Import car from the UK - Ford Galaxy

[tomuk 25]

Hi all,

 

I am still confused from all information about importing vehicles to the USA and I would like to know if and what I have to do to import 2011 Ford Galaxy from the UK (so RHD).

 

Thank you.

[JFH 12,190]

Is it worth it? Everything is geared up for LHD cars here. Drive-thru pharmacies, banks, etc., toll booths, car washes, car park ticket machines. It would also have no re-sale value. 

[JFH 12,190]

*~*~*country-specific question moved to United Kingdom regional forum*~*~*

[Wuozopo 4,293]

2 hours ago, JFH said:

Is it worth it? Everything is geared up for LHD cars here. Drive-thru pharmacies, banks, etc., toll booths, car washes, car park ticket machines. It would also have no re-sale value. 

Exactly what I was thinking.  

 

8 hours ago, tomuk said:

I would like to know if and what I have to do to import 2011 Ford Galaxy from the UK (so RHD).

Curious if there is something collectible about your 8 yr old Ford that makes you want to bring it.

 

This website explains a lot of what is required. https://www.cfrrinkens.com/international-car-shipping/car-shipping-from-uk-to-usa/#PlatingVehicle

[Boiler 45,670]

Simple answer sell it and use the cash to buy something here.

[tomuk 25]

I would like to make a decision about if it is worth it or not by myself. I have couple reasons to consider the import:

 

1. Cars in the UK are much cheaper

2. I spent 50% of the value of the car in fixes

3. I need large car to fit 3 babies in and I know this one work

 

I saw much about that it should not be possible if car was never sold in the US, on the other hand I saw some articles saying it could be. As many Ford models are shared in between US and EU (focus, fiesta, mondeo/fusion), I wonder if Galaxy is possible, as it share Smax base and Smax was probably sold in the past in the US.

 

About RHD and drive throughs etc, I was driving LHDs in the UK and RHDs in continental Europe. It’s more difficult but you can do everything.

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

https://itstillruns.com/import-cars-uk-usa-6579402.html

 

Risk of damage during shipping

Shipping fees ($1000+)

Import fees (2.5% of car value)

difficulty in sales value in the future (RHD)

 

There are plenty of cars here which are large enough, yet economical....example:  I have a 2019 VW Tiguan which can seat 7 people.

 

I don't see a RHD 2011 Ford as having a great deal of value in the US.  Agree with @Boiler

[Boiler 45,670]

Insurance

Repairs

 

Probably could not bring it in for more than 6 months

[Crazy Cat 41,981]

2 minutes ago, Boiler said:

Insurance

Repairs

 

Probably could not bring it in for more than 6 months

Safety........

[JFH 12,190]

Sure it's possible to drive a RHD car here for a while - Brits take their RHD cars over to France and beyond all the time and drive them around on holiday for a week or two. It's inconvenient but doable for a short term.

 

It's quite something else having a car 'the wrong way round' as your main/only car and have to use it all the time. Plus this is a country where EVERYTHING is designed to be done without getting out of the car. Europe is less so. I am barely 5ft tall and I struggle with drive-thru ATMs as I can't reach properly in my little low car. The bank by my office only has drive-thru ATMs now and has removed the walk-up one. I tried to walk through the drive-thru and was told by a bank employee not to do that due to insurance in case I get hit by a car that doesn't see me or expect to see me there, etc. They are not covered for people using a drive-thru on foot.

 

You will need to have the car thoroughly cleaned underneath professionally as even the smallest amount of soil is not permitted by US Department of Agriculture due to potential pests.

 

Of course there are cars big enough for 3 children here. If anything, cars are bigger/wider here than in Europe. People here are always surprised by how small the cars are in Europe.

 

It'll take a while to get here. What are you going to drive until it does?

[Richard Purves 58]

It's a monumental PITA to import a car into the USA. There's rules on safety, on age, they have to be professionally steam cleaned to avoid importation of insect and other nasties. I believe there's also an importation tax equivalent to state sales tax. The RHD vs LHD issue assuming you made it that far becomes then an irritation that you have to live with on a daily basis. It's seriously not worth it.

[tomuk 25]

On 6/14/2019 at 8:20 PM, JFH said:

Sure it's possible to drive a RHD car here for a while - Brits take their RHD cars over to France and beyond all the time and drive them around on holiday for a week or two. It's inconvenient but doable for a short term.

 

It's quite something else having a car 'the wrong way round' as your main/only car and have to use it all the time. Plus this is a country where EVERYTHING is designed to be done without getting out of the car. Europe is less so. I am barely 5ft tall and I struggle with drive-thru ATMs as I can't reach properly in my little low car. The bank by my office only has drive-thru ATMs now and has removed the walk-up one. I tried to walk through the drive-thru and was told by a bank employee not to do that due to insurance in case I get hit by a car that doesn't see me or expect to see me there, etc. They are not covered for people using a drive-thru on foot.

 

You will need to have the car thoroughly cleaned underneath professionally as even the smallest amount of soil is not permitted by US Department of Agriculture due to potential pests.

 

Of course there are cars big enough for 3 children here. If anything, cars are bigger/wider here than in Europe. People here are always surprised by how small the cars are in Europe.

 

It'll take a while to get here. What are you going to drive until it does?

The car won’t be only one in the family. I don’t personally need drive through as I will work in city center and I have everything very close to the office. Car will be used for family trips where passenger will be there so can handle drive throughs in this case.

 

also, I know there are lot of nice big cars, bigger I can ever get here, but based on investigation, costs are three times higher I will get for mentioned car here. Advantage when you are buying car in the UK when immigrating here, disadvantage when selling...

 

cleaning and duties are clear to me, 2.5% is fine considering market price, the main question was about possibility. Because I saw something like it’s not possible to bring a car which was never being sold there.

[Wuozopo 4,293]

18 minutes ago, tomuk said:

cleaning and duties are clear to me, 2.5% is fine considering market price, the main question was about possibility. Because I saw something like it’s not possible to bring a car which was never being sold there.

It's about the emissions. It has to meet US emissions standards. Some cars already do because they were built for US market as well. The link I provided earlier explains some of that. 

 

Conforming vs. Nonconforming Vehicles

Generally, if a vehicle already meets the requirements for shipping to the United States, it is because that model was originally designed for export and sale in the United States, or was manufactured in the United States for domestic sale. As such, nonconforming vehicles are required to be modified to meet all applicable FMVSS and EPA emissions standards.

 

If your vehicle conforms to these standards, it will bear a manufacturer’s label on the engine compar........

 

etc, etc, etc for three more paragraphs.

[Boiler 45,670]

I would expect you could temporary import, when I looked it was 6 months. The other issues have been addressed.

[sclusa 1]

Hi tomuk,

 

Unfortunately you won't be able to permanently import.

 

Generally the car will need to be US specifications or be a returning US vehicle.

 

The only other ways are:

The vehicle is over 25 years old, which is then classified as a classic

The import is temporary, meaning it has to return within 1 year of entry

Modifications are done to make it US specification, which is an expensive process

 

If you would like to read more about it see our resources at https://www.schumachercargo.com/usa-car-imports/