Hello all, I have recently purchased a 1998 Subaru Sambar KS4 (SC/M5/AC) scheduled for ship for a May arrival in Long Beach CA. Can anyone recommend an customs broker to assist with the import documentation? I have red the wittymelon guide, and it looks like I will need to file a Formal Entry for vehicles over $2500.00. It looks like they reference GWL out of San Francisco. I sent an email inquiry and did not receive a reply. Perhaps I can resort to calling...? -Out-of-Round
Who did you wind up using? I will also need a customs broker for the port of Long Beach. How much did they charge you for their services?
I recently worked with GWL to import my 1998 Subaru Sambar KV4 and found them generally very responsive (though sometimes it was a business day or two before they replied). I initially emailed the address listed at the Wittymelon blog, and that person put me in touch with Henry Mak <henry@great-world.com> who was very helpful. I was able to do the cheaper informal entry, though did still have to pay the higher 25% duty. I think GWL charged me a total of $225 for filing all the paperwork, and I thought that was a very fair fee for putting up with all my newbie questions.
So you picked your car up at the port and used the broker for paperwork only? I'm needing someone to pick my car up at the port, clear customs, and put the car on a vehicle transporter and deliver it to my driveway. Any idea what they charge for this service and get the car on a transporter
Yes, GWL did the paperwork and filings, and I went into the port (with a TWIC escort) and trailered the Sambar home myself. I don't know if GWL offers the full service, but I'd wager they might have a recommendation if you ask. I was picking up at the Port of Baltimore (so your experience will vary) but I found the folks at the local TWIC escort company (A-1 Escort Services) to be super helpful and knowledgable, and I'd probably ask them (or your port's equivalent escort service) what they'd recommend—they seem to know everybody and everything about how to get vehicles in and out!
I'll be bringing in my truck to the Port of Long Beach. The Customs Broker I was talking to said his side of the deal - coordinating with the Port, Customs plus all the paperwork was $1100 Plus 25% Customs levy on the car and I meet him at his office to pick it up or he can ship it. Seems like a lot of dough for a days work
That does seem like a lot! In addition to the $225 I paid to GWL on top of the customs duty, I paid the TWIC escort $100 to take me to the port and hold my hand through the various places and people to talk to to get my car in and out ($50/hr for 2h)—but it was super easy with their help and was a really fun experience.
Also worthwhile mentioning that GWL is based in San Francisco (the other side of the country for me) and had no trouble handling all the paperwork remotely—I have no doubt they could do the same at Long Beach or any other US port. The local TWIC escort was super helpful for in-port questions and logistics navigation.
