Importing a classic car?

23POSTS

11 years ago

I have been doing a bit of research but have not come up with any definitive answers for classic cars. When I move down to PR I would like to bring my '69 Jaguar with me. Currently it is registered as a classic car in NJ, which means that it is treated differently than a regular car and has a special designation plate.

First, does anyone know if PR treat classic cars differently?

Second, what about import excise tax? I was reading something that said that excise tax is not collected on 1998 cars and older-is this true?聽 I've tried the Departamento de Hacienda website but it has no idea what to do with my VIN and there is no relevant information that I can find.

Finally, is there anything special that I need to know about importing a classic car?

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Gary ViP

1845POSTS

11 years ago

I think there are special license plates for classic cars. To find out check the DTOP website ( - Spanish only) or go to one of their bigger offices.

I don't know a lot about taxes on "imported" cars, only that the amount you would have to pay seems to depend on which inspector is looking at your case.

A visit to Hacienda in Old San Juan might be helpful, especially if you bring a local friend or relative.

NomadLawyer Serial expat

693POSTS

11 years ago

One warning: Puerto Rico is very, very hard on cars, from the sunlight that dulls paint, to the salt that corrodes, to the massive, ubiquitous potholes, to the other drivers who frequently scrape, scratch and dent your car in the parking lots throughout the island (and never expect any driver to take responsibility no matter the evidence). PR will take a toll on a classic car.

Bear66 Member

23POSTS

11 years ago

With the rust issue, lousy drivers and bad roads, Puerto Rico sounds more than a bit like New Jersey! Seriously, I've already had a run-in with a pot hole in a rental car that took a wheel out. I don't use my XKE as a daily driver, it's just for fun. I've owned it so long that I am a bit reluctant to part with it, and yes, I drive like an old lady in it. I have no issue with Puerto Rico drivers, they certainly aren't any worse that what I encounter every day in the Northeast. In fact, I find them to be a bit more courteous. I've noticed that there is a big classic car culture in Puerto Rico and that has always been a hobby of mine. I am a bit torn about bringing the car down or just selling it and acquiring one. The only issue is that I've done a lot of work restoring it and it really is the car of my youth. I was hoping that someone on the board here had some experience. If I can't locate any information online my next recourse would be to see if there are any classic car shows when I go down next and see if I can hook up with one of the clubs.

NomadLawyer Serial expat

693POSTS

11 years ago

Hello, Bear. I completely understand your reluctance to part with it. I wouldn't sell it myself. Good luck with it!

GreggK Serial expat

509POSTS

11 years ago

Don't ever think for a minute that PR drivers aren't any worse than NJ drivers. You obviously haven't been there long enough to determine that. I only spent a year living on the island so my experience is a bit limited, but being a different culture the Puerto Ricans seem to have a different view on classic cars than you might imagine. There are a lot of car clubs and they all love to make their presence known. Mostly what I saw of classic car clubs were Jeeps and old Toyotas. I know they have Mustang clubs too because my step daughter belongs to one. Ever since I was a little kid I've loved the XKE. But understand, even if you have a good source for parts it will cost an absolute fortune to ship them to you. If your XKE is like any other British Leyland product it will probably need frequent repairs. I personally wouldn't own a very nice car if I lived there. First off because of the bad drivers and second, a Gringo with a very expensive car becomes a very visible target for crime. My advice, because you will stand out like a sore thumb anyway, is to be as low key and inconspicuous as possible. Take the possibility of being a crime victim very seriously.

Bear66 Member

23POSTS

11 years ago

I've done a good deal of the restoration work on the car myself so I am ok with not having a specialist around. Plus, that era car is very easy to work on-no funky emission stuff or electronic brains. The electrics are well-sorted and very reliable at this point, with a new wiring harness. The parts, well, they cost what they cost-I've long ago accepted that. Mostly these days it's just maintenance stuff. As far as standing out goes, that's expected I guess. I am sure that others find it as beautiful as I do. Because of the work and effort that I've put into the car I am very conscious of where I go even right now. Mostly I use it for car shows and club events-and I seem to get the most pleasure out of just tinkering with the thing.

BearNVa Active member

66POSTS

11 years ago

Me and my partner are gonna move to Mayaguez in the near future... he has a 1972 Triumph Stag that has been restored and he also doesn't want to part with it....someone told me that the excise tax on classic cars is $750 for basically anything under a year 2000 car, not sure how true that is but it was from someone in PR that we met last week. We just got back from a 2.5 week vacation there and after coming back to the states I'm excited on getting there. The whole atmosphere there is different meaning not so many pretentious people and not so much news being shoved down your throat to make you panic about every little thing thats happening in the world.

Bear66 Member

23POSTS

11 years ago

The Stag is a great little classic, I hope he gets to take it with him. We are going down in two weeks and I plan to buy a car, so I am going to try and get an answer from the PR DMV. Also, there are a few classic car museum around and I plan to visit a couple of them. They must be familiar with all of the ins and outs of importing/exporting classic cars so I plan to ask a few questions.

BearNVa Active member

66POSTS

11 years ago

#10

Did you ever find out anything?

Bear66 Member

23POSTS

11 years ago

#11

Not on our last trip, too many projects and no time to go to the DMV.

Kiwisailor Member

1POSTS

last year

#12

In April this year, I imported my 1955 Chevy truck from Florida, my partner and I went to Hacienda in Old San Juan to find out all costs of importation, which turns out is taken from the valve of the vehicle from "Black Book" depending on the vehicle's condition, then a percentage of that value is your duty, we were told the duty would be approximately $2100 it ended up being just over $4000. I understand duty is required but for an initial estimate to be 50 % of the actual is somewhat misleading and fraudulent in behavior. This happened when I went to collect the paperwork from the freight company at the port before going back to Hacienda to pay the import duty. The only option was to pay the duty or ship the vehicle back incurring more freight costs. Pretty poor behavior from the local government but again they do not have a great record.

Yes, the roads are at a poor standard here but I already knew that and wanted my truck here to drive. At the time I collected the truck the port was full of newly imported vehicles the duty on all thought vehicles must be substantial over a year, wish that money was used to maintain the roads instead of wherever it goes.

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