Importing/Exporting Cars to EU

22witha335 · 04-13-2008, 03:44 PM

hey guys,
I am an american, living in Germany, and am having a hard time deciding what to do about a car. Because of the exchange rate, i can buy a pretty nice car in the US, for the cost of a nice VW Golf here (no offense to Golf's). At first i just wanted to save all my money i am making over here, but i realized, for the price i am leasing my current car here, i could buy a really nice car from the US!

The only thing stopping me from buying a nice car in the states and shipping it over here is the tax i would have to pay on it, and the cost of any modifications.

The list of cars i am looking at purchase from, if there is a good way to import the car with minimal fees are following:
BMW M3
Audi S5

Those are my favorite 2 right now. I am going for luxury/speed, and trying to stay at or below 60k USD. At the current exchange rate thats about 38,000 euro. If you guys have any ideas, it would be a big help!
Thanks
Matt

reinaldo335 · 04-13-2008, 03:46 PM

i think that would not be possible.

22witha335 · 04-13-2008, 09:07 PM

anyone else have a thought......

E(@M# · 04-13-2008, 10:34 PM

dont know enough....but i have the slightest idea that it is illegal to do so.....regulations,etc.

JSH · 04-14-2008, 11:17 AM

Alot of people do this, there's actually another thread on the topic.

http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129943

Main problem for you is that you need to own the car in the USA for minimum of 6 months prior to import to Germany to avoid the taxes. You also need to continue to own it in Germany for a further 12 months. There is also a residency issue - ie: you need to have lived in the USA prior to import for a certain time too.

It sounds like you're already living in Germany. This may cause an issue.

04-13-2008, 03:44 PM	#1
22witha335 New Member 13 Rep 27 Posts Drives: A6 3.0TDI S-Line Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany, Oregon iTrader: (0)	Importing/Exporting Cars to EU hey guys, I am an american, living in Germany, and am having a hard time deciding what to do about a car. Because of the exchange rate, i can buy a pretty nice car in the US, for the cost of a nice VW Golf here (no offense to Golf's). At first i just wanted to save all my money i am making over here, but i realized, for the price i am leasing my current car here, i could buy a really nice car from the US! The only thing stopping me from buying a nice car in the states and shipping it over here is the tax i would have to pay on it, and the cost of any modifications. The list of cars i am looking at purchase from, if there is a good way to import the car with minimal fees are following: BMW M3 Audi S5 Those are my favorite 2 right now. I am going for luxury/speed, and trying to stay at or below 60k USD. At the current exchange rate thats about 38,000 euro. If you guys have any ideas, it would be a big help! Thanks Matt
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04-13-2008, 03:46 PM	#2
reinaldo335 First Lieutenant 22 Rep 350 Posts Drives: m3 ZCP 6MT, on order 09 m3 6MT Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: puerto rico iTrader: (0)	i think that would not be possible.
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04-13-2008, 09:07 PM	#3
22witha335 New Member 13 Rep 27 Posts Drives: A6 3.0TDI S-Line Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Germany, Oregon iTrader: (0)	anyone else have a thought......
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04-13-2008, 10:34 PM	#4
E(@M# Second Lieutenant 6 Rep 207 Posts Drives: 94' corolla Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	dont know enough....but i have the slightest idea that it is illegal to do so.....regulations,etc.
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04-14-2008, 11:17 AM	#5
JSH Private 2 Rep 80 Posts Drives: '08 335i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	Alot of people do this, there's actually another thread on the topic. http://www.e90post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=129943 Main problem for you is that you need to own the car in the USA for minimum of 6 months prior to import to Germany to avoid the taxes. You also need to continue to own it in Germany for a further 12 months. There is also a residency issue - ie: you need to have lived in the USA prior to import for a certain time too. It sounds like you're already living in Germany. This may cause an issue.
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