US Vehicle Imports

Ready to Import Your Vehicle into the U.S.? Get Your Free U.S. Import Quote Now

At BorderBuddy, we specialize in facilitating the importation of vehicles into the United States, providing a seamless and hassle-free experience for our clients. Whether you’re a collector of classic cars, a fan of personal watercraft and recreational vehicles, or need to import heavy machinery for industrial use, we’re here to ensure that your vehicles arrive safely and comply fully with all U.S. import regulations. 

What We Do

Importing a vehicle into the USA involves navigating a complex array of customs regulations and compliance standards. Our services streamline this process, handling everything from paperwork to compliance checks. We specialize in the following types of vehicle imports:

Classic & Vintage Car Importation: 

We help you bring in vintage vehicles over 25 years old that capture a piece of history, ensuring they meet all necessary U.S. standards without compromising their originality.

Classic Cars (Typically 20-40 years old):

• Chevrolet Corvette (C3 generation, 1968-1982): Known for its distinctive style and performance, the C3 Corvette is a popular choice among collectors.
• Ford Mustang (First generation, 1964-1973): An iconic American muscle car, these early Mustang models are celebrated for their raw power and classic design.
• Porsche 911 (Air-cooled models, pre-1989): Renowned for their engineering and driving experience, air-cooled 911s are highly sought after.
• Mercedes-Benz SL (R107, 1971-1989): These are luxury roadsters known for their design and durability, popular among classic car enthusiasts.
• Jaguar E-Type (1961-1975): Often regarded as one of the most beautiful cars ever made, the E-Type combines style and performance.

Vintage Cars (Typically over 40 years old):

• Ford Model A (1927-1931): An earlier classic from the age of antique automobiles, the Model A is valued for its role in automotive history.
• Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud (1955-1966): This epitome of luxury showcases the grandeur of British automotive craftsmanship.
• Volkswagen Beetle (Pre-1965 models): The early Beetles are adored for their unique design and historical significance.
• Cadillac DeVille (1950s): Representative of 1950s American luxury, these cars are known for their dramatic tailfins and chrome details.
• Triumph TR6 (1969-1976): A British sports car beloved for its classic styling and robust performance.

Specialty Considerations for Importation:

• Regulatory Compliance: Vehicles over 25 years old are generally exempt from federal safety and emissions regulations in the U.S., which simplifies their importation. However, state-level regulations, particularly for emissions, may still apply, especially in states like California.
• Authenticity and Originality: Importers and enthusiasts often strive to maintain the original specifications of these vehicles to preserve their historical value. This includes original paint colors, interior fabrics, and engine specifications.
• Documentation and Provenance: Ensuring proper documentation—such as the original vehicle registration, any restoration work, and a clear title—is crucial for a smooth import process. Provenance, which details the car’s history and previous ownership, can significantly enhance its value.

 

Personal Watercraft & Snowmobiles:

Personal Watercraft (PWC) – Jet Skis:

You love jet skis, and so do we. Here are some of the prominent jet ski brands that we regularly import:

• Sea-Doo: Models like the Spark and RXT, known for their performance and innovation in design.
• Yamaha WaveRunners: Known for their reliability and models like the FX Cruiser and the high-performance GP series.
• Kawasaki Jet Ski: The original brand name synonymous with personal watercraft, known for models like the Ultra and STX.

When importing jet skis into the U.S., compliance with EPA water and noise pollution standards is necessary. Additionally, importers must also consider local laws and regulations regarding personal watercraft, as these can vary significantly depending on the state and locality.

Snowmobiles: 

Winters are tough, but zipping around in a snowmobile definitely makes it easier to handle. Examples of popular snowmobile brands that we regularly import include:

• Ski-Doo: Known for models like the MXZ and Renegade, which offer high performance in varied snow conditions.
• Polaris: Offers a range of models including the high-performance Rush and more utility-focused Titan.
• Yamaha: Known for durable and reliable snowmobiles like the Viking and Sidewinder.
• Arctic Cat: Features high-performance models like the ZR series and utility models like the Bearcat.

Importing snowmobiles involves understanding the emissions regulations specific to each state in the U.S., as well as ensuring compliance with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards for noise and emissions.

Heavy Machinery: 

Heavy machinery importation encompasses a wide range of equipment typically used in construction, agriculture, mining, and other industrial sectors. These machines are essential for large-scale operations and often require specialized knowledge to import due to their size, operational requirements, and compliance with various regulations. From construction equipment to industrial machinery, our team handles the heavy lifting needed to import these large and often complex vehicles. 

Construction Equipment:

• Excavators: Used for digging, demolition, and material handling. Popular models include the Caterpillar 320 or Komatsu PC200.
• Bulldozers: Known for their powerful capabilities in moving earth and clearing land. Examples include the Caterpillar D8 and the John Deere 850J.
• Cranes: Essential for lifting heavy loads and materials on construction sites. Models such as the Liebherr LTM 11200-9.1 and the Grove GMK6300L are widely recognized.
• Backhoe Loaders: Versatile machines used for digging, backfilling, and loading. The JCB 3CX and the Caterpillar 428F are typical examples.
• Motor Graders: Used for creating smooth, flat surfaces; the Caterpillar 140H and the Volvo G940 are popular choices.

Agricultural Machinery:

• Tractors: Fundamental for plowing, planting, and harvesting. Models like the John Deere 5075E or the Massey Ferguson 4707 are common.
• Combine Harvesters: Used for harvesting various types of crops. The John Deere S690 and the CASE IH Axial-Flow 9240 are examples of high-capacity combines.
• Sprayers: Essential for the application of pesticides and fertilizers. Examples include the Apache AS1040 and the John Deere R4038.

Mining and Quarry Equipment:

• Dump Trucks: Heavy-duty trucks used in mining and quarrying for transporting loose materials. The Caterpillar 797F and the Komatsu 980E-4 are among the largest.
• Drilling Rigs: Used for drilling and blasting in mining operations. The Sandvik Pantera DPi series and the Atlas Copco SmartROC are examples.
• Wheel Loaders: Important for material handling in mines and quarries. The Volvo L350H and the Caterpillar 992K are examples.

Forestry Equipment:

• Feller Bunchers: Used in logging to cut and collect multiple trees at once. Models like the John Deere 903M or the Caterpillar 552 are specialized for these tasks.
• Skidders: Vital for towing cut trees from the forest. The Tigercat 620E and the John Deere 648L are popular skidders.

Industrial and Manufacturing Equipment:

• Forklifts: Critical for material handling in warehouses and factories. Toyota and Crown offer models that cater to different lifting capacities.
• Conveyor Systems: Used in manufacturing and distribution centers to move products efficiently through facilities.
• Packaging Machines: Machines like stretch wrappers and filling machines, essential in packaging operations.

What We Avoid

At BorderBuddy, we focus on importing vehicles that add value and uniqueness to your collection or business. 

Cars and Trucks under 25 years old.

We avoid importing cars and trucks under 25 years old primarily due to the stringent and complex U.S. safety, bumper, and emission standards that these vehicles must meet. New and modern vehicles that aren’t specifically manufactured for the U.S. market often require significant modifications to comply with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. These modifications can be both complex and costly, involving extensive testing, certification, and potentially substantial engineering changes. This makes the process not only expensive but also time-consuming. 

Offroad Vehicles

We avoid importing offroad vehicles that are under 25 years old due to the intricate and often stringent U.S. safety, emission, and import regulations that govern these vehicles. Offroad vehicles, including ATVs, UTVs, motocross bikes, dune buggies, rock crawlers, rally cars, and overland vehicles, must comply with numerous regulatory standards, which can vary significantly from one type of vehicle to another. The process of ensuring compliance for newer offroad vehicles can be both complex and cost-prohibitive, involving extensive modifications, rigorous testing, and certification processes. This approach allows us to better meet the needs of enthusiasts and collectors looking for unique and classic offroad vehicles without the burdensome compliance requirements associated with newer models.

Cheap Cars (Under $10,000).

We avoid cheap car imports to maintain high standards of quality and compliance, essential for satisfying our discerning clientele who value reliability and excellence over mere cost savings. Cheap cars often fail to meet stringent U.S. safety and emission regulations, leading to potential legal and financial risks, including costly penalties and the significant expenses involved in upgrading these vehicles to meet current standards. This approach aligns with our commitment to providing premium service, avoiding the lower margins and higher regulatory risks associated with cheaper imports, and fostering long-term customer relationships based on trust and expertise in handling exceptional vehicles.

The Import Process

The process of importing a vehicle into the USA can be daunting, but we make it straightforward:

Start Your Import Journey

Ready to bring a classic, vintage, or specialized vehicle into the USA? Contact BorderBuddy today to discuss your import needs. Our team of experts is ready to guide you through every step of the import process, ensuring a smooth and compliant entry to the U.S. market. Call us at 1 (877) 409-8163 or email us at [email protected] to get started!

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