By max (205.188.195.57) on Sunday, June 17, 2001 - 11:19 pm:

hey i was wondering if n e 1 knew about importing a car from japan, like a car similar or the same as an american spec car. I have a hook up on cars for very very cheap. I just need to know how to get past US customs. well if n e 1 has any info please let me know, and if cars can come for sure i can hook n e 1 up, im not in this to make $$$ just have fun.
Peace \//
Max maxfrommisawa@aol.com

By Travis (24.4.254.128) on Monday, June 18, 2001 - 12:06 am:

I bet that would be of interest to many people. I am not real sure on the spacifics.. But people do, do a lot of importing. Look around on the internet for more info.

Travis

By maxperez (205.188.195.32) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 01:48 am:

hmmmi was told by charles from bugformance San Jose to look for charles R
a reply would be a great help thanx
Max

By Charles R. (63.204.132.46) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 12:24 pm:

Now there's a vicious circle, I told Max to try you, Charles. I'm out of ideas myself.

Max, I still don't believe you'll have a problem getting it to the states. The only problem is if you tried to drive it.

Charles R.

By Don (209.181.52.101) on Friday, June 22, 2001 - 05:59 pm:

Ok, I'm no expert on this area, but I do have some info for ya. When I was stationed in Deutschland & wanted to bring back something cool that was not so common in the USA. You can ship anything you want to the USA. If its for use on public roads, you will have to bring it to USA spec's.
Depending on what year it is, The earlier the better. I have heard of impounds for vehicles not meeting spec's. There are shops that do the proper paper work and mod’s in Europe may be other countries, as its better to have the things done before the US government gets its hands on your car. Things that you may have to change, Bumpers, glass, doors, emissions related parts etc....... So you see why there is a Renault Alpine in Germany, that will never make it to the land of the free.

Most of this was done to close the “gray market” down about ten years ago.

There is a way to get a car into the USA with out this. Its called “for off hi-way use only”
If you had a USA spec Civic with a title and someone switched the vins by mistake???
Just don't do it real soon as there have been spot checks.

This is why your having trouble finding freight companies. They know what it will take to get the car in legally.

Non USA Parts get through no problem.

By Max (152.163.195.213) on Monday, June 25, 2001 - 12:19 am:

kool thanx, yeah i have a nissan though not a honda :P sorry. n e ways my main question is does it have to be parts or can a whole marked for parts make it through customs ?? i know that if u say for off road use the car can only stay in the US for 12 months then has to be physically exported to country of origin. well i will try Customs agian to see what they say but thanx for all the help
Max

By Don (209.181.52.21) on Monday, June 25, 2001 - 09:34 pm:

I think someone has miss informed you about the 12 month time on the "off hiway use" There are lots of true race cars that come over from England .....etc. I dont see their owners sending them back after a year. I think it would be hard to get customs to buy the whole cars as parts. Be aware US customs is very large, and has many areas. The people you are talking to may not be up in this area. I was a US Customs Inspector in Frankfurt, but I dont claim to be an expert in car imports. My area was contaminated containers, bugs, drugs, and related things. Maybe your talking to the wrong person