For transporting my Fiat from Krakow to Bremerhaven I hired local Polish broker, Adam Florczak,
[email protected] , http://www.lordbereus.pl/ He charged me 600 zlotys, or about 175 US$ for that.
From Bremerhaven to Charleston, SC it was Trans Global Auto Logistics, http://www.tgal.us It was about 1550 US$ plus $450 for the Charleston - Charlotte leg. I highly recommend both companies, they did good job.
When I went to DMV office first time, I had very unpleasant experience. Lady "at the window" was rude and everything was "NO!". She was maybe 75 years old and just didn't know what to do with gray market car. However she gave me list of things I need to have.
Some of the forms they need do not apply to vehicles over 25 years old, but they needed some forms from customs, proof of ownership (Polish registration was sufficient, since there is not such think as a "title" over there), proof of liability insurance (we called number of agencies, some of them do not insure gray market cars, others are very expensive, but State Farm insured this car for a 228 dollars for 6 months). Car had to be also inspected by state officer, who checked VIN number (it is located in front, on the trunk floor) and basic safety devices, like lights and wipers etc.
Our car was bought in Poland by my daughter and register there, so here we transfer the ownership of that car right at the DMV office, at the window. It was at our second visit there. This time we where lucky, we had nice young girl at the window, who also had no idea what to do with us, but she was very helpful. She called someone, she faxed our papers, and just two hours later I left this office with new NC licence plate in my hand. I also ordered personal plate "Fiat126P", which came by mail few weeks later.
