Scoobydoo
5,000+ posts
POOPSIE McSQUIRTYSHORTS
Can I just buy a GTR in the US
Yes you can. GT Motorcars in California have completed the certification of the GT-R for US use and they are taking orders now: $33,800 for an R32 to a whopping US$89,500 for an R34!!
If I lived in the US, I'd skip the hassle and use these guys .. so come on you US citizens... Buy a Skyline GT-R in the US!
Importing yourself
So you've seen a GTR you like. Just buy it and ship it over right? Wrong
A non-complying vehicle imported into the US must meet US Customs requirements and DOT bumper/door safety standards. You also need to know that there are much stricter emissions laws in the United States than most other countries and so the car that you want to import into the US may not pass the US EPA emissions standards tests, therefore requiring modification. Lots of paperwork!If you are really serious about importing a car into the US, please call your local office of US Customs and ask them to send you all the paperwork and information that you need to complete the process as what is written here is a guide and not definitive. We are not experts in this field and legislation changes from time to time.
I'm not afraid of paper work .. what do I do?
In order to import vehicles manufactured for sale outside the United States, you must satisfy the requirements of no less than three government agencies. Note Some vehicles are not able to meet these requirements and are banned from entering the US. These agencies are:
US Customs,
Check here for the Customs office in your area
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Contact the DOT & EPA on: (714) 545-9503
I've contacted all the agencies, so who can get my GTR to comply?
In order to ensure that your imported vehicle meets the standards, US Customs says that GK Automotive is certified to perform the tests and modify the car's emissions systems to meet the US standards. They are at:
GK Automotive
3231 South Standard Avenue
Santa Ana,
CA 92705
There is also a registered importer, Wallace Environmental Testing Labs (Houston, Texas), who specialises in "Grey Market" vehicles. They are certified by the National Transportation and Safety Administration and are registered with the DOT and EPA to bring non-complying vehicles into compliance. Their estimated cost for the work is US$6,000 and they list the types of modifications generally performed as well as a form on their Pricing Page to submit a request for an "Automobile Conversion Agreement". There is no commitment by you in filling the form in.
My GTR now complies.. anything else?
Once your car passes emissions, you will be able to register the car in the US. But the fun isn't over, there is still the matter of importation duty. When I last checked, the importation duty was 2.5% of the total value you paid for the car. Therefore, in addition to the cost of shipping the car from its country of origin to the US, be prepared to pay import duty on the vehicle.
Lastly, a customs entry bond equal to 100% of the vehicle's value, as well as a DOT conformance bond equal to 150% of the vehicle's value, must be posted. This is returned once your car is brought into compliance.
And the DIY bill is...
Say you got a good dual-airbag R33 in the UK for £20,000 .. that's $30,000. Say $2,000 for shipping and insurance, $6,000 for modifications to meet emissions, $750 importation duty and $1,250 to cover eventualities.. that's $40,000. Plus you'll need to put down $75,000 in entry and conformance bonds, So figure the lost interest!
Yes you can. GT Motorcars in California have completed the certification of the GT-R for US use and they are taking orders now: $33,800 for an R32 to a whopping US$89,500 for an R34!!
If I lived in the US, I'd skip the hassle and use these guys .. so come on you US citizens... Buy a Skyline GT-R in the US!
Importing yourself
So you've seen a GTR you like. Just buy it and ship it over right? Wrong
A non-complying vehicle imported into the US must meet US Customs requirements and DOT bumper/door safety standards. You also need to know that there are much stricter emissions laws in the United States than most other countries and so the car that you want to import into the US may not pass the US EPA emissions standards tests, therefore requiring modification. Lots of paperwork!If you are really serious about importing a car into the US, please call your local office of US Customs and ask them to send you all the paperwork and information that you need to complete the process as what is written here is a guide and not definitive. We are not experts in this field and legislation changes from time to time.
I'm not afraid of paper work .. what do I do?
In order to import vehicles manufactured for sale outside the United States, you must satisfy the requirements of no less than three government agencies. Note Some vehicles are not able to meet these requirements and are banned from entering the US. These agencies are:
US Customs,
Check here for the Customs office in your area
The Department of Transportation (DOT) and
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Contact the DOT & EPA on: (714) 545-9503
I've contacted all the agencies, so who can get my GTR to comply?
In order to ensure that your imported vehicle meets the standards, US Customs says that GK Automotive is certified to perform the tests and modify the car's emissions systems to meet the US standards. They are at:
GK Automotive
3231 South Standard Avenue
Santa Ana,
CA 92705
There is also a registered importer, Wallace Environmental Testing Labs (Houston, Texas), who specialises in "Grey Market" vehicles. They are certified by the National Transportation and Safety Administration and are registered with the DOT and EPA to bring non-complying vehicles into compliance. Their estimated cost for the work is US$6,000 and they list the types of modifications generally performed as well as a form on their Pricing Page to submit a request for an "Automobile Conversion Agreement". There is no commitment by you in filling the form in.
My GTR now complies.. anything else?
Once your car passes emissions, you will be able to register the car in the US. But the fun isn't over, there is still the matter of importation duty. When I last checked, the importation duty was 2.5% of the total value you paid for the car. Therefore, in addition to the cost of shipping the car from its country of origin to the US, be prepared to pay import duty on the vehicle.
Lastly, a customs entry bond equal to 100% of the vehicle's value, as well as a DOT conformance bond equal to 150% of the vehicle's value, must be posted. This is returned once your car is brought into compliance.
And the DIY bill is...
Say you got a good dual-airbag R33 in the UK for £20,000 .. that's $30,000. Say $2,000 for shipping and insurance, $6,000 for modifications to meet emissions, $750 importation duty and $1,250 to cover eventualities.. that's $40,000. Plus you'll need to put down $75,000 in entry and conformance bonds, So figure the lost interest!
