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I heard that years ago, servicemen stationed in Europe would ship European cars back to the U.S. I don't know if that's still a thing, but maybe you could ask someone who's been stationed in Europe with the U.S. armed forces.
Not anymore. Military personnel, ex-pats, US diplomats can purchase US spec vehicles from some manufacturers in Europe and bring them back when they return. Foreign diplomats, foreign military personnel, automakers, auto racing teams, and foreign visitors can bring their vehicles to the US but there is a strict limit on how long they can stay and usually a bond is required.
Very often Peugeot vehicles are spotted in New Jersey as Peugeot still has an office there.
The necessity of retrofitting Euro-market-only cars for different air pollution standards and different safety standards tends to be VERY expensive, but the cost can be absorbed to a certain extent by gray-market importers of cars like that because they are dealing with...maybe...10 or 20 cars per year, and because the potential buyers of these cars have very deep pockets, and are willing to pay a large premium in order to possess a car that is not normally seen in The US.
However, for one person to attempt the same process with a decidedly down-market car, such as what the OP is contemplating, is simply not workable on any practical basis.
Another big cost is crash testing. It can cost millions to certify a vehicle.
Very often Peugeot vehicles are spotted in New Jersey as Peugeot still has an office there.
I have lived in NJ for the past 60 years, and even as a car buff who instantly recognizes obscure makes and models on the roads, I haven't seen a Peugeot of any type on the road for...many years.
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Originally Posted by robr2
Another big cost is crash testing. It can cost millions to certify a vehicle.
But, surely that incredibly expensive process would be cost-effective for one person who wants to import ONE absolutely mediocre vehicle!
You could, but it needs to be registered in another country and, I believe, there are limits to it even in that case.
Per some travel message boards, I think it's six months in the country for a non-antique car.
As far as Peugeots go, we rented one of their station wagons while in Europe, and the Chinese-Scottish rental agency clerk's description of it as "well, it's got four wheels and an engine" was pretty accurate. I'm sure the American hot hatch crowd would be all over some of their rally cars if a street version was allowed for import though.
Lots of very interesting advice / recommendations, Stanley . . .
However, after investing in all of the U.S Specs Requirements and you were finally able to "import" and ultimately register / license a Renault . . . what about repairs and maintenance down the road?
Also, what about resale if and when you decide to move on?
I heard that years ago, servicemen stationed in Europe would ship European cars back to the U.S. I don't know if that's still a thing, but maybe you could ask someone who's been stationed in Europe with the U.S. armed forces.
I believe today you can order a Mercedes and other European makes for delivery in Europe, drive it around on vacation, bring it to the port and ship it home. It used to be for what you actually saved on some high end models would pay for the trip. The manufacturers didn't have to pay an import fee because it was a "used car".
I believe today you can order a Mercedes and other European makes for delivery in Europe, drive it around on vacation, bring it to the port and ship it home. It used to be for what you actually saved on some high end models would pay for the trip. The manufacturers didn't have to pay an import fee because it was a "used car".
Mercedes, Volvo, and BMW all still offer a 'European delivery program' like that for North American buyers. If you can get the time off, why not break the car in with some autobahn driving?
I believe today you can order a Mercedes and other European makes for delivery in Europe, drive it around on vacation, bring it to the port and ship it home. It used to be for what you actually saved on some high end models would pay for the trip. The manufacturers didn't have to pay an import fee because it was a "used car".
All of that is correct, but it is important to add that these cars are ordered from US-based dealerships, and are built as "US specification" vehicles, even though they are delivered to the buyer in Europe.
Bringing a US specification vehicle into the US is not at all difficult.
What the OP contemplates is bringing a vehicle that is not "US spec" into the country, and this is just not practical--unless he has almost limitless cash to spend on that venture.
I have lived in NJ for the past 60 years, and even as a car buff who instantly recognizes obscure makes and models on the roads, I haven't seen a Peugeot of any type on the road for...many years.
They are definitely unicorns but if you go to their office in Little Falls I'm sure you'll see a few parked there with manufacturer plates.
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