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bobkoure · 11-25-2004, 06:02 PM

I've done this a couple of times in the other direction (into the US).
Make sure whatever vehicle you buy meets (and has certificates for) the safety and emissions standards of your destination. Sometimes the easiest way to do this is to combine purchase with a trip to wherever you're buying from. Arrange to buy a for-Sweden model and drive it for as many kms as are necessary for it to qualify as used. You may also have to put it into storage for some months - wasn't necessary for bringing US models bought overseas.
You might also check South American countries. In the 70's at least, Costa Rica BMWs (motorcycles) were US-certified models so it was very straightforward buying one there and driving it home. Lots cheaper than buying a BMW in Germany and shipping it home.
Come to think of it, you have checked prices in Spain and Portugal, right?
A friend of mine bought a Lamborghini in the Azores and brought it back to the US - but it was a Lamborghini... tractor

More seriously, what happens when you buy a vehicle elsewhere in the EU and drive it home? The tariff barriers are supposed to be down, right?
These days, there isn't much financial reason to bring a European bike into the US - not that I wouldn't do it again as there's something very magical about riding a Ducati in the Dolomites - and it does save you any costs involved with renting.

11-25-2004, 06:02 PM	#7
bobkoure Cooling Savant Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: USA - Boston area Posts: 798	I've done this a couple of times in the other direction (into the US). Make sure whatever vehicle you buy meets (and has certificates for) the safety and emissions standards of your destination. Sometimes the easiest way to do this is to combine purchase with a trip to wherever you're buying from. Arrange to buy a for-Sweden model and drive it for as many kms as are necessary for it to qualify as used. You may also have to put it into storage for some months - wasn't necessary for bringing US models bought overseas. You might also check South American countries. In the 70's at least, Costa Rica BMWs (motorcycles) were US-certified models so it was very straightforward buying one there and driving it home. Lots cheaper than buying a BMW in Germany and shipping it home. Come to think of it, you have checked prices in Spain and Portugal, right? A friend of mine bought a Lamborghini in the Azores and brought it back to the US - but it was a Lamborghini... tractor More seriously, what happens when you buy a vehicle elsewhere in the EU and drive it home? The tariff barriers are supposed to be down, right? These days, there isn't much financial reason to bring a European bike into the US - not that I wouldn't do it again as there's something very magical about riding a Ducati in the Dolomites - and it does save you any costs involved with renting.