[ticamihai2003]

Hey everyone


I have a question that may seem strange but please bare with me...

I am currently searching to buy a new car. My MINI Cooper S got totaled 6 weeks ago. I live in Europe but I have a few friends in USA and Canada. On the US BMW website the prices for a similar European F30 is huge when you convert US dollars into Euros.

My question is if I buy an US spec F30 through a US citizen friend of mine, choose European Delivery option, can he sell the car to me here in Europe after he picks it up? IF yes can we say on the invoice any amount we want and then calculate all import/other taxes using that amount on the invoice?


Please don't "BOO" me if this is not an appropriate question...
Thanks

[whoever]

No, he can only drop off the car at designated BMW locations, to be shipped to US

[ticamihai2003]

Originally Posted by whoever

No, he can only drop off the car at designated BMW locations, to be shipped to US

OK got it. So then in the US can he sell the car to me for whatever amount and then pay import taxes and other taxes on that amount?

[Slwdrvr]

What do you mean huge in terms of USD to EURO, because I know that 1USD is weaker than 1EURO, (IIRC, 1USD = 1.75~ EURO). Wouldn't it be almost the same total cost after your friend buys it and if he can, ship it to you with the import taxes and everything else as to receiving straight from Germany BMW? Since you live a lot closer to Germany than we do, you would receive your car sooner as well.

But it depends on total cost of everything and what you're willing to sacrifice to get your F30.

[pcbrew]

Originally Posted by Slwdrvr

What do you mean huge in terms of USD to EURO, because I know that 1USD is weaker than 1EURO, (IIRC, 1USD = 1.75~ EURO).

Way off there, $1 = ~0.800€ today

If you buy a car on ED and do not export withing the promised timeframe (5 months?), you get hits with a lot of fees & taxes. I do not know what these are, but I would assume cost of these are more that what you might save from buying ED.

[Slwdrvr]

Oh right, yeah I think I completely messed up there. It was 1USD = ~0.75Euro the last time I checked.

I guess another way to really compare prices is by building an F30 on the bmwusa and on your mainland BMW. I tried to build an F30 on bmwromania... couldn't get everything translated so I gave up on that. I still don't think it's worth it in the end to get your car shipped to US and then ship back to EU. But hopefully you find an answer soon and share us your thoughts.

[ticamihai2003]

I did configure a car on bmw.de and bmw.co.uk webiste (romanian one doesn't really have a configurator) and than did the configuration on the US website. After converting USD to Euros the difference for a similar spec car was almost 20 000 Euros more for the EU one. So in the end even with all taxes applied to the real car's value in USA still leaves the car about 5000 euros cheaper.

BUT my question is this: What if my friend sells me the car for 1000 USD? Will the import and other taxes be applied to 1000USD or they will charge me taxes for the real value of a new/fairly new BMW?

[LAnderson23]

Originally Posted by ticamihai2003

I did configure a car on bmw.de and bmw.co.uk webiste (romanian one doesn't really have a configurator) and than did the configuration on the US website. After converting USD to Euros the difference for a similar spec car was almost 20 000 Euros more for the EU one. So in the end even with all taxes applied to the real car's value in USA still leaves the car about 5000 euros cheaper.

BUT my question is this: What if my friend sells me the car for 1000 USD? Will the import and other taxes be applied to 1000USD or they will charge me taxes for the real value of a new/fairly new BMW?

I'm pretty sure if he sells it to you for WAY under value it will raise some red flags. It will be pretty obvious you are trying to skip out on the taxes and could easily get caught. You should 'buy' it from your friend at a fair price. Since it will technically be used you can probably get away with a bit lower than actual cost.

[MB330]

I think direction on this thread go little "south" from quick ED question to haw get rip off tax system.

[ticamihai2003]

Originally Posted by MB330

I think direction on this thread go little "south" from quick ED question to haw get rip off tax system.

Yes, one could say this. But this is legal. You buy a car in US and then ship it to Europe. Everything is legal and the taxes are paid in full at least in US. Many charities do this...