How much to internationally ship 07 SUV? (roughly?)?

Question

say an 07 toyota rav4 from a middle eastern country to the east coast of the USA.

woah, i cant "dump" an 07 suv, i'll need to use it over there during the year and was wondering if i can find easy transportation during the summers/holidays by shipping... 07 toyota rav4 is made and only made in japan, and is the last car in toyota's line to be made in japan and shipped to buyers in the usa....so no they dont cut corners, but thanks for the price estimate, so i might just buy a cheap used car to use in the states...urrrrghh

Thank you VERY much ryan b for the vast information! I've been looking forever for a summarized list of rules... yeah I don't know if the car has american specs, but I did read that 07 rav4s are only being made in japan so I'll have to check with our car dealer, but yeah, I think cheapest & fastest alternative would be to buy a cheap suv in the states...thanks though for your thoroughness and taking the time to type that for me =)

Answer 1

Sorry, but I've got some bad news for you. The United States importation laws on personal vehicles are extremely, extremely strict. The only way you have any chance is through one of five factors.

1. The vehicle being imported to the United States was previously in the United States and was removed to another country (basically, you're just bringing it back to its home)

2. The vehicle being imported to the United States is the exact spec as the same make and model being sold here. It must also be left-hand drive (basically, the Middle Eastern-spec Toyota RAV4 must be identical to the American-spec Toyota RAV4).

3. If you're a member of the United States Armed Forces, you've got the best shot. I belive it's free, and there's no questions asked. I knew a couple people in the military who've done just that, and I've nearly bought a vehicle like that (a Japanese-spec 1992 Isuzu Rodeo, imported to Hawaii by a member of the United States Navy, then imported to Michigan; didn't buy it because the original motor had a cracked head, there was over 250,000 miles on the vehicle, plus the motor had been replaced with a Chevrolet unit, which also had a cracked head).

4. If the vehicle's more than 30 years old, then there's also no questions asked, but you still have to pay shipping and taxes.

5. If you sign a release stating that the vehicle will never leave your personal property and travel on a public road, then you're allowed to import it. This basically means the vehicle is for show use and for driving around your property. Super rich people sometimes do this so they have a vehicle to view their vast estate in style instead of in an ATV or an RTV, or so they have something at the car show that nobody else has.

If you don't qualify for any of the above, then you have to have seven identical units of said vehicle. Six are for the NHTSA to crash test to be sure it's safe for you to drive in the United States (one for front, one for rear, one for each side, one for offset front, and one for rollover). The seventh is the one you keep, assuming all of the other six pass the crash tests. On the other hand, this opens up the door to any other people wanting to import the same vehicle.

My advice to you is, unless you're in the military or your RAV4's also American-spec and left-hand drive, to simply sell your RAV4 in the Middle East and buy one here in the United States shortly after your arrival. It may not be as cool as the one you have there, but it's a whole lot cheaper. Also, maybe check out some other small, economical SUVs here in the United States that aren't available in the Middle East such as the Chevrolet Equinox, Dodge Nitro, Buick Rendezvous, Pontiac Torrent, Jeep Patriot, or Saturn Vue.

Also, visit this link: http://autopedia.com/Export/ImportExportRegs.html

You'll find more information on importing vehicles to the United States.

If you would like any more information on any of these, or any other models, please feel free to ask.

Answer 2

Shipping is probably $ 1200 or so, but it would have to have US emmisions & safety equipment, which it probabaly does not, since Toyota is known for cutting corners in other countires. I woud dump it and get a real SUV.

Answer 3

I wouldn't decide to do it either. It can get expensive. I was thinking about sending some Skyline's over here and found it much easier just to buy ones that were already here.

Answer 4

More than its worth it. Sell it and buy a new car. It probably can't be registered here legally anyway.

Answer 5

contact Delta and stay to inform the tale carry as lengthy at it takes to be sure what the concern is. i anticipate papers are her well being certificate and vaccine archives. also contact your vet and get copies of the papers to be faxed to Delta