Thread: Relocate Defender to America

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!

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.

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

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.

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

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.

Originally Posted by 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..

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.

Originally Posted by 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.

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