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Importing from AUS

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Alf Proficient

Alf

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I have some questions about importing a skyline from AUS to the US.

You would think that the US would be snapping up skylines but from what I've heard on US Nissan forums this isnt the case. Apparently the regulations are so tight that only a dozen or so can only be registered in the US per year.

There is hardly any businesses that import lines :cheers:

Ok the questions, Would there be any custom issues when shipping a 33 GTS25T to California?

There is no problem with shipping arrangements to Main beach cali. But what am I to expect in when it enters the US?. :Bang:

I have heard many stories about imports being cut up becoz they are illegal even tho they are not registered. :bs!: I know North America has high standards when it comes to emissions and safety. I've read on US sites saying that RHD cars are not as safe as LDH cars, I think this is just biased BS!. :usuck:

Does anyone know how the US system works.? I've read up on the procedures of importing into the US but i can't work half of it out. They use abbreviations like RI, VSP,VCP,VAS,FMVSSn HS-7 and so on.

The reason I ask about these ridiculous regulations is I may be moving to CA, USA in the near future and the last thing I want to do is leave my line behind and may bring a few more over later on. :ufo:

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https://www.sau.com.au/forums/topic/70778-importing-from-aus/
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mini2 Community Regular

mini2

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Their rules is quite different to our SEVS yet it's based on the same principles - allow cars that weren't released for the market in order to be driven on the road.

In order to register the 'line, it must be imported by the company that does the legalization then handle the conversion. Pretty pricey stuff...

http://www.motorex.net/

zohnny Rookie

zohnny

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I'm in the US and I can tell you that it is impossible to legalize vehicles from overseas. You have to go thru all the emission test and safety test (ex. crash test, etc) which doesn't make sense at all. I was once tried to import two stroke bike (it's illegal unless 50cc) and I found that it was impossible.

If it was easy to bring cars here, you would see skyline/JDM cars everywhere. All I seen around here is the engine swap from JDM engines or clips.

Why do you want to go through all the hassle? Reason I'm saying is car is really cheap compare to Australia. For example, you can get new 350Z base model for $27k USD or new M3 for around $47k USD.

Alf Proficient

Alf

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Their rules is quite different to our SEVS yet it's based on the same principles - allow cars that weren't released for the market in order to be driven on the road.

In order to register the 'line, it must be imported by the company that does the legalization then handle the conversion. Pretty pricey stuff...

http://www.motorex.net/

The info is much appreciated. :D

The US definitely are missing out on such an awesum car. This monopoly that Motorex has is definitely pricey as I'm discovering.:goddam:

Most of the imports they have brought in have taken more than a year to get on the road. Say If i was to remove the running gear from the car and ship them over seperately as parts, as far as I know this is legal to do in the US (shipping isnt a problem for me). Would this still have to be registered under the import laws.?

If they convert it to LHD I wouldn't do it sorry but that's just wrong.

Also in theory they're right - LHD is safer for the side of the road they're on.

From the skylines I've seen legaly imported to the US, they seem to keep them RHD. :werd:

zohnny Rookie

zohnny

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Most of the imports they have brought in have taken more than a year to get on the road. Say If i was to remove the running gear from the car and ship them over seperately as parts, as far as I know this is legal to do in the US (shipping isnt a problem for me). Would this still have to be registered under the import laws.?

If you know "someone" in the DMV(Department of Motor Vehicles) you might be able to register it legally. Plus I assume you need to know someone who can pass you state inspect. But if you get an accident or get pulled over by cops and if they finds out, you are in big big trouble(law suit/prison term or heavy fine)

Alf Proficient

Alf

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Why do you want to go through all the hassle? Reason I'm saying is car is really cheap compare to Australia. For example, you can get new 350Z base model for $27k USD or new M3 for around $47k USD.

Why? It's coz i'm putting so much $ and work into the car, esp the running gear. I've driven a 350Z and it's nothing like a skyline, the sentimental value and fact that it's a skyline makes it hard to part with.

When it comes to cars I'm very fussy. If I was to buy a new car I would have to pull it apart and rebuild it to suit the way I like a car to be.

PS: The RB that's being built is almost done so what ever happens it's staying in my sight.

Alf Proficient

Alf

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If you know "someone" in the DMV(Department of Motor Vehicles) you might be able to register it legally. Plus I assume you need to know someone who can pass you state inspect. But if you get an accident or get pulled over by cops and if they finds out, you are in big big trouble(law suit/prison term or heavy fine)

Thanks for the warning, will need more research on the matter :D

zohnny Rookie

zohnny

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Why? It's coz i'm putting so much $ and work into the car, esp the running gear. I've driven a 350Z and it's nothing like a skyline, the sentimental value and fact that it's a skyline makes it hard to part with.

When it comes to cars I'm very fussy. If I was to buy a new car I would have to pull it apart and rebuild it to suit the way I like a car to be.

PS: The RB that's being built is almost done so what ever happens it's staying in my sight.

I wasn't trying to compare a skyline with a 350Z. I meant most of car in the US is cheaper(except skyline) than Australia. I understand your point though.

If you are bring it for temporary, I think there is way. It was something like personal use that you will be exporting after certain period like one year.(I don't remember well)

I remember reading an article in the Road and Track Magagine that the author brought Honda Jazz to the US for the cross country trip.(It took really long time).

But if you are going to staying in the US permenantly, I don't think it is possible. You might have to buy over priced motorex skyline and start again.

mini2 Community Regular

mini2

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RBmotoring is another authorized importer.

However there are loopholes with the Canadian laws that allowing R33 to be registered there but whether you are allowed to drive Canadian registered cars in the US of A is another matter altogether.

It's true though, why buy a Skyline when there's Porsche, M3 and other exciting machinery that's overpriced in Australia? I'd drive those if I gonna be in the US then hop back in a Skyline once you return. Make far better financial sense too.

Alf Proficient

Alf

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It's true though, why buy a Skyline when there's Porsche, M3 and other exciting machinery that's overpriced in Australia? I'd drive those if I gonna be in the US then hop back in a Skyline once you return. Make far better financial sense too.

That's a good point.

PS:It's a permanent move.

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