voila!
Good luck, its a generally painless proccess and takes 4 hours from start to finish. Choose a nice cool day and go very first thing or after lunch and you should be good...the worst thing is waiting in the queue for the test...old cars generally dont like to idle cool in 40 deg C heat....
Edited by Paracetamol on Sunday 3rd February 07:31
Cheers for that info and site Shirt, hadn't found that one yet and looks like a good one.
Paracetamol, that's excellent, thanks for taking the time to help clear it all up!
The car I'm most interested in is something like a 67-69 Camero. I would be getting a fully sorted immaculate one so that should help.
The one thing I have read is the issue with modifications? A lot of the muscle cars (in particular the ones I'm interested in) have had upgrades. Eg. A new engine producing double the HP of the standard. (Still a NA v8 though) Also one particularly nice one had a six speed box fitted, along with lowered suspension and updated brakes - all of these mods are very sensibly done and the car looks almost standard inside and out.
Also I read something about pre 1970s cars only being subjected to 2.5% import tax as opposed to 5?
That's an excellent basis to start planning. Thanks again!
Paracetamol, that's excellent, thanks for taking the time to help clear it all up!
The car I'm most interested in is something like a 67-69 Camero. I would be getting a fully sorted immaculate one so that should help.
The one thing I have read is the issue with modifications? A lot of the muscle cars (in particular the ones I'm interested in) have had upgrades. Eg. A new engine producing double the HP of the standard. (Still a NA v8 though) Also one particularly nice one had a six speed box fitted, along with lowered suspension and updated brakes - all of these mods are very sensibly done and the car looks almost standard inside and out.
Also I read something about pre 1970s cars only being subjected to 2.5% import tax as opposed to 5?
That's an excellent basis to start planning. Thanks again!
El Capitano said:
Cheers for that info and site Shirt, hadn't found that one yet and looks like a good one.
Paracetamol, that's excellent, thanks for taking the time to help clear it all up!
The car I'm most interested in is something like a 67-69 Camero. I would be getting a fully sorted immaculate one so that should help.
The one thing I have read is the issue with modifications? A lot of the muscle cars (in particular the ones I'm interested in) have had upgrades. Eg. A new engine producing double the HP of the standard. (Still a NA v8 though) Also one particularly nice one had a six speed box fitted, along with lowered suspension and updated brakes - all of these mods are very sensibly done and the car looks almost standard inside and out.
Also I read something about pre 1970s cars only being subjected to 2.5% import tax as opposed to 5?
That's an excellent basis to start planning. Thanks again!
The modifcations issue is on more modern machinery...tbh, a local tester will not have a clue on the original spec. they will want to see that whatever you present is safe. I have seen some beatiful Corvettes from the 60s but with nicely engineered LS2 converstions and there have been no issues with registering. If the engine is held in with pop rivets and string, it would be more of an issue.Paracetamol, that's excellent, thanks for taking the time to help clear it all up!
The car I'm most interested in is something like a 67-69 Camero. I would be getting a fully sorted immaculate one so that should help.
The one thing I have read is the issue with modifications? A lot of the muscle cars (in particular the ones I'm interested in) have had upgrades. Eg. A new engine producing double the HP of the standard. (Still a NA v8 though) Also one particularly nice one had a six speed box fitted, along with lowered suspension and updated brakes - all of these mods are very sensibly done and the car looks almost standard inside and out.
Also I read something about pre 1970s cars only being subjected to 2.5% import tax as opposed to 5?
That's an excellent basis to start planning. Thanks again!
Its 5% duty on everything..even cars brought in from other GCC countries if they are more than 2 years old (before there was no duty on iter GCC movements)
http://abudhabi.dubizzle.com/classified/autos4x4s/...
as for mods, pm me, i know a man who can get anything registered.
nice fury btw, still got it?
as for mods, pm me, i know a man who can get anything registered.
nice fury btw, still got it?
That's good to know, thanks Shirt!
As said, I will be taking my time, saving some cash and getting more important stuff sorted in the mean time, but should be looking to buy in around 12 months.
That linked camero is fairly nice, however, not keen on interior, or fibreglass bonnet, nice to see that the modifications have been 'accepted' though and gives an idea of what you can bring over!
It's is something along the lines of what I will be looking at (if only this one was still for sal e this time next year!!)
http://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/Inventory/Detail...
Oh, and unfortunately the Fury is now sold.... Wish I didn't sell it though, loved that car!
As said, I will be taking my time, saving some cash and getting more important stuff sorted in the mean time, but should be looking to buy in around 12 months.
That linked camero is fairly nice, however, not keen on interior, or fibreglass bonnet, nice to see that the modifications have been 'accepted' though and gives an idea of what you can bring over!
It's is something along the lines of what I will be looking at (if only this one was still for sal e this time next year!!)
http://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/Inventory/Detail...
Oh, and unfortunately the Fury is now sold.... Wish I didn't sell it though, loved that car!
El Capitano said:
That's good to know, thanks Shirt!
As said, I will be taking my time, saving some cash and getting more important stuff sorted in the mean time, but should be looking to buy in around 12 months.
That linked camero is fairly nice, however, not keen on interior, or fibreglass bonnet, nice to see that the modifications have been 'accepted' though and gives an idea of what you can bring over!
It's is something along the lines of what I will be looking at (if only this one was still for sal e this time next year!!)
http://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/Inventory/Detail...
Oh, and unfortunately the Fury is now sold.... Wish I didn't sell it though, loved that car!
Whats wrong with you man..you work for three months to get through probation; get a huge loan; get sacked/emiratised and then flee the country- leaving you camero at the airport As said, I will be taking my time, saving some cash and getting more important stuff sorted in the mean time, but should be looking to buy in around 12 months.
That linked camero is fairly nice, however, not keen on interior, or fibreglass bonnet, nice to see that the modifications have been 'accepted' though and gives an idea of what you can bring over!
It's is something along the lines of what I will be looking at (if only this one was still for sal e this time next year!!)
http://www.vanguardmotorsales.com/Inventory/Detail...
Oh, and unfortunately the Fury is now sold.... Wish I didn't sell it though, loved that car!
PS there is a very nice one for Sale in AD for 150k- its totally mint..PM me if you need details.
Edited by Paracetamol on Tuesday 5th February 12:20
I've done this. Only thing I would add to what's been posted above is that while you can only get third party insurance here on cars over 10 years old, it is possible to get a top up policy which gives comprehensive less third party cover from Lockton (and, probably, others). On agreed value of £15k, this costs me about £750 pa.
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