Going to Germany, I want to buy a BMW motorcycle there and bring it to the US...?

Question

The Army is sending me to Germany. I know BMW has dealers overseas that sell US spec cars to military and diplomats, does anyone know if they sell motorcycles too? If not, how can I import a BMW bike from Germany?

Answer 1

Visit the AAFES car dealership when you get to Germany.  They are usually located around the larger U.S. facilities.

At the time I was stationed there, they could order just about every make of car and bike.  Although, I never checked on a BMW....

The nice thing about buying from AAFES, is that it's the same as buying on American soil.  No customs fees or inspections when you bring it home.  I can't remember how they do sales tax, I want to say you are exempt, but you may get taxed when you bring it home and title it in your home state.

Also, motorcycles get shipped in a crate with your household goods.  There will be no additional fee to ship the bike, as long as you coincide it with your PCS or ETS.

Another thing about using AAFES, it's one price.  You'll get your military discount, that's it, no negotiating.

You can also buy a bike from a bmw dealership, but when you bring it home, it will have to pass a u.s. d.o.t. inspection.  From what I remember, the headlights, emissions and speedometer were the biggest issues.  If it doesn't pass, you'll have to spend some money to make it pass.  There are some customs fees and import taxes also...but most of those can be waived because you are military.  You just have to find the correct forms to get filled out by the right people...you know how the military loves "red tape".

I bought a bike while home on leave in 1991, and shipped it to Germany on my own dime.  If I had known about the AAFES dealership, I could have saved about 1500 bucks going that route.

EDIT:  Just saw your further comments about aafes.  I left there in '92, a lot has changed since then.  When I was there, they claimed to be able to get just about anything.  

Anyways...best of luck, and hope it works out for you....where there's a will, there's a way.....

Answer 2

Forget the bike, get some H&K guns in Germany! Being from the army, can you score some G36's or MP5's?

Answer 3

Just a comment. Over in Germany you dicker over the base price of the vehicle and then go back into the salesman's office to see what options you want to purchase. You will not save anything by buying in Germany and will have to meet US Customs on the USA side when it un-crates.

Used to be, Porshe and VW offered an overseas purchase, use it and then shipping. I'd definitely check with an American dealer or peruse ebay.de

Don't forget Europe has VAT, which can be refunded but it is a beetch to get that refund.