Importing a Rover into the States? Anyone done this

[archaeology_student]

Hi,

I have a friend who is selling his D90 (British Royal Special Forces), and he has had a few questions about selling to US buyers. He has all the paper work for the vehicle. It's a 2.5 N/A diesel, and has had a few people from the US emailing him wanting it.

Does anyone have some info about what is required? Has anyone brought a vehicle into the states? Does the law differ from state to state? I thought that most vehicles needed to be 25 years plus to be easily imported into the states (if they were not made for the North American market).

Any, and all info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[deeker]

As the seller in another country, he doesn't have any responsibility to do anything to prepare the vehicle to get it into the US. He just has to turn over the vehicle and title/ownership and cash the cheque. The new owner has the fun of getting it certified, etc.

I bought a vehicle in the US and brought it into Canada just recently. Going that direction is easy.

[Rondo]

Ditto with deeker. I would recommend the US buyers contract a customs broker to bring it in for them if they are determined to do it; however imported motor vehicles are subject to U.S. safety standards, bumper standards, and air pollution control standards. It is very unlikely the defender in question conforms to any of these standards.

Quoting here:
For Customs clearance you will need the shipper's or carrier's original bill of lading, the bill of sale, foreign registration, and any other documents covering the vehicle. You will also need written prior approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will be evident to the Customs inspector at the port of entry in the form of an approval letter from the EPA, or a manufacturer's label in the English language affixed to the car, stating that the vehicle meets all U.S. emission requirements.

To safeguard against importation of dangerous pests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free of foreign soil. Have your car steam-sprayed or cleaned thoroughly before shipment.

Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally dutiable at the following rates:
Autos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5%

Motor vehicles not more than 25 years old must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) motor vehicle safety standards that were in effect when these vehicles were manufactured. Passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 1973 must also meet bumper standards. The importer must file form DOT HS-7 (this link is a .pdf file; click here for free download software) at the time of entry, indicating whether the vehicle conforms to applicable safety and bumper standards. The original manufacturer is required to affix a label to the vehicle certifying that these standards have been met if the vehicle is intended for sale in the United States. Vehicles that do not bear a certification label attached by the original manufacturer must be entered as a nonconforming vehicle under a DOT bond for one and a half times the vehicle's dutiable value. This is in addition to the regular Customs entry bond.

Unless specifically excepted, the importer must sign a contract with a DOT Registered Importer (RI), who will modify the vehicle to conform with all applicable safety and bumper standards and who can certify the modifications. A copy of the RI's contract must be attached to the DOT HS-7 form and furnished to the Customs Service with the DOT bond at the port of entry. A list of RIs is available from DOT and should be obtained before you decide to import a vehicle. Furthermore, DOT requires that the vehicle model and model year must, prior to entry, be determined eligible for importation. A DOT RI can advise you whether your vehicle is eligible; if it is not, the RI can submit a petition in your behalf to have your vehicle considered for eligibility, if you so desire. Understand, however, that fees must be paid at the time such petitions are filed.

The following passenger cars, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty engines and motorcycles are subject to Federal emission standards:

* Gasoline-fueled cars and light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1967.

* Diesel-fueled cars originally manufactured after December 31, 1974.

* Diesel-fueled light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1975.

* Heavy-duty engines originally manufactured after December 31, 1969.

* Motorcycles with a displacement of more than 49 cubic centimeters originally manufactured after December 31, 1977.

Beginning with the 1974 model year, vehicles that were originally manufactured to meet U.S. emission requirements, if driven outside the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Taiwan or the Bahama Islands, may be required to have their oxygen sensor and/or catalytic converter replaced. You may import your U.S.-version vehicle under a Customs bond and have any qualified mechanic perform the necessary work. You should contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directly for detailed requirements and options before shipping your vehicle.

Nonconforming vehicles must be imported for you by a currently certified Independent Commercial Importer (ICI), a list of which is available from the EPA. This list should be obtained before you decide to import a car. The ICI will be responsible for assuring that your car complies with all U.S. emission requirements. (As of July 1, 1988, EPA no longer has the one-time exemption for vehicles five or more model-years old.) Be aware that EPA will deny entry to certain makes, models, and model years if an ICI is not certified or is unwilling to accept responsibility for the vehicle(s) in question.

[Rovin4life]

I Know a company that has a D130 here for sale.

and its diesel.

[rmuller]

d90 = older then 25 years = illegal to import. Doesn't meet EPA/DOT regulations.. you may be able to squeeze it through (such as the 130 that rovin4life is talking about), but if they find it, it gets crushed and you get in trouble.

That is the bottom line. There is no 'one in a lifetime', 'bring it over without motor and swap it in', etc.. things available. This topic has been overly exhausted 10000s of times.

disclaimer: yes, i am aware that certain years, such as a 1993 d110 can be imported and modified to match the NAS specs...