Importing and Registering Q's - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

CharCharXD · 07-26-2012, 02:40 PM

Thanks for clicking my thread!

Okay so the reason I'm starting this thread is because I've been getting a lot of mixed answers while I was searching how to import and register a Japanese vehicle. Some things factual and others not. But my goal with this thread is to get set information that from an experienced Zilvilian lol. With over 100,000 users on this site I'm sure at least 1 or 2 of you have imported a car from Japan (lol probably hundreds or thousands

). And I'm sure many of you have gotten them legally registered as well. I know it's probably not an easy task but still, I don't want any hate on this thread. I want to keep this totally positive. So don't go posting negative comments and useless information. I don't want the "Just buy an s14 here, who cares about RHD."

While I was researching I came across many different answers. So I have a list of questions that I'd like to be answered by someone that has imported a vehicle from Japan and has gotten it registered in the states.

1. How do I import the car I want?
I know there are a bunch of auction houses in Japan. How do they work? Whats the shipping process and how long does the process take? + can someone appoint me to an easy, reliable auction house site? I read that I must give the importer a filled Pro-Forma Invoice? and send money through wire transfer?

2. Once it's here, where do I pick it up?
At this point do you have all the documents of the car yet? Or does that arrive with the car?I'm in Las Vegas so it's pretty easy for me to drive down to LA. Apparently this is a popular drop off point for cargo ships. (lucky for me

) Who clears the car through customs? How do I hire a Shipping Agent? <-- how did you go upon this issue?

3. What were all the fees you had to pay to pick up the car in the states? (ex, tax, shipping?) How much did you pay for shipping, tax, and shipping agent (if you had one? is it required?)?

4. What paperwork must be filled out? Where do I get this paperwork from from? What fees must be paid to register it? How long does this process take?

Okay so theres all my questions laid out. If someone can answer all these questions that'd be great but you don't have to. But I'm just asking for straight answers and what you had to do to import and register your car. What was your experience like and would you do it again? Rate the difficulty by *. 1 * being easy. 5 * being extremely hard. What car did you import? Looking forward to reading your responses!

If you read through this whole post I thank you.

KendallH · 07-26-2012, 02:48 PM

nevermind why did i reply

Lees_Garage · 07-26-2012, 03:02 PM

Here is a write-up about grey market vehicles. It is about Hondas, but applys to any grey market import. Grey Market Vehicles

coupesallday! · 07-26-2012, 03:13 PM

Classic JDM Imports

coreyh · 07-26-2012, 03:23 PM

just wait two more years when the 1989 is considered "classic" and go crazy. thats what im doing.

drscooper · 07-26-2012, 05:02 PM

yeah i would be intrested in this also i have read alot but dont want to screw myself over lol

vehicle336 · 07-26-2012, 06:44 PM

The law is written to say 25 years from the month of manufacture. That means that since many Japanese cars were built the year before (or several months at least) their actual model year, you could technically begin importing them as soon as this time next year, since the cars were built in 88 but sold as an 89 model year. At least that's the case with most Japanese cars. I'm not an expert on Skylines, but it'd be nice if that were the case.

coreyh · 07-26-2012, 07:05 PM

i believe thats with any car, my buddy's dad imported an aston martin db5 and original mini from england and wasnt hassled since they were older then 25.

*fliprayzin240sx* · 07-26-2012, 07:57 PM

If its not 25 yrs old...dont bother importing it...

coreyh · 07-26-2012, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fliprayzin240sx

If its not 25 yrs old...dont bother importing it...

qft. the best non american cars are all older than 25 years old anywawy...actually the best cars are older 25 years

omgRWDgoodness! · 07-26-2012, 08:59 PM

If you're really serious about importing a JDM car, try giving John at Black Ops Performance in Pompano Beach FL a call, he specializes in stuff like this.

vehicle336 · 07-26-2012, 09:54 PM

Vintage Japanese Vehicles Sales and Restoration | JDM Legends

CharCharXD · 07-27-2012, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by All Grip

Here is a write-up about grey market vehicles. It is about Hondas, but applys to any grey market import. Grey Market Vehicles

this really helped thanks. *still in need of someone who has experienced importing themselves*

07-26-2012, 02:40 PM	#1
CharCharXD Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Death Valley Posts: 384 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Importing and Registering Q's Thanks for clicking my thread! Okay so the reason I'm starting this thread is because I've been getting a lot of mixed answers while I was searching how to import and register a Japanese vehicle. Some things factual and others not. But my goal with this thread is to get set information that from an experienced Zilvilian lol. With over 100,000 users on this site I'm sure at least 1 or 2 of you have imported a car from Japan (lol probably hundreds or thousands). And I'm sure many of you have gotten them legally registered as well. I know it's probably not an easy task but still, I don't want any hate on this thread. I want to keep this totally positive. So don't go posting negative comments and useless information. I don't want the "Just buy an s14 here, who cares about RHD." While I was researching I came across many different answers. So I have a list of questions that I'd like to be answered by someone that has imported a vehicle from Japan and has gotten it registered in the states. 1. How do I import the car I want? I know there are a bunch of auction houses in Japan. How do they work? Whats the shipping process and how long does the process take? + can someone appoint me to an easy, reliable auction house site? I read that I must give the importer a filled Pro-Forma Invoice? and send money through wire transfer? 2. Once it's here, where do I pick it up? At this point do you have all the documents of the car yet? Or does that arrive with the car?I'm in Las Vegas so it's pretty easy for me to drive down to LA. Apparently this is a popular drop off point for cargo ships. (lucky for me ) Who clears the car through customs? How do I hire a Shipping Agent? <-- how did you go upon this issue? 3. What were all the fees you had to pay to pick up the car in the states? (ex, tax, shipping?) How much did you pay for shipping, tax, and shipping agent (if you had one? is it required?)? 4. What paperwork must be filled out? Where do I get this paperwork from from? What fees must be paid to register it? How long does this process take? Okay so theres all my questions laid out. If someone can answer all these questions that'd be great but you don't have to. But I'm just asking for straight answers and what you had to do to import and register your car. What was your experience like and would you do it again? Rate the difficulty by . 1 being easy. 5 * being extremely hard. What car did you import? Looking forward to reading your responses! If you read through this whole post I thank you.

07-26-2012, 02:48 PM	#2
KendallH Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Clearwater, FL Level: Master Troll Age: 32 Posts: 871 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	nevermind why did i reply Last edited by KendallH; 07-26-2012 at 03:32 PM..

07-26-2012, 03:02 PM	#3
Lees_Garage Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Southern CA Posts: 1,190 Trader Rating: (66) Feedback Score: 66 reviews	Here is a write-up about grey market vehicles. It is about Hondas, but applys to any grey market import. Grey Market Vehicles __________________ Build Thread @lees_garage

07-26-2012, 07:57 PM	#9
fliprayzin240sx Man w/ CTSV & a Car Seat Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 17,998 Trader Rating: (19) Rides Gallery: fliprayzin240sx Feedback Score: 19 reviews	If its not 25 yrs old...dont bother importing it... __________________ If you think Zilvia has too many assholes... CLICK HERE!!!

07-26-2012, 08:59 PM	#11
omgRWDgoodness! Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Palm Beach Gardens, FL Age: 33 Posts: 1,498 Trader Rating: (48) Feedback Score: 48 reviews	If you're really serious about importing a JDM car, try giving John at Black Ops Performance in Pompano Beach FL a call, he specializes in stuff like this. __________________

07-26-2012, 03:23 PM	#5
coreyh Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: covina, CA Age: 30 Posts: 81 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	just wait two more years when the 1989 is considered "classic" and go crazy. thats what im doing.

07-26-2012, 05:02 PM	#6
drscooper Zilvia Addict Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: homegrown Posts: 799 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	yeah i would be intrested in this also i have read alot but dont want to screw myself over lol

07-26-2012, 06:44 PM	#7
vehicle336 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Spocompton, WA Posts: 187 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	The law is written to say 25 years from the month of manufacture. That means that since many Japanese cars were built the year before (or several months at least) their actual model year, you could technically begin importing them as soon as this time next year, since the cars were built in 88 but sold as an 89 model year. At least that's the case with most Japanese cars. I'm not an expert on Skylines, but it'd be nice if that were the case.

07-26-2012, 07:05 PM	#8
coreyh Leaky Injector Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: covina, CA Age: 30 Posts: 81 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	i believe thats with any car, my buddy's dad imported an aston martin db5 and original mini from england and wasnt hassled since they were older then 25.

07-26-2012, 09:54 PM	#12
vehicle336 Zilvia Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Spocompton, WA Posts: 187 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Vintage Japanese Vehicles Sales and Restoration \| JDM Legends