Importation of G wagens

[jj86gn]

Hello all,

First post and a very big question. I was looking at a bug out vehicle, has to be ex-military, to go with my 05 Suburban. At first I was looking at a ex-MOD Land Rover 90, but after such a negative and derogatory comment on Landyzone.com, I decided the Brits can keep their ride. No offense to anyone, just the folks on that web site are very rude. :mad:

Anyway, now I am looking at the 250 GD or 300 GD, 4 door or cabrio. The current situation right now is I could be deployed to Lithuania for two years as part of a miltary co-op. Seems like a great tour. Well, looking at some of the Euro web sites I see several ex-Bundeswehr for sale. Now if I obtain one overseas, what are the chances of importing it back into the USA? Looking at the EPA and NHTSA web sites, I see that the G wagons are importable, but they don't mention the 250 or 300 by name. Any help into this matter would be appreciated.

jj86gn

[zimm]

25 year rule.

[Canada G]

Is there a special rule for the military?

[morrisster]

USA is 25 year rule, canada is 15 year rule. no exceptions for type of vehicle

[Canada G]

In the past their were some american soldier, located in Germany who were allowed to come back to the states with their car they used in Germany.
Maybe they are no longer allowed to do this. I don't know.

[haven]

The NHTSA list of non-complying but still importable vehicles is here
http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG010906.html

Vehicles are on this list because a registered importer petitioned NHTSA for approval to import. To get approval, importers have to describe how the foreign vehicle differs from USA safety and emissions requirements, and how the vehicle will be modified to meet those requirements. Only a registered importer can perform this work. It's very expensive.

The rules are relaxed for vehicles 25 years old or older. That's the best route for most people. The G-Wagen first appeared for sale to the public in 1979, so there are several model years that are more than 25 years old.

[jj86gn]

I have that list and it's doesn't list the g250 or g300 by name. Just says G wagon: year so and so. I think the one time exception rule was change under our "Great Leader" err the current el-Prezidente.
So, since they don't list the vehicles by name, just "G wagon” can I assume I can get it into the country. http://undergroundfreakz.com/s/cwm/cwm/cwm13.gif

Tried talking to a person at the EPA and NHTSA. Like trying to talk to the Pope. I'm hoping someone on this site had the experience of importing one for the EU and can give be a definite answer. Either that, or I'm gonna have to wait until the USMC get rid of theirs.:Wow1: And good luck with that.

[zimm]

25 year rule.

[zimm]

do you really think any decision on vehicle importation was made at the behest of The President of The United States of America?

[haven]

So, since they don't list the vehicles by name, just "G wagon” can I assume I can get it into the country. .

If it's on the list, then a licensed vehicle importer can get the vehicle into the country after they make the changes specified in the original exception granted by NHTSA. You have to hire the importer before the vehicle hits the docks. You can avoid this issue only by importing a vehicle that's 25 years old.. I know this isn't the answer you wanted to hear, but it is what it is.

FYI, the NHTSA rules about importing non-compliant vehicles were introduced in 1988 after a lobbying effort by Mercedes-Benz to stop the personal importation of European models.

[zimm]

FYI, the NHTSA rules about importing non-compliant vehicles were introduced in 1988 after a lobbying effort by Mercedes-Benz to stop the personal importation of European models.

he was talking about the mentioned GI waiver.

[haven]

Military personnel stationed overseas are granted an exemption to the duty Customs collects when a vehicle is imported. But the vehicle has to meet applicable safety and emissions rules.

Foreign military and diplomatic staff assigned to USA can import non-complying vehicles because they are considered visitors.

[RMP&O]

FYI, the NHTSA rules about importing non-compliant vehicles were introduced in 1988 after a lobbying effort by Mercedes-Benz to stop the personal importation of European models.

I didn't know that. Thanks for that tidbit of info. It explains how my 83 Patrol was imported in 1987.

[otiswesty]

Most of the military Gwagens are model type 461. These have never been approved for import via a registered importer or otherwise and would have to be 25 yrs or older to import legally to the USA. The 1st 3 dgits of the vin will be either 460, 461, or 463. These are the three primary models of Gwagen that have been produced. 460 abd 463 for civilian use and 460 and 461 for military or some commercial uses.
The NHTSA list does not include 461. The Gwagens mentioned are all 463 model after 1990.

If the 250GD or 300GD you are looking at is a 461 less than either pass or get an equivalent 1987 or older vehicle. Usually there will be a 300GD mil spec 460 on mobile.de that is equivalent to the later 250GD 461's.

[jj86gn]

Thanks for the info. I didn't even thinks of the 300GD mil spec 460. And I believe that's a four door model, right. Well if all works out I'll have two years overseas to work this out.

P.S. Zimm, what part of Pittsburgh are you from?? I'm North Hills.

[mk216v]

FYI, the NHTSA rules about importing non-compliant vehicles were introduced in 1988 after a lobbying effort by Mercedes-Benz to stop the personal importation of European models.

I will spell it for you; G-R-E-E-D

[mk216v]

If a vehicle isn't on the NHTSA list, you can have an RI petition to get it on there, which will probably cost two arms and a leg.

A W461 can be illegally imported into the States with some trickery and smoke/mirrors.
Kind of like how all of those damn Rover's sneak into the USA.

[DividingCreek]

If you are stationed in EU and your orders bring you back stateside, our Uncle will ship your truck with your hhg for free. Again if your orders have you coming back (have had customs ask for copies-depends on the officer handling your entry, some can be real cowboys) you will be exempt from duty which isn't much (2.5% of what you pay for the truck). Those are the only breaks for military personel-although those are nice perks. I have imported hundreds of vehicles and have yet to see anyone go the route of federalizing a vehicle on the DOT list, it does happen, just not to older Rovers and Gwagens. To say it's exhorbitantly expensive is an understatement-$20k seems to be a starting point on estimates. Zimm's right, the 25yr rule is your best route.

[Longtallsally]

We're sending our '85 back with HHG. And it should be clarified that you generally only get One shipped with HHG. However, I've heard the Wolf can't be imported due to the camo paint job. A decent 300gd with no rust = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

I'm sure you are checking mobile.de and autoscout.de

We did a truck load of research and it really boils down to the 25 year rule as zim said. We might have to add a cat as the 300d motor was sold in the states, but we're set otherwise. Well be using the military title as well for ease of transfer.

[Gren_T]

I don't know if they are still available but jackson's in the UK are showing 5 G's for sale. & the date into service is 1986
and they are lefties..
linky:http://www.ljacksonandco.com/index.php?option=com_joodb&view=article&joobase=10&id=11705+mce_href%3D&Itemid=260

regards All

[zimm]

We're sending our '85 back with HHG. And it should be clarified that you generally only get One shipped with HHG. However, I've heard the Wolf can't be imported due to the camo paint job. A decent 300gd with no rust = $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
.

if i had the opportunity to import a wolf, i'd spend the bucks on 20 cans of krylon, and get that sucker in! paint some flowers on it and tell 'em its not camo, but a rendition of some vangogh in a dutch field. it would end up getting blasted stateside anyway.