Age for importing Unimog/DOKA

[mhiscox]

My post above was being typed just as Unirover's got posted, so that's why some of the information is duplicative. But he has provided what appears to be much more up-to-date information, whereas mine is based on the experiences I had importing Camper Mog years ago. The biggest difference would be that I didn't need a bonded broker to clear Customs and it is, apparently, a requirement now. Also, I had none of the requirements associated with Homeland Security to deal with; my import-end paperwork was limited to Customs and the DOT/EPA forms.

Anyway, it looks like you've now got solid, up-to-date information to go with. ExPo earns it's wings once again.

 

[unirover]

Unfortunately gone are the days when you could show up at customs with a registration and some DOT and EPA paperwork and do everything yourself in an afternoon. The biggest catch is you now need to be bonded. In theory if you were bonded you could do it yourself but the bond usually costs more than a broker. The shipping companies and brokers also have to jump through more security hoops than in the past. Also some people have played fast and loose with some of the regulations so Customs has gotten a bit more strict and and are thinking more in terms of enforcement as opposed to helping people through the process. However, if the vehicle is genuinely 25 years old and you work with a good customs broker, it is certainly still doable and in the end you should be successful. However, as Mike and others have said, do your homework, look at the EPA and DOT websites, and your states registration requirements for foreign or "grey market" cars. Also shipping is a lot more than even five years ago so make sure you get recent shipping quotes as opposed to numbers people threw around several years ago.

 

[supermoo]

Unfortunately gone are the days when you could show up at customs with a registration and some DOT and EPA paperwork and do everything yourself in an afternoon. The biggest catch is you now need to be bonded. In theory if you were bonded you could do it yourself but the bond usually costs more than a broker. The shipping companies and brokers also have to jump through more security hoops than in the past. Also some people have played fast and loose with some of the regulations so Customs has gotten a bit more strict and and are thinking more in terms of enforcement as opposed to helping people through the process. However, if the vehicle is genuinely 25 years old and you work with a good customs broker, it is certainly still doable and in the end you should be successful. However, as Mike and others have said, do your homework, look at the EPA and DOT websites, and your states registration requirements for foreign or "grey market" cars. Also shipping is a lot more than even five years ago so make sure you get recent shipping quotes as opposed to numbers people threw around several years ago.

Thanks for all the great replies. They are very helpful. I will go the route of the broker if this all plays out well. I am lucky as my wife is German, so there shouldnt be any language barriers and I would likely go with the seller from where the truck is located to the port where it will ship out of. I dont know yet how the $ exchange will work but this is something I will for sure be aware of.

I will check out the registration for the state to make sure there arent any issues there. With the Euro in the tank right now, this is one of the other drivers to buying something over there. Of course there is some attraction to buying the one in CA as it is so much closer and easier. It is close to what we want but then the ones over in Europe are super attractive as well. There are so many options over there right now.

As I go thru this process, I will post questions/comments/findings here so that it might also be helpful for future users.

Thanks again.

 

[nick disjunkt]

Most (all?) east coast ports require you to have a TWIC card to access the docks. Without the card you'll need an escort to take you around. Regardless of the legal requirements, the process of collecting a vehicle in the US is not nearly as straightforward as it is in Europe, and it's useful to have someone with you who knows where all the offices are and what paperwork, and how many copies you'll need.

If you ship to Baltimore, I used A1 escorts near top Dundalk, and they were great.

 

[Mrknowitall]

I don't even know how you could get something like this 'transported' out to the West.

I've been looking into it, and for me driving whatever back to MI from Baltimore would be the ticket. CO is pretty much in the middle, so its a haul any which way. Turns out west coast delivery is only a few hundred more (on a car) than east coast. I think you can get ro-ro delivery on the Gulf, too. Check into that.
Fire trucks seem to be the ticket- they live the good life while everything else has been beaten to death. Same goes for Varios, LT's, or even Transporters (those tend to have 1600cc NA diesels though)

 

[burquedoka]

Dude, you live less than two hours from two of the most knowledgable and stocked Unimog guys in the US. Call them before you proceed any further.
Couch Off-road in Denver
Rob Pickering at Terry Lee Enterprises in La Junta

 

[Steve Works]

Indeed. No need to get brokers involved. A 2 hour drive is not a big deal.
_____________________________________________________________
Steve Works
W2C customs training

 

[foxhunter]

I bought a u1200 from Pickering in May and seems like I remember at least two Dokas on the lot, but if one didn't need a doka, he had a sweet 2450 that would make a great chassis for a GXV, or other box .