First, I would like to start off by saying I do not own an RHD Honda R or any grey market vehicle for that matter. But I’m pretty damn sure I know more about their legality than anyone on this site. I have spent the last 5 years researching importing grey market vehicles and how it has to be done to make a one legal.

The first thing people always want to know is how people register a GMV. Almost ALL grey market vehicle owners (or the company that imported the chassis) paid someone at the DMV (someone who knew somebody who know somebody) a couple thousand (under the table) so they would write them a US title using the original 10 digit Japanese serial number. This is ILLEGAL. GMVs (grey market vehicles) must go through a rigorous process. Just because your CTR or ITR is STATE titled and STATE registered doesn’t make it legal. Most state DMV workers do not know the ins and outs of GMV FEDERAL requirements. (Federal meaning ALL 50 US states HAVE TO COMPLY)

First, a GMV must be imported for the purpose of being driven on US public roads. If you import a Honda ITR for track use, it can NEVER be registered and driven on public roads legally because it will be considered contraband (bringing it into the country for one reason then using it for another; track car then US public road car is a no no) So you import an ITR from a RI (Registered Importer) You pay them for shipping and yada yada, it comes into a port, and US customs must inspect the car. You must show proof of why it is being imported. You must then start the process of making your GMV comply with US standards (NHTSA, DOT, and EPA standards).

You’ll have to provide crash test ratings for your exact year and model car to the NHTSSA. Honda of Japan will NOT provide you with these crash ratings. You’ll have to provide the NHTSA with these. Meaning you’ll have to import several (4 or more ITRs of the same year/model or however many it takes to gather the information needed to meet the US safety crash standards.) All vehicles crashed must be converted to meet US safety standards: which requires US Spec DOT approved seatbelts, airbags, door beams, glass, gauge cluster, head lights, tail lights, and front and rear bumper supports, just to name a FEW things) You’re looking at several thousand dollars PER car on top of you purchasing all these cars for the sole purpose of paying a crash test company to completely destroy them (this will also cost you THOUSANDS of dollars.) After all this, you will have your precious crash test ratings, the DOT will then REASSIGN your GMV a 17 digit US Vin and a US Title so you can register your GMV in any state legally. Nobody has ever done this with a CTR or Honda ITR. Without a 17 digit reassigned US Vin your GMV is ILLEGAL!

Then you’ll have to get your GMV EPA certified. This requires your GMV to be hooked up to one of the EPA's diagnostic smog whatchamacallits. Then they’ll have to install a catalytic converter(s) and whatever else they need to make it meet the EPA minimum requirements for smog. Then you’ll get a fat bill and your GMV will then be EPA certified. This is a very watered down description. This process also cost several thousand dollars and a lot of work.

After all this, you’ve spent an ungodly amount of money on a 15 year old Honda. There’s a reason why nobody has done this, it is simply too expensive. And even if you were to spend all this damn money on making your GMV 100% legal, the DOT could still deny you the required 17 digit reassigned VIN. Why, because they don’t have to let you bring in a GMV. They can simply deny your request because they don’t like the fact its RHD or because we already have an Acura Integra Type R, why do you really need an RHD one? They can simply deny your request and not give you a reason why. Then people always want to know how long this process takes. Well, nobody has ever done this but it would take several months and tens of thousands of dollars.

People also want to know what you have to do to get “them” to LET you register the car in the first place. As I previously mentioned, most GMV’s are titled and registered from money under the table at your local DMV. But don’t expect 10 digit serial numbered GMV's to get registered ever again. The DOT shut this **** down last year when they figured out that state DMV's were doing this. A lot of people tell me I don’t know what I’m talking about and they say they daily drive their 10 digit registered GMV every day and never have a problem. I’m not saying you can’t get away with a 10 digit STATE registered and STATE titled GMV; plenty of people are getting away with it. I’m simply stating the FACTS. I’m not doing writing this to be arrogant; I’m doing it because I want to let people know what I know. I’ve spent countless hours on the phone with the DOT, NHTSA, and EPA along with several Registered Importers, DMV’s, and US Customs.

Then people ask “was it hard to Insure?” If you get a reassigned 17 digit VIN then it would be like insuring any US spec car. But with a 10 digit Japanese serial numbered car, it could be difficult. If you have a state titled 10 digit GMV that’s insured and you get in a wreck you could be in trouble. If the local authorities that visit the crash site notice your car is RHD and doesn’t have a 17 digit VIN, and they know the FEDERAL standards for GMV’s, your insurance could deny you every penny of what your cars worth because its not suppose to be on US roads. I know there’s a lot of “ifs” and I’m sure there have been several insurance claims on illegal GMV’s that went smoothly, but this technically could happen.

Then it’s always “what company did you buy the Car or Cars from?” There are plenty of Japanese style "autotraders" and a handful of Registered Importers that can help you get one over to our shores. Buying a GMV and bringing it to a US port is the easy part. Making it legal for US roads is something NOBODY has done.

A foreign vehicle that is imported without a motor is brought through customs as an “automobile part.” Bringing in a chassis (as an automobile part) and installing a motor is ILLEGAL; even if it was only driven OFF public roads.(Not that your track car is going to be impounded unless you’re driving it on public roads) This falls under the contraband rule. I’m not saying you and your STATE registered GMV will get caught, I’m saying if you do get caught, you’re looking at your precious car getting impounded and getting handed over to US customs. That will entitle your GMV getting crushed and you’ll be given several thousand dollars worth of fees. Thinking about doing a VIN swap? That’s a 3 to 5 year felony. Is a CTR or rhd ITR worth jail time? No, it’s not. Thinking about driving it around on a dealer plate? That’s illegal as well.

Why do I know these things? Because I’ve wanted a Honda Integra Type R since I was 10 years old; so I feel your pain. However, there is a light at the end of the tunnel! When a vehicle (even foreign) becomes 25 years old, it will be considered a “classic car” and can LEGALLY be imported into the US without meeting all these crazy safety standards. So you can be like me and wait for the classic car rule, or get a little ballsy and drive your illegally titled and registered GMV. I’m not telling you what you should and shouldn’t do. I’m just trying to let you know the risk you’re taking.

To wrap this up, there is not a single Honda ITR or CTR in this country that is legally driving on public roads. There are going to be a lot of people who tell me I’m wrong and I don’t know what I’m talking about, and that’s fine. I know the laws and regulations regarding importing grey market vehicles. These are not opinions, they are the facts. If anyone has any questions regarding grey market vehicles please feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to answer. This is a very brief explanation of the lengthy process. If I were to type up every detail, it would be several pages of information.

-Andrew Golseth

 

When replying to a thread about doing this (some years ago) I found a website which lists all the cars not considered classics that can be imported and driven on US roads. I vaguely remember that some version of an 89 prelude was the only car built in japan that could be driven on US roads legally.

Your wall of text is 100% correct though. No imported Honda's are legal here in the US that are newer then the classic car date.

I dug a bit cause Im bored at work. Here is a list of NHTSA approved importers: http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/CARS/RULES/...I_list5108.pdf

At that point I basically called a bunch of them until someone took the time to explain the laws then point me to that car list (which I cant find anymore) which said nothing good could be imported from Japan.

All that said why is this in appearance and cosmetic?

 

Yes the conforming list, i had just mentioned this list in the ITR thread i just made. And yea after i posted it i realized i probably shouldnt have posted it in the appearance/cosmetic threads... I just wasnt sure where to post it. If a mod feels the need to delete/move it, feel free. Any ideas where i should move it, let me know and i will be happy to make the change.

 

Wow, that's some intense information lol.
I never knew all of that and I'm glad I know now
Thanks for posting this.

 

 

Thanks for educating us. Never even though about importing a Honda, but I now know for sure not to, its a PITA.

You can build one here using a USDM chassis with VIN, that looks exactly the same besides being LHD

 

Some good info you have here its too bad nobody is going to do it the legal way. My friend imported a 2003 honda accord tourer from japan a few weeks ago and he did not import 5 more for crash test ratings I guess his car is "illegal".

 

if he can even manage to get it state titled and registered now, yes it's illegal if he doesn't meet the federal standards

 

where are the pictures at?

 

could you go into more elaborate detail about the 25year rule, if you did happen to know about it?

definitely lots of misinformation there, would be nice to have some of it cleared up.

 

I was reading this waiting for you to touch on that "classic" car rule because I have a 5 year countdown going to drive my 1990 EF8 legally! Right now I just have it sitting becoming more rare in my garage waiting for the day. I did a lot of research and figured that waiting was just the best solution.

Good Information.

 

Interesting stuff, I never knew it was so hard to import a car in the US.

If you want a JDM ITR over here, all you need to do is put a rear fog light on it, then it is street legal

 

Good info that I will pass on for sure! Thanks

 

Different states are kinda different. Even though they must uphold the US 50 state comply rule you stated some are easy. Once your 10 digit VIN is in the system its in the system. If i have some case or a federal employee wants to challenge my legally state registered car then I will let you know since federal trumps state. State loop hole? Seems. Not saying that the employee cant say anything to me lol. But when that happens that bridge will be crossed and I will post my experience. I have personally registered an EF-9 under the 10 Digit VIN here in Florida and my previous DA6 was also registered and insured under the 10 Digit VIN. They inspect the vehicle and inspect your paperwork you have from Japan, run the VIN to make sure its not flagged as being stolen etc. and they call it a day. Registered like a regular car with regular state fees. 15 year law from my understanding and the list showed its legal. And just as long as the car has a US counterpart that has been crash tested then you don't have to worry about crash testing a 15 year old vehicle. But technically you do have to switch out the parts you stated IF the inspector is aware of each part. Skylines etc. are illegal since there aren't any US counterparts for them. Now I have a 1995 ITR and I have not registered it yet but when I do I will let you know how it turns out. It is 15 years old and it has a US counterpart. ITRs and GSRs...DMVs see them as the same Integra fyi i dont know if you know this or at least they use to.

Honestly you can call a lot of agencies and most will give different information. I found this out long ago. You wont really know until you take the vehicle there and find out but most wont go this far since you have to physically have the vehicle. AND the place who registered the EF-9 is a state DMV not a tag agency or the like. The inspector has been doing it for 10+ yrs. Everyone in the office has the experience from what i was asking them. Every state is different. Just see it as a loop hole. Insurance companies will only pay what the US car is worth unless you have it appraised or state your upgraded stock parts as extra mods. The information you found is great and thanks but I'm speaking from experience in Florida so not all are the same. 15 yrs old, US counterpart, paperwork from Japan...done.

 

For years Florida has been the easiest state to state title and register a GMV. Your car is still illegal beause it does not meet Federal standards. I know several people in Florida with 10 digit registered RHDs. Theyre all still 100% illegal. No, state to state DMV "policys" can vary but without a 17 digit reassigned VIN, as i previously mentioned, your car is not legal for publc road use. And no, just because the US has a "counterpart" that has crash test ratings doesnt mean your J-spec car is in the clear. And on the subject of Florida running your 10 digit VIN, its not a VIN, its a serial number. Florida cannot trace a 10 digit Japanese serial number, so obvisouly no GMV is going to come up reported stolen before you get it state titled/registered. You cannot use the same crash test ratings for the US version of your jdm car; as much as youd like to think theyre the same, they are not.

 

You'd still have to go through a Registered Importer. You have to have proof that the car is 25 years old. The car still has to have an inspection of some kind to make sure the basic requirements are still in order. Its been a while since i read up on the classic car rule. I beleive 92TypeR knows more than I do on the classic car info! Care to chime in 92TypeR

 

never said its perfectly 100% legal. Im just saying its registered. I get pulled over or in a crash locally im fine. Have been on both accounts. Also the DA6 when registered received a "Florida Assigned VIN" sticker with its VIN on it similar to when you get a rebuilt titled car. Believe me im not battling you in any way. Im just stating with my experience. The car was sold a little while ago as well and went to Chicago. It got registered just fine. Then he sold it and it went to Tennessee and the same outcome. I'm saying if its registered in the system unless you get pulled over by a Federal Officer of some kind it appears as of now it works just fine. Might be just borrowed time.

The crash test thing is what I stated from when I did research when I bought my S2k (US spec) in 2004. So my information could be dated. I recall checking a couple years ago about it and i dont remember if i saw any additions. What I found was just as long as the car has a US counterpart, aside from the other ones i stated, it can be registered as far as that measure goes. I didn't say that you do NOT have to change your parts to US DOT approved parts. Technically you do. I know the vehicle is not the same as the US car in its J-Spec form. What im saying is body style for body style, if its here already and been tested previously in the US, then its a green. I think you even stated about the parts changing fact. That is not what im debating. Im clarifying, body for body. If that is not the case please point me to the document. Not being an ***. I just want to know.

And there are 2 separate "years" rules. One being 25 years and another for 15 years. Its not just 25 years. I can't gather in my memory the main differences for this though. Might have something to do with Canada.

 

Im not trying to be a dick either but theres no such thing as "partially legal," only 100% illegal and 100% legal. If the GMV isnt on the conforming list, then youll need to provide crash test ratings, period. Regardless if there is a US "counterpart." Unless, you can prove to the DOT that the JDM S2k is close enough to the US S2k, which they wont let slide simply for the fact that its RHD.

Notice how i said US standards, as in im only talking about GMV's in the United States. Yes, Canada's rule for the classic car eligibility is 15 years old, the US is 25 years old. Oh and just to clarify, you cannot bring a 15 year old GMV "classic car" from Canada and drive it in the states either.

 

err not saying its 90% legal lol. Basically what I'm saying is you have a 1991 Civic SIR. Trying to bring it over and driving as it sits is illegal. Yes. Bring it to the DMV with DOT approved parts like you stated i.e.: windshield, headlights, tail lights, bumper crash rebar, etc. Paperwork in hand. Has to be old enough. There is a Civic Hatchback Counterpart crash tested already. It doesn't matter what trim level it is. Car is registered however they decide. Straight 10-digit or with zeros attached(at least here). Now hypothetically speaking if I did not change the parts and the inspector did not notice then yes its illegal when I'm driving around. If i did change then its legal. A JDM S2k can not be registered this way since it is not old enough. If they changed the way i stated then point me in the direction please i really do need to know this for the future (crash tested vehicles) and i don't like spreading misinformation. This was the guideline(government sites) i went off of when i did the registration. I didn't know anyone on the inside nor have any means of a hookup. If you have it bookmarked please pm it to me or something.

 

Youre missing the point. It doesnt matter if theres a US "counterpart"

Im done arguing. whats legal and illegal is posted in my original post

 

Learning something new everyday, great write up sir

 

thanks

 

tell me more about the 25 year rule. what would it take to import, register and drive legally a ae86 corolla?

 

No one is arguing with you. You're putting too much thought and being too ignorant to understand what the fawk he is saying. The guy is speaking from his experience. One of his car's has moved on to the 3rd owner and it has had no problems with registration or insurance. His second car has gone through the same steps the first one did, with no problems. If the state is approving it and the no one has given him a hard time about it, there's something legal about it.

 

Sweet guess I wont be trying to bring back an ITR from the UK