For A PURCHASE- Been there and done it! In 2019, I picked up a 1991 Plus 4. Drove it for two weeks in the UK to visit friends before we shipped it back. I'm partial to Grundy Worldwide. Reason: I had my Corvette insured with them for 20 years. They covered the Morgan while in the UK during the storage period at Berrybrook. Hagerty would not do that.
Shipping - I used a dedicated container from Southampton to Savannah. In the US, there are only like two ports that allow vehicles in a container. Otherwise you have to use drive on/off via Baltimore. While it's cheaper, consensus was (1) Morgan may have ramp issues and (2) you will most likely take damage on the drive on/off. Container costs in 2019 were about 2x the on/off option. Car came through with fly colors and no damage. Plus the container was tracked the entire time. I can give a reference in private chat. Shipped the first week of April and we picked up in Savannah about 4-5 weeks later. Drove me crazy watching the car dock at all the ports in Europe and then down the eastern seaboard.
Car Data - I used the 25yr exemption.....No DOT or EPA.... HOWEVER: car must be in original shape. So the engine must be unaltered from original condition (example: cats are still in place /smog equip still there, etc). You/shipping company fill out a DOT and EPA form.... that's it!
PIckup: The shipping company can hire a customs broker to bring it through... DO THIS... it costs a little but the car wont sit in customs at the port. DHS inspects in several manners. Each one cost differently. Simple x-ray of the container was like $300. If they download the container, it can go upwards of $2,000 depending! My car cleared customer in less than 45 minutes! It took me 3hrs to get through customs in Chicago!
Registering: In my state, they did not accept the DVLA-5... HOWEVER, have that in hand, make copies. Also, pull the safety inspection records for the car and have those in hand. Again, proof of where/when the car was. ***BILL OF SALE** my state used the bill of sale to create the USA title. Be sure that you record the exchange rate, etc to ensure you pay the correct sales tax for your state, if applicable. I guess in UK, getting something notarized is a big deal... On the bill of sale, have them HANDWRITE additional details transferring the vehicle. That will save you some grief.
License Plate - most states, for over 25, allow historic vehicle plates. In some cases, this may save you annual property tax, etc. Main point is most states will allow you to drive on the UK plate while you get the transfer done.
DVLA-5 - be sure to mail back the one part of the DVLA-5 to show the vehicle has been exported.
https://breezecustoms.com/blog/impo...tes/importing-a-car-for-show-or-display/ A vehicle may be temporarily imported for testing, demonstration, or racing purposes. A vehicle may be permanently imported for show or display. Written approval from DOT is required and should be obtained before the vehicle is exported from the foreign country to the United States.May 2, 2024
