Importing a 991.2 GT3T from Germany: stupid idea ?
05-12-2019, 04:57 AM
#1
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Importing a 991.2 GT3T from Germany: stupid idea ?
In my quest for a GT3T I see quite a few very nice ultra low mileage GT3T in Germany very close to my ideal spec (Sofa, silver, iron brakes, FAL). Is buying one there for import in CA a stupid idea ? Can't find one here without a boat load of useless options for me, loud colors and of course $20K ADM.
05-12-2019, 05:09 AM
#3
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
What happens if you own a car in Germany and move to the US ? (I also live in France)
05-12-2019, 07:49 AM
#6
Rennlist Member
Is this really more difficult than buying a car from say Canada? I bought my 987 Spyder from a guy in Toronto and honestly the process was fairly painless.
I guess Canadian cars fall under North America which makes things easier?
I guess Canadian cars fall under North America which makes things easier?
05-12-2019, 07:49 AM
#7
Shouldn't be that complicated for a modern car. You may have to make a few modifications before getting it registered. I moved a modern Audi the other way (CA to Germany) a few years ago and the light modules had to get swapped. Also, I wonder what the rules are for GT3 options that you could not get in the US when buying new, e.g. folding buckets or radio-delete.
Last edited by nszombie; 05-12-2019 at 08:25 AM.
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05-12-2019, 08:29 AM
#8
Yes, US to Germany is generally easy. I brought a car over after my stay in the US and the only modification needed was lighting related (sidemarkers removal/set INOP). Canada to US should be easier also, but other regions to US seem to call for perseverance...
05-12-2019, 10:04 AM
#9
I suppose the best way to consider this is to monetize your time, effort, risk and stress, and then add the expenses of shipping/importing the car, modifying it to U.S. regulations, etc. Add all of these up and then balance the sum against the GT3 Touring premiums you are faced with here in the States. Personally, I wouldn't consider dealing with this for even a moment, but different strokes for different folks and you may find it's worth it to you.
05-12-2019, 11:26 AM
#10
Rennlist Member
In my quest for a GT3T I see quite a few very nice ultra low mileage GT3T in Germany very close to my ideal spec (Sofa, silver, iron brakes, FAL). Is buying one there for import in CA a stupid idea ? Can't find one here without a boat load of useless options for me, loud colors and of course $20K ADM.
Fighting market pressures can be frustrating
BTW, Importing into USA is one thing, into California can be even more difficult due to CARB - Calif Air Res Board, whicg is a whole 'nuther certification specific to California!
Last edited by Perimeter; 05-12-2019 at 11:46 AM.
05-12-2019, 11:34 AM
#11
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
Well, it's $20K too much on cars that mostly have $20K of options I would not have specified myself and in colors I do not want. If you like at GT3T in germany you have something like 20 of them mostly in more standard colors than the ones available in the US and that I prefer. Anyway this maybe a moot point anyway if these cars cannot be imported relatively easily.
05-12-2019, 02:25 PM
#12
Rennlist Member
^ Anything is possible...just takes time and money. When weighing your options, also consider that a US-spec car will have 3-4 years of warranty. An import will have none on these shores. There will also be issues insuring a car without a US VIN.
05-12-2019, 02:44 PM
#13
Burning Brakes
Thread Starter
All good points, this may not be worth the hassle for sure.
05-13-2019, 03:58 PM
#14
You can import any car that the CBP considers “admissible”. They have a list of what cars are on there. I didn’t check, but I’m confident that a GT3 Touring is on there as they also sell it in the States.
The 25 year rule is for cars that are inadmissible.
However, admissible doesn’t mean hassle free. You will likely have to make a good chunk of modifications to the car to get it into compliance with US regulations. CBP will want to see a letter from the manufacturer explaining what modifications are required, receipts of the modifications actually being done. This can be prohibitively expensive.
Then factor in shipping costs, and 2.5% import duties. Also if you’re registering it in CA, they will want to charge you full CA sales tax unless you can prove you owned the car for 1-year prior to it being in CA. They will not credit you for any German taxes that you paid.
Finally, your resale value will be lower because buyers tend not to like imported cars.
Add up all of this and you see why basically no one does it except from Canada, which shares almost all regulations so modifications are rarely necessary.
The 25 year rule is for cars that are inadmissible.
However, admissible doesn’t mean hassle free. You will likely have to make a good chunk of modifications to the car to get it into compliance with US regulations. CBP will want to see a letter from the manufacturer explaining what modifications are required, receipts of the modifications actually being done. This can be prohibitively expensive.
Then factor in shipping costs, and 2.5% import duties. Also if you’re registering it in CA, they will want to charge you full CA sales tax unless you can prove you owned the car for 1-year prior to it being in CA. They will not credit you for any German taxes that you paid.
Finally, your resale value will be lower because buyers tend not to like imported cars.
Add up all of this and you see why basically no one does it except from Canada, which shares almost all regulations so modifications are rarely necessary.
