How I Imported my Alpina Tourings to the US | Importing a Car

I imported 2 cars to the US from Europe and have gotten a lot of questions on the process and cost. Sharing my experiences as the process is not that difficult for a motivated car enthusiast.
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - 25 Year Rule
01:25 - The Search
02:25 - What to Look Out for
04:03 - Buying in the Netherlands
05:13 - Buying in Germany
09:04 - Exporting from Europe
12:36 - Importation to the US
15:57 - Cost Breakdown
19:31 - Title and Registration
20:41 - Closing

[@thijs7506]

The Dutch dealership is 5 minutes from my house. I visit often, just to drool over all the 80's Alpina's and BMW's. Cyril is one of the nicest guys, and always takes time to show you around the cars.

[@doctor_tran]

Yes! Cyril is a great guy! I'm always keeping an eye on his inventory for my next touring 😎

[@Shmee149]

Can't believe this video gets so little exposure. These cars are fantastic even in Europe and can't believe that KZbin doesn't promote this kind of content

[@doctor_tran]

Thanks! I created this video because I had so many people ask me locally how I imported my cars so now I just tell them to search for it on KZbin

[@nickvandermeeren9831]

Hey super nice to see you bought a Alpina from the Netherlands

[@martinchou1]

Cheers from Frankfurt a.M 😊 You have nice cars.

[@mariusv5157]

An honest equivalent of Carfax in Europe would be CarVertical, for those wondering.

[@jacobelkins7076]

I have been doing a lot of research on bring a car over to the US from Germany. I have found there is not a lot of good info out there. I am in a very similar situation. I used to live in Germany and I am looking to bring a E36 wagon back to PA. Thank you for putting out a good video.

[@doctor_tran]

Glad it was helpful! Make sure you have the shipping company get the paperwork physically stamped by US Customs! PA requires it for titling.

[@dekline474]

very informative. im in san diego and plan and hope to import an e36 touring to the US

[@doctor_tran]

Excellent! which one are you importing?

[@dekline474]

@@doctor_tran the one im looking at is a 97 316i santorinblau

[@doctor_tran]

@@dekline474 excellent! Engines and drivetrains can be easily swapped. Color isn't. Looking forward to seeing it once you get it stateside! Let me know if you need any help navigating anything.

[@dekline474]

@@doctor_tran i will definitely have some questions for you. This video is well elaborated on the different levels and parts of the process. Is there some other way we can keep in contact ? Fb/instagram?

[@doctor_tran]

@@dekline474 I'm on IG "_doctor_tran_"

[@alsardari892]

Great video! Did you import the Alpina under the BMW VIN or Alpina VIN? I plan on using the 25 year rule as well for mine, but there is no BMW or Alpina sticker on door jam with build date like US BMW cars have. The strut tower has both VINs and the BMW VIN shows a build month/year (Alpina VIN search has nothing). Would that be enough for proof for 25 year entry? Registration documents are months after build and would like to avoid storing the car for 4+ more months when it was sold and then registered.

[@doctor_tran]

I go by Alpina VIN. You can order a certificate from Alpina that lists the Alpina build date.

[@bmwalpina4628]

If you import from US to EU you need to pay cars transport over the states to the harbour, then shipping fees. Once car arrives to EU all custom brokerage fees + duty 10% if car is not older than 30years + VAT ( depending what's the country of arrival usually between 16-23%) and In Poland excise duty 18.6% for engine capacity>2000ccm. I'm not even talking about registration fees, technical inspection, documents translation fees because in the whole process its a drop in the sea... Don't you need to pay one of these importing from EU to US? BTW: B8 4.6 my dream car in any shape;-)

[@doctor_tran]

It's much simpler to import to the US if a car is 25 years old. It's just the shipping, port fees, and 2.5% import duty. State registration will vary from a few hundred dollars to 7%. It is very difficult if it is not 25 years old because the car has to be modified to comply with US safety and emissions requirements. It may not be possible depending on the car. A few years ago, someone imported an E60 Alpina B5. It required $45,000 USD to modify the car and there was no guarantee it was possible.

[@bmwalpina4628]

@@doctor_tran here in EU depending on country, but every import from outside of EU results roughly purchase price + 70%-100% car value in fees and taxes... If car is 30yo then no need to pay 10% duty only... And all others needs to be paid. So if I buy the car from US >30yo for 10k USD i still need to keep another 8-10k USD for shipping costs, all taxes, charges and duties.

[@doctor_tran]

@@bmwalpina4628 Interesting! The times I've imported cars to EU / Schengen were different. I moved to Europe so I imported cars as part of personal belongings (limit of 1 car per year and I had to own the car for 12 months before importation). No need for duty. I only had to keep the car under my ownership for 1 year before I could sell it.

[@nickcoats5227]

I want an Alpina so badly but it’s out of my budget by a lot 😫 hoping I’ll be able to afford one in a few years

[@doctor_tran]

They are only going up in value with the announcement of BMW Group buying the Alpina brand. I do worry they will end up being collector only cars just like pre-merger AMG cars.

[@nickcoats5227]

@@doctor_tran yea thinking the same thing. These will easily be collector cars. Thinking of buying a used 2012 B7 when I get a chance, since it seems rather tedious to import any other Alpina to the states.

[@RickBruinsma]

Those "Dutch" plates look horrible with the German font. There is an eBay seller that got the 100% accurate plate and Dutch font too. Looks waaaaay better then this cheap plate. Still a really nice story.

[@doctor_tran]

I agree. Can you point me to the seller? I'd like to get one with the correct font.

[@RickBruinsma]

@@doctor_tran Great to see you actually bought the 1:1 replica Dutch plate. Just saw the Alpina up for auction!

[@doctor_tran]

@@RickBruinsma thanks for the tip! I wish I knew earlier. I agree, the correct font looks a lot better :-)

[@naimnasir-ur9zf]

How will I be able to import an ‘23 Alpina B3 Touring to California?