Then Direct Line were telling you porkies... they must cover you by law.

Also a green card is not necessary for travel in the EU.

I had an LV policy and I took the European cover which gives 180 days per trip fully comp cover, but they also told me that I was covered for liability (3rd party) as required by law if I stayed over 180 days, it also has this information on their web site:

There is a European directive that means if you have valid insurance, then it must cover you to the minimum level required by law in the country you are driving in.

So it may not be the insurance cover you would like and may not cover everything, but you are legal.

Does anyone know if there would be any issues if the type of car being imported was never sold (hence never approved or whatever) in Switzerland? Is the process any different then?

Does this thread answer your question?

I think you need the COC (European Certificate of Conformity), otherwise the Swiss won't even have a look at it

yes and yes... it would be very different. the car would have to go to ASTRA or the DTC for testing which would be very very expensive.

what car is it?

Partially, thanks. Do you know how long the Certificate of Conformity has been around? Does the law apply to cars produced in, say, the 1970s?

I haven't decided yet. The classic car market is pretty small here, and I may well not be able to get what I want, so was wondering about importing from the UK. In an ideal world, maybe a Jensen Interceptor or Reliant Scimitar SE5. (No, really, don't laugh ) The Interceptor may have been sold here, but I don't know Reliant really had the reach. Not sure.

i have seen a jensen on swiss plates so no problem there, for the reliant - i doubt it

the classic car market here is huge!! you have been looking in the wrong places, I've seen both those cars with swiss plates on, old timers are much easier to import and get through the mfk's, maybe talk to an old timer garage

take a look here

http://www.oldtimers.ch/en/index_en.htm

I really only meant that it's a country of, what, 8m people, compared with neighbouring Germany, France, and Italy, so the number of cars available is smaller. It's entirely possible I've been looking in the wrong places though

I'd already found that site, but thanks. I may contact them, and ask them to let me know if they get anything in that fits my desires.

I've been there a few times, they will sort out the whole import process for you (or they used to anyway) they quite often have non swiss cars there and then 2 prices, 1 all done, and 1 for as is.

Hi,

I'm planning to import a new car from Spain soon.

(I posted these questions in another long thread about importing cars but had no luck with replies back):

6) Go to the Swiss side, they will give you the vital "Prüfbericht" 13.20 A” (this is a yellow, data sheet). They will fill in part of the form with your “Stamm” number on it, which is your actual cars registration number in CH. Fill in the rest yourself.

--> Q: I'm planning to import it on a weekend. I guess there are "import offices" in big cities (ie Zurich) in case you are crossing the border at night for example, right?

7) Get your card out and pay all the Swiss taxes (about 11%)…..don’t forget the vinette

Is it possible to pay that with VISA? Only cash allowed?

9) Go to a garage and get a "Abgas test". This is the Swiss Emission/Exhaust Gas, most cars will pass easily. You will get a small card and a sticker on the car. Cost about 25CHF. If the car has European warranty, it’s a good opportunity to get to know your local main dealer/garage

Necessary even if the car is brand new, correct?

I did this slightly differently,

I came through a small border in Basel and the main crossing office was closed.

(Maybe on purpose, plus I did not want to deal with these guys after a 16hr drive)

We asked them to give us a form to take to inland customs in Zurich the next day.

I did not need to go to the German Neutral customs agent.

The form from Basel customs office cost nothing.

I paid the money next day and got the 13.20A from Zurich customs.

Very good. So you found an XKR then?

Yup now to tinker with a plate change in the headlight lamps

I'm trying to get my 1990 TVR registered here. No chance. TVR no longer exist, so no certificate of conformity. However, a mechanic, and also a representative of the local department for road transport and shipping told me that all I need to do is 'move' the car along with all my belongings from the UK - this is called an UMZUGSGUT - registering my belongings with the state...then they will just give me the plates. Does anyone know anything about this? Seems too easy, especially when the other way seems impossible!

By the way, the car is already here - I brought it over when I still had an L permit, now I have a B, so I am guessing I'll have to sneak it back over into France and then come over officially the next day with a load of CDs and some clothes (you can't get much in a TVR)

This is really not an easy one... It depends what TVR it is and if anyone has the testing certificates for such. You would have to contact one of the TVR specialist s and see what is needed to get it though the MFK. If it is one they have done it might cost a few low grand, if not it could cost high thousands getting it certified.

You should contact forum member papa goose and tell him I sent you his way http://www.englishforum.ch/members/1...apa-goose.html

We were looking into this on TVR and he knows the main guys over here who do this...

Best,
David

Thank you David.
The lowest estimate so far has been about 4000CHF but no one can say for sure. The car probably isn't even worth that! I had heard from the TVR club that only one member was brave enough to try registering in Switzerland and it turned out to cost a fortune and big headache.
If it really is possible to just bring it over amongst personal belongings, that sounds the way forward.
I'll contact Papa, thanks
Angeline

I have a Vauxhall Zafira in the UK which I have owned for five years. I own a house in Switzerland, but do not have a residence permit. I would like to import the car to Switzerland and leave it there on Swiss plates and with Swiss insurance. Is this possible or do you have to be a resident?

Any info gratefully received from the denizens of this incredibly useful forum.

Thanks,

David

Just found the answer here. Looks like it is possible!