Hi

My partner and I are queitly trvelling around the world in our Iveco 4x4.
We are in South Korea and intend to ship via sea container at end of next month.

The plan is to ship directly into Los Angeles.

But I have the following issues :

1) If vehicle is in sealed shipping container does it need to be emptied of all contents ? i.e. Can we ship vehicle with all our stuff and engine/fuel liquids on board ?

2) Insurance - this is proving problem, anybody know a company that offers US insurance for a foreign registered 'tourist' vehicle. ?

3) How fussy ? We have been 'warned' that 'scruffy' vehicles may not get permission to enter ? (similar rules to Australia ?) my truck is somewhat battered and little rusty round edges, will it be ok ?

pics of at : www.travel.uklinux.net

any help really will be appreciated, be great if someone has actually done this recently and REALLY KNOWS the way in !

Thanks
Phil.

The fluids will be up to the people doing the dangerous goods deculartion.. and they will probably determine if the thing is likely to be inverted that you have to drain the fluids .. if they think it won't be inverted tehn you will probably leave the fluids there. You'd do know the air line regs? ... No more than 1/4 of a tank of fuel .. that way it should not slosh out. Personaly I'd disconnect the battery/ies too, just to make certain.


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I'd think you can leave the stuff in the van/car .. it will be a customs issue when you arive - they think people arriving are tourists and can take a reaonable amount in with them as they will be leaving with it .. but when the van/car arives they may think your going to sell the goods and make money .. so it will depend on their interpertaion .. best if the 'goods' are second hand
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Insurance? You'll be able to buy the minimum legally required .. after that .. no.

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Austraila does not want other countries bugs .. so 'we' like things clean .. the rust is your problem .. if you arrive by road they think the bugs will travel across anyhow .. but when arriving by air/sea you could be bring in something they don't have. So they get fussy.. here if it is a problem they steam clean it .. and treat the run off too .. so that is expensive (and you pay). Best if you have it steam cleaned there - they don't have to treat the run off (so it is cheaper). Then WD40 it for the rust and they should be impressed? Or you could get all fussy too and paint it..

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Regards Frank Warner
motorcycles BMW R80 G/S 1981, BMW K11LT 1993, BMW K75 G/S

Many Thanks Frank.

That has certainly clarified main issues for me - cheers.

All sounds logical and not too bad, as always you tend to be very concerned when entering a new country, but obviously the 'what if i can;t get in' question is far more difficult (expensive !) if you've just shipped via sea.

Personally I actually believe the way Australia looks at 'imports' is very logical, the advantage of being an island (even a big one) is at least you can have some control of what comes in (or not).
Certainly didn't mean to be judgemental or cause any offence by the 'fussy' comment - apologies if I did.

Thanks again.
Phil