Exporting Boxster to NL...

[kiwiinneworleans]

Well, work has told me I am on the move from the US to Europe (Netherlands to be precise). While many issues to deal with (family, assets etc) my MOST important question is this (don't tell them..) - can I take my baby? She is a stock standard 2000 986, no mods (even has orange side indicators lights etc.).

Has anyone reading this forum ever exported from US to Europe? Anyone aware of any modifications required to meet Europe standards (I am assuming there is none for a 986...)? My friend has a horror story of having to change his Jeep Grand Cherokee lights out to include a side indicator to the tune of $2k - he didn't realize until he got over there....

I looked up 986 price in Netherlands and for that age of car, shipping costs, and current exchange rate, it makes total sense to take it with me.... would be keen to get anything done on it before it goes on the ship.

Any advice much appreciated. Thanks.

[smagerstein]

Hi there.

I bought my Box late last year which is a US car (2002 base). Although I live in Slovenia I understand that all EU has same regulations.

The guy I got the car from imports 3 or 4 Porsches every year from USA no problems. He says he makes no changes to them at all unless they need some fixing for roadworthy certificates.

He sells them all through the EU. I will get his email for you and perhaps he can assist with the shipping or let you know how to prepare the car or who to deal with. He is a very nice generous guy who would be happy to help.

If the car is post 1997 all they do is a thorough roadworth check to make sure everything is working fine.

Pre 1997 cars have all sorts of tests to meet emision laws and I believe they are very strict on these.

So you should have no problems with your boxster.

About preparing your car for shipping I have no clue.

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.