What Do I Need To Get A Car Imported??

[cttdid666]

What does it take to get like a skyline imported from Japan? I have looked on some sites and I know that you would have to go through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, and the U.S. Customs, but what else would it take to get on here. Also what would I be looking to spend to get one here like getting it registered, getting it to meet emissions, and shit like that??? I know some people have had skylines on here and know what to do..I mean is it worth the hassle to get one or would it just be easier just to find one already here and buy it?? Please help me out...Thanks
-Michael

[N/A EK]

I think this has been discussed before, try to search.

[§treet_§peed]

it has....search the site lazy ass

[J01civic]

....

[cttdid666]

well sorry I didn't know..assholes

[cttdid666]

well if it's on here and yall know where it's at the tell me and I'll check it out

[silversol]

It take alot of MONEY!!!

[SR20pilot]

I owned an R33 GT-R... It was taken appart in Japan before it was shipped. They had to make it look like it was a junk car. It was mixed in with several other "parts" cars and front clips. When it arrived it had to be put back together. We are talking all doors and body panels were off. Engine and drive were all out of the car. Interior for the most part was removed and suspension was off the car. The shipping containers cost around $8000 to ship from Japan to here. The cars are pretty cheap over there in Japan. But the shipping is the big cost. Legally Registering the car is not an option. However, there are states with loopholes that allow the cars to obtain a title and plates. I was quoted from a guy in FL $3000 for the process. Like I said you will have a title and plates but it will not be DOT legal. So, unless you get a cop that knows what a Skyline is and that they are illegal imports you will be fine. I never registered mine. I drove it for 4 months with my 240 plate on it and never had a problem because I never got pulled over. I got an offer I couldn't refuse and made $5000.00 on the deal. Good luck...

[Kyle]

A lot of money. From who I know, it is about $8,000 just as sr20 said and then $4,000 more to title it.

[SR20pilot]

Oh, yeah. Then there is the insurance issue. I had to get special insurance since it's not a regular car in "the insurance computer system". I had to do it based on stated value. It was a lot more expensive than lets say a vette. Same value... Different rate.

[StupidBikerBoy]

Legally Registering the car is not an option. However, there are states with loopholes that allow the cars to obtain a title and plates. I was quoted from a guy in FL $3000 for the process. Like I said you will have a title and plates but it will not be DOT legal. .

There are numerous DOT, EPA, and NHTSA legal skylines in the US. It is possible to legalize it 100% as long as its not a 96' or newer. I have also been told that 96' and newers can now be legalized, but I have not verified that.

Do a search on freshalloy.com forums for more info.

Oh, and yes, its expensive.

[SR20pilot]

There are numerous DOT, EPA, and NHTSA legal skylines in the US.


Anything with actual legal papers has has had tons of work done to pass crash standards and emissons. Places like the former Motorex, etc. are the only places that are allowed to legally import Skylines. Then they do the work to bring the car up to US standards. Then they tack on a minimum of $16,000.00. Since Motorex has gone out of business there are maybe one or two other private companies that are licensed to do legal imports. Either way they add a premium to the price for being legal. A Motorex legal R33 GT-R can cost around $50,000 to $75,000 or a grey market R33 GT-R already in the US can be purchased for $25,000 to $30,000. But you have to watch out. Several have been stolen in Japan and shipped to the US. So, if you don't do your research you could end up losing your car and your money.