how to import a car legally

[S13S14S15]

my friend is moving here from japan in jan of next year. he has a gc8 and a celica gt4. the gc8 doesn't really matter to him, but the gt4, he loves to death, and it was his first car. he wants to keep it no matter what. so i was wondering if it's possible to import it here, i know it's not possible for a skyline, since it's not in the states. but a celica does exist in the states, so maybe it's possible? well, if there really isn't a way, he is just going to put it in a cargo and ship it here and not drive it, or maybe use it as a track car.

i know someone's dad who moved here from germany and brought over a bmw, so i think there is a way.

[uiuc240]

there are very specific requirements all spell out at the DOT's webpage. Google for it. There are also countless websites detailing people's trials and tribulations with the importation process.

Eric

[AKADriver]

About an 18 inch high stack of paperwork ought to do it.

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

If it's an ST165 or ST185 GT-Four he might be OK. If it's an ST205 GT-Four there's probably going to be issues with the newer version of the 3S-GTE, and since the rear floorpan is different it might not be eligible at all.

[S13S14S15]

but what if he just use it for a track car? can he just put it in a cargo and ship it here?

[s13chica]

I don't think that would be a problem...I'm sure he would have to pay some sort of taxes. As long as he wasn't driving it on the street ever, he should be allowed to have it here.

[misnomer]

Tell him to join the Army!

:P

[mav1178]

The mere fact that it is a RHD car makes it impossible for him to import it as a daily driver; DOT rules make it clear that only the car maker can deem a RHD chassis compliant with current DOT codes, or you can go crash test 3 cars and come up with your own "compliant" info.

So he has options:

1) Drive illegally
2) Register as race/show car and use for 18 months.
3) Commit fraud (change VIN, etc)
4) Import as kit car and then put it together and find loophole in your state vehicle codes.

-alex

[AKADriver]

Not quite. It varies from manufacturer to manufacturer. If the manufacturer certifies that a RHD vehicle is still substantially similar to the LHD vehicle, then it doesn't matter. This isn't altogether likely since it at the least involves a different firewall, but those are the rules.

For anyone interested, Nissan says the Silvia isn't substantially similar to the 240SX, and I agree. The chassis are different in a few subtle and a few not so subtle ways.

[mav1178]

But if an auto maker states that the LHD and RHD chassis are substantially similar, that means that the auto maker is liable for the car being imported (even though it was not designed to be sold in this market in the first place) and they assume responsibility of the design and integrety of the vehicle... and no auto maker in their right mind would do that unless they were importing the vehicle themselves.

The point I was trying to make was that if you wanted to get some paperwork from Toyota to deem the RHD Celica "substantially similar" to a LHD Celica, it is impossible.

-alex

[DuffMan]

I vote for fraud.

Just find a salvaged celica and buy it for its title.

[Yoshi]

I think you guys are missing something vehicle specific... unless it's a NEWER GT4, there have been versions of the celica all-trac in the states. That fact alone should help alleviate some of the red tape issues. Perhaps he could just mod it to US spec? or better yet, for complete legality, bring it over as a parts car, buy an all-trac in the us/canada and drop the JDM stuff into it... a lot of work?
Most Definitely.
worth it for a truly legal all-trac?
that's priceless man! AllTracs RULE!

[mav1178]

Originally posted by Yoshi
I think you guys are missing something vehicle specific... unless it's a NEWER GT4, there have been versions of the celica all-trac in the states. That fact alone should help alleviate some of the red tape issues. Perhaps he could just mod it to US spec? or better yet, for complete legality, bring it over as a parts car, buy an all-trac in the us/canada and drop the JDM stuff into it... a lot of work?
Most Definitely.
worth it for a truly legal all-trac?
that's priceless man! AllTracs RULE!

I understand the point that was being made, but you still fail to see MY point.

DOT codes state that if a car was never imported to the USA, even if there is a similar (or even same car) sold in the USA the car being imported must be tested or the manufacturer/original importer of the car must certify (or at least explicitly state) that the car is "substantially similar" to the US spec vehicle.

Who cares if the older Celica was all-Trac or not; the car in question in the first post was sold in Japan, and he would have to go through one of the channels I listed to be able to register the car legally in the USA.

Seriously go look up EPA and DOT laws, or better yet look here (not complete list of rules required):

http://www.motorex.net/oldsite/vehicleimport.html

-alex

[AutoDestruct]

Damn.:bowdown:

[jojothemonkey]

I am sure if you bring the car over and use it for race purposes only it would be legal. I read that somewhere about a skyline.

[Muzzy]

well maybe cuz im in texas and this dude is in the air force is in texas but this guy has a RHD 300z '89

i tripped out when i saw it..it was dope...so wut do u think his trick is??

i saw some kinda weird RHD euro car when i was in NJ...it was funny cuz he was payin a toll and had to reach really far

[doriftokouki]

Originally posted by mav1178

2) Register as race/show car and use for 18 months.


Even if you use it for off road use only it still falls under this law unless you get it legalized. They WILL make you send it back if it dosent get legalized.

[S13S14S15]

damn.....this sucks.........i think my friend is going to cry

[Muzzy]

sissy!!!

lol j/k

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by doriftokouki
Even if you use it for off road use only it still falls under this law unless you get it legalized. They WILL make you send it back if it dosent get legalized.

Actually, they'll scrap the car.