Importing Smart from Europe?

[mike-in-sa]

On my visit to the factory this year I asked if smart was going to have a program similar to other car makers where you could pick your car up at the factory and tour europe before shipping it home. She said smart had no plans to do anything like that any time soon. This is really popular with military stationed in europe. Too bad, I can't think of a better way to tour europe than in your brand new smart. ( then if your shifter locked up just tow it back to the factory!)

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by PolyPill

I'm some what of a mechanic and parts are not my concern, I think if you can't work on your own cars then you're an idiot to even think of doing something like this.

And buying/shipping to the USA is not my problem, making it street legal is what I don't know. I requested a quote from G&K but really I'd rather have a list of what has to be done, I'm far more interested in doing everything myself than paying a company to perform magic.

Edit: Also customs

You can't do it as a private indevidual. you have to go through a bunch of hoops With all the proper bonding and a plan and demonstrated means to get the cars compliant. Asking a person that has gone through the proccess seems rather more sensible than not. G&K have dotted all the I's it is an expensive and time consuming proccess.
getting on here is the easy part do a search on bill gates 959
karl

[micromachine]

Here you go -

This is the document from the NHTSA to G&K that had to be attached to 2005cars. I don't know what would be different for the other years and this is the only document I have that I was able to get from another 450 owner. It was in a pdf so I had to copy and paste it into this message since I don't see an option for attaching docuemnts.

3331051
t3 Memorandum
U.S. Department
of Transportation
National Highway
Traffic Safety
Administration
Subject: Petition for Import Eligibility of
2005 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, and
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
To: Docket Management
Please place the attached petition for a decision that 2005 Smart Car Passion, Pulse, and Pure
(Coupe and Cabriolet) Passenger Cars are eligible for importation in Docket No NHTSA-
2005-21334- \ e
Attachment
#
People Saving People
Home | National Highway Traffic Safety Administration(NHTSA) | U.S. Department of Transportation
6c n
G&K AUTOMOTIVE CONVERSION, INC.
2530 S. BIRCH STREET. SANTA ANNA, CA
(714) 545-9503 FAX(714) 545-7667
May 16,2005
92707
PETITION FOR IMPORT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATION
IAW 49 CFR 593.5 (a) (1) (ii)
Administrator
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
400 7th Street SW.
Washington, DC 20590
ATTN: NVS-223 Import Eligibility
Petitioner: G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc.
2530 S. Birch Street
Santa Ana, CA 92707
Registered Importer Number: WO-007
Dear Sir or madam:
The following is the basis for this petition:
PART 593.6 (b) (1):
The vehicles for which a determination is sowht is 2005 model vear Smart Car
Passion (coupe & cabrio), Pulse (coupe & cabrio), and Pure (couDe & cabrio). These
vehicle's safety features comply with or are capable of being modified to comply with all
applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards. Testing data was presented for the
previous 2002-2004 Smart car petition and that petition was granted, 2005 model year
Smart cars have no body style changes fiom the previous petitioned vehicles, therefore
we would like to use the same testing data for this 2005 model year Smart Car Passion,
Pulse, and Pure petition.
n
PART 593.6 (b) (2):
The following is a description of the necessary changes to bring the petitioned vehicles
into conformity with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
FMVSS 101 CONTROLS & DISPLAYS
The controls and displays are visible and accessible to the driver restrained by a lap and
shoulder belt. Controls for headlamps, windshield defrosting and defogging system,
windshield wiping system and panel are all identified. All required controls are
illuminated. The vehicles meet this standard except for the following modifications:
1. The word brake will be added to the dash and seatbelt warning symbol.
2. Speedometer will be modified to read in miles per hour, the face will be modified to
show miles per hour.
3. The shift positions will be identified in the cluster.
FMVSS 102 TRANSMISSION SHIFI' LEVER:
The markings, starter interlock, shift pattern, comply with the requirements of this
standard. G 8z K will be inserting the shift lever positions in the dashboard of the
speedometer and illuminated for the driver.
FMVSS 103 WINDSHIELD DEFROSTING & DEFOGGING:
The windshield defkosting and defogging system comply with the requirements of this
standard.
FMVSS 104 WINDSHIELD WIPING, WASHING:
The windshield wiping and washing systems comply with the requirements of this
standard.
FMVSS 106 BRAKE HOSES:
The brake hoses comply with the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 108 LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES:
Replacement of the headlamps and turn signal lights are required to meet this standard
and installation of side markers.
FMVSS 109 NEW PNEUMATIC TIRES:
n
The vehicles come equipped with the required certification markings and therefore meet
the standard.
FMVSS 110 TIRE SELECTION, RIMS:
A tire information placard must be affixed to the vehicle in order to comply fully with the
requirements of FMVSS 110.
FMVSS 111 REARVIEW MIRROR
The Drivers side and inside rear View mirrors meet the requirements of this FMVSS,
However, The Passenger side rearview mirror does not comply with this FMVSS and will
be modified by permanently etching the mirror with the statement” Objects In Mirror Are
Closer Than They Appear”.
FMVSS 114 THEFT PREVENTION:
A key buzzer will be added to meet this standard, and the locking system will be
modified to meet the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 116 MOTOR VEHICLE BRAKE FLUIDS:
The petitioned vehicles come equipped with the required markings and therefore meet
this standard.
FMVSS 118 POWER OPERATED WINDOW SYSTEMS:
The power window system is original and is wired so that the window transport is
inoperative when the ignition is switched off.
M S S 124 ACCELATOR CONTROL SYSTEM:
The accelerator control system has two sources of energy and meets the requirements of
FMVSS 124.
FMVSS 135 PASSENGER CAR BRAKE SYSTEMS:
The hydraulic brake system and the parking brake system originally meet the
requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 201 OCCUPANT PROTECTION IN INTERIOR IMPACT:
The interior components will be replaced by components fabricated by G & K to meet
this standard, components are only available through G & K.
FMVSS 202 HEAD RESTRAINTS:
Petitioned vehicle complies with the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 204 STEERING CONTROL REARWARD DISPLACEMENT:
Petitioned vehicles are originally equipped with components that meet the requirements
of this standard.
FMVSS 205 GLAZING MATERIALS:
The glass and glazing materials comply with the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 206 DOOR LOCKS AND RETENTION COMPONENTS:
The door locks and door retention components originally meet the requirements of this
standard.
FMVSS 207 SEATING SYSTEMS:
The seating system components comply with the requirements of FWSS 207.
FMVSS 208 OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION:
G & K is installing a seat belt wiring system to activate the fasten seat belt warning
system to comply with this standard.
FMVSS 209 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES:
The seat belt assemblies meet the requirements of this standard except G & K is replacing
the female portion of the seat belt assembly for the drivers side to activate the fasten seat
belt sign for FMVSS 208.
FMVSS 210 SEAT BELT ASSEMBLIES ANCHORAGES:
The seat belt anchorages and components meet the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 212 WINDSHIELD MOUNTING:
The petitioned vehicles meet the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 214 SIDE DOOR STRENGHT:
Extensive design and modification was performed to meet this standard. Modified parts
are only available through G & K.
FMVSS 216 ROOF CRUSH RESISTANCE:
The roof area of the petitioned vehicles originally meet the requirements of this standard.
FMVSS 219 WINDSHILED ZONE INTRUSION:
The petitioned vehicles come equipped with components, applicable to FMVSS 219.
FMVSS 225 CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS:
We will install U.S. model tether anchorage behind the passenger seat on coupe vehicles
in order to meet FMVSS 225 requirements.
FMVSS 301 FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY:
There are three components that will be replacedadded to the fuel system to meet the
requirements of this standard. The fuel tank will be retained.
FMVSS 302 FLAMABILITY OF INTERIOR MATERIALS:
The interior materials and components covered by FMVSS 302, were treated with special
material only available through G & K to meet the requirements of this standard.
49 CFR PART 541 THEFT PROTECTION STANDARD:
The petitioned vehicles have anti-theft devices and therefore, meet the requirements of 49
CFR Part 541.
49 CFR Part 565 VIN REOUIREMENTS:
A VIN plate will be installed permanently and will be visible and the wording “Substitute
for U.S. VIN” and reference “ 49 CFR Part 565 “ will be added to meet the requirements
of this standard.
49 CFR Part 581 BUMPER STANDARD:
In order to comply with the requirements of CFR Part 58 1, a modification is required to
meet the requirements of this standard. Parts are only available through G & K.
49 CFR Part 567 CERTIFICATION:
In order to comply with the requirements of Part 567, a certification label will be affixed
to the drivers side door jam with the certification information required by part 567.
. n m
Recall statements and actions required to correct recall defects, will be reported with the
compliance packet for each vehicle
No part of this petition is requested to be withdrawn fiom the Public.
I state that the foregoing is true and correct.
February 16,2005
G&K Automotive Conversion, Inc.
BY:
REED OFFICER

[bucketboss]

Unless the car is already US compliant and has the proper certification you have to go through a RI (Registered Importer) or become one. G&K is one of these RIs. The car goes to them and they would then install and certify that all systems meet both the DOT requirements and the EPA compliance accompanied by they proper forms. The RI has to install several things onto a 450 to make it so including but not limited to a passenger mirror that is engraved with ("Objects seem closer than they appear"), speedo in MPH and odo in miles, head crash pads on the upper door area, and who knows (they do) what else.....

They are bonded and assume risks as well as certify that service parts are available for the manditory emissions systems that must be functional for the length of the fedrally mandated emissions warranty period. They have also have had to petitioned the EPA/DOT for acceptance of the models and are held to specific model years of acceptance. Just because the model is exactly the same and say a year older does not mean it is OK to import.

The process is not easy nor cheap. Probably much of the reason that 450's comverted by G&K cost as much as they did/do.

If you thimk you can just bring one in, you will be sadly mistaken. If it is found on the B/L without proper certification, customs will seize the goods (car) and put it in a warehouse full of other seized goods (BTDT) until the paper work is complete and proper. If this does not happen customs will require it to be exported or destroyed. It would be a sad day to have your new car shredded or having to re-export it back to where it came and no recorse for getting your money back.

Normally the hurdle is just too high for the average individual.

My 2Cents worth.

Dave

[RVGRINGO]

If you have a vacation home in Mexico, and an FM3 immigration visa, you could buy and register a Smart in Mexico. Then, you could drive it in the USA but would have to be sure to visit your home in Mexico at the appropriate time each year to renew your visa and auto registration.
We live in Mexico and are retired, but we have driven our Smart to the USA to visit family members. That was before Smarts were available in the USA and we sure got a lot of attention.

[PerryA]

I had asked about factory delivery, and that doesn't exist - Mercedes and Volvo and some other high-end makers offer buyers the opportunity to pick up their car at the factory, drive it while on holiday and then have it shipped back. Too bad, it would shorten the wait and be fun besides. You'd simply pick up a US-spec car and no worries.

On importing, here's a US Dept. of Transportation site that should help answer questions about what requirements you have to meet on an import.

Vehicle Importation Regulations

[2smartArizona]

I wanted to bring in a Peugeot 206 2.0 HDI years ago, and inquired about how to do it, actually requested information from the EPA and such, and quickly realized that it was going to be impossible for me, an individual, to do it within reasonable cost and gave up on the idea. I had seen someone driving a 406 wagon in Phoenix, and had thought it might be possible, but unless the car is more than 25 years old, it is so difficult and costly that unless you are bringing in large numbers of cars, it is impossible.

At this point anyway, the European price of the smart is not much different in Euros as it is in dollars, except you need more dollars to get a Euro now, so you would be better off just paying for the orphan, and even if you gave the sales manager a payoff to go to the top of the list, it would still be cheaper here than there.

As far as European delivery, it is a great way to get a car, and while Mercedes doesn't usual offer any incentives on buying a car this way, Volvo has offered plance tickets in the past, and BMW has always offered nice discounts for receiving your car in Munich. If smart would offer such a program, I would have loved to have participated, and even if they did not offer a discount for it, I would do it that way. It would be a great opportunity to enjoy the car in Europe and then just send it home. I am sure that smart could get E H Harms to send them back just like other companies do.

[59180]

Got a right hand drive originally imported by someone in the Midwest. it's a 2004 clearly not a US model. Willing to sell $12,000. You game?? I have a crossblade in my sights from a friend in Barcelona.

[bucketboss]

Mercedes does in fact offer discounts for Euro delivery. Really great program. 7% off the price of the car and a night free at a 5 star hotel plus round trip cab fare to the airport as well as lunch at the factory. BTDT and would love to do it again. Picked up my E320CDI and took an additional 4 nights they offered for a discount and drove the car from Singlefinden to Munich and dropped it with Harms and got it redelivered in the States a month later. Just to be able to drive the Autobahn with my new Merc was worth it let alone the hotels and scenery.

Too bad they made our '06 ML320CDI in Arkansas.....

[2smartArizona]

A the time I did mine, MB offered no discount on European Delivery, but BMW offered about 7%. I think Audi does the same now too. Big shame is they only offer 2 weeks insurance now instead of a month, and the price to increase mine two more weeks was $214.00. $1300 for four nights of hotel? I could afford it, but I would never do it. $1300 gets me a whole month in Europe usually, but I enjoy travelling like this...


This is my 2005 Peugeot Partner I bought just for camping over there, and 45 mpg on the diesel too. If only I could have brought it over here....