Adding Jump Seats/Bench

[defendy]

Hi All,

I have a two seater 1994 Defender 90 in Italy. I’m looking to import it into the US. The Italian registration states it is a two seater.

I was wondering, can I add the four seats/benches in the back in Italy and import it over to the US. If so, will it then be considered a six seater in the US. Just trying to understand the legalities?

Thanks.

 

[mitherial]

Italian registration doesn’t directly affect import status. Based on current applications of the “chicken tax” (google it), you are probably actually better off *adding* seats (at least if they look plausibly original). to make your truck closer to passenger vehicle (2.5% us import tax) vs a cargo vehicle (25% is import tax). But the best bet is to work with a Defender-specific import broker of some kind, of whom there are several on this forum

 

[WreckITFrank]

My old 90 was imported from Italy with 2 benches in the back bolted to the sheet metal, and seat belts still in plastic tossed in the back. I believe as mentioned by @mitherial , this helped the "passenger vehicle" argument for importation.