Importing a Skyline into the USA FAQ thread...

[RB26Sileighty]

Ok so i figured to clear up some rumors or questions anyone has about importing cars into the USA i would write this thread...Note that this may or may not apply to the state or province that you live in...



I imported a 91 Gts-t about 2 years ago...The car was ordered from a web site called Batfa.com...Yes it is a legit web site that sells cars out of yokahama japan. The car took 6 months to arrive...Why so long because at the time i didn't know it was not going to be frighted in. Instead the car was driven on and off the boat...you mite say oh thats no so bad but the shipping company scratched the car and it was just a big mess...anyhow im fixing to give you the 411 on what you can and can't do importing a skyline or just about any car into the USA.

The first thing is finding a reliable place to buy a car. Since most of us can't go to japan we have to shop from our comps here in the states. Like i said before, i went out on a limb and risked loosing a large sum of money and bought a skyline from japan from Batfa.com. The car took six months to get here and trust me it was not easy i had to call the us imbassy many times. So to avoid this problem you will have to figure out what port you want the car shipped to. I had mine shipped to what once was Port of New Orleans. Now if your intrested listen up because this is what you will need to do.

First depending where you buy your car, make contact with the seller over the phone which is your basic long distance buying guildlines. Once your money transfer is made and you have picked your car and port the next step is finding what is called a import and export broker. You can call any Port in the usa or your local customs to find legit brokers. If anyone needs a list i still have mine. Anyhow your broker will be able to arrange for the car to be picked up and loaded onto the boat. I recommend renting a crate but if your straped for cash (free) load is exceptable. No it's not free shipping it just means that the cargo is not contained in anything. Not sure about shipping charges because they fluxuate with the economy. I remember i paid 900 for shipping to the US. When the car arrives you will be required to pay fees such as your broker fee+customs fees which are about the most exspensive...Broker fees run about 150-200 bucks and customs fees are around 350-400.

When the car comes in you will have to wait at 7a.m. in the morning like i did to pick it up. Make sure to number the truck and trailer when you go to pick it up...They will ask you your truck number. Just make a number up like (m7).
Not sure about other places but Batfa.com sent all documents of the car in the mail. When you get a broker they will probibly send it to them. Note you can not pick your vehicle up with out a broker.

Once you get your car for hevens sake i know it's hard but do not drive it on the street. They will impound and smash it. I was lucky that the red necks that live in texas don't know what a skyline is. There has been this long rumor about only being able to have the car one year before customs comes to pick it up. Not true at all, because leaglly you can own and posses the car as long as you want and still not be legal. What i am telling you is not speculation but fact.

To get a skyline or any other car legal is not so much exspensive as it is a pain in the ass. Your first move is to have your loacl officals check the car to make sure your paper work matchs and that it is not stolen. You can have this done at your local dmv. Just call and ask them what to do and they will direct you. Ask your broker to help you because they can often help speed the paper work up faster. As for the car itself (91 gts-t) the exhaust passes emesions but had to be replaced due to rust. That was just about the only thing that was replaced...After the car has been checked by your local dot to insure that it was not stolen then you will move to your next challenge. You will need a special form that your broker will have and i don't recall the number of the form but they will know. Once you have this form and the form givin by your local dmv officer, you will then need to contact your local EPA officals. Don't get nervous about these guys because the ones i delt with were very nice and helpful. When you call ask for the head guy so as to not get the run around. They will have you bring the car to the inspection area and in my case just give it a quick look over. Sometimes they will check emissions but not always. After that it's just a matter of handling basic paper work such as registration and inspection. The dot and epa officers will help direct you. I strongly recommend not trying this in calli but try at your own risk. This does work and the car will be legal in your state. Now federal wise i don't know because thats a diffrent story.

If anyone would like any more info on the feel free to reply...note paper work is way less hassle for cars that we have in the states...