Shipping a Land Cruiser to Europe

[120mm]

I am an American, moving to Germany in a month or so for a long term job. I own a 1996 series 80 Land Cruiser, and in the process of looking for cars in Germany, someone mentioned the idea of shipping my LC in a 20 foot container, along with a modicum of household goods, as an affordable way to get my stuff and a car there. Very light research indicated this could be done for as little as $2000 US.

I was wondering if the good people of this forum have any advice or knowledge of doing this.

Drew

 

[GeorgeG]

Hi Drew,I've done this few years ago.I've shipped on a platform from NYC area ho Hanover,DE and it cost me only 850 bucks.Containers are more expenssive and honestly I doubt to be only $2000. You'll end up paying more.If you dont want to ship household goods then container has only one "+". Protecting from sea water splashes and mist. Now comes the fun part. I assume your cruiser is a US registered one. You can drive it on US plates only certain period of time and then have three options: 1) Register it in Germany-permanent 2) Register as a temporary import 3) Move it out of the county.#2 suits your needs best. If you want to register the cruiser as a permanent import you'll have to pay tons of money on customs and environmental fees. Hope that info was useful to you.
Cheers!

 

[120mm]

Thank you for the information. I'm fortunate in that I'm coming in on a TISA work Visa, which exempts me from the taxes. I'm not sure, but the agency that approves those (I think) registers them as a temporary import on my behalf.

It's similar to the diplomat tags program, except we get German tags.

 

[GeorgeG]

That is correct! And it is your obligation to take the vehicle out of the country upon completion of your stay. Should you deside to sell it in Germany the new owner responsibility will be to pay all taxes for permanent import.

 

[clivehorridge]

I don't know if it's similar in Germany, but all the U.S. Embassy expat staff have their cars shipped over to Romania and drive on CD or otherwise temporary registrations. Their terms are usually for 2 years, but I've known some who have extended their stay.

 

[moggy1968]

I think Germany is pretty tight on permanently importing cars under 40 years old (don't quote me on the age) unless they meet current, very tight, emissions regs

 

[arthurpl]

I've imported few cars from States to Poland (that's more miles than Germany) couple of years ago via containers and it never goes above 1000$.

 

[120mm]

I don't know if it's similar in Germany, but all the U.S. Embassy expat staff have their cars shipped over to Romania and drive on CD or otherwise temporary registrations. Their terms are usually for 2 years, but I've known some who have extended their stay.

I'm told mine will be for as long as it's owned by myself or a fellow TESA visa holder. There are American cars that have been "temporarily" owned for decades over there. I saw an old minivan I sold to someone in 2008 still driving around when I was there last.

I think Germany is pretty tight on permanently importing cars under 40 years old (don't quote me on the age) unless they meet current, very tight, emissions regs

I've been researching some more, and TESA visa holders need to only pass the safety inspection. Unfortunately for me, that means I have to repair my emergency brake (frozen because it's an automatic), replace my shocks (which I was going to do anyway) and get tires that are snow rated, or get a second set of winter tires. I'm pretty sure I will just put 5 BFG AT KO2s on it and call it good. That and I must fix that cracked right rear tail light. It doesn't show white light, but would not pass the safety inspection.

I've imported few cars from States to Poland (that's more miles than Germany) couple of years ago via containers and it never goes above 1000$.

That's good to know. My initial quote I've found is around $1500 - $2000. We'll see when the time gets closer, though.

 

[120mm]

Yes, and I guess I have to fix the d*mned airbag light.

 

[yogi]

Yes, and I guess I have to fix the d*mned airbag light.

And if you think that's all you need to do to pass an anal euroland car safety inspection, boy are you in for a shock!!!! Most of the guys on here are Brits, an MOT (their equivelent to a TUV) is almost sane in comparison.

 

[120mm]

And if you think that's all you need to do to pass an anal euroland car safety inspection, boy are you in for a shock!!!! Most of the guys on here are Brits, an MOT (their equivelent to a TUV) is almost sane in comparison.

Yep. But fortunately for me, TESA uses the American military inspection stations, in Germany.

Where I live in the US, there is no inspection, whatsoever. Despite that, equipment failure is seldom, if ever, even a contributing factor to accidents.

I've come to the firm belief that vehicle inspections' primary purpose is to give some 70 IQ bureaucrat the opportunity to have power over others, or to deter private ownership of vehicles. Or both.

 

[froggy Steve]

unless its got a Certificate of Conformity, it wont get registered in Euroland........apart from UK who apparently is in when it suits them. Toyota wont give you one and unless you change everything on it that isnt CE marked (glass, mirrors, seat belts etc etc) then the specialist vehicle inspectors wont even look at it! So, your answer is use in Germany, when your stint has finished, flog it to some guy in UK

 

[120mm]

unless its got a Certificate of Conformity, it wont get registered in Euroland........apart from UK who apparently is in when it suits them. Toyota wont give you one and unless you change everything on it that isnt CE marked (glass, mirrors, seat belts etc etc) then the specialist vehicle inspectors wont even look at it! So, your answer is use in Germany, when your stint has finished, flog it to some guy in UK

I see what you did there.... Sounds like someone wants to score a rust free (well, not quite, but close) Arizona Land Cruiser that has been well-maintained.

It's good to know, though. My intent is to drive the wheels off it and ship it back to the US whenever the job is over here.

 

[froggy Steve]

lol, no way pedro! I like driving on the wrong side in Froggy land! Glad you are keeping it though

 

[120mm]

So now, more troubles. Am having a devilish time finding a company to ship my Series 80. It's not that there aren't companies; it's just that there are a gazillion of them that want my business, but can't actually ship a vehicle to Germany.

I went online, and now my phone and e-mail are blowing up with every Tom, Dick and Harriet that at best, sound like con artists.

Drew

 

[Shayne]

You could try Mezeron they are based in the Isle of Man but are international i think at least you know its a genuine firm and if they can't help they will likely tell you who can .

 

[Beau]

Try this company. I've been in touch with them recently and they've been helpful. http://www.autoshippers.co.uk/

 

[120mm]

You could try Mezeron they are based in the Isle of Man but are international i think at least you know its a genuine firm and if they can't help they will likely tell you who can .

Try this company. I've been in touch with them recently and they've been helpful. http://www.autoshippers.co.uk/

I checked, and they both use the same US agent for international shipping. So I asked them for a quote.

Drew