My journey Buying and Importing a legal R32!

[ODS]

Kunio, the people want interior shots!

Thanks man! I was not planning to buy until next year aswell. This one kind fell in my lap and I had to make a quick decision, so I went for it.

[BossHogg]

you made a good choice.

[ODS]

Now all I have to do is endure some more time!

Originally Posted by BossHogg

you made a good choice.

[ODS]

I had to show the GTS-t some love.....

[ODS]

Should be getting some video from the Hara trip here soon!

[ODS]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q6wn2sQDJp0

[ODS]

Haven't posted on here in a while. Everything is going well just stacking up parts waiting for the shipping date!

[ferrariowner123]

Originally Posted by ODS

Haven't posted on here in a while. Everything is going well just stacking up parts waiting for the shipping date!

What all do you have coming in addition to the two cars?

-Kyle

[ODS]

Well I'm getting some suspension parts for the gtst, full GTR N1 areo, maybe another set of wheels, some seats, front mount intercooler for the gtst a nice piping kit for the GTR and maybe some other odds and end stuff.

[ODS]

picked up some upper control arms for the GTS-t and some R33 GTR seats!

[BoostSlideWayz]

Haven't read every page, But is there anyone who has imported an R32 like this legally into California ?

Obviously here the smog and car laws are so extensive im sure even with the 25 year rule its difficult.

I've read many websites, forums and other sources on the process.. but there seems to be lots of unclear advice.

I know some people seem to want to be the only one with cars like this but i think it would be helpful if people could possibly make a thread or post on this thread the exact steps they took and websites they used.

Like:
-what website did you go to, to purchase the vehicle ?

-What company did you use to ship it here ?

- Do you just go to the dock where the shipment arrives or does the car go through customs for a couple days ?

- How much paper work did you have to go through to actually drive or tow the car home ?
( listing the exact types of forums or papers you had to fill out and what kind of info do they ask )

Pretty much the process it takes to get a car like this or other companies besides nissan in California from Japan.


Like any other user on here i'd be highly interested in a car like this or a different type of car. But i have heard that the us customs and boarder protection sometimes will give you a hassle if you don't already have some certain documents ready.

This page is mainly what i've learned from how some of it goes( http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impor.../importing-car). But i just wanna hear some successful stories of imports that made it to california along with their own personal account on how they did it specifically.

[GTR-Garage]

I can tell you what we know about importing into California and why we tell all our customers there that if they bring a vehicle in under the 25 year exemptions they will likely be unable to register it. We certainly aren't experts in the specifics and will not say it's impossible, but we aren't going to put a customer at risk of not being able to register the car they import.

California has it's own "EPA" of sorts called the California Air Resources Board. Direct imports (including cars brought in under the 25 year exemption) are required to pass a one time intensive inspection before they can be registered. This is not a SMOG test. It is very expensive ($1,000+ per hour) and in all likelihood the vehicles everyone wants to import like Skylines, Silvia, Laurels, Cefiros, etc., will not pass it. Older Skylines like the Hakosuka can be registered because they do not have to go through the test as California has an exemption 1976 models or older.

Until something changes, or an above board (i.e. legal) way to register direct imports under the 25 year exemptions in California and can be proven legitimate we aren't going to export cars to California unless the customer specifically states and is willing to sign off on their intention to use it as an off-road vehicle only.

If anyone knows more about the specifics of the issue we'd love to hear it. We haven't had time to invest in researching it our retaining a legal researcher to look into it further.

Originally Posted by BoostSlideWayz

Haven't read every page, But is there anyone who has imported an R32 like this legally into California ?

Obviously here the smog and car laws are so extensive im sure even with the 25 year rule its difficult.

I've read many websites, forums and other sources on the process.. but there seems to be lots of unclear advice.

I know some people seem to want to be the only one with cars like this but i think it would be helpful if people could possibly make a thread or post on this thread the exact steps they took and websites they used.

Like:
-what website did you go to, to purchase the vehicle ?

-What company did you use to ship it here ?

- Do you just go to the dock where the shipment arrives or does the car go through customs for a couple days ?

- How much paper work did you have to go through to actually drive or tow the car home ?
( listing the exact types of forums or papers you had to fill out and what kind of info do they ask )

Pretty much the process it takes to get a car like this or other companies besides nissan in California from Japan.


Like any other user on here i'd be highly interested in a car like this or a different type of car. But i have heard that the us customs and boarder protection sometimes will give you a hassle if you don't already have some certain documents ready.

This page is mainly what i've learned from how some of it goes( http://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impor.../importing-car). But i just wanna hear some successful stories of imports that made it to california along with their own personal account on how they did it specifically.

[coreyh]

Originally Posted by GTR-Garage

I can tell you what we know about importing into California and why we tell all our customers there that if they bring a vehicle in under the 25 year exemptions they will likely be unable to register it. We certainly aren't experts in the specifics and will not say it's impossible, but we aren't going to put a customer at risk of not being able to register the car they import.

California has it's own "EPA" of sorts called the California Air Resources Board. Direct imports (including cars brought in under the 25 year exemption) are required to pass a one time intensive inspection before they can be registered. This is not a SMOG test. It is very expensive ($1,000+ per hour) and in all likelihood the vehicles everyone wants to import like Skylines, Silvia, Laurels, Cefiros, etc., will not pass it. Older Skylines like the Hakosuka can be registered because they do not have to go through the test as California has an exemption 1976 models or older.

Until something changes, or an above board (i.e. legal) way to register direct imports under the 25 year exemptions in California and can be proven legitimate we aren't going to export cars to California unless the customer specifically states and is willing to sign off on their intention to use it as an off-road vehicle only.

If anyone knows more about the specifics of the issue we'd love to hear it. We haven't had time to invest in researching it our retaining a legal researcher to look into it further.

every gray market car that comes into California will got through a visual inspection to make sure its road-worthy and that all emissions devices are un-altered. the only exemption is 65 and older.

75 and newer need to go through FTP (federal testing procedures) to be brought up to smog standards. They'll then give you a BAR tag in your drivers door-sill that will list the year of the car, the year/make/model/and size in cc and liters, for the car. it will also list every emissions device on the car. if you want to get this done my advice is buy all C.A.R.B. legal mods BEFORE you go in to get tested. its an expensive process, but besides being time consuming isn't difficult at all. there's a soarer here that had it done. the first 50 state street legal gray market car I believe. FTP all said and done usually costs about 10,000. obviously its not exact costs but that should give you a ball park estimate.

this all information given to me by C.A.R.B., B.A.R., and California EPA. ive got well over 90 hours bar training in just gray market vehicles alone, so if you've got any questions I'm more than happy to help.

[BoostSlideWayz]

Good info, that is another aspect i was thinking of is if you register the car as off road can you just get it with out the inspection ? Or is the inspection mandatory regardless of whether you plan for it to be an off road vehicle or not ?

Pretty much the inspection seems to be the main thing to hault the whole process.

I would even be willing buy a car register it as offroad and keep true to that buy towing it where ever i wanna take it and just unload it where ever. Like for car shows or track days etc.

But if the inspection is mandatory, i dont know if i even want to attempt it.

[GTR-Garage]

The inspection is mandatory to get it registered. The safety and emissions exemptions are Federal laws. California can't stop you from importing and legally owning one of these cars, but they can bar you from registering it. You can actually insure them as well, you just can't get plates.

[BoostSlideWayz]

Ok so thats not avoidable, so lets say i purchased the same car ( r32 skyline ) For around maybe 6500 USD.

How much more would i spend besides that on:

Container

Shipping

Inspection

And other fees that apply for importing said car to california ? Sorry for so many questions but im interested in something like this in the future.

[GTR-Garage]

Boost - I just sent you a PM. I figured it might be rude to start throwing pricing out on a public thread. Don't want to step on anyone's toes.

[ODS]

....... The wait is almost over!

[GTR-Garage]

The question is, just how many sets of wheels are you going to buy before the container is sealed?

[ODS]

Haha! We shall see!

[ODS]

I have been buying lots of parts! Also if you guys are not aware I've postponed my shipping date so I can do a container share! Contact GTR Garage and they can source any part you are looking for.

[EJ8 944]

I'm excited for you, reading this thread, watching this all progress, I can't want until your car is finally in your hands.

[ODS]

Its been a killer waiting lol but it will be worth it.

[Slippin'eight-nine]

Any updates??

[coreyh]

keep in mind FTP also needs to be done on kit cars in California as well, so they treat gray market cars like a kit car in simpler terms. Also FTP is to bring your car up to standards, so they'll add catalytic converters and such to get your car to pass, so expect to pay. You could go to a state referee and talk to them about legally swapping a usdm engine into the car, which will make the process a bit easier.

[ODS]

Yes! I've been buying more parts! And the shipping dates only a week away!!!!

[ODS]

The cars are currently at the port awaiting a final customs clearance then they will be on the way!

[Fries]

Dude awesome! Really hope everything else goes smoothly.

[ODS]

Im sure it will, I have to much time and money into this for something to go south!

[ODS]

Cars have cleared customs and will be heading out next week!!!