I was told by the company importing the car and doing the mods that it is legal to bring the car into the states but that you need to have the required mods to do so

Has anyone brought a RHD FD into the states and do you know what mods/paperwork I need?

 

I believe that it's a loophole and not too legal. Why not buy one here?

 

I think you mean mods to comply to DOT specification and stuff right? Check in the FS section there is a RHD CYM car for sale. People usually keep importation processes a secret though but usually its along the lines of being barely legal and sketchy at best. Look around the forums. There is alot of (mis)information out there. I looked into doing this myself but came to the conclusion that it was to much of a hassle.

If you search the forums on kaizo, you will the problem they have been having as of late. I believe alot of buyers are going to get into trouble.

 

you are looking for a world of pain. These cars are already a headache so why add to that? Especially since there are plenty of FD's here in the states.

 

Yeah I know about the hassle and the price I am not too worried about either and with the way selling cars is going and the amount I have already put into the car I might as well bring it back to the states. I just need someone to point me in the right direction.

 

Check the for sale section for the car I mentioned. There are somethings that I know you could do like import the car as a front clip but I doubt you would do that.

Like I said before, do a search. There is a wealth of information out there. This question has been asked ALOT.

 

I guess he's saying he already owns the car, sunk a shitload of money into it and won't recoup if he tries to sell it, so he wants to import it to the states with him. I believe the loophole is in Florida's import laws, check that out.

 

No I understood. I think it has more to do with effort to than with money. After all, you can always make more money. OP, I feel for you dude. I hope you can get your car here ASAP.

 

I am doing the research as we speak and there is alot of good info.

 

One minor suggestion, Make sure that you deal with a reputable shipper/custom's broker when sending your car from Japan to the states.
Also have them provide you with the receiving agent's contact information here in the states and make sure that the parties who are the "shippers"senders are "If not the same as the receiving agents" are on good standings with US Custom Services.

I have seen to many Shipments/containers get held up @ the port of Los Angeles do to ill practicing senders/shippers.
I would also recommend going with a well known broker in Japan who has a operation here in the states to minimize any clearing issues.

GL

Michael

 

BTW your location states England??? shouldn't the thread read Importing to England instead???

 

i think he means importing a japanese FD from england to the US?

 

LOL thanks

 

Nearly all the FD's here are jap imports (Including mine)...Original UK rx7's are pretty rare over here & generally not as well looked after as the imports. My take on it is that he has a jap spec rx7 that has been inported into the UK, then converted for UK roads (Rear foglight etc) & now wants to import to the US?

 

In any case my statement applies the same. Just make sure your sender knows what the current regulations are for shipping a whole car from over seas to US.

Keep in mind that the country of origin(where your sending it from) is only interested in making sure that when the exporting brokers file an "export declaration" that the item is clear of any financial lean and or not in violation of and pending criminal act.

They only cover their end and not necessarily the receiving end. This is why I recommend using a reputable Broker when shipping. They will ensure that all items are in fact within compliance once it gets here to the states.

 

Sorry to go off topic a bit...But is it possible to transport a car to the US for like 2 weeks..Then bring it back?

Would be useful for next summer

Prob too costly to consider...Was just wondering if it was possible.


Cheers

 

Yes you can...^^

USA
ATA carnet Headquarters and Service Bureau
1212 Avenue of the Americas
New York, NY 10036
Facsimile 212-944-0012 Telephone 212-354-4480
Email atacarnet@uscib.org

 

Awesome! Any idea of cost?

 

Hey thanks FDSeoul, yeah the car was originally from Japan and then imported to the Uk where I have it now. I get free shipping for being in the military and the company I am sending the car to is in Maryland and that is also the port that I am using to actually bring the car in. The car has now been modified to be driven in the UK and now I am trying to bring it to the U.S. I just want to make sure that when the car is at the garage that is doing the modifications that if there are any problems they wont just send the car back to the UK I will be pissed lol.

 

that has been know to happen!!! Just make sure that they comply with US customs regulations and since you're Military that should make things a lot smoother. Best of luck.

 

Does anyone know where I can find info on my Jap FD? The vin number is : FD3S-110171

 

I currently live in Japan and have also been considering sending my car home to the states when I leave.

It will take work and quite a few pennies, but it IS doable Legally. You just have to get in touch with a registered imported in the states and they can help you with the entire process.

When looking, it would seem to make it a little simpler if you find an RI that is DOT and EPA certified. That way you only have to deal with one agency. If you are in the military, (from what I was told) if you have a contract with a company that is going to do the conversion, you can take that paperwork to TMO (military shipping) and fill out more paperwork and they will ship the car for you for free.

You will have to check for yourself because I haven't actually asked yet. I was also told that for them to do that though, you can't already have a vehicle in storage provided by the military.

Go to this website for more info and a list of RIs. Hope this helps.

http://204.68.195.250/cars/rules/import/

Flik

 

I imagine bringing one into the US is pretty similar to bringing one into Canada. For mine there were only 2 major sticking points.

1: Was how much the car was "modified for performance", which is a huge grey area as the rules are really vague. The mechanic doing your inspection will make the call. For me, I had an upgraded intake and manifold, but since that alone wasn't enough to severely raise 'performance' in the mechanics eyes, I got a passing grade (and it helped that this is the same mechanic I had been taking my old FC to for years ).

2. The biggest pain for me was the lights. The only difference between JDM lights and approved lights for street-worthiness (at least in Canada), is that they must specifically say "DOT" on them. Part numbers, makeup and EVERYTHING is exactly the same between the JDM and USDM lights except for the "DOT" designation. It is really stupid and that was the biggest time consumer for me. Even the local dealerships had problems getting a hold of DOT lights for a 17-year-old car.

 

Not even close. There a bajillion threads about this topic.

 

Hey guys... please refrain from using the term "Jap" As it is considered derogatory or offensive within the English language.

Thanks.