I’m sure you have heard about people buying cars from other countries and importing them to the United States. I myself have imported three vehicles, but this is my first guide, so please bear with me if there are any mistakes or unclear information. This guide will be focusing on one vehicle, in particular, a Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 from Japan.
I want to start by saying that if anyone tries to charge you more than what was stated in this article, they’re either taking advantage of your lack of knowledge regarding the process or just trying to rip you off. If someone wants more money, then tell them “no thanks” and look for somebody else who has an honest price policy. Do you really want to get the best jdm cars visit to jdm dealership and buy you favorite cars.
The first goal is to determine what kind of Skyline R34 you want. There are two generations of these cars: the older and less expensive one and the newer one which costs more but has all of the modern amenities such as airbags, navigation system, ABS brakes, etc… The second generation was made from 1999-2002, so if you want a car with airbags, they were available after 2000 and had ABS up until 2002 when Nissan stopped making them. Anything before this will most likely not have these features; however, Nissan made small packages for their US customers with some of these features like seatbelt pre-tensioners and side-impact bars (for both the front and back doors).
If you’re up for a challenge, try searching around on forums and eBay to find one with these options. The older cars are also known as V-spec or R-tune starting from 1999 onwards, which means they have been upgraded from the factory with Nismo parts such as suspension, brakes, turbo, etc… These upgrades make the car a bit more expensive, but it’s worth
it to afford them.
This is my 1992 Nissan Skyline R32 GTS-t Type M sedan. I bought this car in March of 2012 and imported it last month. I would highly recommend you order your R34 GT-R brochure from Nissan Motorsports for more details about these cars.
Once you have determined what kind of car you want, it’s time to find one. Start looking at appropriate websites such as Craigslist, eBay, JDM Sport Classics, etc… There are many places here in the United States where you can buy a car, so choose the best place for yourself based on price criteria, convenience, etc… If all fails, try importing one directly from Japan since some people are willing to ship them over here if someone is willing to pay for it. Make sure that there are no major dents or scratches on the car’s exterior and that it runs without any problems.
The Import Process
Now that you have found thereat car, then it’s time to start the importing process. This procedure normally takes about two weeks from start to finish but can take longer if there are any problems along the way. The cost of importing a car can vary depending on what state you’re in and how big your vehicle is. I will be using California as an example since that’s where I am located.
Step 1:
The first step is to fill out this form which is called the HS-7. You can find this form at your local port as well as the Japanese Consulate General.
For all Nissan Skylines older than 1999, the only document that you will need is a clean title indicating that it is free of any liens or encumbrances. If there are no major problems with the car, this should not be an issue for you to get your R34 through customs. If the car has some minor problems like small dents on the exterior, damages to the interior, etc., I would suggest getting an estimate of what it would cost to repair them, so you don’t get ripped off by customs when they inspect your vehicle.
Step 2:
The next step is to get your car insured and registered in the United States. I would highly recommend doing this before you even start the importing process so that you’re not dealing with any headaches down the road. You can usually find car insurance companies that specialize in imported cars or talk to your current provider to see if they offer anything. The registration process is a bit more complicated and will vary depending on what state you’re in.
Step 3:
Once your car is registered and insured, then it’s time to take it for a test drive. If you have access to a CARFAX account, I would highly recommend checking it out since this will give you more information about the previous owner and what the car has been through, etc… Once again, buying an imported car is much like buying any other car when it comes down to it.
Step 4:
The next step is to contact your nearest Japanese Consulate General for more details on how to get your R34 through customs once you’ve made the purchase. If you are importing a vehicle for the first time, make sure you go with someone who knows what they are doing. There might be some bumps on the way, and you don’t want to ruin your chances of bringing home a Skyline.
Conclusion:
Selling an imported JDM car can be challenging, so knowing what you’re getting into is important. A first-time importer should only do the process with someone who knows what they are doing for the best results.
The Import Process will vary depending on where you live in America; make sure to contact your local Department of Motor Cars (DMV) before even starting this process. You’ll want to find a company specializing in importing cars if insurance is necessary, which might require some research beforehand.
