Ok. First off, I have read ALL THE TREADS on importing. I know all the information that exists in this forum... However, I am very unclear about a certain part of the process that maybe someone could help me with. Could somebody please outline all the costs one at a time, From shipping to customs, to whatever, assuming I do not want a street legal car?? For example, If I just want to put it in my garage and go "look what I got!" Anyway, the point is, I would like to import a couple of Skyline GTS-T's and then sell them as non street-legal cars. Does anyone know the cost or paperwork of getting the car off the docks and on my flatbed? I mean, it's just a big pretty piece of machinery right?

Obviously you haven't read all the threads on importing on this forum; otherwise you'd know that what you want to do is illegal in SOOO many different ways.

Importing a vehicle and selling it as non-street legal is very illegal. Taking possession of a car from the docks, then neither legalizing it, destroying it, or shipping it out of the country within a certain time frame is illegal (and will get you fined a ludicrous amount of money!) Trying to get around importation laws by declaring it "a big piece of machinery" is REALLY illegal.

Your options are: 1. Import it legally for street use. Right now, can only do that through Motorex.
2. Import it as a race car. Requires damn near as much paperwork and beaurocratic crap as legalizing it for street use. Trust me, it's actually easier to get it street-legal.
3. Import as a show car. Yeah, you can have it here for a show, but you've got X time to get it back out of the country, where X is a pitiful little amount of time to have it, or it gets scrapped and you get fined (again, a LOT!)

As dumb as it sounds, you can't import a car to just sit in your garage and look pretty. The government assumes if it looks and works like a car, then you'll drive it like a car. And they don't want you doing that unless they know what you're putting on the road.

So the bottom line is, I have to legalize Any Car? That is the stupidest Thing e have ever heard!
BTW. What about importing right Side drive civics? Do you tmow if they would need the same legalizing as a Skyline?

no they wouldnt because a skyline is released in the US. legalization process has to happen if the car either 1.) isnt available in the US or 2.) there is the same model available in the US, but there are no similarities.

if theres a model available in the US, they have to be very similar to the import model. if there arent enough similarities, you need to have it legalized to meet EPA and DOT standards. you would be better off buying a civic and (unless you already have one) converting it to rhd. ive seen it done to US cars many a times.

RHD civics and tegs still have to go through some loopholes, not as big as the skyline.

you can import the skyline for show use, but driving it, at all, on public roads is a federal offense.
keep that in mind.

The reason I want RH/D civics and such, because I cab get them very cheap. The reason I care is because I think there would be a novelty factor that could boost sales. also I can get S2000 for about 15K and that is pretty cheap! And RHD which is a novelty. If you dont have to go through all the red tape you have to go through with a skyline then it would be worth it. From what I hear, the skyline is just very difficult to get becuse there is no car in the US that matches the model. Strange situation since everywhere else in the world they are as common as a mustang here.

If you check out http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov./cars/rules/import/ then you'll see that there is only one car that is legal for import as a right-hand drive: the Skyline GTR. As dumb as it is, you can't just import and register a right-hand drive Civic, S2000, RX7, or any other model sold in the US. Now, there are a few people with a few around with RHD Integras and RX-7's, but how they got them in the states is anybody's guess. They're definetly more difficult for the government to crack down on, though, since they look so much like US models. A cop would have to pull you over and do some VIN research to determine that said car shouldn't be on the road.

The reason there are a few RHD Hondas/Silvias/etc in the states is because you used to be able to import them under a 'substantially similar' clause because a very similar US model existed. After a few accidents, NHTSA realized that just because there was a similar US LHD model didn't mean that the RHD model had the required safety features. So, in 2000 or 2001, the 'substantially similar clause was rewritten saying that RHD vehicles must go through a RI to be verified unless...

"However, we will consider them "substantially similar" if the manufacturer advises us that the right-hand drive vehicle would perform the same as the certified left-hand drive vehicle in crash tests."

That's all well said and done right? You'd think sweet, I just call up Honda/Nissan/etc. and get the letter. Only thing is, none of the manufactures are going to do that. 1- There's no profit from it. 2- They leave themselves wide open for a lawsuit if you do something stupid, kill someone with it, someone finds out how the car came in and decide to sue them for saying the car was safe.

As far as the import for Show use, the Skyline can't be brought in that way despite the rumors. If you look at the NHTSA link posted earlier, under Show or Display, you'll see an approved/disapproved list, take a look at how few and rare vehicles are allowed in that way. You have to have a very special car to bring it in under that clause.

Also, read the 'How to import...' you'll find this:

In determining whether a vehicle is eligible for importation for show or display, NHTSA will consider the following factors, among others:

1- Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year was manufactured and certified for sale in the United States.
2- Whether a vehicle of the same make, model, and model year has been determined eligible for importation pursuant to 49 CFR Part 593.
3- Whether the vehicle is currently in production.
4- Whether more than 500 of the vehicles were produced.
5- Whether the vehicle is a kit car, replica, or special construction vehicle.

If the answer to any of the above is affirmative, you should not expect NHTSA to grant permission for importation. If the answer to item 4 is affirmative, the applicant must establish that the vehicle is of exceptional technological and/or historical significance.

As you can see, #2 applies because the car has been determined eligible for import, also #4 because well over 500 were produced. So, you can apply for Show use only, but the Skyline will end up on the disapproved list.
The only model Skyline that could even be close to qualifing, would be the R33 Nismo 400R (only 99 produced), but #2 still applies, so you'd have to justify to them not converting the car during import to retain it's original spec. and it's rarity.

you can import the skyline for show use, but driving it, at all, on public roads is a federal offense.
keep that in mind.

actually, i read into this a few weeks back thinking i might be able to get one for show use only (because thats the only reason i want one). you CAN import cars for show/race only, BUT you can only drive them 5k miles a year. anything more than 5k miles, and either the car will be crushed, or you have to ship it back out of the country.

so... what about if I just buy the skyline gts-t's and have them shipped... What then? what will happen at the docks? what is the next step? Is there a little office with a tard there going "hey, thats a car and you need to sign all this paperwork and prove its legal before I let you load it on your truck." Or is there inspectors there or what? This is what I don't understand.

actually, i read into this a few weeks back thinking i might be able to get one for show use only (because thats the only reason i want one). you CAN import cars for show/race only, BUT you can only drive them 5k miles a year. anything more than 5k miles, and either the car will be crushed, or you have to ship it back out of the country.

You can import a car for Show use and drive it. Here's NHTSA's Show vehicle on-road use limits:

A vehicle eligible for Show or Display may receive NHTSA approval to be driven on the highway. The odometer must not register more than 2,500 miles in a 12-month period. NHTSA approval of limited on-road use is to allow the vehicle to be driven to and from nearby displays of similar automobiles. Another reason permission is granted is to maintain the vehicle’s engine, braking, lighting, and other dynamic systems in good working order. The vehicle is still required to meet EPA requirements. If the original engine in the vehicle will be replaced with a non-original engine to meet EPA requirements, it must be identified in your application since it may impact on the technological or historical significance of the vehicle.

Racing use only vehicles can not, and will never be used on the road:

A racing vehicle may not be registered or licensed for on-road use. A vehicle allowed entry for racing purposes cannot subsequently be converted for use on public roads.

Now, having said this, again, the Skyline (other then possibly the 400R) is not going to be considered or approved for Show use.

Getting it in under the race only can be done IF you can prove to them that is all it will be doing, very hard to get!!!!! Even actual race teams have had their cars denied! You have to give the NHTSA a race schedule, races it's participated in, mods that make it race only, you racing licence, etc, etc.

Any plans, schemes, ideas etc around or through these loopholes, please read the NHTSA import regulations linked in the previous post!!!!! Those regulations are what's going to allow your car in or make it sit at the dock waiting to be exported/auctioned/crushed.

Wildside:
As far as the docks, you've got it right pretty much. There's a guy in an office (the customs office) that will want proof from whoever picks the car up that they are a RI, and provide a Bond of conformity that they will get the car US legal. If either of these things arn't the case, it'll just sit there. There are also customs inspectors that would have already checked the car out (checking numbers/etc.).

If either of these things arn't the case, it'll just sit there. There are also customs inspectors that would have already checked the car out (checking numbers/etc.).

and youll have to pay the cost of the customs holding your car.

i swear it was 5k and not 2,500...but youve proven me wrong. i thought it was 2500 a while back then saw something about 5k. oh well.

so then the only thing worth anything is just buying the GTR for 40 and then legalizing it. so about 65K thats not bad. YEAH RIGHT!!!

so then the only thing worth anything is just buying the GTR for 40 and then legalizing it. so about 65K thats not bad. YEAH RIGHT!!!

Trust me, I hate the only option left also. But, that's the way it is. I can't justify it and as such, my Skyline will never see US roads because of it.
Something about a 14 year old car and spending 5 times what I paid for it just to get the conversion done!

Just get the lawers and jury of the O.J simpson case to be in the trial when customs comes after you then you will definitly win.

In all seriousness there has to be a way to beat the system there's always a loop in gov laws. Theres always something they leave out & when 1 of us import fanatic's finds it customs will pay...