Cargt63

I searched the forums but did not find much useful information.

I am planning to import a GT3 Cup from Europe and need some information. Since it will be used for track use only, does it need to comply with any government regulations (DOT/EPA) or do you need a waiver? How does that work?
Duties? Is 2.5% correct? Since I do not plan to register it, I assume I do not have to pay State Sales Tax?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks

dmaxx

I did this in May. From my point of view, it is best to have someone that has done this before (a broker of some sort) to help you as there is a lot:

WRT EPA/DOT, you must file for a exception from the EPA and no, you do not register the car and there is no state tax. There is also no title. Ownership passes on a Bill of Sale.

People with their hands out and other fees/etc:

• EPA exception
• Customs at the origin
• Screening charges at the origin
• Handling charges at the export site
• Transportation to the airport (assuming you fly it over)
• Shipper's Declaration and Dangerous Goods paperwork
• Dangerous goods charge
• Airfreight
• Duty
• Merchandise Processing fee
• Customs clearance destination
• THC destination
• Pickup at destination airport

Definitely worth it

stujelly

done this 4 times now.

Hire an importer to handle everything.

Depending on value of car, and location where you want it delivered, 10k to 12k in cost

Believe it or not, air freight is only about 5k more

FLA997

With the exception of the 5 States that do not have a General Sales Tax, this is not true - unfortunately. The 45 States that have a General Sales Tax also have a "Use Tax" which was designed to recapture lost tax revenue from out-of-state (and out-of-country) sales. Basically, if you buy something outside of your home State and bring it into your home State (or any other of the 45 Use Tax States), you are "obligated" to pay Use Tax, which is normally the same rate as that States General Sales Tax. Emphasis on "obligated" - next to nobody actually does this voluntarily.

However; many state Department of Revenue offices actually look thru the import records AND search the BOLs as transporters enter the State. Months, even years later, they can (and will) send you a Bill...plus interest and penalties.

An item valued at $100 isn't going to grab anyone's attention at the DOR....but a $200k car and the Illinois 6.25% of tax revenue sure will.

Excerpt from the Illinois DOR (link below): "By voluntarily paying all of the Illinois Use Tax you owe on time, you will avoid being billed for unpaid tax and additional penalty and interest charges.Illinois is aggressively focused on collecting Use Tax using a variety of methods including examining the sales records of out-of-state retailers, sharing sales information with other states and gathering information on overseas purchases from the U.S. Customs Service. The Department bills any unpaid tax, penalty, and interest to Illinois residents who do not pay voluntarily. For taxpayers who do not have records to document their Use Tax liability, the Department will estimate the liability."

State of Illinois Use Tax

Just last week a friend of mine received a "bill" from the FL DOR for a Cup Car imported from the UK in 2017....Ouch.

redmonkey928

Agreed here in terms of using a broker, experience is well worth the dollars in getting the car into the states without hiccup.

Very good post and outline of this - spent a good amount of time reading up on this when I went through the same process on my end and could not have summarized it better.

Kimbleli

Can you refer an importing agency who can handle this process well?

FLA997

I've used the company below xx times and never a bad experience. Turnkey. Incredibly Simple.

CARS USA SHIPPING LLC
15205 S Main St
Gardena CA
90248
USA
Tel: +1 310 6956403
Fax:+1 310 695 6584
info@carsusa.com
www.carsusa.com

spiller

Great info. Sounds like Illinois is just as “hands out” as the state I live in here in Australia. I wonder if this same tax would apply if I were to ship my cup car from Australia to Illinois, given that I already own the car in Australia and have done for a period of time?

Cargt63

Thank you for your extensive reply. This is very helpful!
How much duty (%) did you pay?

Cargt63

Does you number include the duty?
It seems very expensive because the freight I got quoted is around $2500. That excludes handling and duty stateside.

dmaxx

About 2.5%

Cargt63

Thanks. Yes, that is also the info I have

stujelly

plus 1 for cars

redmonkey928

You are going to be much higher than $2500, average I'd say is around $10-12k as mentioned - freight is one charge of many:

- freight
- customs inspections
- duties
- container fee
- port fees

Just to name a few, I paid $12k to do this - and my freight quote was well under half of that amount. Then you still need to get it from the port when it arrives in the US; and I'd be weary of using a discount shipper when it comes to doing something like this. If it's not done correctly, and the car gets tied up in customs for searches/or documents are not in order and it doesn't clear in a timely fashion and they put the container into "storage" at the port; none of the price savings will be worth the headache.

Experience > price in this matter.

Cargt63

Thank you for your answer. I am not planning to fly it over. Too expensive. My plan is a dedicated container because typically these cars come with several sets of tires and they can be easily loaded with the car.