Mogans

Hi,
I'm thinking of bringing my 928 GT to Europe. I've been in the Netherlands for a year and it looks like we'll continue to stay for a few years. My 928 is in storage in the US. I'd like to have it here with us and the shipping is not too bad.

Has anyone ever done this before who can advise the pitfalls?
thanks
Mogans

rixter

I'd think import duties would kill ya, check with customs before you do anything else

Lizard928

Insure it in the US and ship it over driving it on US plates. You will be allowed to do this for some time before requiring to import it.

Check with your insurance company to ensure that you will be insured while driving over there.

I have a friend with St Martin plates on his car and he drives it all over the US, Canada, and europe with those plates.

Leon Speed

Hi Morgans,

This might be of interest to you:

Taxes
Here's is a link to the tax department site on importing vehicles http://www.douane.nl/variabel/bpm/en/

Note that bpm is calculated based on the value when the car was new (ouch). I imported my car two years ago from Germany to Holland and I paid I think about 3,000 Euro.

Insurance
Most insurance companies offer old timer/young timer insurance, which basically gives you good/ all risk coverage for a reduced premium. Most of these are limited to driving 5,000 - 7,500 kms annually. There are some small insurance firms that do not have the limit. I did some research on those if you need contact info. Some insurance requires a type II or type III car alarm installed. The factory alarm is type I.


Technical
If the car is US spec the headlights need to be upgraded to European specs and a rear fog light needs to be added. I am nut sure if the bumperettes are allowed, but those can be removed. Furthermore it needs to pass a technical inspection obviously. I am not sure if it needs to have a European type approval if it is US spec.

Let me know if I can help further. Good luck!

Oh yeah, might want to consider joining the 928 club in Holland.

Btw: where are you located?

Mogans

Hi guys,
Thanks for the thoughts.

Regarding taxes, due to my ex-pat status I don't have to pay import taxes on things I've owned for more than 6 months, so that is not an issue.

I was wondering more about the technical stuff, i.e. side markers, rear fog light, etc. Aryan, you've given me some thoughts there, thanks. I'm located in Bussum. Does the 928 club in Holland have an active forum? Are you living in Holland or Germany?
thanks
Mogans

9two8

Technical
If the car is US spec the headlights need to be upgraded to European specs and a rear fog light needs to be added. I am nut sure if the bumperettes are allowed, but those can be removed. Furthermore it needs to pass a technical inspection obviously. I am not sure if it needs to have a European type approval if it is US spec

You will require rear fog light, no big deal though..., regarding bumperettes Iv,e just had some sent from the states and fitted them, they are of no significance regarding legalities, and are perfectly acceptable for european use.

Ken
80 928 S
5 Speed

UK

Leon Speed

I hope that's also the case for bpm, would be great if it were.

RDW is the Dutch DOT and in charge of technical inspection and issuing license plates. I've read on their website that you need to pass an inspection at a RDW station. Apparently you can get a license plate valid for 1 day to drive to the RDW station, so you don't have to have it transported there. Their information number is 0900 0739, they'll tell you how and what. I looks like the law regarding non-EU cars was simplified this year, so the car just needs to pass a regular (yearly) technical inspection. As stated, the only thing I can think of is upgrading to H4 from H5 lenses for the front lights and adding a rear fog light. Other inspection points are regular items: technical state has to be ok. Emissions should be comparable to the US, so if it is in clean state, it will pass.

I am living mostly in Utrecht, that's 30 minutes from you.

The Dutch 928 club forum is not very active, but there are some people on there http://www.porscheclub928.nl/Interac...BBFrameset.htm

Ian928

My girlfriend has a 944 Turbo that was imported from US so we know about some of these things. My Experience is from Norway, but I believe these regulations are the same in all of Europe.

You need to have side blinkers, and they should be placed between the door and the front wheel (like in Ken's avatar above). Sometimes you can get away with using the front side marker lights (US) as the blinkers but most likely you will need to drill and fit something in the "euro" spot. This is the worst problem because it will not be easy to reverse if you were to bring the car back to US. Also it is not easy to use the euro blinkers because the euro fenders has pressings to fit the lights so they don't stick out too far.

Also, you are not allowed to use the red side marker lights, in fact you are not allowed to have red reflectors on the side either. We just used some black tape to cover them when we did the inspection...

I see you have a black car, you might consider just spraying the side markers black and fitting the least offensive side blinker lamp you can find. I am not sure but there might be wires ready behind the fender for the side blinkers, but on the 944 the PO fabricated a wire from the front blinkers.

I think you will be happy with converting to Euro lights, I do understand that the US government are trying to protect other drivers from being blinded by oncoming traffic, but I like to see the road when I drive at night

Herman K

In order to by pass to many questions at the port in Holland I used to ship to Belgium with proof of residence outside of Belgium I've always been able to pick up without any hassle and just drive across the open border to Holland your allowed to drive with USA plates for quite some time.
All this has been some 8-10 years ago and don't know if it has changed by now but I would be surprised.

Best

Mogans

Thanks all for thoughts and comments.

Aryan, it seems like your side marker lights are clear, is that the correct color in the Netherlands? Seems like I see mostly orange ones. I'm going to try to get any required modifications done before the car leaves the States. Is there an independent parts supplier in the Netherlands for 928's? Do you have a good mechanic in Holland?

Schocki

It's not about the colors, it's about the DOT numbers. The lights need to have an E Norm. But it is always the inspector at the state inspection who has the last word. I would recommend to go over there and talk to them before you start.

When I shipped one of my cars from Germany to TX, I had to pay about $ 1500 (2006) for a RORO deal. Shipping in a container will be more expensive.

RyanPerrella

would you have to pay duties if you shipped it there on a temporary basis?

I was thinking that once i build my ultimate 928, i would ship it to europe and just drive all over with it. But i would be doing that with the idea that like in the US, you can import a car without having to meet specific laws for safety and what not if its only being imported for an event, or show, or some short term basis. This is how concept cars and race cars and such get here from other countries, there is no epa testing or DOT crap or duty, its just something like a promise that you take it back when you leave. And its usually for a maximum for a year in the US.

Would this not be the same for EU countries? I hope it is.

Schocki

Ryan,

that is true if your permanent address is in the US. If your car is registred in the States you can drive it all over the place in Europe. Nothing more than driving a car to to Canada on vacation e.g.

But his permanent address will be in the Netherlands. This means he has to comply to EU traffic laws. Unless you are in the country under a NATO status. That's why my GTS was not federalized although my permanent address was in TX for nearly 7 Years.

Imo000

I have a car that I took over to Europe, with Canadian plates, back in ’95. Every time someone from the family goes for a vacation, only has to buy insurance and nothing else. I haven’t had any issues with the police, even though had numerous spot checks and border crossings with it.

Leon Speed

The lenses are clear but the bulbs are orange. Most new cars I see have this as well. IIRC by law the indicator lights should be either orange, red of yellow.

I buy my parts in the US from the vendors on this board. They have the knowledge and parts just for 928's. Plus if your compensation is in Euro's the current exchange rate helps. If I need something the next day I order with Porsche. PM me if you need any further info and contact information.

I do most wrenching myself, but when I bought my S4 these guys did a major overhaul: http://www.carservicevisser.nl. They are in Hilversum which is close to you. They also do my yearly technical inspection. The owner and head mechanic is Robert Visser. I also had my car at http://www.app-porschespecialist.nl, they are located near Amsterdam. Then there is http://www.vlasblomporschetuning.nl/, the owner started with 928's and a lot of guys from the 928 club have him do their service. He's about an hour and a half away from you. I don't have direct experience with him.

Let me know if you need further info, or PM me.