Modern Vespa

Just for the hell of it, I got curious as to the costs of shipping a scooter from the U.K. to California... but I wouldn't even know where to begin to look.

Anyone done it (or gone the opposite way)? What's the "average" cost, and how'd you do it?

I've shipped a car the other way, but wouldn't recommend shipping to the U.S. Better to buy used in CA and sell before you leave.

Biggest problem is Federalization (making it street legal in the States), since it's a European version. It's also impossible to ship a two-wheeled vehicle without packing it in a wooden crate, which jacks up the volume and shipping cost considerably.

Cars, OTOH can be shipped roll-on/roll-off. Just my opinion.

300~500bux, and then you've got to clear customs. which basically means you need to pass it by the man with out them punching your dance card and taking your old lady-- ya dig?

anyway, your best bet is to take your mess apart and send it in a few different shipments as "parts", then assemble and attempt to get it registered and leagal stateside. which can be a costly, frustrating and time consuming process.

so basically that totally rad PX that you were going to ship over from the UK is gonna run you another 1200bux by the time you handle the shipping, customs agent, paperwork and any labor to make it right.

oh, and at anytime the man can just take it from you and crush it.

best,
-greasy

Sheeeesh, the land of the free eh?

But the airbrush guys in the states just can't seem to get the same feelings, soul, and emotion out of their Paul Weller portrait art on the side of a P or Lammy as the airbrush artists in the UK who live the movement man.....

Or just ride it from the UK, through Europe onto Russia, then to Alaska and finally to OC, easy peasy

I was wondering the same thing about importing a vintage Scooter from the U.K. What if it is classified as an "Antique"? Any chance that the rules/regs might be more lax? I believe in Illinois, if a car is twenty-five years or older you can get Antique Automobile plates. There are restrictions placed on the use of the car (no driving at night etc.) but it might make it easier to import the bike. Perhaps then you could re-register it as a non-antique scoot with your State. A lot of work, but you never know. Just a thought.

That would be good for a CHANGE, plus it's a MAVERICKY thing to do, especially since I've heard somewhere recentlu, you can see Russia from Alaska.

Thanks for the info. I'm not actually PLANNING on buying anything and shipping it from the U.K... but I thought it was worth knowing.

Anyway, it's good to know!

i had actually wondered this to be honest as id like to bring mine back with me when i move back home.

300-500 actually isnt that bad.

i figured it to be closer to 1000.

Are you thinking vintage or modern? If the vehicle (scooter) is 21 years old or over and un-modded, the rules/requirements are much simpler:

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/quiktext.htm#21years

I also found this guy's article/story about importing classic motorcycles into the US to be informative:

http://www.ahrma.org/features/barn_fresh.htm