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      07-21-2019, 04:26 PM   #1
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Current Approaches to License Plates, Warning Triangles, etc Coming Home After ED

I've read a number of threads (many a year old or more) that contain various takes on how to go about making sure the European specific vehicle items make it safely back to the US. I've read you should remove both plates and the warning triangle and pack them away in your suitcase. I've read you have to leave the rear plate on the car. I've read that the double sided tape can pull some paint off and that it's better to let the VPC handle it. I've heard that at least the rear plate will make it back to the dealer if left on the car.

I was hoping to hear from some more recent ED recipients as to how they successfully made sure these items made it home safely. Any unique items I'm missing?

Thanks!
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      07-21-2019, 06:08 PM   #2
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Just dropped off my M2C in Zurich last month, and you do not remove any of the plates. They specifically state that you have to leave both plates attached, and whether you get them back will depend at VPC or your dealer. The person processing the dropoff included a note to leave the plates in the trunk once it has served its purpose through US customs, but that is not guaranteed. The items you normally have to remove from the car and take home with you are the first aid kit, warning triangle and safety vests.
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      07-22-2019, 08:53 AM   #3
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I did ED in early June and my car arrived at the dealer last week.

yes, you pack the triangle, the vest and first aid kit in your luggage. US license plate holder and the trunk net can stay in the car.

In addition to leaving German transit plates on, you also leave the green book/German registration and insurance document in the car. They are required to go thru US customs.

The VPC doesn't remove the German plates, in fact they don't do much with the car other than checking for any damage that may have occurred during transit.

A week or so before expected arrival at my dealer, I asked my SA NOT to remove any plates off the car, which he did.

I have yet to remove the front license plate, is it true there is a potential for front bumper paint damage?
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      07-22-2019, 10:30 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by somberlaine View Post
I have yet to remove the front license plate, is it true there is a potential for front bumper paint damage?
I've read a couple of posts that said the 3M double sided tape used on the front bumper to attach the front plate is quite strong. A couple of people responded that paint did come off....not sure if it was at the hand of a dealer/VPC or their own.

I have no personal experience with anything like the this other than de-badging my E61 which caused no paint damage.
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      07-23-2019, 10:18 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannondale900 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by somberlaine View Post
I have yet to remove the front license plate, is it true there is a potential for front bumper paint damage?
I've read a couple of posts that said the 3M double sided tape used on the front bumper to attach the front plate is quite strong. A couple of people responded that paint did come off....not sure if it was at the hand of a dealer/VPC or their own.

I have no personal experience with anything like the this other than de-badging my E61 which caused no paint damage.
Use a heat gun or blow dryer (not with a steady heat but with a back and forth motion) to warm up the adhesive and it comes right off with no damage.
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      07-23-2019, 11:13 AM   #6
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During my M2c ED last year I left my Warning Triangles, First Aid kit in stock location, and Emergency Vests in the truck. I also put vests and first aid kit under the carpet area where the tire pump is. I forgot to give back the umbrella to the hotel and just laid that in the trunk during drop off as I did not want to carry it on the plane.

When I received my M2c 8 weeks later everything was in the trunk. Nothing touched. I do not think taking all these items is critical. My first ED I did and my second ED I did not. I guess you worry less on your 2nd ED?

Told my CA not to touch the ED plates. 9 months later I am still driving around with European Delivery plates on my car. I cant seem to remove these!
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Last edited by chmura; 07-23-2019 at 11:20 AM..
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      07-23-2019, 04:53 PM   #7
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Like others have said, I was told to remove everything except the manual (warning triangle, first aid kit, and vests). Plates stay on.

When I picked my car up back in the states, it looked just as I'd left it. The dealership mounted the back plate for me and left the front on just as I'd asked.
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      07-23-2019, 08:02 PM   #8
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Thanks all - I will instruct CA as well as drop off point that I want the plates to remain on the car, while taking everything else with me just to be safe.
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      07-26-2019, 08:48 PM   #9
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I was told by the transport people (loginout) that the plates must stay on the car and when it is at sea they remove the plates. They left a note stating to leave them in the trunk. From my take please reach out to your CA and let them know that once your vehicle gets in to not discard them.

My information is as current as this morning when i dropped off the car at the Munich airport. Anyone else planning a drop off their truck for Bremerhaven doesn't leave until Tuesday so you have time.
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      07-26-2019, 09:13 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NOS4A2 View Post
I was told by the transport people (loginout) that the plates must stay on the car and when it is at sea they remove the plates. They left a note stating to leave them in the trunk. From my take please reach out to your CA and let them know that once your vehicle gets in to not discard them.
No one takes the plates off "at sea".
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      07-27-2019, 08:34 PM   #11
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Quote:
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No one takes the plates off "at sea".
Welp, you got me then. Just passing on what she told me when I asked if I could just take my plates off and carry them with me on the flight. Thinking about it, it doesn't sound logistically valid. Perhaps, they have to be plated by the time it hits the US/Customs?

The person at the courier did tell to let my sales people know to not throw away the plates when the vehicle reaches the dealer and that they'll leave a note with the vehicle to not discard plates.

Did you end up getting yours after your ED? Anything beyond just letting the dealer know?

Hoping I get them when the vehicle shows up, but not a deal breaker by any means.

Last edited by NOS4A2; 07-27-2019 at 08:54 PM..
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      07-28-2019, 04:33 AM   #12
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Quote:
Originally Posted by NOS4A2 View Post
Welp, you got me then. Just passing on what she told me when I asked if I could just take my plates off and carry them with me on the flight. Thinking about it, it doesn't sound logistically valid. Perhaps, they have to be plated by the time it hits the US/Customs?

The person at the courier did tell to let my sales people know to not throw away the plates when the vehicle reaches the dealer and that they'll leave a note with the vehicle to not discard plates.

Did you end up getting yours after your ED? Anything beyond just letting the dealer know?
I mentioned it to the dealer and they said they never take the German tourist plates off - both were still on when I got her back in the US, which seems to be the norm these days. I wouldn't worry about it.
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      08-04-2019, 03:10 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Thescout13 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cannondale900 View Post
Quote:
Originally Posted by somberlaine View Post
I have yet to remove the front license plate, is it true there is a potential for front bumper paint damage?
I've read a couple of posts that said the 3M double sided tape used on the front bumper to attach the front plate is quite strong. A couple of people responded that paint did come off....not sure if it was at the hand of a dealer/VPC or their own.

I have no personal experience with anything like the this other than de-badging my E61 which caused no paint damage.
Use a heat gun or blow dryer (not with a steady heat but with a back and forth motion) to warm up the adhesive and it comes right off with no damage.
I finally removed the front ED plate. Used a heat gun. It did help but WD40 was more effective. It really softened up the adhesive tape. It came off easily, especially all that leftover goo.
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      08-16-2019, 01:41 PM   #14
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Does anyone know if you need to remove the bracket which holds the warning triangle to the trunk lid? I'm worried I'll have a triangle and nowhere to put it when it gets home, since US/Canada cars usually don't come with the bracket at all. Would the remove it before sending it on the boat?
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      08-16-2019, 03:03 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by frosty2k View Post
Does anyone know if you need to remove the bracket which holds the warning triangle to the trunk lid? I'm worried I'll have a triangle and nowhere to put it when it gets home, since US/Canada cars usually don't come with the bracket at all. Would the remove it before sending it on the boat?
Leave the brackets. I think I actually left my triangle in our F80 and it showed up with the car
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