Where to import a RHD ferrari and how to the US | FerrariChat
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Where to import a RHD ferrari and how to the US

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by beamthegreat, May 18, 2014.

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  1. beamthegreat

    beamthegreat Rookie

    May 18, 2014
    3
    #1 beamthegreat, May 18, 2014
    Last edited: May 18, 2014
    Hi! I'm new to this forum.

    Before I begin, I would like to state that I am not from the U.S. and I am currently going to study there for at least 4 years.

    My country charges an outrageous amount of tax on sports/exotic cars, however, it states that I am able to import 1 car if I have used it for at least 2 years. So after I finish my education I will bring it back to my country without having to pay for the import tax.

    I'm currently thinking of purchasing a new right hand drive Ferrari probably by importing it from England.

    I've read some website and it states the following about importing a Right hand car

    "A person looking to import a car under 25 years old must bring the vehicle up to U.S. emission and safety standards set for the original model year of the vehicle. This means the vehicle must be equipped with U.S.-specification airbags, knee bolsters, lights & lenses, seat belt buzzers, door reinforcement crash beams, and more. Then it must pass separate emissions cleanliness tests."

    -------------------------------------

    My first question is: which country (with RHD cars) charges the least amount of tax when exporting sports car?

    Secondly, my budget is around 200k. Will all new Ferrari satisfy the condition above? Also, what are the procedures for registering a RHD car?

    Thanks!
     
  2. I<3strippers

    I<3strippers Karting

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    #2 I<3strippers, May 18, 2014
    Unless your a diplomat, I don't think your getting the car past customs. Sounds like you would be trying to import a grey market car.
     
  3. Ingenere

    Ingenere F1 Veteran
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    #3 Ingenere, May 18, 2014
    I don't believe there are export taxes. You just have to pay import duty to the country you are importing to. In the US it's 2.5%

    So, let me get this straight.... you are a student with a $200,000 budget to buy a car? Where do you go from here?

    You would be best to get a 25+ year old Ferrari. No legalizing. No EPA or DOT. Just pay your import duty and go.

    I'm still challenged with student and $200K car budget in the same sentence. I couldn't 'pay' attention, let alone afford generic mac & cheese when I was in school.
     
  4. clm412

    clm412 Formula Junior
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    #4 clm412, May 18, 2014
    I know several students that have Ferraris, Lamborghinis, GTRs etc.... and sometimes multiples. I'm sure there are plenty more that I don't know of. That is on top of paying tuition and, for some, over 100k in rent each year. Other friends have simply bought apartments here in NYC for their time here. It's over $600/month to park exotics in the garages here downtown. A specific acquaintance likes to brag that he spends over 500k/year going out to the local clubs. When you total up the numbers, they are absolutely staggering.


     
  5. bundas

    bundas F1 Veteran
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    #5 bundas, May 18, 2014
    some are more equal than others
     
  6. Nospinzone

    Nospinzone F1 Veteran

    Jul 1, 2013
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    #6 Nospinzone, May 18, 2014
    You are going to be a student for 4 years and a Ferrari is going to be your daily driver????

    No offense, but you do need an education.
     
  7. Smiles

    Smiles F1 World Champ
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    #7 Smiles, May 18, 2014
    Where is your country?
     
  8. beamthegreat

    beamthegreat Rookie

    May 18, 2014
    3
    #8 beamthegreat, May 19, 2014
    I'm from Thailand. If you import a 200k$ ferrari here the US to Thailand, it will cost in excess of 600k+ in Thailand due to tax. It's ridiculous.

    As for people who are questioning how I am able to afford it, my parent owns a large real estate business in Thailand.

    Anyways, could you guys please tell me how to purchase a RHD ferrari in the US? I'm thinking of contacting a dealership and placing a custom order for them to ship one from England, would that be possible?

    Are there any legal implications? I would prefer to buy a brand new one instead of a used one.
     
  9. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #9 greyboxer, May 19, 2014
    Your budget won't buy you a new tax free Ferrari anywhere in the world

    The USA will not register a new RHD Ferrari

    Nice plan but......
     
  10. beamthegreat

    beamthegreat Rookie

    May 18, 2014
    3
    #10 beamthegreat, May 19, 2014
    Are you sure? Can you give me the source that says I can't register new RHD ferrari in the US? What about used one (<2 years)?
     
  11. jtremlett

    jtremlett F1 Rookie

    Feb 18, 2004
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    #11 jtremlett, May 19, 2014
    You need to contact Dick Merritt at the US Department of Transport (I think he is still the man there). He should be able to tell you what is allowable and what would need to be done to a car you wanted to import and is well-known in Ferrari-circles. Note that a UK-spec RHD car (which is the same spec as for Thailand) is not the same as US-spec car with the steering wheel on the other side. There are different regulations for emissions, indicators etc.

    After you have spoken to him then, assuming something is possible, that will guide you as to whether you next speak to a US or UK dealer.

    Jonathan
     
  12. 3604u

    3604u F1 Veteran
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    #12 3604u, May 19, 2014
    Let me guess , you are Malaysian :) study in the Uk.

    Easier mate
     
  13. 4rePhill

    4rePhill F1 Veteran

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    #13 4rePhill, May 22, 2014
    If your budget is $200K then you're not going to be buying a new Ferrari in the UK! - The cheapest new Ferrari in the UK lists at @ $256K.
     
  14. PAUL500

    PAUL500 F1 Rookie

    Jun 23, 2013
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    #14 PAUL500, May 23, 2014
    You can order a UK spec RHD Ferrari in any other european country, so why not enquire about ordering a rhd one but to US spec and have it delivered there or into Europe and then shipped to the US, use it then take it home after the 4 years.

    It seems your budget needs to be upped in order to do so though.

    The other option is in your final year, have a rhd UK spec used Ferrari shipped into the US under a carnet as a temporary import, use it for the period then ship it home, job done, and no US import duties or taxes either then.
     
  15. SPEEDCORE

    SPEEDCORE Four Time F1 World Champ

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    #15 SPEEDCORE, May 23, 2014
    Assuming you can get a UK spec RHD car into the USA another major issue will be getting insurance which is required as one of the documents.

    You only need to own the car for 18mths and you are going over for 4years so you have plenty of time to do your research, most importantly is getting the correct information from your government before attempting to import anything. One wrong document is enough to seize the car and you will be out of pocket.

    Customs English
     

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