NEEDED: Agent to import cars to California

[H-viken]

Hi

I'm looking for an agent to import two cars to California. I'll handle the transportation myself, but need someone to help me get them through customs and registered with the DMV.

Can anyone recommend a company who knows what they are doing?

Cheers!

Johan

[Aerkuld]

Having done this recently, I can tell you I used Ted L. Rausch to handle the customs side of things. The decision to use them was based purely on convenience; their location was fairly close to me, and they have established connections with the port and US Customs and Border Protection. I'm not sure whether I could have made my way through that myself as they needed to file paperwork in the USCBP system before the vessel sailed, and then again just before it arrived. They did this through an on-line system linked to USCBP and I don't know whether you can get access to that as a private individual.

Depending on exactly what it is you need they may, or may not be the best choice. My import was fairly simple - a pre '68 car - so there wasn't anything else that I couldn't do myself. I completed all my DMV, EPA, and DOT paperwork (including the stuff I sent to Rausch for customs clearance), and handled VIN verification and title application at the DMV myself. If you need someone to do this for you, or if your import is something which needs DOT and emissions certification then I don't think they'd necessarily be the best choice.

Are you able to provide more information about what it is you're importing? That may help with the recommendations.

Check this thread for some additional information:
Importing a car to USA from overseas

[H-viken]

Thanks for your input!

The cars I'm looking to bring back to California are a 2011 Toyota 4Runner that we are using here in Chile and my 1970 911E from Sweden

Johan

[Aerkuld]

Originally Posted by H-viken

The cars I'm looking to bring back to California are a 2011 Toyota 4Runner that we are using here in Chile and my 1970 911E from Sweden

Here's my take on this. Please bear in mind that I'm NOT an expert on the matter, but this is just my opinion based on what I've learned. I would suggest you do further research on the information below.

You're going to find both these cars will have to meet emissions standards. You're going to have to check whether they do or not. I'm not sure how much you know about this already.
For the 4Runner, I'm not sure whether Toyota build all their cars to the toughest emissions standards. Somewhere under the hood should be a sticker which will tell you whether the vehicle meets US Federal and, most importantly California emissions standards, similar to this;



If you're lucky, that car was built to California emissions standards. If not, things are going to get really complicated.

The 911 may be easier, but you will still have to show that it meets EPA emissions regulations for the time. I'm not sure what emissions equipment was on US market 911's in 1970 compared to the ROW cars, but if your car was not built for the US market you could have a problem with that one too. Again, somewhere on the car should be an emissions sticker. Maybe the 911 forum would be able to give you a better idea of the differences between US and ROW cars for 1970 model year.

In the rest of the US it's relatively easy to import a car over 25 years old. But California has it's own rules which make things VERY difficult / expensive / virtually impossible.

Some information - could be useful, or depressing;

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9a

https://www.arb.ca.gov/html/master_faqs/vehicle_faqs/greymarket_cars_faq.htm

Best of luck!

[rusnak]

I know a guy who is a professional estate liquidator. He sold me a car, and somehow and I have no idea how, had some specialist lady who took care of the registration. She had the tags, took care of the registration, smog, transfer tax, everything. It was fantastic. I got the car registration renewal in the mail last month, so yep, everything is kosher.

I would pair someone like them with a customs broker. I use a customs broker to import stuff from China. A guy named Hank based in Los Angeles. Smart guy.

[id10t]

IIRC there was something posted here that I read where if you are an AAA member they can do some of the registration/title/etc. work for you ...