Hi guys,
I looked for a similar thread but considering how unusual my situation is, I couldn't find anything.
So here we go, I'll be moving to Switzerland pretty soon for a permanent job and I'll be driving a car leased under my dad's name (the car company wouldn't accept to sign the lease under my name since I'm a young graduate apparently).
My problem is: how can I actually go through the whole import/registration process since the car is:
1. Leased
2. Foreign plates
3. Not under my name
Hope you guys can enlighten me on this issue.
Thanks!
You can't import a car that you're not the registered owner of.
When I was moving here, BMW said under no circumstances can my leased vehicle leave the USA. I had to get out of the lease or buy it outright at that point. I assume most companies are similar and you should check with the leasing company as well.
But if you can't get it in in the first place, then even this is moot. Good luck!
You can't, even if the car was leased under your name.
You can't lease here either before having lived here for at least 6 months since you're a foreigner with a B permit I assume.
Just buy a cheap car once you're here.
And if you want to skip the import cost the car it should be reg. under your name for at least year .
I thought ownership is what counts, not registration. Doesn't apply to OP though anyway.
Hey guys, thanks a bunch for your help. Guess I'll have to find another way out!
Sorry couldn't edit my post but I was wondering if I can't import it, can I still drive it, like if there's a way I can use this car without importing it for a couple years?
I have no idea- but perhaps it would be useful to know if it is an EU o non EU plate (perhaps not).
not legally, you don't say what country you are from, so I'll guess the uk, firstly you can't take a lease car out of the country for more then XX days (check your contract). As you need to register here you'll not be classed as living in the UK so your insurance is invalid etc etc
Nope. While there are a few rare exceptions, the rule is that a resident can't drive a foreign-plated car in Switzerland.
FTFY
After all - it doesn't stop swarthy types bringing in cars and driving them illegally - especially after being told countless times they can't legally drive them.
(I'm not saying this topic has been discussed before but................)
It can be impounded and you'll have to pay an hefty fine. But if you show a foreign driving license you might get away with it, not if you have a swiss license. I don't think it's really worth it, and since you have a B permit it may only cause you more problems in the future. If it's a luxury car just don't, it can lead to legal consequences.
The only legal way is to not move here.
I keep Swiss registered vehicles in Italy, but as I live in Switzerland and only vacation in Italy, this is perfectly legal (and the correct way to do it).
Tom
Registration is what counts. I paid of my lease after 2 years in the US with one year to go just before I moved to Switzerland. Since registration was under my name for 2 years preceding my move, even I was the owner only 1 month before I avoided the import tax.
By the way, after driving the car for two years in Switzerland I sold it for more than I paid of the lease company
Yes, but as it's not registered in his name.
Tom
Missed that one, unless his dad has the same initials he is screwed
The registration documents are unlikely to show just initials, the names would need to be the same......