Skylines seized and auctioned by customs

[GTES-t]

Well, after having seen so many Skylines seized and auctioned off by US Customs because people think they can just buy and ship a Skyline over, pick it up and drive away. I figured I'd start an on-going list of these Skylines. Just as a warning to people to do their research...

Mods, if you think this is a bad idea, feel free to lock/delete this thread. I don't mean to waste space/time. I know all of us who do know what is involved will hate to know that these cars are on US soil, unable to go anywhere but back overseas or god forbid to a crusher.

Here's the LA Auction site:
http://www.ustreas.gov/auctions/customs/la.html

They don't keep an archive, so I'll post the date of the auction and the doomed Skyline's info.

Here's the first: January 6, 2005:

NISSAN SKYLINE, GRAY, 6 CYL, 2 DR, MANUAL, YEAR UNKNOWN, OPERATIONAL STATUS UNKNOWN, PLUS 1 BUMPER, ODOMETER READS 97,768 KM, VIN: HCR32-281169, CANNOT BE EXPORTED TO CANADA OR MEXICO (EXPORT ONLY)

On a side note, the same auction has a RHD Honda Civic that someone thought they could import awaiting the same fate. This one I hope they crush...

HONDA CIVIC, GREY, 4 CYL, MANUAL, 4 DR, YEAR/OPERATIONAL STATUS UNKNOWN, PASSENGER SEAT AND BACK SEAT CUSHION MISSING, RIGHT HAND DRIVE, ODOMETER READS 92,828 KM, VIN: EF9-1102495, CANNOT BE EXPORTED TO CANADA OR MEXICO, (EXPORT ONLY)

[Moppie]

Originally Posted by GTES-t

This one I hope they crush...

I bloody well hope not!
Its an EF9, far rarer than any Skyline save a VSPEC II GTR, and easily the performance match for a GTS-t.

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Wait a minute... lemme get something straight. US customs siezes Skylines, because they aren't street legal, then sells to them to the americian public at an auction? Huh? I just find that ironic.

[ZedEx]

Maybe you didnt catch that... "Export ONLY"

And great post... I have no problem with it being here. People need to see this.

-Wes

[Zaphod Beeblebrox]

Yup, I sure did.

[matada]

The only reason customs would sieze them is due to the failure to properly complete the paperwork. If you are trying to bring in the cars illegaly, yes it will be HELD, not siezed.
If you are trying to pull a scam and list a complete vehicle as parts, etc, yes, they may seize it for customs fraud, but if you are importing it as a vehicle, they will hold it until you have completed all the necessary requirements. It is not against the law to ship a skyline to the states. It is against the law to falsify the documents in which you are clearing customs.
Most of the vehicles you see being sold there are done so because they were abandoned by the owner because it is not feasable or cost effective for them to complete all the requirements.

[GTES-t]

Most of the export only seized vehicles being auctioned are due to the fact that they have been held by customs and have overstayed their welcome. I believe it's an 18 month period? Anyways, what is usually the case, is that some idiot, usually very young, buys a Skyline they found on the internet. Invest almost their entire savings at this point of their life. It shows up, ship yard calls them up to let them know it's here and the RI can pick it up from customs. The person then reallizes that you can't just buy a Skyline and drive it off the dock. US Customs tells them they have however long to get an RI to import it. They call around, find out that it's true, you can only go through Motorex. Can't afford to get the car legalized, and usually due to not being able to spend anymore can't even afford to ship it out of country and/or pay the US Customs holding dock fees. So, Customs waits until the time limit expires and auctions the car off. Most people think, and even I say that the cars get crushed, but the truth is, they try to auction them off first to recoup unpaid dock fees, etc. But, as many will find, the odds of it being bought are slim and it's most likely headed to a crusher.

[nismo_power]

Originally Posted by GTES-t

Most of the export only seized vehicles being auctioned are due to the fact that they have been held by customs and have overstayed their welcome. I believe it's an 18 month period? Anyways, what is usually the case, is that some idiot, usually very young, buys a Skyline they found on the internet. Invest almost their entire savings at this point of their life. It shows up, ship yard calls them up to let them know it's here and the RI can pick it up from customs. The person then reallizes that you can't just buy a Skyline and drive it off the dock. US Customs tells them they have however long to get an RI to import it. They call around, find out that it's true, you can only go through Motorex. Can't afford to get the car legalized, and usually due to not being able to spend anymore can't even afford to ship it out of country and/or pay the US Customs holding dock fees. So, Customs waits until the time limit expires and auctions the car off. Most people think, and even I say that the cars get crushed, but the truth is, they try to auction them off first to recoup unpaid dock fees, etc. But, as many will find, the odds of it being bought are slim and it's most likely headed to a crusher.

we all know that the bids on the skylines are few and far between at the customs auctions, but if you are investing in buying one and getting it legalized that is usually the place to get it. you could probably get it for a pretty cheap deal. i mean, assuming they auction the car to you for 2-5 grand then invest another 16 grand to get it legalized. that way you save on shipping costs .