Can You Import a Classic Car to Singapore?

Are you a classic car enthusiast dreaming of importing your beloved vintage vehicle to Singapore? Join the club. Many car enthusiasts face the challenge of bringing their classic cars to Singapore due to strict regulations and restrictions.

There's still hope for those determined to drive their dream car on Singaporean streets. Here, we explore the process and requirements associated with importing one into this city-state, so you can make an informed decision and realize your car dream.

Singapore's Land Transport Authority (LTA) has established policies and guidelines to safeguard both road users and imported cars.

By following these guidelines and fulfilling the requirements, you can legally navigate the process of bringing your classic car to Singapore.

Whether you are an experienced collector or simply admire classic cars, this article provides insightful and useful information to assist in importing vintage automobiles into Singapore.

We'll cover everything from understanding the eligibility criteria to dealing with customs and taxes. So, let's dive in and explore the world of importing classic cars to Singapore.

The 35 Years or Older Rule

Classic car import to Singapore can be a difficult and nerve-wracking endeavor as the regulations are quite strict. According to the Classic Vehicle Scheme, only vehicles that are 35 years or older can be imported and registered in Singapore.

This means that for now, only cars manufactured before 1986 can be legally used on the road; those hoping to have an R33 Skyline or an FC/FD RX-7 out cruising around will have to wait until at least 2029 before their dreams are fulfilled.

Thankfully, importing cars and classic vehicles to Singapore is achievable with proper guidance.

How to Ship a Car to Singapore

Shipping a car from the US to Singapore is simple with A-1 Auto Transport. All we need are two documents, the title and the bill of sale.

Following these initial steps, you will then be provided with information related to the required customs documentation for clearance in Singapore, port choice, and estimated shipment dates.

Trust our reliable, long-standing process with many successful customers who have trusted us with their vehicles for over four decades. Shipping your car with A-1 Auto Transport ensures that your vehicle can get overseas safely and securely, no matter what make or model.

Cost to Ship a Car to Singapore

Shipping your car f to Singapore will depend upon various factors, including its type, origin, and destination locations, as well as the marine service provider options available.

This is why we offer custom quotes for each shipment so that our clients can get an accurate estimation of how much their shipping job will cost.

Once your documents and the cost of shipping have been prepared, the next step should be organizing pickup.

Pickup can be arranged anywhere in the US, including Hawaii and Alaska. Once at its destination port or storage facility, your car must then be loaded onto an ocean vessel bound for Singapore.

How To Transport Your Classic Car

Shipping your vehicle via container is the most secure and cost-effective transport method. With this method, your vehicle will be placed inside a metal container with steel walls that protect it from any external hazards.

You can also have complete control over how your car is loaded into the container, allowing you to double-check that all of its contents are secure. Not only is container shipping safe and secure for your vehicle, but it offers additional benefits such as reduced risk of theft or damage as well as easier movement between countries.

The main downside to this method is the cost: though more expensive than cabin travel, it's still a good option for those who need their car transported safely and securely without having to worry about its potential risks.

RoRo, short for Roll on/Roll off, is another option when transporting vehicles. It involves driving your car onto a designated vessel where it's strapped down into position and secured with heavy-duty chains.

This allows multiple vehicles to be shipped together in one load. However, because they are not placed in separate containers like shipping via containers, RoRo carries more potential risk for possible theft or damage since everyone has access to them during transit. Ultimately though

Items Needed by Singapore Customs

Before being able to undertake the import procedure for your vehicle into Singapore, you must know the items required by customs. Have all these export documents with you for the process to go smoothly.

• Freight and insurance papers
• Receipt or bills related to additional charges
• Documents from any emission tests
• Reports of any examination

Going through this entire process can seem daunting, but our representatives make sure each step is attended to correctly so that things progress without any hassle.

Import and Register Your Car in Singapore

Singapore registration procedures provide several options, whether you are looking to purchase a new vehicle or a used one. If the car is brand-new, it needs to be shipped either from the manufacturer or from a country with the same safety and exhaust emission standards as Singapore.

Used cars that are less than three years of age may also be imported into Singapore, in addition to classic or vintage cars.

From there, the excise duty must be calculated and paid for at Singapore Customs for successful registration. This excise duty represents 20% of the Open Market Value (OMV) of the car.

The OMV is based on market trends and factors such as depreciation rates. An accredited automobile valuer can perform the valuation.

After that, a Certificate of Entitlement (COE) will need to be obtained before the registration process takes place at any SingPass Touch/Driving Centre (TDVC). Once those steps are taken care of, your vehicle will officially be registered in Singapore.

How Long Does It Take?

The import process can be complex and lengthy, with a timeline that isn't always consistent or expected. Generally, the entire process may last up to three months from the date of purchase to the date of registration.

It could be quicker than this if all paperwork is in order and both the seller and buyer are organized with their documentation. However, numerous errors and delays often lead to this timeline stretching out longer.

Some imports can take more than a year before they are fully registered for domestic use.

To ensure the smooth processing of an imported vehicle, it is important to contact a reputable auto mechanic well ahead of time so that any discrepancies on the car or its paperwork can be rectified before registration in its new country.

This helps avoid long delays during the import process, as mistakes made earlier can cost several weeks in total completion time. The costs involved in importing should also be considered carefully beforehand.

But don't rule out good potential savings through sourcing from abroad if financial predictions match long-term expectations.

Ultimately, patience is key when completing any international importation of goods. A complete understanding of the process will help you to achieve your intended goals as soon as possible.

Wrapping Up

If you're a classic car enthusiast and you've always dreamed of importing your dream ride to Singapore, there's good news: it is possible!

While there may be some challenges and requirements, the joy and satisfaction of owning and driving a classic car in this vibrant city-state is well worth it.

Start the process, and soon enough, you'll be turning heads and cruising the streets in your timeless treasure.

If you need assistance shipping classic cars, A-1 Auto Transport can help. Our expertise as one of the premier auto transport services ensures seamless service delivery. We deliver classic, electric, and recreational vehicles—our methods are safe and reliable.

Discover our auto transporter services and get an instant shipping cost estimate.