Now more than ever, American consumers are looking to foreign cars for optimal vehicular performance. Whether you are in search of a new car for better gas mileage, or to reduce your carbon footprint, or to simply have a more stylish car, there are a few things you should consider before importing a foreig model. When making your decision, be sure to consider the following factors.
The Import Fees
Import fees and taxes on new cars manufactured outside the United States are inevitable. Just as you would have with any imported good, there will be an added tax to the final price. Depending on the car make and model, this added tax might be rather minuscule. For example, if you purchase your car directly from a verified dealer whose business is based in the United States, the import tax will likely be integrated into the price.
What’s more, it will have been negotiated at a lower rate by the auto dealer. You will barely even know you’re paying an import tax! On the other hand, if you wish to purchase a rather exclusive car from a dealer outside the country, you should be prepared to pay the import tax upon entry.
The Shipping And Delivery
On that same note, shipping a car is no small feat and is a job that should be entrusted to reliable transporters only. Make sure there is an insurance plan included in your shipping price. There is a lot of risk involved in shipping and unloading freight, especially with heavy cargo such as cars.
Before being dispatched to your region, the car will need to go through international customs before being delivered. For this reason, choose a transport company will accompany you throughout the customs process. Ideally, you could pay them a flat rate that includes the import tax and administrative fees. This will save you a lot of time if you do not wish to navigate international customs processes.
Your Country’s Driving Norms
This may seem pretty obvious, but have you thought about the subtle differences between American-made cars and imports? If not, you should make sure that these differences are worth living with. If you are considering an English car for example, double-check that the steering wheel is not on the right hand side. And for most European cars, the speedometer is in kilometers per hour and not miles. And should you ever need a repair, it might be costly to order parts for your car if they are being shipped from overseas. This, however, is less and less of an obstacle as more Americans switch to imported cars.
There are many advantages to having an imported vehicle but be sure to consider these important factors when making your selection.
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