Letter of approval

I have a question. One of the cars I plan to import soon (not a Skyline) has a similar model that is already sold here in the U.S. I need a letter from the manufacturer stating the car can or does compy and performs the same in a crash as its LHD counterpart. I know of people that have imported them before so I know it can be done. But what Im wondering is do I get the letter of proof from the manufacturer before I import the car or when it arrives in ports?

first things first....start posting things in the forum this belongs in. it can get you banned pretty quick.

second....arent you like 14 or some shit? why would you care if you arent even old enough to make a binding contract or do any of the work. someone OF AGE has to do it all for you.

third....yes you need a letter of approval stating that it will perform the same in crash testing and what not. there are a few exceptions to the rule though the silvia to the 240sx. i believe there is something about how the car has to still be emissions compliant in the US too. although....in the general car forum im sure they could answer this alittle bit better than i can.

You did not answer my question. Do you get the letter before you import the car or when it arrives in ports. Thats all I want to know. You dont have to be an asshole. No Im not 14. Thats highoctanenosuser.

If you get a letter, you get it before it arrives and it should be shipped with the vehicle and it's paperwork.
The only thing is no manufacture has ever provided letters like that for imported RHD versions of their vehicles. They won't because if there is ever an accident, someone could easily blame the non-US rhd setup for the cause, injuries or possible fatality. This leaves the manufacture wide open for a major lawsuit.
The only way "substantially similar" models are imported is through an RI. You have the RI import it, provide the similar US model for comparison, and they can get the car approved. Which usually DOES involve modifications such as seat belt indicators, installing US model bumpers, etc. This is what was done for two FC RX-7s I know of imported in Vegas.
With a Silvia/180sx, they will definitely never receive a letter for emissions because it was never made to fit US emissions, plus it can't fit under "substantially similar" due to the non-similar equipped engines.
All I can say is good luck.

Thanks for the response in the informative info. I figured you would have to get before the car arrived in ports. Thanks for cleering that up. But since a RI can prove it elgible by comparison thats good because now you dont have to try to get a letter you would never get anyway. Im not trying to get a 180sx or Silvia. The car Im talking about is not a Nissan at all. People have imported the car Im looking for here before and I have seen people on the forum trying sell them before with pics to prove it was legit and legalized. Now everyone is probaly wondering if its not a Nissan (or a Skyline for that matter) then whay did I post it here. Thats because everyone here seems to no more about importing than any where else.