We are currently in the UK on an expat assignment and will be here for a while. It has always been my dream to own a Defender, and as fate would have it we are now in Land Rover country living very close to Solihull. Not only do I want to get one now, but actually get one that I can bring back home when we return home to the US. From what I have researched, I need to get one that is at least 25 years old. I am 100% positive there are members here that are proud fellow Americans and fellow forum members that have imported a Defender from the UK and are clear about the process. Can someone please point me in the right direction or share the specifics? How much duty would I be looking at paying in the US? I have just started my search and would be looking for a Tdi, almost all the transmissions here are manual, but they can be converted to automatic and this is something I will have done for sure.

Appreciate any input that will help me achieve this dream.

 

The consequences of doing it wrong, that is one "i" not correct on the paper work, is having the federal government at this end impound and destroy the vehicle. Don't depend on one internet posting of a "trick" to follow. If it was a simple process, a lot more of those sturdy beasts would be here by now.

I don't know the process, but get several opinions and be sure to review with the agencies involved. Good luck.

And consider your state's laws regarding tags for vehicles.

 

Thanks Savannah Buzz. I am also engaging companies that ship Defenders to the US from here, but still want to be careful on the details as you have pointed out hence posing here.

 

I have found a couple of the importers to have a brief summarization that pinpoints guidelines

Export and Import Custom Land Rover Defenders D90, D110

Importing info.

 

Appreciate your input Dusty. I have saved some 110's today that meet the criteria, the next step will be to finalise all the details, and then pull the trigger. Once it is in the States it will go to East Coast Rovers for making it compatible with the wide open roads .

 

Save yourself the time and hassle contact Doug at Dividing Creek

He doesn't do it for free but he does it right and hassle free. He has an extremely good reputation and is great to deal with to boot.

 

How long are you going to be there? The oldest TDI won't be 25 until next year. (Maybe late this year)

 

ArmyRover - I will make contact with Doug. Thank you for the tip. Have you been able to add air-conditioning to your 1983 110?

Jafir - We will be here for a while. Here are a few I am looking at now - 1989 Land Rover Defender County 110 200 tdi Auto, 1986 Land Rover Defender 110 5 Door Station Wagon with 200 Tdi Engine and Defender 110 Station Wagon 200 TDI, 1984.

 

The older vehicles would have had the 200tdi installed later. They won't be able to be imported, as far as I know. They need to be the original type of engine it would have come with.

 

Thanks Jafir. I think it is best I have Doug take this over so I can take his steer and decide what might be the best option. All the ones I am finding here have had the original engine replaced.