JDM importation idea (via Canada)

[mbmbmb23]

Check this webpage http://www.importconcern.ca/articles/import.htm#1


..regarding importing and registering JDM cars to Canada. If you can import it to Canada and get it registered, why not transfer that Canadian registration to the USA? Won't the car then be treated as a "Canadian" car if it has a Canadian registration?? I'm sure there are some funky French brands (Peugot, Opel, Le Car, etc) that are sold in Canada that can be brought here to the states. If you had a buddy in Canada you could have him register the car, then you could "buy it" (on paper anyways) from him and do the paperwork required when transferring a Canadian car to the USA.

Anyone??



Heres the rules for importing:

1.1 Importing to Canada

To import a vehicle legally to Canada from a country other than the United States, the vehicle must be 15 years old to the month. This is the only exception that is accepted by both the Canada Customs and Revenue Agency (CCRA) and Transport Canada (TC) for importing used cars. There are other exceptions legislated by the CCRA, but because they aren't also legislated by Transport Canada, they aren't possible.

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1.2 Right Hand Drive

Right hand drive vehicles are legal in all provinces and territories of Canada. There are many right hand drive vehicles driving Canada's roads today.

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1.3 Insurance

Insuring an imported Japanese vehicle is no different than insuring any other car in Canada. We have not yet heard of an insurance company that refuses to insure right hand drive vehicles. If your vehicle is not a model found in Canada, then your insurance company will in most cases ask you to get an appraisal on the vehicle if you wish to get fire and theft coverage. It may be beneficial to you to import a car unique to Canada because there is no theft or accident data associated with your model. We recommend you contact your insurance company before you import a car to be certain that there will be no problems.

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1.4 Registration

Customs provides a Vehicle Import Form for registering your vehicle when it is cleared. Once you have passed your province or territory's requirements for bringing in an out-of-province vehicle, you must submit the Vehicle Import Form to your registrations office to register the vehicle for the first time. This is the only difference in registering your imported vehicle, it should not cost more than a regular registeration. Be sure to contact your registries office to find out what the out-of-province requirements are for your province or territory before importing.

[boro240]

yeah ive thought of this before. im not positive on the laws, but i think as long as a car meets canadian requirements, its legal to bring over to the USA. maybe someone should look into this more.

[mbmbmb23]

Only problem is that the cars have to be 15 years old (15 years to build date), so....right now on that site (that I found those laws listed on) they are selling 88 and 89 S13 silvias (CA18DET) and 88 + 89 R32's .....pretty cheap too (assuming the price is CDN dollars). Evidently the very early R32's were not mass produced like the latter years...so they arent as common....BUT....this is something that needs to be researched because this could be an easy way to get a cheap and legal skyline...check it:

1989 BNR32 GT-R 2600, 58k, 5spd, grade 3/5, $13900 CDN


that equals $10,662 USD!!!!

FAT TAY!!!

http://www.importconcern.ca/quote/img/bnr32_6_1.jpg
http://www.importconcern.ca/quote/img/bnr32_6_2.jpg


-m

[mbmbmb23]

They even have 20 something 84-87 Levin/Truenos...and some other totally wack Toyotas!!! (Celsior?? looks like a Chaser)

http://www.importconcern.ca/



-m

[boro240]

meh...

IMPORTING A CAR FROM CANADA
All passenger cars less than 25 years old imported for personal use (not resale) into the U.S. on a permanent basis from Canada should follow this procedure. This process may also be followed if a vehicle was originally imported from Canada on a temporary basis or if prior DOT or U.S. Customs clearance was not obtained.

Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle, and ask if the vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS). The letter from the manufacturer must identify your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN). READ THE LETTER CAREFULLY.

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle complies with U.S. FMVSS, except for minor labeling requirements, you have an acceptable letter. This letter along with your vehicle registration should be presented to U.S. Customs at the border. U.S. Customs will review the manufacturer letter to assure that the vehicle complies.

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS, except for the speedometer, or headlights, you may have these components replaced at a dealer authorized by the factory to repair your vehicle. In addition to the documents cited above, you must present the invoice for the speedometer or headlight replacement to obtain U.S. Customs approval.

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS except for FMVSS No. 208 (automatic or passive restraint requirements) you WILL NOT be able to bring your vehicle into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless it is modified by an RI. If an RI is willing to modify the vehicle, it may be expensive and may change your desire to import the vehicle.

If the manufacturer will not issue a letter for your vehicle, the only method to import your vehicle on a permanent basis is to contract with an RI.

EPA approval is also required. You may call the EPA information line at: (202) 564-9660.

[kuruptR]

hey looks its the guy that got ripped off, and waste posting his problems on beyond.ca! ;D

[mbmbmb23]

Originally posted by kuruptR
hey looks its the guy that got ripped off, and waste posting his problems on beyond.ca! ;D


And?

[HaLo]

What mbmbmb23 quotes is true. We can get 15 years or older cars registered here almost without any questions... :) I was thinking about an R32... but I like my 240sx too much.

[No Motiv]

I would TAKE THIS $6500 118k 180sx type 2 5sp
http://www.importconcern.ca/quote/img/krs13_1_1.jpg

[No Motiv]

SHIT thats 6500 Canadian Dollars.....!

so thats like 5 grand US

[mbmbmb23]

Originally posted by No Motiv
SHIT thats 6500 Canadian Dollars.....!

so thats like 5 grand US


Heh...exactly. Double $5k that and you've got an authentic GTR Skyline (R32). AND...as the years go by R33's and eventually R34's. R33 GTR is my absolute favorite...but....looks like since the first wasnt built until 1994 (sold as 95), they wont be available for import to Canada until 2009. Looks like I have 5 years to move there.

-m

[andrave]

damn, this combined with 'bowling for columbine' and shit, the great white north looks pretty damn inviting.
They get free health care, too right?

[No Motiv]

damn, this combined with 'bowling for columbine' and shit, the great white north looks pretty damn inviting.
They get free health care, too right?


Haha I know... i wouldnt mind movin up there

[masta]

"Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle, and ask if the vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal motor vehicle safety standards (FMVSS)."

Most of the cars will probably not pass this part. Right? Good idea nonetheless.

[Titan]

Originally posted by andrave

They get free health care, too right?


Yup. And the drinking age in Ontario is 19, and 18 in Quebec.
;)

[mbmbmb23]

They also have casinos in Windsor Ontario (across the river from Detroit) that you can goto if you are old enough to drink.


Originally posted by Titan
Yup. And the drinking age in Ontario is 19, and 18 in Quebec.
;)

[stealthj]

oh fuck me out the house!, im going to CANADA!

[MyFirst240SX]

what about mexico? does any one know the laws of their importing regulations?

[HaLo]

Free heatlh care, low drinking age and R32s...

Basically, you can get drunk, total your car and the government will pay for the health bill. ;)

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by MyFirst240SX
what about mexico? does any one know the laws of their importing regulations?

This reminds me. . I've got a buddy down in Santiago, Chile. . and he regularly sees 180sx, Silvia, WRX. . etc. . driving around .. in other words, they have a grey market. . and you could technically drive from Chile (I-5 essentially runs all the way into south America) back to the U.S. It's VERY VERY dangerous tho. . but it's been done. . I wonder if that'd make any difference?

As far as Canadian cars. . my 92 240sx was a Canadian car. . it seems the only thing changed at all was the gauge cluster, but I HIGHLY doubt that HAD to be done to conform.

The Mexico route would be interesting. .but I don't trust the Mexican government :D

[mbmbmb23]

Hehe....driving from South America would be nuts. I doubt the registration/insurance regulations down there are strict, therefore, assuming you had a passport...you'd probably get back to the states ok but the first time an American cop pulled you over and you had no registration you'd be screwed.

-m



Originally posted by KoukiS14
This reminds me. . I've got a buddy down in Santiago, Chile. . and he regularly sees 180sx, Silvia, WRX. . etc. . driving around .. in other words, they have a grey market. . and you could technically drive from Chile (I-5 essentially runs all the way into south America) back to the U.S. It's VERY VERY dangerous tho. . but it's been done. . I wonder if that'd make any difference?

As far as Canadian cars. . my 92 240sx was a Canadian car. . it seems the only thing changed at all was the gauge cluster, but I HIGHLY doubt that HAD to be done to conform.

The Mexico route would be interesting. .but I don't trust the Mexican government :D

[No Motiv]

Free heatlh care, low drinking age and R32s...

Basically, you can get drunk, total your car and the government will pay for the health bill.



HAHAH sounds like a party....

i emailed Christian...one of the guys who owns the whole thing or somethin and told him mbmbmb23's idea....and he said

....I have a partner looking into this right now for another US citizen. I'll put you on the list of people to contact if we can find some way of importing it there as the way you described..........

so i'll post any new news.....this could be onemore thing we say about canada when we praise them.......Health Care, Low Drinking Age, practically no murders.....and (hopefully) Importer of JDM cars to US....wooohooooo


im sure thats never gonna happen...due to emissions.

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by mbmbmb23
Hehe....driving from South America would be nuts. I doubt the registration/insurance regulations down there are strict, therefore, assuming you had a passport...you'd probably get back to the states ok but the first time an American cop pulled you over and you had no registration you'd be screwed.

-m

I think you are correct. . lol
and yeah, it'd be SUICIDE to drive back. . It's been done before tho. . my friend went to an American high school down there. . the public school system sucks balls, so the people I know from Chile all went to this American school system .. but anyway, it's staffed by Americans that have moved down there. . they learn everything we did lol.. Pretty cool. . One of his teachers was from Cali, and he actually DROVE his Jeep down there. Crazy as hell. .

[Touring240]

Originally posted by HaLo
Free heatlh care, low drinking age and R32s...

Basically, you can get drunk, total your car and the government will pay for the health bill. ;)

bwhahahha its so true

I know lots of people are planning to buy an r32 gtr when they become legal for import in 2004 in canada :D

On the other hand you guys have motorex and at least have the option of buying an r33 or r34 gtr which won't be available here for a long time and we are not allowed to import it from the US or anywhere else. Some people have shipped over skylines in pieces and put them back together and registered them with vin #'s from a 240sx or just use them on the track.

check out this site: http://www.jns-imports.com

[RBBaby]

Originally posted by mbmbmb23
Hehe....driving from South America would be nuts. I doubt the registration/insurance regulations down there are strict, therefore, assuming you had a passport...you'd probably get back to the states ok but the first time an American cop pulled you over and you had no registration you'd be screwed.

-m

so then dont use it as your daily driver, just take it out when you intend to perform illegal activities. :D

you could escape any cop in a highly modified R32, if you have half a brain. they can go ahead and use the radio, by the time anyone has heard them I'll be in wyoming :-D

[kuruptR]

canada is nuts... only during the 3 months of summer.

[kuruptR]

Originally posted by kuruptR
hey looks its the guy that got ripped off, and waste posting his problems on beyond.ca! ;D

education is top notch too.... look at this guys post... :eek:

[andrave]

dude, I have friends in south america, trying to drive a valuble vehicle through that continent without getting carjacked would be the impossible part.
I saw a chick from brazil for a while, I've heard its fucking car jack city down there.

[nurspecsil]

Hey guys I thought that since I live in Canada and have gone over the whole imoprt a japanese vehicel thing a lot in the last little while especially with 89 R32 and 89 Fairlady's I would share a few things that get over looked sometimes.

1. Any pieces on the vehicle that may contain contaminents (ie. bacteria, viral diseases or other types of health reallted issues) may be removed and burned at will. So door skins catalytic converters, fabrics, tires, etc.

2. If there is a Canadian eqivalent of the vehilce being imported, it has happend in which the car will a) be cut in half or the frame crushed and sold as parts b) the car may be required to be "changed" over c) sent back

3. Depending on where the vehicle is being inspected, to pass federal inspection and customs, (usually in Vancouver, British Columbia because it is on the west coast and a huge sea port) the vehicle is required to pass emissions tests and meet BC air quality control standards which in most respects are very close to the same regulations imposed in California.
If the vehilce fails it may be scrapped, parted, sent back, or black listed in which you will not be able provincially insure it and will be a track only car.

4. If you dont know or have connections to a broker in japan and here in Canada dont bother because it will never get through customs.


Those are just a few of the things that have happend to people I know who have tried to bring over vehicles from japan. However, if any one is seriously interested in doing this I do know some one who brings cars here and gets them thru customs in one piece. And he does it for very minimal cost. if you want to know more you can PM me.

Peace,
Chad

[KoukiS14]

Originally posted by andrave
dude, I have friends in south america, trying to drive a valuble vehicle through that continent without getting carjacked would be the impossible part.
I saw a chick from brazil for a while, I've heard its fucking car jack city down there.

Yeah getting past the south american freedom fighters and paramilitary would be the hard part lol

[SilviaDET]

Well, as far as south america goes, do what the rich people do. Hire a bodyguard, one thats licenced to carry an automatic weapon. then rent of buy an old beatup cargo truck (uhaul type) load the car into the truck, and drive the truck with the bodyguard untill you get close to the border. You may have to switch bodyguards when you go through different countrys. Hell, for a couple hundred you could probably hire a police escort.

[KoukiS14]

That's true. . you could hire bodyguards for cheap down there. . most people don't realize how far the U.S. dollar goes. . my friend lives in a pretty nice house. . cost around 500,000 USD. .which would buy you a nice house in the U.S. (where I live, anyway) ... but his is amazing. . Dollar DEFINATELY goes a bit further :D

Some people I know down there have maids, grew up with nannies, etc. . it's just normal because it's very affordable. . rich people there are basically middle class up here.

Anyway. . just wanna add. . that it isn't such a bad idea to go the route mentioned above. . you could easily get coverage to get your car home :D

BUT . .you may find yourself out-gunned at some point, anyway.

[andrave]

then you end up with a stolen car, a truck full of bullet holes, and a dead security guard.

bad idea...
I'd say you would be better off just to drive it like a raped ape and keep a .45 tucked in your jock.
lol

my parents bought our house, big 3 story, with a couple acres of land, in west virginia, for 27,000 dollars about 30 years ago.

money goes farther here too, and you don't even have to leave the country