hatchy69

iTrader: (2)

What about a jdm car registered in Canada then sold to a u.s owner? How would it work if one was to take a drive to the border and drive it into the states?

natman316

wow. thats crazy

92TypeR

If the car stays registered in Canada, there is no Federal crime being committed if the car is being driven in the U.S.

However, some states (like WA) require you to sign an affidavit saying that your car is registered at your primary residence. If you live in one of these sates, you could face a hefty fine if they ever found out.

The 1994-1995 Escort Cosworth is eligible to be imported under the NHTSA guidelines. You still need to pass through a R.I. and have retrofits performed, but it is possible.

eleciv7

great info

Drache

From the EPA document linked above, "As discussed in Section 2.1.3.2(a), vehicles are exempted if they are 21 OP years old or older and in original unmodified condition. Vehicles in any condition may be excluded if they were manufactured prior to the year in which EPA's regulations for the class of vehicle took effect, as follows:"

This is an either/or statement. So, by this, if the vehicle has not been modified it is not required to meet EPA standards. If it has been modified, it must older than the EPA regulation - for gasoline-powered cars, 1968 - or meet EPA standards.

Samuraij

I forget if this has been mentioned already but wouldn't it be theoretically possible to get and legalize an R33 Skyline since Motorex did all the necessary crash testing, and petitioning to get it eligible for import? I would assume you would still have to get your hands on all the test documents Motorex had to get as well as do all the modifications they did before they got lazy and started being all shady with their operation.

92TypeR

Those documents are public domain and there is an open US Customs Docket ID you can use to bring over an R33. NHTSA Import Eligibility List

Only Registered Importers may perform the required modifications to bring an R33 into compliance. There was an RI in Florida charging around $15,000 for the retrofits, and that was the cheapest last time I surveyed RI's in 2008.

da9jake

i thiknk the r32 is also legal to import. Just not the r34.

92TypeR

Incorrect.

Only the '96-'98 R33.

If you want more detail, read the NHTSA Import Elibility List in my previous post.

da9jake

ah, I stand corrected. The r33 is my favorite anyway

0carbonfiberhood

All these laws are hurting my mind!

Thanks for this writeup, you definitely did your homework. Thanks for the detailed answers.

As far as I'm aware Australia, Canada and the UK can import Japanese RHD cars legally. I really wish the US would relax their strict requirements on importing these grey market vehicles.

Samuraij

R32 is legal in Canada because their exemption rule applies to cars 15 years or older. In the US its 25 years or older so it's almost there.

lildaine65

Great information. If had had known all this before purchasing my ctr I would have probably walked away from it. I've already made two trips to the dmv attempting to use the 10 digit vin before was sent away for more information. Now the want me to provide an image of the actual vin stamp.


Nonetheless i dont know if I missed it but it looks like the whole subject of importing as "show and display" was dropped and not completely cleared up with two contradicting thoughts. Dr. dc2 stated that it need to be on the nonconforming list and X4dLuvOfSpeedX says it does not have to be on this list.

Which is it?

Also, to my knowledge my ctr was previously registered in my state with the 10 digit vin but transferred to another state where it somehow received a "off road use only" brand. This leads to my next question. Does anyone here have experience using this 10 digit vin?

freedomgli

Your car is not eligible for the "Show or Display" exemption. NHTSA has already determined that the 1997-2000 Honda Civic Type R is ineligible for importation for Show or Display because it isn't special enough. Even if NHTSA had not yet made a determination, your particular car would not be eligible for the exemption because it was either illegally imported or was not exported before it's temporary exemption expired. Either way, your car is illegal. And the government typically doesn't grant exemptions for cars that are already here illegally (never mind the Motorex Skyline fiasco).


Some government offices in some states will register a car with a 10 digit VIN but it's a total crap shoot as to which ones are willing to ignore the fact that your car is illegal.

Just a n00b

Well it's still possible, just wait for the paint to get all crappy and then respray it MR

Dr. DC2

Your CTR does NOT meet US Standards and is probably here illegally. Technically even your car registered for "off road use only" is illegal because (assuming) it wasnt imported for off road use only. Im just going to assume it was imported as an "assemblage of automobile parts" then some ******* put the motor back in it and thinks he can legally get it titled and registered! Sorry to say it but your CTR is illegal and you should consider parting it out or doing something to "cover up" the fact that its an CTR... not telling you what you should do just would hate to hear it got seized and crushed.

PM'd.

Dr. DC2

True, but this is MAD sketchy now! US Customs has been shutting this down for over a year now and theyre not going to get MORE leanient. I would really stay away from state titled and registered cars that used the 10 digit Jap serial number.

If anyone has any questions for me, i would appreciate it if you were to ask me via PM. Its just a lot to keep up with looking through this thread! Thanks

lildaine65

pm replied

great info btw. This need to be stickied in all for sale threads

Dr. DC2

NEW INFORMATION!!!!

I dont know if anyone follows this but I found out some new information through someone I know who works for the NHTSA.

I spoke to this individual yesterday for a couple hours regarding importing a few different chassis as an "assemblage of automobile parts." If you read my original post you'll note that once a vehicle has its drivetrain removed and all parts that are NOT in compliance with FMVSS removed (before leaving its country of origin), the vehicle is NO longer considered a vehicle but is considered an "assemblage of automobile parts or equipment." Well thanks to companies importing chassis' as "parts" and throwing the motors back in them, theres a huge lawsuit going on. Apparently the gov is in the works of rewriting the law on importing an "assemblage of parts" to make it illegal to bring in a stripped chassis. Again, I obtained this information through someone who works for NHTSA so I'm pretty confident that its not just **** talkin.

Also, I spoke to several US Customs agents and was basically told once a GMV is imported (regardless of how it was brought in through the port) and released from the port it entered by Customs, they pretty much don't care. Meaning, US Customs isnt going OUT OF THERE WAY to find illegal GMV's but if they are contacted about a GMV that is illegally STATE titled and registered that has been seized, they are SUPPOSE to confiscate it and have it crushed. As to whether they will go through the headache to do all this, I dont know. Just thought it was some interesting information.

I have been back in the game of asking questions and making numerous emails and phone calls to several RI's, Ports of Entry, US Customs, EPA, and NHTSA. (Im going to Japan in September and one way or another be bringing a dream back!)

Anyways, just thought I'd share this info with those of you who might be interested in learning these type of things.

-Andrew Golseth

DCMikey

^Good info as always!
Thanks!

TakeItTo8K

Holy hell, I feel you on that one brother. Make mine an SiR please.

rosesmellboogdy

GOOD INFO

nutsack

Any info on how difficult it would be to pull the motor out of a CTR and ship it back with household goods when you PCS? I know they allow "vehicle parts" to be shipped back, but would an engine on a pallet be considered parts?

Dr. DC2

I know some people who have snuck in motors through TMO but you want to be REALLY careful doing this. Best bet is to have it in a crate BEFORE TMO comes over to get your stuff.

Vitecr

great info