Importing a Japanese FD to the U.S.
08-26-09 | 03:44 PM
#26
i'm guessing that the folks that do manage to get one here do so by chopping the car up in to different containers and sending the car in pieces... then reassemble. course that doesn't help if you try to get it registered or get pulled over by the po-po. If it's caught in the country without the proper documents then will get impounded and all likely crushed.
you might as well sell it and take the money and by a USDM one. it'll be a lot of headache for something that is practically the same. to import into the us you have a lot of hoops to jump and is nothing like mexican or canadian import laws, ask bill gates and his Porsche 959.
you might as well sell it and take the money and by a USDM one. it'll be a lot of headache for something that is practically the same. to import into the us you have a lot of hoops to jump and is nothing like mexican or canadian import laws, ask bill gates and his Porsche 959.
08-26-09 | 03:53 PM
#27
simpler solution and most likely cheaper solution is to take all your performance parts out, box it, get US military to ship, and then put it back on US FD. Otherwise, you are taking pretty big chance to get it to USA just not able to drive it.
Good luck!
Good luck!
08-26-09 | 04:27 PM
#28
I was curious what kind of FD you are bringing into USA... see that is an 92 model with some RE stuff on it. Not sure what's under the hood, or if its really worth it or not.. and I know FD's are much cheaper in UK vs. US.. but at the end, I still don't think its worth the hassle... But good luck! Hope all works out.
08-27-09 | 01:43 PM
#29
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From: england
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
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
Thanks Flick heres another link that I found for a list of RI's all over the country.
http://www.ablecargo.com/forms/Regis...14,%202004.htm
08-27-09 | 01:46 PM
#30
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I was curious what kind of FD you are bringing into USA... see that is an 92 model with some RE stuff on it. Not sure what's under the hood, or if its really worth it or not.. and I know FD's are much cheaper in UK vs. US.. but at the end, I still don't think its worth the hassle... But good luck! Hope all works out.
. This is not looking good.
08-27-09 | 02:04 PM
#33
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From: Bellevue, WA
I have seen a skyline R33 and an S14 with Military stickets on their cars noting that they may drive leagaly on the roads up here in Wa. It was a few months ago but I think thats how they were able to. I am sort of in the same boat. Check my sig
08-27-09 | 02:30 PM
#34
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From: england
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO I cant imaging chopping that car up just like I dont understand why people will part their FD's out here in England if they cant sell it makes no sense. And for the record I want this all legal so no swapping vins.
08-27-09 | 03:16 PM
#35
Which all would cost millions of dollars. That is the only legal way to do it without loopholes like registering in different states (Colorado & Florida) & VIN swapping.
Your best bet is to just buy an Rx7 here and swap over all the parts wanted.
08-27-09 | 03:20 PM
#36
08-27-09 | 03:55 PM
#38
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From: england
I think you would have to provide 4-5 car crash tests of the same model to NHTSA, and get the necessary parts fixed for it to qualify to their standards. And provide necessary emissions for the EPA. Etc...
Which all would cost millions of dollars. That is the only legal way to do it without loopholes like registering in different states (Colorado & Florida) & VIN swapping.
Your best bet is to just buy an Rx7 here and swap over all the parts wanted.
Which all would cost millions of dollars. That is the only legal way to do it without loopholes like registering in different states (Colorado & Florida) & VIN swapping.
Your best bet is to just buy an Rx7 here and swap over all the parts wanted.
08-27-09 | 04:22 PM
#40
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Lol if this works I will have to charge people for the crash paperwork jk. If it works I am willing to bet that the thread I post about it will have a record amout of hits lol.
08-27-09 | 06:06 PM
#43
I was stationed at RAF Mildenhall a couple yrs back.
a FEW threads with your answers...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/can-2002-spirit-r-converted-lhd-411057/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/any-one-want-96-fd3s-37303/
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=404030
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/3rd-gen-japan-rx7s-states-389178/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/old-question-searched-import-jap-7-im-military-386649/
If you hadn't noticed I've tried to bring one back with me from the UK.
a FEW threads with your answers...
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/can-2002-spirit-r-converted-lhd-411057/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/any-one-want-96-fd3s-37303/
https://www.rx7club.com/showthread.php?t=404030
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/3rd-gen-japan-rx7s-states-389178/
https://www.rx7club.com/3rd-generation-specific-1993-2002-16/old-question-searched-import-jap-7-im-military-386649/
If you hadn't noticed I've tried to bring one back with me from the UK.
08-27-09 | 06:41 PM
#44
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.
I hate to sound mean... but you really should have thought of this before buying a car in the UK and sinking a ton of money into it. At the *least* you could have selected a car in the states, flown back to buy it then have TMO ship it out to you.
I bought mine just before I moved to the UK and contemplated waiting, but decided against it. I flew home for a weekend so I could ship my car before I deployed forward so it would be waiting for me when I got back...
08-27-09 | 07:18 PM
#45
Dude,
Don't wanna sound like a dick but I really don't see anything special about this car to justify the headache of shipping it to the U.S. Meaning that what I see can be easily transfered to an USDM FD. If it was me I'd take off all things that I want and ship them back home. Then I'd buy one here, put my stuff in and call it a day.
Easy as pie, no hassles, no worries, no lame as RHD (yes lame), no future questions from cops about legalities, no hidden import costs, or if it's even insurable, nothing. Just a regular, yet rare 3rd Gen that you can enjoy till the day you die/sell/burn/stolen/crash/hate... <--- my point being even if you somehow bring it over here something can still happen in daily life to which makes the hassle even less appealing.
Last edited by Montego; 08-27-09 at 07:24 PM.
08-28-09 | 02:34 AM
#46
Have you been by Brandon (where you will drop your car off for shipping) yet? They will NOT accept your vehicle for shipping without certain paperwork items (I had to go twice to ship my USDM FD because I've got an aftermarket hood, and my EPA sticker was on the stock hood.. had to cut it off and bring it).
I hate to sound mean... but you really should have thought of this before buying a car in the UK and sinking a ton of money into it. At the *least* you could have selected a car in the states, flown back to buy it then have TMO ship it out to you.
I bought mine just before I moved to the UK and contemplated waiting, but decided against it. I flew home for a weekend so I could ship my car before I deployed forward so it would be waiting for me when I got back...
This is really your best bet, I hate to say it... Strip it ALL down, and pack it as household goods (what service are you? I know the Navy lets you ship car parts with your household goods, as it is considered a personal hobby) then just get/paint a roller here in the states and stick it all back on.
I hate to sound mean... but you really should have thought of this before buying a car in the UK and sinking a ton of money into it. At the *least* you could have selected a car in the states, flown back to buy it then have TMO ship it out to you.
I bought mine just before I moved to the UK and contemplated waiting, but decided against it. I flew home for a weekend so I could ship my car before I deployed forward so it would be waiting for me when I got back...
This is really your best bet, I hate to say it... Strip it ALL down, and pack it as household goods (what service are you? I know the Navy lets you ship car parts with your household goods, as it is considered a personal hobby) then just get/paint a roller here in the states and stick it all back on.
08-28-09 | 05:54 AM
#47
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From: england
Well if it was up to me I would stay in the UK but I am in the process of being medically discharged and I was slated to stay in the UK for the rest of my time in so its a shitty situation but im a stuborn guy so I will see what unfolds next. I am def not going to strip it all down unless I bring the chassis back and ship the rest of the car separtely.
08-28-09 | 06:01 AM
#48
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Joined: Mar 2008
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From: Okinawa
This is mostly to the people saying it can't be done or not legally...
Ok, first off DOT should have copies of the crash paperwork because the car IS ON THE LIST (NHTSA List of Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation)
These are the docket numbers NHTSA-1998-4578 NHTSA-1999-5863
Contact an importer, set everything up, pay $5000-10000 guessing from my research to do the same thing, ship, convert, drive happy.
If you can't afford to have it converted, rent a container, strip it down to a rolling chassis, document all your parts, ship it to yourself and put it back together.
If you do it this way, you will be able to use it as a track car... just not register it.
After that, if you buy the parts to convert, go to the importer and have them certify the conversion. Then you can register it.
Flik
Ok, first off DOT should have copies of the crash paperwork because the car IS ON THE LIST (NHTSA List of Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation)
These are the docket numbers NHTSA-1998-4578 NHTSA-1999-5863
Contact an importer, set everything up, pay $5000-10000 guessing from my research to do the same thing, ship, convert, drive happy.
If you can't afford to have it converted, rent a container, strip it down to a rolling chassis, document all your parts, ship it to yourself and put it back together.
If you do it this way, you will be able to use it as a track car... just not register it.
After that, if you buy the parts to convert, go to the importer and have them certify the conversion. Then you can register it.
Flik
08-28-09 | 06:46 AM
#49
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From: england
This is mostly to the people saying it can't be done or not legally...
Ok, first off DOT should have copies of the crash paperwork because the car IS ON THE LIST (NHTSA List of Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation)
These are the docket numbers NHTSA-1998-4578 NHTSA-1999-5863
Contact an importer, set everything up, pay $5000-10000 guessing from my research to do the same thing, ship, convert, drive happy.
If you can't afford to have it converted, rent a container, strip it down to a rolling chassis, document all your parts, ship it to yourself and put it back together.
If you do it this way, you will be able to use it as a track car... just not register it.
After that, if you buy the parts to convert, go to the importer and have them certify the conversion. Then you can register it.
Flik
Ok, first off DOT should have copies of the crash paperwork because the car IS ON THE LIST (NHTSA List of Nonconforming Vehicles Eligible for Importation)
These are the docket numbers NHTSA-1998-4578 NHTSA-1999-5863
Contact an importer, set everything up, pay $5000-10000 guessing from my research to do the same thing, ship, convert, drive happy.
If you can't afford to have it converted, rent a container, strip it down to a rolling chassis, document all your parts, ship it to yourself and put it back together.
If you do it this way, you will be able to use it as a track car... just not register it.
After that, if you buy the parts to convert, go to the importer and have them certify the conversion. Then you can register it.
Flik
That is the same info I saw so its good that I am not the only one to come to that conclusion. I have contacted a RI and they said that if I do all or most of the work to convert it over like headlights, taillights, emissions work and such that it wouldnt run me all that much, they would basically charge to do the tests. I have already done the headlights taillights, some of the emissions work, the airbag and seatbelt work. Now it is down to them to do the tests and maybe tune it.
08-28-09 | 08:15 AM
#50
That is false:
https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...2&postcount=80
That used to be the case, but they changed the laws around "track/racing" vehicles a few years ago (for permanent offroad use, not temporary). Not that people don't find ways around it, but once again that's the difference between being legal and not being legal.
https://www.rx7club.com/showpost.php...2&postcount=80
That used to be the case, but they changed the laws around "track/racing" vehicles a few years ago (for permanent offroad use, not temporary). Not that people don't find ways around it, but once again that's the difference between being legal and not being legal.