We often import gliders in Canada (from the US or Europe) and as long as you do your research with the FAA as to the requirements for import, it will go smoothly.

In Canada, I offer an import brokering service to help people with the paperwork and get their glider flying as quickly as possible. Between club and private gliders, I have done over 10 imports of new and used gliders in the last 5 years and as long as the process is followed things go well. And, we do not have the option of the experimental category in Canada, all gliders need a C of A!

As for metric instruments, Winter ASI's and VSI's can be converted to imperial for less than 100 Euro each, much cheaper than replacing them. Altimeters cannot be converted, but a new United Altimeter will run about $900.