info??

[firmhonda]

I was wondering if anyone on this site had any clue as to what needs to be done after shipping a car from overseas to make it legal. From what I've heard the main thing is having airbags put it (if it doesn't have them), and safety braces.
The reason I'm asking is a friend of mine just started looking for a new project car and showed me this site, www.japan-partner.com . They sell and import cars for pretty cheap. Such as, for a 98 type r civic (with importing) would cost around $6000.
Thanks in advance for any information

[mort]

In California emissions are the biggest deal. *rolling eyes*

[CameronJr9]

Also interested. I'll be shipping a Type R soon.

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by mort

In California emissions are the biggest deal. *rolling eyes*

Yea, Texas (I think) is the 2nd most strict state on emissions.. That sucks cuz I live in tx. As a best bet, most people I know only install carb certified parts just to be sure.


Anyways, if anyone can just give me a link I'd be happy to read it myself. I haven't been able to find anything yet =(

[CaliGuy]

Im curious about this too. I believe it involves a hell of a lot though...crash testing, safety standards, emissions...

[radiocontrolhead]

Originally Posted by CameronJr9

Also interested. I'll be shipping a Type R soon.

the 07s? i was goign to post about that also, it woudl be very different to drive a car liek that. very original. mainly why i'm interested in it. for my brother at least, he's looking for a car. but i just dont think it'll be lega.

[firmhonda]

Originally Posted by radiocontrolhead

the 07s? i was goign to post about that also, it woudl be very different to drive a car liek that. very original. mainly why i'm interested in it. for my brother at least, he's looking for a car. but i just dont think it'll be lega.

You can make them legal, I just don't know what it consists of doing to the car (which is why I made this thread).

I'm still looking so since everyone seems pretty interested, if I find anything I'll post it up.

PS - I don't know how many people actually looked at that site, but there's a 98-99 gtr on there that is

[CaliGuy]

Originally Posted by firmhonda

You can make them legal, I just don't know what it consists of doing to the car (which is why I made this thread).

I'm still looking so since everyone seems pretty interested, if I find anything I'll post it up.

PS - I don't know how many people actually looked at that site, but there's a 98-99 gtr on there that is

I saw that...dzzzaaaammmm

Well, from what I understand it all varies from state to state...FL seems to be an easy one...CA (as most would guess) is probably damn near impossible...If I get some time this week I'll call the DMV re this...Damn, I would so love to import a GTR and that place has awsome prices!

[radiocontrolhead]

also, my main concern w/ importing an 07 type r is the warranty issue. they woudl never work on this car at the deaelr if the car had a warranty?

[firmhonda]

I found this little bit of information, but after reading a little further it's for importing to the UK from Japan. I also found a sort of edmunds.com for the uk, which is http://www.parkers.co.uk/

[EDIT] I also sent an email to an exporting company based out of the UK asking about the process or any information on other resources that would help me. Since it varies state-to-state I will also be calling the local dmv tomorrow and asking about this. But for the record - I have no problem flying to fla. to pick up a car if it'll be easier >=D

Originally Posted by http://www.epoi.com/

Import / Export Overview
Here is an example overview of the process involved in importing a car from Japan if you intend to do it yourself.
Note, that there may be variations on this process, and this is just an example of what you might expect.


Find an exporter of used cars from Japan. (See the Exporters page for a list of Japan Used Car Exporters).
Choose the used Japanese car you want. (See the Cars page).
Contact the exporter and offer to purchase the car from Japan.
A Pro-Forma Invoice will be issued by the Exporter, usually by fax.
Sign and return the Pro-Forma Invoice - you have agreed to purchase the car!
Send payment for the car to the Exporter by Telegraphic Transfer via your bank.
Exporter will book the vehicle onto a ship from Japan and clear the car for shipping - known as FOB.
A short while after the ship has sailed from Japan the Exporter will send by Special Air Post the shipping documents and car documents to you by courier.
At this point you may be asked to pay the balance of any outstanding amount owed to the Exporter (as you have received confirmation from the Exporter that the car is on board ship from Japan and on its way).
Instruct a Shipping Agent who will handle the arrival of the car in the UK and the clearance through customs. (See the Freight page for a list of Freight Forwarders and Shipping Agents).
When the car arrives, the Shipping Agent will clear it through UK Customs.
Pay the shipping fee, which is calculated on the cubic meterage of the vehicle.
Pay the 10% Import Duty and 17.5% VAT.
Pay the Customs Duty.
Pay the Shipping Agent for their Services.
The car is released from Customs and available for collection.
Register the car and pay the registration fee.
Prepare the car for the SVA Test or MOT test. (i.e Change Speedometer to Miles Per Hour, Fit Rear Fog Lights etc.).
SVA test and/or MOT the car.
Tax and Insure the car for use on the road.
Drive and enjoy your imported Japanese Car!

I will keep looking :)

[Cybergypsy]

I t will cost you at least double, I bought a steath TT from Canada and had to change so much it was not worth it.....even if it did have 8K miles....

[firmhonda]

Just a little update -

I spoke with a mechanic today and he told me that for the most part, you just have to change whatever it takes to pass inspection. After it's inspected you can register it and get a vin number, etc.

I don't think that's the 100% legal way to go about it, but if it works, it works!

I'll keep digging..

[edit]

[qoute= http://www.importexporthelp.com/importing-cars.htm ]



Car Importing Basics - Importing Cars Into The USA
Importing cars for personal use or starting a car importing business requires that you understand United States standards for importing cars or any type of motor vehicle that you want to import.

A good example of this is the fact that most motor vehicles manufactured outside the United States conform to USA bumper, emission and safety standards, because these motor vehicles are going to be exported to and sold within the United States. This means that it is very unlikely that you will find a vehicle outside the United State that meets all relevant car importing standards.

Importing Japanese Cars or importing cars into the USA from any country requires that they meet safety standards as outlined in the Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966 as revised in 1988 in the Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act; to air pollution control standards as outline in the Clean Air Act of 1968 and amended in 1977 and again in 1990; and to the bumper standards of the 1972 Motor Vehicle Information and Cost Savings Act that were effective in 1978.
[/quote]

[mort]

You might want to check out/contact an actual importer like http://www.motorex.net/ to find out what needs to be done. I know they only import Skylines but I assume it's the same deal for all importers/cars. As long as they can make it street legal (emmissions, sound (db), and safety) to pass inspection you should be cool.?

[Tim]

National Highway Safety Traffic Administration - Vehicle Importation Regulations:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

Environmental Protection Agency - Vehicle Import Requirements:
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/quikover.htm

U.S. Customs and Border Protection - Import Information:
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import/

It's crazy expensive. For one thing, because Honda never exported that car to the USA, you have to purchase a few cars and sacrifice them for DOT crash testing. And you may have difficulty getting Texas to register a non-standard VIN. If you want to read an Edmunds.com article about Motorex, who does this for American buyers, read this:
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do...ticleId=105699

[CaliGuy]

^^^I belive Motorex is out of buisness as the owner was bringing in cars and selling them without doing all the required stuff...Apparently he had an ok to import and sell x year to x year and was importing those plus y year to y year and selling them without the required crash testing or something..or so I heard...