New Info On Importing to the USA

eodnutt · 03-19-2006, 09:00 PM

I was wondering if anything has changed as far as importing a Skyline from Japan to the US? I have been in Japan for 3 years now and I want to bring my Skyline back to the US but I need some help with the process and info. Any help would be great.

Gtr2.7L · 03-20-2006, 06:22 AM

At the present, you can't....unless you want to do it illegaly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by eodnutt

I was wondering if anything has changed as far as importing a Skyline from Japan to the US? I have been in Japan for 3 years now and I want to bring my Skyline back to the US but I need some help with the process and info. Any help would be great.

liny · 03-20-2006, 09:06 PM

from DOT web site

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...ges/page2.html

10. Importing a disassembled vehicle.

A disassembled vehicle that is shipped without an engine and transmission is treated for importation purposes not as a motor vehicle, but instead as an assemblage of motor vehicle equipment items. Such an assemblage can lawfully be imported into the U.S., provided any equipment included in the assemblage that is subject to FMVSS, but was not originally manufactured to comply with that FMVSS or was not so certified by its original manufacturer, is removed from the assemblage prior to entry into the U.S. Equipment items that are subject to the FMVSS include tires, rims, brake hoses, brake fluid, seat belt assemblies, glazing materials, and lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.

If the assemblage is shipped with an engine and power train (even if those components are not installed), it would be regarded for importation purposes as a motor vehicle, and would have to be either manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS, and be so certified by its original manufacturer, in the form of a label permanently affixed to the vehicle, or be determined eligible for importation by NHTSA and be imported by an RI or by a person who has a contract with an RI to bring the vehicle into compliance with all applicable FMVSS after importation.

Mr_Powers · 03-21-2006, 06:21 PM

Thanks for the excellent information. I've thought about this for a while now; what if the vehicle was sent to either Canada or Mexico, then brought into the states? I imagine the same rules apply, but I'm not positive.

It would definitely be worth it to disassemble the car and send it in pieces over a matter of a few weeks in order to get it here. Whether the DOT considers it a kit car or not is irrelevant, you'd still own a street legal Skyline. As for the list of parts you'd have to take off before shipment, is there anything from stopping them from entering the country afterwards? Then you'd be able to throw them on afterwards. Just a thought. Any information would help.

SilentNIght1647 · 03-22-2006, 07:10 PM

No go on the Canada side of things they have a disclaimer that says cars in Canada can't be imported to the US unless they comply to the FMVSS or the 25-Year rule. I'm not sure about Mexico though although it is probably the same.

xeroinfinity · 03-26-2006, 10:50 PM

that kinda blows!
I hav an uncle in Germany, and he found a nice Skyline he's thinking about shipping into the USA this summer.
He's head of military transport, so thiers no problem geting it in, he just cant driv it

My bad! I know thiers only two places to do the transformation, that sucks even more!
Damn the NHTSA !

liny · 03-27-2006, 05:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xeroinfinity

that kinda blows!
I hav an uncle in Germany, and he found a nice Skyline he's thinking about shipping into the USA this summer.
He's head of military transport, so thiers no problem geting it in, he just cant driv it

My bad! I know thiers only two places to do the transformation, that sucks even more!
Damn the NHTSA !

No the hard part it getting it cleared threw customs.if he can get it cleared and out of port,titling is the easy part

xeroinfinity · 03-27-2006, 07:26 AM

I'm sure he'll hav no prob getting it through customs. It wont even go through customs on a military transport from what he has told me. straight to the MLTY Base in virginia.

He took 3 cars overseas, a vette, a bonnevlle, and a GA GT. He sold the Pontiacs, but kept his vette.
He has brought other imports in this way over the years. He's always moving back and forth, but he is retiring the year for good.

Hell even if he cant regster it, I'd buy the damn thing just to driv in my yard/drivway

nader3890 · 08-06-2006, 08:24 PM

I dont know if this is right(legal) but I live in Minnesota and I was up in Duluth a few weeks ago and for those of you who dont know, Duluth is on Lake Superior so it has a port. But anyways i was down by the port and i saw those container boxes being put right on the trucks(from the ship) then they would drive off. So i was wondering if you could put a skyline in one of those and get it shipped to you house? or do they open the container and look to see whats inside? ( i didnt think i saw anyone doing that)

HellBent · 08-07-2006, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nader3890

I dont know if this is right(legal) but I live in Minnesota and I was up in Duluth a few weeks ago and for those of you who dont know, Duluth is on Lake Superior so it has a port. But anyways i was down by the port and i saw those container boxes being put right on the trucks(from the ship) then they would drive off. So i was wondering if you could put a skyline in one of those and get it shipped to you house? or do they open the container and look to see whats inside? ( i didnt think i saw anyone doing that)

To make a long story short, everything imported into the USA (including personal motor vehicles of military members on military transport) must have customs paperwork. This paperwork declares who you are and what you are are importing. If you falsify these documents you are guilty of customs fraud and are subject to fines and imprisonment.

Yes, many but not all containers are opened. The question is do you want to take a chance on losing the car and going to jail? Besides, you usually need an agent to put a bond on your shipment, and they won't let you falsify the documents as they have too much to lose.

Please research this topic on the NHTSA, EPA, and U.S. Customs web pages. It is all there in black and white. Or just search this forum.

-AL

nismo1118 · 02-09-2007, 01:51 PM

Any body heard of these guys, www.supacaimports.com. I assume they are just like every other import buisness that has come around but just curious if you guys know anything about them?

HellBent · 02-09-2007, 08:03 PM

Just another flash in the pan...

They are essentially promising nothing except to take your money.

Please remember, anyone can import a car, only a registered importer (RI) in conjunction with an Independent Comercial Importer (ICI) can do it legally. Since MOTOREX closed not a single street legal Skyline has been imported legally.

Importing a race only or "show and display car" is extremely difficult. RB motoring brought in to GTR race cars but they had a full on sanctioned racing effort to support the import request.

I believe the Skyline is currently listed on the NHTSA "show and display" list as not approved.

The "Kit Car Method" is also highly illegal. Just check the EPA page.

-AL

firefighter81 · 03-17-2007, 11:17 PM

Ok so what's the deal with the R33 Skylines? They are still listed on the NHTSA Eligibility List, yet I keep seeing everyone say NO Skylines can be imported.

Not that it matters that much to me, I'm in the military, gonna be in Okinawa for 4-6 years, I'll pick up my 33 GT-R when I get there. My job keeps me overseas, so I can take it anywhere I go as long as I don't go back to the US.

Anyways, I think it would be good to clear that up for people who are thinking about it.

HellBent · 03-18-2007, 01:27 PM

If you research the issue, it is basically that only a select few years of the R33 can be imported due to airbag and OBD II issues.

However, the larger problem is that to compliance the car requires knowledge of the proprietary chassis mods made by MOTOREX. Unfortunately the mods were kept confidential so an R33 or other Skylines can't be legalized until someone pays MOTOREX for the info or crash tests more cars.

Due to the expense and the small profit margins the likelyhood of a new company importing Skylines legally is very small.

I'd say enjoy the Skyline while overseas and then move on to the other wonderful cars that are out there when you are back stateside.

-AL

vectorspecialist · 03-19-2007, 09:02 AM

1) u could wait for the gtr in 08
2) u can bring a skyline into america for show or racing, but with shoewing it has to have some kind of purpose(rare or historical). racing, u have to prove every yr u have that u r racing it, not in the same class, but racing it.
3) show cars can never touch pavement outside ur driveway(or 30ft from each end of ur house/appt)with the exception of a car show taken place outdoors or short trips from parking spots for trailer and truck to the display.
4) i called the nj dmv on this thing, i tried everything i knew, i was even told that if it was brought in, i'd have to convert it to lhd. once i heard that i said no not worth it. rhd is wwat makes that car unique in a world of boxy shaped 300hp cars.

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