Posted By EN1 Gabriel on 04-17-2012 1:14 AM
I just found out today that I cannot shit my US SPEC 2009 Mini Cooper from Spain to Japan. I guess Japan does not allow American SPEC cars? whats up with that?

You should be able to ship it... It may be highly discouraged by your command.  But you can do it.

I have shipped two US spec ars here.  Search on the forum and there is lots of info on the painful process.

I heard a few months ago from the NEX car sales people that GoJ decided to put a stop to allowing us  to bring USDM cars here unless they are a certain age due  to some deal they made  with the Japanese Auto Makers.  Cars that are already here under the  E plate are good to go, but you can't bring a new one in.  He said that the cars they have for show can only be bought if your heading back(probably have to have orders).  Not sure how true it is, but you figure a car salesman wouldn't want to bluff his way out a sale like that so who knows.

Hard to believe that is completely true.
It would be a major trade act to ban US auto makers... Especially since there has been a recent push to agree to a free trade treaty with the US.

I would like the NEX guys to chime in but I am guessing that THEY were stopped from importing Jeep, Chrysler vehicles because the Japanese dealers stopped cooperating with them. Most likely because the used US specs cars sold in the Japanese market with the current exchange rate would hurt the resale value of the models that the Japanese dealers sold. Ford Japan stopped cooperating a long time ago. The won't even sell you parts. They basically told Ford USA to shove it. Amazing that a distributor has more power than the manufacturer.

All I can say is that we did a poor job when negotiating the SOFA for Japan.

Posted By Reub on 04-17-2012 11:17 AM
Way to go enthusiast for quoting and responding to a two month post. I have went through all the info provided in this forum and have talked to two contacts provided by pms via this thead. Thanks again to those people. Thanks for adding your useless post to this thread by just repeating what others have said already.

LOL.


What did you found out about importing your car?

Its a lengthy and expensive process. Still trying to decide to go through with it or if a 1999 Altezza is really worth it. Its already 12 years old and don't want to end up paying more in parts for upkeep in the long road. Though it has no issue right now that I can hear or see. The Wife has taken a real liking to it but I'm sure that can be easily passed by getting something newer and nicer when we head back state side.

Posted By LaCrimsonLey on 09-13-2011 7:32 AM
It's your time and money but I don't suggest you import an car that's already here. Just buy the USDM Altezza. Ironcially, I'm selling mine before I head back to Iwakuni: http://www.the370z.com/other-vehicl...rn-va.html

Becareful with JDMs that are on sale. Many of them may not be federally legal and can be seized. I know a GT-R (R35) owner that had 3 JDM vehicles seized since 1989.

Do you think she could take a liking to a nice legalized Altezza in the states? I.E. Lexus IS300?

You're probably starting to realize that you can buy a good IS300 for around the same price you'll pay to import 1. Even if you do end up saving a $1k, it's really annoying having to daily a RHD. I own a RHD in the states which I'm trying to sell.

Reub,

I'm going to go through and can probably provide you with a copy of all of my paperwork in the next couple weeks. Too busy traveling now to assist you. Earliest would be Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning time frame. If you have any questions please PM me as I've went through the process twice now, and will be going through it again in a couple years.

Posted By Gaijin Detail on 05-01-2012 8:17 PM
Reub,

I'm going to go through and can probably provide you with a copy of all of my paperwork in the next couple weeks. Too busy traveling now to assist you. Earliest would be Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning time frame. If you have any questions please PM me as I've went through the process twice now, and will be going through it again in a couple years.

That would great but whenever is convenient for you. Sent pm w/ my email.

Posted By Gaijin Detail on 05-01-2012 8:17 PM
Reub,

I'm going to go through and can probably provide you with a copy of all of my paperwork in the next couple weeks. Too busy traveling now to assist you. Earliest would be Saturday afternoon, Sunday morning time frame. If you have any questions please PM me as I've went through the process twice now, and will be going through it again in a couple years.

GD,

Any way you could post up details on the process for the people interested in importing a NON-USDM vehicle? 

I'll try and get a write up done and post it up by Friday evening

Does anyone (Yokota, Gaijin Detail) have a good reliable RI in the states they trust. I'd like to bounce some ideas around about my car since its kind of on the NHTSA eligibility list.

I don't know of any RI's personally, I just know someone locally that has exported a few thousand vehicles all over the planet. I was having a conversation with him the other day about vehicles -vs- cost and it would seem the SkyLine GTR models have such a high value in the US for even the older models that it could be worth exporting.

(I you paid 20K for it here and it was valued at 50K stateside it seems that any export expenses could be absorbed)

Yes, but it would have to be at least 25k. Not all of that would be profit. If I remember correctly there was only one company in the US (Motorex if they are even still in business) that was doing US spec Skyline conversions. That was running right around upwards of $20k a couple years ago.

Didn't too a write up but remembered I followed this guy's guidance when going through the same proces. this is about as detailed as it gets and we pretty much encounterd the same hassles

http://home.comcast.net/~philcat7/import.html

Really appreciate the link and your time.

Posted By indytrucks on 05-15-2012 11:34 PM
Does anyone (Yokota, Gaijin Detail) have a good reliable RI in the states they trust. I'd like to bounce some ideas around about my car since its kind of on the NHTSA eligibility list.

It either is or isn't. Check out the links I posted all over this thread. JK technologies in MD was doing the Motorex federalization.

Posted By LaCrimsonLey on 05-20-2012 12:27 PM

Posted By indytrucks on 05-15-2012 11:34 PM
Does anyone (Yokota, Gaijin Detail) have a good reliable RI in the states they trust. I'd like to bounce some ideas around about my car since its kind of on the NHTSA eligibility list.

It either is or isn't. Check out the links I posted all over this thread. JK technologies in MD was doing the Motorex federalization.

I'm well versed in cars and the importation guidelines. However, its not always as cut and dry as you'd make it seem. My car's make and model is on the list, only it is under the name used elsewhere in the world. So as I said, it's kind of on the list. If you aren't an RI or have any personal experience importing vehicles legally into the US (for which you'd need the assistance of an RI), you're just reading all the same things everyone else has. Thanks.

All of you even talking about Motorex need to do some research into that whole fiasco. Let's just say they are no longer in business. 

Again, it is or isn't. ICE isn't going to say, "Well, its kinda on the NHTSA non-conforming list so we'll allow it on U.S. soil." If it doesn't match exactly what's on the gov's appoval list then, I'm sorry, its not eligible. If your vehicle has written documentation that its the same vehicle thats on the list then congrats.

Would you like me to forward you emails from the RIs I've talked to? Or forward you phone rosters when I called them regarding importing non-USDM vehicles? I'd say that's personal experience . Besides, I'm trying to help not get into a "I know more than you" pissing contest.

Posted By LaCrimsonLey on 05-23-2012 10:01 AM
Again, it is or isn't. ICE isn't going to say, "Well, its kinda on the NHTSA non-conforming list so we'll allow it on U.S. soil." If it doesn't match exactly what's on the gov's appoval list then, I'm sorry, its not eligible. If your vehicle has written documentation that its the same vehicle thats on the list then congrats.

Would you like me to forward you emails from the RIs I've talked to? Or forward you phone rosters when I called them regarding importing non-USDM vehicles? I'd say that's personal experience . Besides, I'm trying to help not get into a "I know more than you" pissing contest.

Again, you obviously have no clue what you're talking about. I have been in contact with an RI now. My questions have been answered and I'm good to go. If you don't know what you're talking about, perhaps you shouldn't speak instead of passing along false information. 

Awesome, post your factual information for those interested/reading this thread on how "GETTING A JAPANESE CAR BACK TO THE USA" works.

double post. deleted.

Why? The cars you can get in the states are about the same now. Why pay more?

nativedetroiter,

I hope that I can answer your question nicely, intelligently, and politely. I’m sure that there are many who could do a better job of it than me.

It's not about the cost, initially, it's not about "quality", and it’s not about the cars that have "American" counterparts, like the R35 generation Nissan Skyline and the Infinity G35. It's about the ones that you can't get in the US. It's about the fact that I own a car here that I really, really like, and don't want to have to buy or build again when going back to the states. It's about that certain, indescribable something, that makes you want something that will never fit into the sentence "The cars you can get in the states are about the same now."

Your argument is simple, succinct, practical and logical. I there is no truly rational argument against “Why pay more?”, but this isn’t about simple, succinct, practical and logical.

It's something that gearheads understand. It's when a car or truck is more than just 4 wheels, a bunch of plastic, metal, wires and basic transportation.

so basically if its not on the list of cars then you will spend alot of dead presidents.

http://www.jktechnologies.net/

is one of the RI that i landed upon with duckduckgo [ google ] bubbles your searches.

FTC,

I understand and have made lots of crazy sacrifices in time and money in the past. But reality comes crashing down when you do eventually tire of the car and want to take on another project. The value of the car barely covers the $$ spent on the engine alone.

I think the only cars in the current market that are worth shipping back are >25 years old, very special and rare vehicles (in Japan and the US) or extremely expensive cars whose value would be little affected by the $$ to convert. Anything else is just pain and misery.

Posted By InJapan on 05-25-2012 12:17 PM
FTC,

I understand and have made lots of crazy sacrifices in time and money in the past. But reality comes crashing down when you do eventually tire of the car and want to take on another project. The value of the car barely covers the $$ spent on the engine alone.

I think the only cars in the current market that are worth shipping back are >25 years old, very special and rare vehicles (in Japan and the US) or extremely expensive cars whose value would be little affected by the $$ to convert. Anything else is just pain and misery.

I actually agree with you.  A project car is never, ever, ever a money making investment...I think that might be the very definition of it actually...  The degree of the money lost to one is entirely subjective.

You might be able to afford and actually feel that sinking $100,000 into a car is entirely justifiable to own and drive the car of your dreams for only a day.  Where I wouldn't spend 5 bucks on the same bucket.  I can tell you that a gold plated, right hand drive, stretch-limo Yugo is just pain and misery.  I can tell you what I think, and make all the arguments in the world, but frankly, you and I ain't married, so you don't have to get my approval to spend $100,000 on your Yugo.

...or LeCar...

The only sure way to send a car back and drive it daily legally is:

1. Make sure it is older than 25 years old. Then you dont have to modify anything at all. Just ship it and drive it. If you have a car in storage back in the states on the GOV dime...they will not ship for you.

2. If the car is LESS than 25 years old (1-24) it must be on the approved import list, BUT you still must have it modified, which will end up costing you 15-30K PERIOD!

Remember......these rules have nothing to do with Japanese cars being different, or less safe. If it was a safety issue, why would they allow 25 year old cars come back with no modification being required? Were the cars safer 25 years ago??

It is simple really.....the USA car market....is in trouble......the last thing in the world that they want is to compete with imported vehicles.....especially from Japan.

Read it and weep guys........yes you might find a loop-hole.......but is it really worth it?? I had to leave my 2000 RX7.....and yes it hurt....but I lived.

I called, wrote, harassed over a 100 people in the states about importing this or another car.......did not happen

On a positive note......the Honda NSX reaches 25 soon.......and the Toyo Supra has a few twin turbo models already 25....and looking good. Focus on 25 year old cars............before they change that rule to.

The 25 year old rule only started like 5 or 6 years ago. Prior to that is was 15 years. Too many people were importing....of course.

Anyway....don't believe me? Not satisfied??

Well have fun....and let us all know how it worked out for you.

PS.......transportation will verify that your vehicle is older than 25 or has "made for USA and meets all federal etc" sticker on it as well as a VIN. They will also verify this at the shipping center.

buy car in canada, drive it in the US ^_^ just gotta have an the canadian requirement to buy it and register it in canada.
the nsx price will skyrocket when you can import it state side because its rhd same with the supra.

As I said.............clearly............any car OVER 25 years can be freely imported with no modifications. Meaning a RHD is absolutely OK to import. 25 years old or over.

If you drive a car from Canada and register it, it will most likely still be an illegal import at the Federal level. If the Feds catch you........you face fines.....possible jail......and getting your car CRUSHED.

If you want it that bad....go for it.

So.........I have done extensive research.......made 100's of calls......talk to many people.

Best route is 25 years old or older. Or buy a car on the approved import list, but be prepared to pay 15-30K to have a Registered Importer supposedly upgrade it to American specs. YOU CANNOT DO YOURSELF......its all part of the game to discourage you from importing.

If you want to legally import a vehicle that is NOT on the import list..........you must apply for a show car permit, or a rare historical value vehicle, or a track vehicle.

Or you must apply to import it as a street legal vehicle. But you must either give the GOV the crash test data from the manufacturer or a letter stating that the vehicle is 100% American spec compatible (from the manufactured). Oh and by the way....the manufactured WILL NEVER give you these items!! They don't want the vehicle exported either.

Or you can provide the US GOV with several vehicles for crash testing, and pay for the testers and other fees.........100,000 of dollars.

Get it through your minds.............the US GOV does not want any imports to compete with American cars. Period!

Don't believe me? Then please try and make sense of the import procedures.

For example....they say that Japanese vehicles do not meet US safety and emissions specs......so must be modified to be road safe. Hmmmmmm.......so.....why is it OK to import vehicles over 25 years old.......without making any mods or upgrades?

Funny......right? Good luck.

anyone can direct me on how service members get 25yr old cars registered in california?
i looked at the CARB/DMV.Ca and it was not helpful