Importing a Skyline

How much would it cost to import a Skyline (not including the price or legalization, just getting it to US shores)?

What if you coul get a Skyline, get it up to northeastern Russia, ship it to Alaska, and transport it down to the U.S.? It only costs about $800 to transport a car across the US so it shouldnt be too much... Maybe it will be a lot less than shipping it from Japan?

Well I beleave it would cost around 4-5k USD to get it shipped from Japan, then you have to post a bond of 150% the car's value while it sits in a bonded warehouse. There are a few other fees envolved, but unless you have already signed a contract with an RI and they go and sign a few papers saying that they are going to do the complience it will either be shipped back at your expense or crushed.


I suppose you could drive it up to Russia, but it would be quite a hassle:o

Actually, shipping from Japan should be between US$1000-2000, depending on what type of shipping you prefer (containerized or roll-on, roll-off). Also, you don't really need to pay 150%, simply call a bonding agent that will typically charge 3-4% of the amount. (imagine trying to get the full amount back from uncle sam on your own...good luck!) You also need to hire a customs broker. Finally, pay Motorex their fees, US$17000-25000 depending on the model. All told, including customs fees, etc, you shouldn't go over US$3000 to bring it to the US, not including Motorex's fees. However, for most, this is a bit of a hassle which is why I doubt too many have done it.

Ok, I don't own an R-33 yet, but I will once I get stationed in Japan and Buy one there. Does any one know if there's any way to bypass Motorex's enormous fees (perhaps thru the Dep. of Transportation) ?

Originally posted by MisterPoop
Ok, I don't own an R-33 yet, but I will once I get stationed in Japan and Buy one there. Does any one know if there's any way to bypass Motorex's enormous fees (perhaps thru the Dep. of Transportation) ?

Not that I know of, Well... Unless you wanted to make it into a showcar. In which case you don't have to complience it, and you can still drive it 5k miles (I think) each year.



medici: Ah, thats for the correction and additional info. I had heard 150% somewere, donno where :D

Hey guys,

Why do we have to pay fees to motorex? Why can't we import a skyline oursleves and just pay the fees of importin? Do they have some kind of patent on street legal skylines?

See it's like this. When a Skyline (Whatever model) comes off the assembly line it doesn't meet US EPA and DOT requirements. Now if we want to drive a car on the streets here in the US it has to meet those requirements. So in order to legaly drive it on the street you have to do what is called compliencing, which is replacing parts and tweaking things. Such as bumpers, seat belts, mirrors, dash all that good stuff. Now here is were the problems come in, in order to have the crash test data on these cars, you have to crash 3 of the model you want to import. You then have to have this analyzed to find out exactialy what needs to be done to the car. Motorex is smart, they have done this. They are also charging 1.somthing million dollars for the info from it :D This is why we pay MotoRex 15k or so to complience our cars

What is the 0-60, 1/4 mile & HorsePower of an imported Skyline?

(I looked but couldn't find this info)

By the way once you submitt chrash test information to the Department of Tansportation it becomes public knowledge!!!

Motorex charging that much for public knowledge...:hehe:....anyone ever here of the freedom of information act....:hehe:...

Originally posted by mjeelani
How much would it cost to import a Skyline (not including the price or legalization, just getting it to US shores)?

What if you coul get a Skyline, get it up to northeastern Russia, ship it to Alaska, and transport it down to the U.S.? It only costs about $800 to transport a car across the US so it shouldnt be too much... Maybe it will be a lot less than shipping it from Japan?

I got a 95' Midnight Purple R33 GT-R that I am selling. It is ready to ship. 42K and its yours. All you will need to do is pick the car up from MotoRex after it has been leagalized. My GT-R is in top condition with some very nice mods. If you or anyone is interested hit me back. I will be putting it on ebay soon, so consider this a head start opportunity. :flash:

Originally posted by ericherm1
By the way once you submitt chrash test information to the Department of Tansportation it becomes public knowledge!!!

Motorex charging that much for public knowledge...:hehe:....anyone ever here of the freedom of information act....:hehe:...

Wrong, wrong, wrong. That act only applies to the government. MotoRex is a private business. In order to make the car legal the DOT will ask for crash results, you show them and they give you paper that says OK you can import this. All companies that import perform these test and provide the results to the DOT so they can then sell them here. You are paying MotoRex because they can show the DOT the results and then give you your car. MotoRex is doing you a favor by producing the paper work and then charging for it.

WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO TAKE A SKYLINE THROUGH MEXICO AND INTO THE U.S. FROM THERE? OR MAYBE SHIP A VEHICLE IN PARTS. HOW DO YOU IMPORT ONE AS A SHOW CAR? THIS SITE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN VERY INFORMATIVE THANKS GUYS/GIRLS.

If a car has been crash tested and passes, I'm sure anyone could piggy-back that test. Motorex needs to modify the car to pass crash tests which is what the company has that you as an individual would have to show. You'd have to change things on the Skyline and crash it to prove that it'll pass.

Originally posted by opoeno
WOULD IT BE POSSIBLE TO TAKE A SKYLINE THROUGH MEXICO AND INTO THE U.S. FROM THERE? OR MAYBE SHIP A VEHICLE IN PARTS. HOW DO YOU IMPORT ONE AS A SHOW CAR? THIS SITE HAS ACTUALLY BEEN VERY INFORMATIVE THANKS GUYS/GIRLS.

No matter where you have it shipped to, you have to bring it into the US through US Customs. It must pass certain US regulations.

Check out www.nhtsa.gov and it'll show you about importing vehicles and, of particular interest to this thread, the "Show and Display" certification.

www.omegaskylines.com will import to Canada, but after that you have to get it into the US [and legalize it]. However, would you be able to get it in as a show car and not have to do anything to it for compliance reasons? Their Skylines are far cheaper than Motorex's but not DOT/EPA legal at the listed prices. All I want is the car for show purposes (granted it will be at least a year and a half before i have the $ for it) but it seems that the big cost is getting it into the US. so If the car is in Canada and I want to ship it into the US i would have to do what? talk with US customs and a freight co.?

If you really want to ship your car, this is a way to do it, although i dont really recommend it, i have seen and talked to people who have, prices range from $8,000 to 20,000 to ship a car from okinawa japan to the united states. what they do is chop the car up into 3 or 4 different parts and take out the engine, ship the car to the u.s. and they have a japanese guy who runs a shop who will put it back together. its not that expensive but the only thing is that when they put it back together the car isnt going to be as strong and if you get into a wreck, the car is going to be falling apart in the places that they welded it back together. So far I've only talked to 3 people who have done it this way, and said there was no problem and they just use it as a daily driver.

Originally posted by 180driftking
the only thing is that when they put it back together the car isnt going to be as strong and if you get into a wreck, the car is going to be falling apart in the places that they welded it back together.
Not only that but you're ruining the integrity of the chassis, it will never drive as well.

as far as I'm reading if you order a skyline from Omegaskyline shipped to Canada. Can you legally drive it across the border or do you have to have papers and all for it first? And can you get the car and then legalize it on your own or later on down the process? Thanx

if you have it imported to canada are they legal in canada??

cause if they are just get it registered, insured, and all that good stuff in canada and then come down to the us and try to play it off as i just go to school here or i just moved here if you ever get pulled over

Cars not originally intended for sale in Canada can not be legalized in Canada unless they are over 15 years old... that means next year, you'll be able to legalize a 89 skyline in Canada...

OmegaSkyline is a joke, they are not able to legalize anything...

So, you have an address to register it in Canada? And if it's hanging around for more than a school year, the police will get wise. Then it's all downhill from there...

Originally posted by Hudson
So, you have an address to register it in Canada? And if it's hanging around for more than a school year, the police will get wise. Then it's all downhill from there...


summer school duhhhhh lol j/p

i doubt that would work anyways it was just a lame ass idea i had