i want to spend the summer in Italy....
i read on the home page of "life in Italy " some useful information about bring my car to Italy.What i can't find out is if i have to pay Custom Duties for my car at the Port where i withdraw it. The second question is I will drive the car with my current licence plate or i need a italian one.
Can anyone help me with this and some more extra info ?
thank you all for reading this post..
Dario

The cheapest way to send a car to Italy is with Roll on Roll off.
That will cost you about $1200. The car can legally stay for 6 months. However nobody seems to know what happens if the car stays longer. I know people who had the car there for over a year. As long as you will take the car back ( you will use it with a US licence ) there is no duty to pay.
For people who want to stay a long time there is a special plate called escursionisti esteri. You should however ask the Italian ACI for more info about it.
Paolo

Thank you Paolo
this are very usefull information.
I assume the shipping line is from the est coast. I live in hawaii i have to arrange to take the car to the est coast. Do you know from what port the boat is leaving the USA and what company name does that service?
this forum is a great sourse of information and thanks to people like you who dedicate your time for it.
Dario
thank you again

I shipped about 2 years ago a car to Italy. I used Trans Ocean Auto (Hellen @ 908 788 7001) they are in Baltimore Maryland however but they mught be able to help you out... and by the way I think the car is still in Italy with US plates so I would not worry too much.
Paolo

Watch out guys...!!! The Italian cops are not that stupid as they where before!! You can get nailed for nothing now!! If you have a foreign licence they can check on their computers IMMEDIATELY where does your licence comes from and if its valid in Europe or if you need an Iternational licence. Dont' fool around with them any more. I got US friends who got "burnt" lately.
Its only an advice (rent one in Italy)
Mike

__________________
Micahel Axel McCain

i don't plan to do anything illigally in italy.
last year i rent a car for 3 months and i end up pay close to $4000.
to rent a smart car and a little polo.....they are fun to drive but a lil espensive for a lil box car. i prefer to bring my sport car and enjoy it there
i think i should have the right for it.not sure but i'm close to find out with ACI
Thank again Paolo you help me a lot.
Dario

A car can stay legally for at least 6 months. That is sure then I think it can be renued as well. I have been asking to several authorities and nobody however knew the answer for sure on about how long extra the car can stay, somebody even said that a drive to Switzerland will give 6 more months automatically - however I think the EE ( Escursionisiti Esteri ) plate is goog for 2 year legally.
Another legal thing Dario can do is this : Bring a car that is commerciable in Italy and resell it in Italy before you live the country. You will have to prepare all the document before you live the US.
It is very good now since the Euro is so high a 10,000US dollar car here is probably 15,000 in Italy.
I am thinking that I could actually help with the selection of some models that would sell fast in Italy
Paolo

Thank You Paolo,
you always have positive feedback that help me to believe that i can make happen this project of mine.
in another forum "expats in italy forum" some people discourage me of doing this, some of the reason are: if i don't have italian residency, custom they wont even allow me to roll my car off the boat.
I do have respect and consideration of all opinion, this what is forum about and ultimately help me to make the right decision.
this is what my situation is: I'm a dual Citizens italian wich is where i grow up and naturalized american with current A.I.R.E ( Associazione Italiana Residenti Estero ) registration.do you think that this would help me somehow?
I have a 2000 BMW Z3 is a little loving car and the current value in USA according to KBB is $ 13500.00 in a search for the same car in Italy my car is worthed about 16000 to 18000 euro wich is a lot of money compare. so even if at the and of my trip i have to pay some money for some paperwork to sell it still pay it self.
Paolo do you know what kind of document i have to obtain in The US in order to be able to sell it in Italy. and the second question did you have residency when you import your in Italy at that time 2 years ago..?
I'm thinking to bring my car to LA and then drive across country to maryland or New York.......
i should buy you at list a drink
Thanks
Dario

Ok Dario,
First of all they are telling you that Italy does not allow tourist with their own car ! That is false, Italy is one of the most visited country on the planet despite its size.
I cannot give fix suggestions however since some of the import rules change with the mood of the custom officer that will meet you. In any case I will see if my friend Luis will be willing to talk to you about Importing cars.
He shipped several cars to Europe and he is shipping one in a couple of days ( I know that since I am translating some emails for him ). I will let you know soon. In any case to see the real value of your car look at www.portaportese.it
Paolo

ACI Infoturism quote"
Gentile Signore,

un veicolo con targa extraeuropea può circolare in Italia per un massimo di 6 mesi nell'arco di un anno, anche non continuati. Dopo tale periodo Lei non potrà più circolare con la sua auto con targhe americane. Dovrà pagare le tasse doganali, prendere la residenza e cambiare le targhe.

Per quanto riguarda l'assicurazione dovrà stipulare un'assicurazione temporanea. Le allego il link dove potrà trovare alcune informazioni utili:

http://www.ucimi.it/ucipolizze.htm

Per quanto riguarda la patente, ecco alcune informazioni:

I titolari di una patente di guida rilasciata da uno Stato estero (extracomunitario) possono guidare sul territorio italiano veicoli per i quali è valida la loro patente purchè non residenti in Italia da più di un anno.

La patente estera (extracomunitaria) deve essere accompagnata dal permesso internazionale di guida (rilasciato dallo Stato estero che ha emesso la patente) ovvero da una traduzione ufficiale in lingua italiana.

Cordiali saluti,
ACI Infoturismo
Now i got the conferm that is possible
Paolo do you have any new info?
Thank you
Dario