U.S. Importing question

[Red]

I live in Canada and we arent able to import any vehicles that are newer than 15 years old. I was just wondering what the laws are in the U.S. do you guys have the same kind of restriction?

The reason this came up is because I was close to importing a Hilux Surf alittle while ago which would become eligible for import in August 2008. It was a 1993 with the 1KZ 3L Diesel. vehicles imported from Japan come across the ocean in incredible condition.

 

[greyghost4x4]

I would have to say no. I have never heard of it and I knew people who imported brand new BMW's from the factory (soldiers). I think the only hastle is converting everything to US specs.

Evan

 

[BamBam]

Here in the good ol' US of A, we have to wait 25 years. The difference is if a car meets all of the standards. A few cars no longer meet standards (like the Landrover Defender 90), and Rover decided to not me the new standards in around 1995 and stopped importing them.

I figure I will buy a 2005 Defender 90 in 2030 as my retirement gift.

 

[Red]

Here in the good ol' US of A, we have to wait 25 years. The difference is if a car meets all of the standards. A few cars no longer meet standards (like the Landrover Defender 90), and Rover decided to not me the new standards in around 1995 and stopped importing them.

I figure I will buy a 2005 Defender 90 in 2030 as my retirement gift.

So in the U.S. you can import whatever you want as long as you modify it to meet U.S. standards?

It would be nice to import a newer Hilux Surf over from Japan.

I dont know about down there but up here in Canada cars are being imported alot! we have all sorts of Nissan Skylines and Toyota Soarers and Supra TT's and the odd Land Cruiser and Surf.

I was going to buy that 93 Hilux Surf 1kz turbo diesel from Japan with 60,000 kms on it and NO rust or wear for about $8000 cdn.
but oh well....maybe another day.

 

[BamBam]

So in the U.S. you can import whatever you want as long as you modify it to meet U.S. standards?

It would be nice to import a newer Hilux Surf over from Japan.

I dont know about down there but up here in Canada cars are being imported alot! we have all sorts of Nissan Skylines and Toyota Soarers and Supra TT's and the odd Land Cruiser and Surf.

I was going to buy that 93 Hilux Surf 1kz turbo diesel from Japan with 60,000 kms on it and NO rust or wear for about $8000 cdn.
but oh well....maybe another day.

Getting it to meet US standards would be cost prohibitive, so it rarely happens. There are a couple of Skylines in the US, but it is a really gray area.

My father used to work for the government and would sell off cars that were improperly imported. The folks who bought them either ended up selling them to somebody out of the country, or they put them in museums or used them as racing vehicles because they could never be legally registered or titled.

 

[Kmvreter]

I live in Canada and we arent able to import any vehicles that are newer than 15 years old. I was just wondering what the laws are in the U.S. do you guys have the same kind of restriction?

The reason this came up is because I was close to importing a Hilux Surf alittle while ago which would become eligible for import in August 2008. It was a 1993 with the 1KZ 3L Diesel. vehicles imported from Japan come across the ocean in incredible condition.

I'm not sure about your "newer than 15 year" statement. Are you talking about used vehicles only? Check out RIV.ca (edit: not RIV.com.) They maintain a list of what vehicles are allowed to be imported into Canada.

 

[Red]

Re: Re: U.S. Importing question

I'm not sure about your "newer than 15 year" statement. Are you talking about used vehicles only? Check out RIV.com. They maintain a list of what vehicles are allowed to be imported into Canada.

I went to RIV.com and I dont see a list of any sort.
Im almost certain anything newer than 15 years old isnt allowed in Canada but to clarify im talking about right hand drive vehicles that arent readily available in canada. ie: Hilux Surf, Nissan Skyline etc etc.

edit: Oh, and yes, I was referring to used vehicles.

 

[Kmvreter]

Re: Re: Re: U.S. Importing question

I went to RIV.com and I dont see a list of any sort.
Im almost certain anything newer than 15 years old isnt allowed in Canada but to clarify im talking about right hand drive vehicles that arent readily available in canada. ie: Hilux Surf, Nissan Skyline etc etc.

edit: Oh, and yes, I was referring to used vehicles.

I meant RIV.ca (I edited my original response.)
The Registrar of Imported Vehicles deals mainly with US imports but there is a link to the Transport Canada site with info about importing from other countries. You are correct about the 15 year rule on importing a used vehicle not originally designed to meet CMVSS or FMVSS standards.
Good luck on getting the Hilux in August. Be sure to post some pics.

 

[Red]

Re: Re: Re: Re: U.S. Importing question

I meant RIV.ca (I edited my original response.)
The Registrar of Imported Vehicles deals mainly with US imports but there is a link to the Transport Canada site with info about importing from other countries. You are correct about the 15 year rule on importing a used vehicle not originally designed to meet CMVSS or FMVSS standards.
Good luck on getting the Hilux in August. Be sure to post some pics.

I figured it must have been some sort of misunderstanding.
I have changed my mind about the Hilux, I would have imported it if it was in my price range but once you add up vehicle cost + shipping + customs fees + getting the lights DOT approved etc etc. it ended up being a bit high for me so right now I am waiting for a guy to fix the rear shocks in a 95 SR5 and then I will have my first 4runner and I'll post some pics then.. should be in the next few days hopefully!

 

[Getsum]

I have been looking at getting a 1988 LC 4.0 Turbo Deisel imported but the US has the worst importing laws of any country. Basically buy an American made peice of garbage that inhales gas or pay $8000 in fees to change out some seat belts & lights on a real LC; This is disgusting.

I lived in Japan for 15 years and had one of these trucks that I fixed up, it was a beast with a 6" lift, 35" tires, PTO winch, fully loaded, and still got 24 MPG and had tons of power. The American model has the same potential but gets 12 MPG with an underpowered V8.

Sorry for the rant but I had to get that off my chest.

 

[bovine]

i had an JDM Mazda FD3S. great fun but a hell of a hassle to get everything settled with the standards and the rules. you can import cars newer than 15 years old but it has to meet the safety standards. one of my friends just bought a 2005 T4R from the states and was able to register it after putting in a block heater, and daytime running lights to pass the out of province exam.

 

[Getsum]

i had an JDM Mazda FD3S. great fun but a hell of a hassle to get everything settled with the standards and the rules. you can import cars newer than 15 years old but it has to meet the safety standards. one of my friends just bought a 2005 T4R from the states and was able to register it after putting in a block heater, and daytime running lights to pass the out of province exam.

Did you import this yourself or did you use an import agent? If you used an IA, which one did you, or you friend, use? Thanks

 

[DieselPower]

Canadian importer of Japanese cars

Here is the link of the company that imports cars from Japan to Canada.
Terra2 Imports - Let us help you import a vehicle from Japan to Canada

Look at the beautiful Toyota Surf's and the Land Cruisers.
I am trying to import 1994 Toyota Surf with 1kz engine and will conver it to LHD. Total expense of converting it to LHD is between $2000 to $3000 CDN.