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how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

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Old 12-26-2011, 04:12 PM
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Default how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

So how does one go about not only getting a car from Japan to the states, but getting it liscensed to drive on the roads here?
Old 12-26-2011, 04:13 PM
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Default Re: Import

You don't.
Old 12-26-2011, 04:18 PM
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Default Re: Import

C'mon, I thought there was a way..? Aren't there some imported transtop del sols here?
Old 12-26-2011, 04:21 PM
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Default Re: Import

https://honda-tech.com/forums/acura-integra-type-r-8/importing-grey-market-vehicle-facts-whats-legal-whats-not-2805656/
Old 12-26-2011, 04:22 PM
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Default Re: Import

This guy has one

http://www.hondatuningmagazine.com/e.../photo_09.html
Old 12-26-2011, 04:25 PM
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Default Re: Import

Originally Posted by salaamq
Where did it say it was imported?
Old 12-26-2011, 04:28 PM
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Default Re: Import

Below the pic, it says he is from Kentucky. It is an old article from the 2006 Las Vegas Del Sol Gathering.
Old 12-26-2011, 04:29 PM
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Default Re: Import

Where does it SPECIFICALLY say that the car was imported from Japan? All it says is that it was RHD. Plenty of people doing RHD conversions.
Old 12-26-2011, 04:31 PM
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Default Re: Import

Touche...
Old 12-26-2011, 04:33 PM
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Default Re: Import

The DOT doesn't like these. The rumor around town is that they are ultimately NOT legal on the federal level in some way.

Get a job as a mailman and you might have a chance.


Old 12-26-2011, 04:47 PM
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Default Re: Import

If somebody does have an imported car... Unless you're close friends with them (which then you would be asking them, not a forum), I highly, HIGHLY doubt that anybody is going to tell you how or what they did to import their car and to "legally" register it here.
Old 12-26-2011, 05:38 PM
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Default Re: Import

Where the hell is here? All states have different laws requarding importing cars.

There is a few cars around here that are 100% real and imported, that are registered, and insured.


You can actually get EG6's quite easily.
Old 12-26-2011, 05:44 PM
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Default Re: Import

Met a kid at a weekly meet around me, real rhd crx sir.. But right, all states have different laws, hardest part is getting them here. Many people have them imported to Canada and them bring them here. Much easier to register from Canada to the USA then it is to register from Japan to USA
Old 12-26-2011, 05:45 PM
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Default Re: Import

Plus there's a few sites online that set up importing foreign cars, and there's also a few people floating around that do the transaction as well. If I could remember their usernames, I'd let ya know, but I can't
Old 12-26-2011, 05:45 PM
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Default Re: Import

My ctr is registered and insured
Old 12-26-2011, 05:49 PM
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Default Re: Import

Originally Posted by Dc4LsTeG
My ctr is registered and insured
In cali?!


IMO that would be the be the hardest place to ever get a CTR registered. Let alone deal with the smog laws.
Old 12-26-2011, 05:56 PM
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Default Re: Import

Yes sir..and no smog for me B18C5 turbo..
Old 12-27-2011, 06:53 AM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

Please place simple technical questions directly into the thread title -- Title edited.

Old 12-27-2011, 07:41 AM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

Buy a car 25 years or older. /thread

Just because it has a clear state title and is insured doesn't make it a legal vehicle. Anything that isn't on the legal import list and newer than 25 years is a grey market vehicle. Sure there are ways around it, but in the end it needs to be on the list or 25 years old
Old 12-27-2011, 07:57 AM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

I met someone that owned a R32 GTR and has his car registered and insured. He said he had to have the car registered as a kit car or a weekend car (?) in North Carolina. Apparently they are one of the more lenient states. As far as insurance goes, they just added zeros to the end of the VIN to make it a 17 digit VIN.
Old 12-27-2011, 09:47 AM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

So how would the process go if I waited until a del Sol was 25 years old?
Old 12-27-2011, 01:05 PM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

Easy. Cars that are 25+ are excempt from pretty much all standards. Import, register, insure, drive. But you still have almost 5 years to go.....
Old 12-27-2011, 04:31 PM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

Would they allow a RHD? That would take alot of getting used to, although I am a lefty...
Old 12-27-2011, 04:35 PM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

Yes that's what he just said..and its not as hard getting used to as everyone thinks
Old 12-27-2011, 05:02 PM
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Default Re: how does one go about getting a car from Japan and licensing it in the U.S.?

Start here: http://www.epa.gov/oms/imports/

Then you have to clear it with your state.

The feds and the state are different entities. Just because you please one doesn't mean you please the other, although if you comply with federal requirements it makes it easier to comply with state requirements since most states (with the exception of CA) defer to the EPA and DOT for emissions and safety standards.


You can have a car that has a VIN, registered with the state, and insured, and can get confiscated by the EPA if they feel like making an example out of your or if they need to meet their caseload for the period.

Good luck.


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