Help with importation | FerrariChat

Help with importation

Discussion in 'Ferrari Discussion (not model specific)' started by Lumpy Ness, Jul 12, 2025 at 6:50 AM.

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  1. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

    Yesterday
    7
    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    Hello,

    I am working on getting a Ferrari registered in the US. It looks like it was brought in without jumping through all the required hoops and I need to fix it. I inherited the car and don't have access to all the paperwork. Could anyone send me a copy of a letter from Ferrari (with your personal and car details blacked out, of course) stating that their car complies with US safety guidelines (FMVSS I think?). I would like to sell the car and I'm working on finding someone who can help me with the process. I would like to not involve the local dealer, apparently the person who died had a bit of a rough relationship with them. They were also a bit of a celebrity, so I'd like to keep it as quiet as possible out of respect to the rest of the family.

    I understand an independent shop can do the necessary inspection, but I want to be sure I ask them to do the right things.

    Thanks very much for any assistance that can be offered. Please feel free to PM if more information would help. Apologies if any of the above is incorrect, I am not an expert in this area.

    Sincerely,

    Lorval
     
  2. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,662
    South East
    Full Name:
    Jimmie
    You could start by telling us which model and year and origin as that will affect the process
     
    technom3 likes this.
  3. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

    Yesterday
    7
    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    Thank you for the suggestion. The car is a Ferrari FF. 2012 model year, though I believe this one was manufactured in 2011. We think it was originally sold in Canada. As far as we can tell, it does comply with all the required standards for US importation.

    Much appreciated.
     
  4. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
    18,524
    Phoenix AZ
    Full Name:
    Justin
    It needs to have an fmvss sticker and EPA stickerif the 8th digit of the vin is an A you should be fine.

    If you need a letter of compliance... Which you do you need to contact Ferrari and they will provide one.

    Posting one without the personal info allows people to Photoshop their own vin in and erroneously import cars and potentially victimize owners for decades.

    The right way is to contact Ferrari if North America and ask for the letter of compliance. That is about all you should need.

    The import tarrif is going to be HUGE.
     
  5. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

    Yesterday
    7
    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    Ah, right. Thank you. I always assumed with the VIN you could get the history.

    I spoke to Ferrari of North America. I was a bit surprised, but the we're not helpful and seemed a bit put off by having to speak to me directly. They told me they would not provide one unless I worked with a dealer. I believe an independent may be my only hope. If anyone would be willing to send me one directly, or if there is another way to understand what needs to be in it, that would be great. Even just retyped text in a PM without the letterhead or anything would help.

    Thank you all for your kind assistance.
     
  6. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
    Rossa Subscribed

    Mar 29, 2007
    18,524
    Phoenix AZ
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    Justin
    Does your car have the EPA and FMVSS stickers?

    Post your vin.
     
    AandSC likes this.
  7. BMW.SauberF1Team

    BMW.SauberF1Team F1 World Champ

    Dec 4, 2004
    14,418
    FL
    I ran into same issue when contacting FNA about getting a letter on an Fcar outside the US under 25 years of age. They punted me to my dealer who weren't interested in helping so I gave up and moved to a different brand of cars to own.
     
  8. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

    Yesterday
    7
    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    Thank you. It does have the EPA sticker. Instead of the FMVSS sticker, it has the Canadian version below. The VIN does match the one on the car.

    I think if I could replace this with the identical US version, it might work. Again, any suggestions would be gratefully received.

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  9. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

    Yesterday
    7
    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    The 8th digit is the letter "A". Can I please ask the significance of that? Thank you very much.
     
  10. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

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    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    It is surprising to me, as I understand these are very expensive items. Perhaps the idea of customer service is different in Italian culture. Though I have had several Italian tailors who were very gracious in spite of being extremely talented and having a wait list for customers. I suppose automobile manufacturing might be a bit of a rougher trade, though I have no expertise whatsoever.
     
  11. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,732
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
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    Steve Magnusson
    #11 Steve Magnusson, Jul 12, 2025 at 8:53 PM
    Last edited: Jul 12, 2025 at 8:59 PM
    Because it indicates the intended market for the car -- VIN eighth digit "A" is "Left-Hand Drive, North America" (and something else might be more difficult). May I please ask why don't you just sell it as-is (or in Canada)? Seems you'll just be doing a lot of hassle for someone else (for something you inherited and don't want to keep) - JMO.
     
  12. Lumpy Ness

    Lumpy Ness Rookie

    Yesterday
    7
    Full Name:
    Lorval Nespersky
    Thank you for the follow up. And excellent questions.

    it would be very difficult to get it into Canada as well. Their customs would likely want the same forms. Plus there are duties, transport costs, currency exchange costs and, as of this week, 35% additional tariffs. That is quite a haircut to take.

    As to why I am jumping through these hoops, in the US, the executor of an estate has a duty to try to maximize the value to the beneficiaries. I knew I was taking on that requirement when I agreed to be named as such in the will. And only a small percentage of the proceeds will be mine. There are aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, nieces, attorneys, etc. I am not complaining. I would honestly do this even if it wasn’t the legal requirement (they are lovely nieces). We are very fortunate that our relative was kind enough to share his good fortune and hard work with us all. But it is a lot of work to sort it all out and I am trying to do the best job I can.

    I will keep working on this. Thanks to all who have posted and messaged me. Have a nice weekend.
     
  13. Steve Magnusson

    Steve Magnusson Two Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa

    Jan 11, 2001
    26,732
    30°30'40" N 97°35'41" W (Texas)
    Full Name:
    Steve Magnusson
    Oh, so when you wrote "I inherited the car" that isn't true, and you are actually the executor of an estate? My caveat emptor radar just went off...;) (Seems very odd that you would spend estate funds to "improve" an estate asset in the hopes of getting more for it -- would be like spending estate funds to remodel a house before selling it. But good luck with whatever shenanigans you pursue.)
     
    technom3 likes this.
  14. technom3

    technom3 F1 World Champ
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    Mar 29, 2007
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    Justin
    I literally always got them for free from Ferrari of North America when I was importing cars from Dubai.

    Something isn't adding up.

    You want people to post the letter so you can Photoshop your info into it.

    I'm getting this from you not wanting to post your vin.

    Not even having the slightest understanding of the significance of the a in the vin when a very simple Google or AI search would decipher this.

    You haven't answered if you have the dot and fmvss stickers.

    Ar the end of the day if you don't have those stickers and you have a letter of compliance you are likely dead in the water.

    Post pics of the car and sticker

    What country is the car in if it is not in Canada and not in the US?

    I apologize for being curt but it smells fishy. Perhaps I'm over reacting in which case I apologize in advance
     

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