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Importing a JDM / JSpec Cars Facts
Importing cars from outside the USA, version 0.40 (12/22/03)
Since this seems to be discussed constantly on here, I thought I'd right a little FAQ about this topic and maybe the mods will stick it in the FAQ section. I've done a lot of research on this and it's good to know. This is going to be relatively short, because there is a lot of info on it, but it will answer some frequently asked questions.
Can I bring a JDM / European Supra/Silvia/Skyline/Soarer to the USA and legalize it?
Well, let's first establish legislation. A car has to be approved by two agencies to gain legalization. The DOT and the EPA.
There are only two ways to bring in a car and permanently legalize it for road use in the United States by the DOT/NHSTA.
1.) It must be established by a Registered Importer or Vehicle Manufacturer that a US version of the car exists that is substantially similar and meets all US certification requirements.
2.) A Registered Importer or Manufacturer has petitioned that adequate safety equipment exists for said car and/or it is capable of being modified to to comply with US safety standards. The standards involve pages and pages of things from a maximum distance essential dials can be when someone is wearing their seatbelt to how far the steering wheel can protrude into the inside of the vehicle. It's a very lengthy and exhaustive list and the car will have to meet every single one of these standards.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/index.html
Now, there's also the EPA. In order for a non-US sold car to be cleared by the EPA for legalization it has to meet Clean Air Act standards (including things like OBDII - a major PITA), which vary from year to year, or have it proven that the non-US model meets it's US counterpart's certifications (this has to be proven by the manufacturer or RI). EPA testing is not sticking a car on a roller for 10 minutes. EPA testing is 7am, cold start after sitting overnight, and some 9 miles of varying speeds and rpms all of which are monitored for emissions.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/factmnc.htm
Both agencies (DOT & EPA) have numerous exemptions but are not ones you can apply for and get away with just thinking they won't notice. Most exemptions require a lot of proof and paperwork (usually to be filed by an RI or Vehicle Manufacturer) and are usually only temporary - in some cases requiring a bond of 100% of the vehicles value and then car will have to be exported.
Isn't the JDM version of X car similar enough to the US version?
In most cases, no. The only RHD car (aside from ones 25 years older or more) that is approved by the DOT for sale is the 1990+ Skyline GTR. No other RHD car is approved by the DOT. A list of cars that are eligible for approval can be found here:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG102803.html
If you see an SC300 on the list, it refers to LHD SC300s, not Toyota Soarers. Just because cars look the same DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE THE SAME.
What about bringing one in illegally? Is that possible?
Yup, anything is possible. If you are caught with an illegal car in this country you could face fines and jailtime and your car could be crushed under US law. You will first have to get the car past customs agents at whatever port it enters. If they find you trying to sneak a car in, they will impound it and keep it. If you do get it by them, you will have 3 things to worry about: insurance, liability, and license plates.
1.) You cannot privately insure a car without a VIN OR State Registration.
2.) If you hit/injure/etc someone with an illegal car, you are in deep shit.
3.) You cannot get regular plates without a VIN.
Are there ways around those 3 things?
Kind of. You could try to fake VINs on the car, which is highly illegal and use that for plates and insurance. For a car with a US counterpart, you may get by. For a car that does not have a US counterpart, good luck. Sometimes you can just walk into a DMV and hope they don't check VINs and fake one too. All these laws vary from state to state.
There are also things such as kit cars and things of that nature, but in spite of kit car laws being vague, many states require an inspection by a state official.
So, in essence, unless you want to put up with a lot of legal and financial risk or want to spend a boatload of money and time petitioning a car to be legalized, stick to US-Spec cars
Many thanks to Sean Morris of http://www.rbmotoring.com for his guidance. He is the importation & legalization guru.
-m
Importing cars from outside the USA, version 0.40 (12/22/03)
Since this seems to be discussed constantly on here, I thought I'd right a little FAQ about this topic and maybe the mods will stick it in the FAQ section. I've done a lot of research on this and it's good to know. This is going to be relatively short, because there is a lot of info on it, but it will answer some frequently asked questions.
Can I bring a JDM / European Supra/Silvia/Skyline/Soarer to the USA and legalize it?
Well, let's first establish legislation. A car has to be approved by two agencies to gain legalization. The DOT and the EPA.
There are only two ways to bring in a car and permanently legalize it for road use in the United States by the DOT/NHSTA.
1.) It must be established by a Registered Importer or Vehicle Manufacturer that a US version of the car exists that is substantially similar and meets all US certification requirements.
2.) A Registered Importer or Manufacturer has petitioned that adequate safety equipment exists for said car and/or it is capable of being modified to to comply with US safety standards. The standards involve pages and pages of things from a maximum distance essential dials can be when someone is wearing their seatbelt to how far the steering wheel can protrude into the inside of the vehicle. It's a very lengthy and exhaustive list and the car will have to meet every single one of these standards.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FMVSS/index.html
Now, there's also the EPA. In order for a non-US sold car to be cleared by the EPA for legalization it has to meet Clean Air Act standards (including things like OBDII - a major PITA), which vary from year to year, or have it proven that the non-US model meets it's US counterpart's certifications (this has to be proven by the manufacturer or RI). EPA testing is not sticking a car on a roller for 10 minutes. EPA testing is 7am, cold start after sitting overnight, and some 9 miles of varying speeds and rpms all of which are monitored for emissions.
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/factmnc.htm
Both agencies (DOT & EPA) have numerous exemptions but are not ones you can apply for and get away with just thinking they won't notice. Most exemptions require a lot of proof and paperwork (usually to be filed by an RI or Vehicle Manufacturer) and are usually only temporary - in some cases requiring a bond of 100% of the vehicles value and then car will have to be exported.
Isn't the JDM version of X car similar enough to the US version?
In most cases, no. The only RHD car (aside from ones 25 years older or more) that is approved by the DOT for sale is the 1990+ Skyline GTR. No other RHD car is approved by the DOT. A list of cars that are eligible for approval can be found here:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG102803.html
If you see an SC300 on the list, it refers to LHD SC300s, not Toyota Soarers. Just because cars look the same DOES NOT MEAN THEY ARE THE SAME.
What about bringing one in illegally? Is that possible?
Yup, anything is possible. If you are caught with an illegal car in this country you could face fines and jailtime and your car could be crushed under US law. You will first have to get the car past customs agents at whatever port it enters. If they find you trying to sneak a car in, they will impound it and keep it. If you do get it by them, you will have 3 things to worry about: insurance, liability, and license plates.
1.) You cannot privately insure a car without a VIN OR State Registration.
2.) If you hit/injure/etc someone with an illegal car, you are in deep shit.
3.) You cannot get regular plates without a VIN.
Are there ways around those 3 things?
Kind of. You could try to fake VINs on the car, which is highly illegal and use that for plates and insurance. For a car with a US counterpart, you may get by. For a car that does not have a US counterpart, good luck. Sometimes you can just walk into a DMV and hope they don't check VINs and fake one too. All these laws vary from state to state.
There are also things such as kit cars and things of that nature, but in spite of kit car laws being vague, many states require an inspection by a state official.
So, in essence, unless you want to put up with a lot of legal and financial risk or want to spend a boatload of money and time petitioning a car to be legalized, stick to US-Spec cars
Many thanks to Sean Morris of http://www.rbmotoring.com for his guidance. He is the importation & legalization guru.
-m
![::MySTiK_[SuPRa]::](/d1/avatars/m/13/13198.jpg?1560438478){kind=avatar}
