Relocate Defender to America

[AussieAub]

G'day guys and gals.
Not sure if this is the right place, but wondering how much difficulty is involved in moving my new beloved LR Defender from Perth AUS to Houston USA.
There is a STRONG possibility of a long term job offer in the new year, which would involve a relocation of my family and I to Houston, and as it's taken me so long to get my Defender dream car, I'd dearly love to take it with me!

Has anyone gone through this process, and if so, what is entailed?
I know there are differences between Australia and USA specs (not least the driving side, but that doesn't bother me too much!), but just how much might need doing to the vehicle to make it USA approved?

I've checked out the US import/customs departments web pages, but it's primarily paperwork and theoretical info, not very specific on actual physical necessities that may need applying to the Defender - fore warned is fore armed so to speak!

Thanks in advance for any advice and pointers.... :cool:

[Lotz-A-Landies]

You may find that a late model Defender does not comply with import rules and EPA regulations, particularly the diesel engine and occupant protection/lack of airbags.

[Maelgwn]

Have a look at the expedition portal forums - there is an American based Landrover forum there.

From memory it has to be over 25 years old to be importable permanently (i.e. for more than 12 months).

[ramblingboy42]

Well I saw defenders driving around USA very recently , so they must be able to be approved.

[DoubleChevron]

Well I saw defenders driving around USA very recently , so they must be able to be approved.

Were they the ones they were gathering up and crushing :o

[Jeff]

Were they the ones they were gathering up and crushing :o

Or were they old ones that had been completely rebuilt to look new?

Jeff

:rocket:

[The ho har's]

As others have said, pretty sure you can't take a new defender into the country. Well not permanently anyway.

Mrs hh:angel:

[101RRS]

There is a reason why LR cannot sell any new diesel LRs in the US and new new diesel private imports are crushed.

As mentioned, diesel vehicles over 25 or 30years old only.

Put a petrol V8 in your Defender and then not too many issues.

Garry

[Sitec]

Hi. I know little about exporting to the US, but as said before there have been some story's about vehicles being crushed... A lot of ex UK vehicles were exported there by one particular company (most stolen), and then sold at 'discount prices' with the knowing that they were not quite legit. The US cops then worked with the UK cops and did a sting a few months back.. The result, over 80 Land Rovers impounded and allegedly crushed. Yours being only a temporary visitor would prob have some stipulations.. Look up 107gus on here.. He is in the middle of importing his Series 1 107 LWB back into the US after his epic 'around Oz' trip. Tho his vehicle is old, he'd be in the middle of talking to those who would know the logistics with importing yours. Good luck.

[frantic]

From what I've read they have to be over 25 years to avoid epa laws. An idea could be take over 2 perentite landies and the bodywork to make them wagons as they are 87-90. I think but am not 100% sure you may need to convert them to lhd. There are a few companies over there that specialise in uk conversion. One forum is called d90 landrovers and they discuss it a bit.

[Jojo]

As others have already stated, a modern Defender cannot be imported legally into the US of A. Permanently, anyway. There are some loop holes, but these are quite tight and I would not invest much time and effort in finding and trying out these.
There might be an option for you to take along your truck as "personal belongings" when relocating, but you need to check carefully if your situation qualifies for it (e.g. you must have owned the vehicle for a certain amount of time prior to relocating and such).
Good luck!

[EastFreo]

My wife has already acknowledged that if we were ever transferred overseas the Defender won't be sold. My problem is that my Dad and my father in law would be fighting over who would look after it. One has a 300 tdi and the other a 1948 series 1!

[Red90]

To import the truck, the build date must be more than 25 years older than the date of import.

The truck MUST be in original configuration. The engine type, gearbox type, etc.. MUST match everything that can be decoded by the VIN. Chassis MUST be original with original VIN stamp. Any major replacement parts will prevent it from being imported.

You can bring a car in as a visitor for a period of time, but it must leave the country at the end of that period.

[107gus]

Having just imported from OZ to the US, what is said is true. 25 years old or older, in original manufactured configuration, and proper documents, it will come in just fine. Other than that you WILL have issues.

Gus

[AussieAub]

Thanks for all the info guys, much appreciated.
The move to the US would be seen as a long term/permanent one.
Don't really feel like all the hassle of buying an old one, swapping everything over, and all that jazz is REALLY worth it.

It'll be a shame to see her go as she's kitted up exactly how I wanted her, but if this job comes off, think I'll have to resign myself to selling before we move over. Bugger! :(

Cheers again.

[frantic]

Actually cost wise you could make a potential small profit. A 83-89 defender is selling for between 19,000 to some places asking double for restored re-interiored 110's.
Take over 2 perentite and either /or hardtops or 4 door wagons bodies panels, along with a turbo manifold, build one for you and one to sell.

Here's a us forum with a lot of listings and a bit on their legal.
Land Rover Defender Forum - Defender & Series Owners Community (http://www.defendersource.com)

[Michael2]

From my reading, there are 2 hurdles to overcome. DOT (Dept of Transport)& EPA (Evniromental Protection Agency) regulations. The 25 year rule is how long it takes these regulations to become non-applicable (I think EPA is 23 years and DOT 25 or maybe vice versa).

There were two models of Defender released in the USA, and so already come with DOT & EPA approval.

They were the 1997 90 (3ooTdi) and from memory the 1992 110 (200Tdi). My understanding is that these could be imported as they already have type approval, an email to the relevant authorities should confirm this.

Otherwise a car over 25 could include a Perentie, if you want to take an aussie car.

You are allowed to import your own car for private use, even if it doesn't comply, but it cannot stay in the USA for more than 12 months. I don't know if an annual trip to Canada or Bolivia counts as leaving the country and re-entering afresh though.

Good luck with the move, and I hope you get to keep your Landy.

[Red90]

From my reading, there are 2 hurdles to overcome. DOT (Dept of Transport)& EPA (Evniromental Protection Agency) regulations. The 25 year rule is how long it takes these regulations to become non-applicable (I think EPA is 23 years and DOT 25 or maybe vice versa).

There were two models of Defender released in the USA, and so already come with DOT & EPA approval.

They were the 1997 90 (3ooTdi) and from memory the 1992 110 (200Tdi). My understanding is that these could be imported as they already have type approval, an email to the relevant authorities should confirm this..


The ones that were sold in the usa were efi 3.9 liter V8s. Left hand drive with roll cages. To import one of those years the trucks must have all of that from the factory. Those spec vehicles were not made for any other markets.

[Dougal]

From my reading, there are 2 hurdles to overcome. DOT (Dept of Transport)& EPA (Evniromental Protection Agency) regulations. The 25 year rule is how long it takes these regulations to become non-applicable (I think EPA is 23 years and DOT 25 or maybe vice versa).

There were two models of Defender released in the USA, and so already come with DOT & EPA approval.

They were the 1997 90 (3ooTdi) and from memory the 1992 110 (200Tdi). My understanding is that these could be imported as they already have type approval, an email to the relevant authorities should confirm this.

Otherwise a car over 25 could include a Perentie, if you want to take an aussie car.

You are allowed to import your own car for private use, even if it doesn't comply, but it cannot stay in the USA for more than 12 months. I don't know if an annual trip to Canada or Bolivia counts as leaving the country and re-entering afresh though.

Good luck with the move, and I hope you get to keep your Landy.
There were never any landrover diesels sold or complianced for the us market.

[dullbird]

Get your self a pristine series vehicle and take that. They are worth a motza over there

[Michael2]

The ones that were sold in the usa were efi 3.9 liter V8s. Left hand drive with roll cages. To import one of those years the trucks must have all of that from the factory. Those spec vehicles were not made for any other markets.


There were never any landrover diesels sold or complianced for the us market.

The earlier 110s were V8s. However under the Defender badge the 1992 and 1997 models were sold. I saw a 1997 90 go for sale in the USA recently (ex-fire brigade from Chicago from memory), and that was a factory 300Tdi.

Worth asking the right people in the USA.

[JamesH]

On a positive note, what an excellent opportunity to get a pristine early Bronco!

[Dougal]

The earlier 110s were V8s. However under the Defender badge the 1992 and 1997 models were sold. I saw a 1997 90 go for sale in the USA recently (ex-fire brigade from Chicago from memory), and that was a factory 300Tdi.

Worth asking the right people in the USA.
Got a link so we can see the forgery for ourselves?

You can also find series vehicles on eBay which look suspiciously like puma engined defenders. They are also forgeries.

There are zero NAS diesel defenders. There are a lot of vehicles built to look like NAS but diesel and there are a lot of aftermarket conversions.

[isuzurover]

...I saw a 1997 90 go for sale in the USA recently (ex-fire brigade from Chicago from memory), and that was a factory 300Tdi.

...

It was either not a factory tdi or not sold new in the US. Pick one.

[Red90]

The earlier 110s were V8s. However under the Defender badge the 1992 and 1997 models were sold


Must be EFI 3.9 with roll cage from the factory. Not made anywhere else ever.

As stated earlier they have cracked down on the rules. Starting in 2012 they are extremely picky about everything being factory stock and 25 years old. Any variance from that it it will denied entry. This is all very well known and documented.