If you are planning on buying a vehicle in another country and then importing it into your own, then there are a few things that you need to do and a few problems that you need to resolve first. Importing a vehicle without taking the time to prepare, fill out legal paperwork, and do some research could result in your car’s importation being blocked, and then turned back around.
You can’t just import a car without preparing. This post will tell you six things that you need to do so that you can get your car into the country.
Container Shipping
One of the first and most important things that you need to organize if you’re intending on importing a car is arranging to ship. The easiest way that vehicles can be imported is by ship, in a container. Not only is container shipping the cheapest, but it is one of the fastest methods of transporting a vehicle internationally.
It is important to note that the cost of shipping a car internationally depends largely upon where you want it to go and where you are sending it from. Prices can range from $500 to over $2,000. If you are going to send your car internationally, then it is very important that you find a company to send it with who’s professional and experienced, and who has good online reviews. Entrusting your car to the hands of an unprofessional shipping company is an extraordinarily bad idea.
Paying Fees
If you are going to import a car, then you will need to pay fees to do so. Most countries require you to pay taxes when you are importing a car from a foreign country. In other countries, you may also have to pay VAT. It is very important that you arrange and pay all of these fees on time. Failing to do so could result in your car being turned away at the port, or you receiving a fine. In most cases, you will need to pay fees before the car arrives.
Business License
Importing cars from foreign countries and then selling them domestically can be very good money. If you are importing cars for this reason, then you may need a business license and an importation license. You shouldn’t attempt to import any vehicles for business reasons until you have extensively researched your country’s rules regarding the importation of vehicles for business purposes. Attempting to do so, as with not paying fees, could result in your cars being turned away at the port, or you receiving very large fines. There should be information explaining your country’s licensing rules online.
Import Agents
If you want to import a car from abroad but don’t want to have to do all of the paperwork and organizing yourself, then you can hire an import agent to work with you. An import agent is an expert who specializes in the importation of vehicles. More often than not, they have shipping companies that they work with very closely, with whom they can put you in touch (or arrange your car’s transportation through). You should be aware that working with an import agent means that you will have to pay a lot more for their services than you would if you organized everything yourself.
Getting Approval
You may need to get approval in order to import your car. Depending on where you live, approval may be needed so that your government can be sure that the car that is being imported is road safe. The car needs to meet all of your country’s rules and regulations for car safety, otherwise, it won’t be able to be safely driven.
If the car is not deemed road safe, then you may still be able to import it, but you may be required to make modifications and changes to it before you can use it on the road. It will have to be checked over by a representative from the DMV before it can be legally used, post-modifications.
Registering Car
Once you have imported your car, you will need to register it, just like you would have to if you bought a new car domestically. If you do not register your car, then you won’t be able to legally drive it. It’s important to note that on your registration form, you will need to specify that it is an imported vehicle. If you do not mention that it is an imported vehicle on the registration form, you can get into trouble.
Importing cars can be very stressful. If you love foreign cars or have moved and want to bring your car over with you, however, then you will have to deal with the stress associated with importation, unfortunately. Alternatively, you can hire an agent to work with you.
