Import advice

With the European prices of the 599 reducing importing one to the US looks like a financially prudent decision.

Does anyone have experience on importing a European car to CA?

Thanks

 

It is not so easy to import a car from overseas directly into the state of California. I am currently having issues with importing a 40 year old Lancia. See my other current post in the "Other Italian Car" section here on FC.

Watch out for "Title 49". Be prepared to get a letter from Ferrari stating the vehicle meets California safety standards. Getting a letter from Ferrari might not be that difficult to do, but I would advise you to get everything sorted out, and in order before bringing the car into California.

Also make sure the 599 you import has over 7,500 miles on it for the reasons stated below.

I received this information from the Treasurer of a local California Fiat club, you may find it helpful:

"...The only thing that could possibly be an issue
is if the car has less than 7500 miles on it. Then California could
technically consider it a "new car" and insist it meet emission
standards. I have never heard of this happening to a car as old as
yours.

Perhaps you are refering to Title 49 of the U.S. Code. It contains the
part prohibiting the import of vehicles that don't meet safety
standards, but does not apply to cars 25 years old or older.
When you bring a car in to the U.S. you have to fill out form HS-7 and
just check the box that says your car is 25 or more years old. If you
need a new one, do a search and print one up.

There's also EPA form 3520-1, that you can fill out yourself. Just
check the box that says your car is at least 21 years old and
unmodified. Then you're exempt from U.S. smog certification..."



All the best,

Tim

 

Tim, that is very helpful.

Thanks for taking the time to respond.

 

I don't believe age-related exemptions will apply to any 599.

 

You can not get a Euro spec Ferrari C.A.R.B certified any longer. You can make a Euro spec Ferrari '49 state legal', but that's it. Two years ago a friend of my attempted to bring in a Euro spec Enzo and the car was in legal limbo for a year and half before my friend just gave up. Sorry to say but you can not make a Euro spec Ferrari California legal. This is why you won't see any of the Euro spec F40s brought into California that are now able to be sold and registered under the '25 year rule'.

 

Honestly, there are so many in North America, save your time and sanity and buy a USA car


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

I think that is what I am going to do.

 

Greetings,

Has anyone heard of any recent rule changes on importing vehicles directly into the state of California? Just today, I was told by a trustworthy friend, who runs an Italian auto repair shop, that it is now "impossible" to import a car newer than 1966. Is this correct? Does anyone have any recent experience with this?

Could this possibly be a renewing of the "under 7,500 mile rule" or the Title 49 code enforcement stated in my post above? At any rate the Bureau of Air Quality Management seems to be getting progressively stricter, and does not want "old cars" in our state.

Thanks in advance,

Tim