Hi,

I am wondering if anyone here has shipped their own US car to Italy.

I am not an Italian resident yet, but spend a few weeks/months a year in Italy. I would like to bring my own car to Europe and drive it while I'm there (and then ship it back). Please note that I do not plan to import my car, or register it in Europe. The car will continue to have its US plates in Europe. I believe I can drive my own car in Europe, with the US plates, for up to 6 months.

I am already familiar with the tax implications of importing cars, Peugeot/Citroen/Renault leases, and various car rentals. None of these is what I'm interested in. I'd just like to talk about the experiences of someone who has done specifically what I described above.

Thanks in advance.

Orvietano

Well I did send a car from Baltimore to Civitavecchia. It costs about $1600 fo roll-on roll-off.
It is a pain in the neck to go to the harbor where they do have now all sort of rules but besides that it is ok.
You can -as far as I know - keep it for longer than 6 month but I am not sure what is the actual limit ( nobody seems to know for sure - depends who you ask you get a differet answer )

I shipped a car years ago like that, and all I can say is DON'T DO IT. HUUUUUUGE headache! If your American car stops running for any reason (like mine did), you will face many nightmarish days/nights as a result. I look back on this experience as one of the "dumbest ideas I've ever had". Learn from my mistake, grasshoppa. LOL

First, I'd like to say, in response to the previous comment, make sure it's a Honda!!! I shipped mine, but to Amsterdam, to avoid the paperwork, taxes and headaches of the Italian bureaucracy, and have yet to have a problem (it's been 10 years!!)
If you're coming for a few months, it's certainly worth the savings on rental cars, although, rental cos. often boast cheap monthly (or long-term) rentals.
It can stay for a certain period of time without you being forced to get new plates, but the trick is, to take it out of the country time and again.
Problem is, nobody's checking!!! I call that a solution.

fmaggi

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fmaggi
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http://burntbythetuscansun.blogspot.com

I think the banker is talking about bringing to Italy an American made car - Now with the Euro at 1.6 ANY car is 40% off in the USA so I know of people who are bringing them in and keeping the US Tag for years.
Several Toyota - BMW - VW - Porsche - etc here are sooo much cheaper - but yes you do risk some head heacks

I am also trying to bring my truck and horse trailer. The problem I am facing, is the trailer because it is a gooseneck and has electric brakes. Do you think I can just go ahead and bring it and they let me take it off the port if I dont have all the Italian papers lined up? Did you guys have all the Italian registration lined up when your car arrived or did you do it after?

From the lady that shipped to Amsterdam, do you have any connection you can give to me to maybe try to bring there instead of here? The reason I ask, is because we import all of our horses to Amsterdam.

I would warn against using Baltimore - Civitavecchia Ro-Ro option - last time i shipped car that route, dock workers removed my Alpine stereo, changer and speakers, even the child car seat! there is a less expensive and faster container option from New York or Savannah with this company, Car transport, auto shipping, motorcycle and boat transport , costs are approximately $1200-1300, depending on the size of the car. they've shipped 3 of my cars, no problems so far.

I'm thinking about teaching at the Naples Navy base and having my Saturn sky brought over. Unfortunately, I've heard many bad things about Naples traffic with scratches, dents and dings. It's a new car. Should I just leave it here with family?