Car documentation when Buying in US

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Lual
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#1 Car documentation when Buying in US

Post by Lual » Thu Sep 03, 2020 9:54 pm

Hi

Can anybody please tell me what is the documentation that a US car needs to have when you buy in order to import in Europe?

I am not familiar with the topic, and I have seen a document called Certificate of Title for a Vehicle, but I ignore if this suffices or any other document is mandatory. In some countries of Europe you have some kind of “technical card” containing some key details, like engine size in CC, hp, etc

Thanks a lot

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abowie
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#2 Re: Car documentation when Buying in US

Post by abowie » Thu Sep 03, 2020 11:04 pm

Probably the most sensible thing for you to do is to ask whoever the office responsible for registration of the car in your country is, and preferably get the answer in writing/email form.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB. 1979 MGB.
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Zei220
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#3 Re: Car documentation when Buying in US

Post by Zei220 » Fri Sep 04, 2020 3:08 pm

All you need is the title and bill of sale. Its easy to import from the US. If the car is over 30 years old and has been used on the road, there will be a tax receipt which will contain all the details of the vehicle. Example attached.
FORD PICKUP VEHICLE REG resized.jpg
FORD PICKUP VEHICLE REG resized.jpg (242.76 KiB) Viewed 3206 times
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abowie
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#4 Re: Car documentation when Buying in US

Post by abowie » Fri Sep 04, 2020 10:08 pm

While I can't speak for the UK, I have imported several US cars into Australia, and I think that it's more complex than just having a copy of the car's registration documents from the US.

Customs will need to be able to positively identify the car numbers to ensure it is what you say it is, and is not stolen.

They will also need to be able also to determine ownership and value for duties.

Finally there are safety related issues like the presence of asbestos that need to be addressed.

You need a paper trail to assure them of all of this, or you can end up with your car impounded.
Andrew.
881824, 1E21538. 889457. 1961 4.3l Mk2. 1975 XJS. 1962 MGB. 1979 MGB.
http://www.projectetype.com/index.php/the-blog.html
Adelaide, Australia

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Lual
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#5 Re: Car documentation when Buying in US

Post by Lual » Sun Sep 06, 2020 8:44 pm

Thanks for the answers

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tim wood
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#6 Re: Car documentation when Buying in US

Post by tim wood » Sun Sep 06, 2020 9:44 pm

Lots of threads on this some of which I have contributed to.
In my case the shipper was adamant that the Title must accompany the car. This was then provided to the DVLA in the UK in order to register the car.
Series 1 FHC purchased 50 years ago. Courted my wife in it.
Series 1 2+2 when the kids were small now sold.
Series 1.5 OTS in opalescent maroon, Californian car. My retirement present.

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