Exporting Boxster to NL...

When we shipped our miata from Hawaii to Missouri you have to completely take everything out. Everything. You cant have an air freshener, pens, cd's, maps, paperclips, anything in it. Really sucks too, because you could use your car to help ship stuff over there.

[Bavarian Motorist]

I know that emissions standards in the US are higher than that of Europe, that's why many Euro spec models make more hp than US models


(ex: 343bhp e46 M3 as opposed to US 333hp)


So for emissions it should be perfectly fine.

[thomschoon]

You need to look carefully at the tax issues with importing to NL, as well as the standards which can be found on the internet. The last thing you want to do is get your car over there and then have to get it out before the 6 month visitor limit ran out. Doing it correctly also would allow you to sell it in the EU, in general I found it would be cheaper to just buy one there as I was thinking of taking mine to Germany as I spend half my time there.

Good luck

[z12358]

Originally Posted by thomschoon

You need to look carefully at the tax issues with importing to NL, as well as the standards which can be found on the internet. The last thing you want to do is get your car over there and then have to get it out before the 6 month visitor limit ran out. Doing it correctly also would allow you to sell it in the EU, in general I found it would be cheaper to just buy one there as I was thinking of taking mine to Germany as I spend half my time there.

Good luck

Thom, can you please expound on this? I may be moving to Switzerland this year. New Boxster prices there are at least $20k more then in the US (especially considering the discounts from MSRP one can get here). If I calculate the hit I'll take on selling my new Box here, and buying a new (or close to new) one there, the difference becomes even larger. Are you saying that, even with these large differences, it may still be cheaper to sell here and buy there, vs importing one from here?

Kiwi, I am curious to learn what you conclude on this issue, so pls keep us posted, or PM me with an update if you prefer. I know Switzerland is not in the EU but there must be similarities in how these cases are treated.

Steve, can you ask your Porsche guy how he imports US cars into EU (taxes, procedure, etc.) or maybe PM me his email?

Thx.
Z.

[SD987]

Switzerland has a lower VAT than the Netherlands, but the tax calculation on import/export for non-necessities is generally the same. Tariffs are the same for most European countries, EU or not, currently 10% on passenger vehicles.

CIF (which is the cost/invoice value, insurance and freight)
Duty (10% of CIF)
VAT (7.6% Swiss, 19% NL - usually calculated on CIF + Duty)

So assuming (using round numbers for ease):
57K invoice on the Boxster S
3k insurance + freight

CIF = $60,000
Duty = $6,000
VAT = $5,016
Cost to you = $14,016

Assuming a CIF of $35K, Kiwi's cost would be @ $10,815.

Plus, the cost of bringing your vehicle in-line with the code, as previously noted.

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

Excerpted from: http://www.ideamerge.com/motoeuropa/shipping/chapter/index.html :

If you do decide to ship your own vehicle, you need to gather the necessary paperwork to satisfy US and foreign Customs. US Customs needs to determine that a vehicle shipped abroad is not a stolen vehicle. As such, you need to present Customs with two copies of a notarized title. You'll also need a Shipper Export Declaration form and a Declaration of Dangerous Goods form. Stationary stores sell these forms, but only in $15 pads of one hundred. You'll have to deliver your vehicle and the proper documents at least three days before the vehicle's scheduled departure. For details, citizens of the US should contact the US Customs Service Trade Operations, 1301 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20229, tel. 202 927 0300. While inquiring about such issues, ask how you can get an oval nationality sticker for your vehicle: "AUS" signifies it's registered in Australia; "CDN", Canada; "NZ", New Zealand; and, you guessed it, "USA", the United States.

But what about foreign Customs? Customs documents, issued in accordance with the terms of the UN Customs Conventions, are still required by a number of non-European countries in order to avoid the payment of the often substantial deposits demanded for the temporary importation of a vehicle (whether via a land-locked point of entry or a sea port). If you're a member of your national motoring club, the international organization it belongs to—either the AIT or the FIA will extend to you such a document, the "Carnet de Passages en Douane", that, in lieu of deposits, guarantees foreign governments that the organization will pay any Customs duties and taxes required if you don't re-export your vehicle. But before providing this document, your club will require you to place a deposit with them; the idea being that it's better to leave your deposit with someone you trust rather than in the hands of some capricious if not corrupt foreign government. But to repeat, European countries do not require such deposits or guarantees. Nevertheless, contact the nearest embassy or consulate of the country you're shipping to and ask for copies of any mandatory forms and instructions for getting cargo through their Customs. While you're at it, ask how long it takes to clear their Customs and what steps you must take to export from their country.

Hope this helps...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[z12358]

Thx SD and MN. Kiwi, sorry to hijack your thread, but thought it may be related.

Looks like importing a car to Switzerland is duty and tax free as long as you've already owned the car for 6 months and you don't sell the car within the first year of stay. Makes sense. The website has gobs of other related info.

http://switzerland.isyours.com/e/immigration/relocation/vehicles/importing.html

Vehicle owned for more than six months
If you've owned your vehicle for more than six months, it is considered to be part of your personal effects. You simply have to fill in a clearance request form for moving purposes and it will be exempt from import duty and VAT. You have the right to drive your car with foreign plates for a maximum of one year. The car is reserved for your personal use and cannot be loaned, rented or sold to a third party in Switzerland for a period of one year from the import date. If you do not comply with this condition (by selling your car, for example), customs will charge you retroactive import duty. The amount is determined on a sliding scale according to the age of your vehicle. Make sure that you are legally insured to drive in Switzerland during this period.

Z.