Importation question ( I promise it's a different question )

[SK]

Ok, so I live in Long Island, NY which is obviously in the US. There is a guy in toronto that imports r34 gtr's and sells them. My question is, If I hook up an enclosed trailer to my truck and drive to toronto and purchase the car, load it up, and bring it home. Will the law enforcement at the border give me trouble at all? I plan on keeping it garaged and unregistered until 2024 (goodluck, I know...) when it becomes 25yrs old and is a classic but I figured hey waiting 9 years to drive your dream car isn't so bad since getting it is actually the hard part.

Would really appreciate some info.

Thanks.

[rvander1992]

1: why would you bother? Find yourself an r32 for now
2: they will look inside and unless you have proof you're going to register it as a show and track car(non road legal) i think they'll give you issues.
Other than that all other import laws should apply
The enclosed trailor won't make any difference. They'll still ask you to open it up and show them the contents.

[aaronisonfire]

My question is, If I hook up an enclosed trailer to my truck and drive to toronto and purchase the car, load it up, and bring it home. Will the law enforcement at the border give me trouble at all?

Absolutely they will, why?

The enclosed trailor won't make any difference. They'll still ask you to open it up and show them the contents.

This. You might as well attempt to drive it across the border. All you'll have is a bill of sale for the vehicle in your name (and if it's not in your name, good luck justifying to them why you're bringing a non-residents unregistered ineligible-for-import vehicle). I'm pretty sure that bringing in a vehicle you own from outside the U.S. without going through the importation process is smuggling.

The only way I can see this ending is U.S. Customs seizing the vehicle upon entry and possibly charge you with smuggling, due to not declaring the vehicle/following proper import protocol.

Whether they make sense or not there are rules and many people before you have tried to get around them.

In summary: Illegal, attempt and risk whatever punishment U.S. Customs has in store for you. Alternative: Wait 10 years.

[SK]

2: they will look inside and unless you have proof you're going to register it as a show and track car(non road legal) i think they'll give you issues.
Other than that all other import laws should apply
The enclosed trailor won't make any difference. They'll still ask you to open it up and show them the contents.

So how would I go about providing proof that I'm not going to register it or even take it out of storage at all until 2024? I guess this is that I was trying to ask from the get go. As for your 1st point, It has to be an r34 (It's like if a virgin wanted his first time to be with lets say Emma Watson, having sex with Cameron Diaz wouldn't suffice even though they're both hawt).

Thanks for your input man.

[aaronisonfire]

Registering it is not the problem. The problem is that it is ineligible for importation.

Florida DMV will allow you to register it, but that doesn't change the fact you're still not supposed to have it.

Do yourself a favour and read this: http://www.importavehicle.info/search/label/R34

And concerning show/display exemption on 1999 R34 GTR's:

Then he mentioned that no R34 has been brought in under the Show or Display exemption, because no one can do the EPA side of the requirements.

[SK]

Registering it is not the problem. The problem is that it is ineligible for importation.

I understand that. That's why I'm trying to figure out how I would be able to prove that I'm not going to register it all and just keep it in storage for 9 years until it will become legal to register it and drive. So just showing them a bill of sale(with all the other necessary paperwork of course) and saying "I don't plan on registering it until it is legal to do so in 2024 and will be in storage till then" won't work?

[aaronisonfire]

First: I'm not trying to sound like a jerk, but I am trying to keep you from having a $35,000+ car taken away.

I understand that.

I'm not sure you do, because you keep asking how to prove that you're not going to register it so they'll let you import it. There is nothing to prove because the car is simply not allowed to be in the United States of America registered or unregistered.

According to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement it is not allowed to sit in your garage, period.

I'm not entirely sure how I can be more clear that your intent on not registering it has absolutely no bearing on it not allowed to physically be in the United States.

Now, obviously individuals have circumvented these laws through whatever means. If it were me though I wouldn't want to live 10+ years looking over my shoulder in case ICE found out and came to take my vehicle.

[OdietheDog]

I think the OP mixed importation and registration into one issue.

This page I just googled up has quoted the code of federal regulation

No person shall import a motor vehicle or item of motor vehicle equipment into the United States unless, at the time it is offered for importation, its importer files a declaration, in duplicate, which declares one of the following:

(i)(1) The vehicle is 25 or more years old.

In the OP's question, he doesn't have to worry about the 2nd issue (registering the vehicle or not). The law states you are not allowed the import the car unless its 25 years or older, not registering it.

If the OP does still strongly intent to secure a bnr34 right now, just so he can have one in 2024. Although I would advise not to, but I guess the OP can either by the car from the Toronto party that he has fore mentioned, and find a secure location in Canada to store it for 9 years. Or, he could do what aaron from above did last year, and auction/store the car in Japan (but in OP's situation, its 9+ years, instead of 7~8 months).

[cooke24]

first off when u buy it and take it to the border, you are offically importing it into your country. you must pay duty and taxes and fill out paperwork.

in that paperwork theres probably going to be a check box stating either its for track/race, passenger car use, ect.

once a car is registered as a track car it cannot ever be registered as a road car.

show and display is a way. ill post cars eligible for import under that


Aston Martin DB7 Zagato Coupe 2003
Aston Martin One-77 2011
Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato 2004
Aston Martin Vantage LeMans 1999-2000
Audi Sport Quattro 1984
Australian Ford Falcon XC Bathurst Cobra 1978
BMW Hossack K100RS Prototype M/C 1984
BMW M3 CRT 2012
BMW Sport Evolution M3 (UK Version) 1990
BMW Z1 1988-1991
Bugatti EB110 1992-1995
Ferrari Enzo #400 (Pope John Paul II) 2005
Ford RS200 Evolution 1985-1986
Ford Sierra Cosworth RS 500 1986
Gruter & Gut (GG) Duetto Sidecar M/C 1997
Holden GTS-R 2000
Honda NR750 1992
Italdesign Aztec 1988
Jaguar XJ220 1992-1994
Lamborghini Diablo GT 1999
Land Rover Range Rover Vogue 25th Anniversary Final Edition 1995
Lotus Opel Omega (LHD) 1990-1992
Maserati Ghibli Cup 1996-1997
Maserati MC 12 2004-2005
Maserati Shamal 1991
Mazda Eunos JCES Cosmo Series II 1994-1995
McLaren F-1 1993-1998
Mercedes Benz 190E 2.5-16 Evolution II 1990
Mercedes Benz 560 SEL Ex-Gorbachev armored 1991
Mercedes Benz AMG CLK-DTM Coupe 2005
Mercedes Benz CLK DTM AMG Cabriolet 2006
Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR Coupe 1998-1999
Mercedes Benz CLK-GTR Roadster 2002
Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren Stirling Moss 2009
MGTF 80th Anniversary Limited Edition (RHD/UK) 2004
Morgan Aeromax 2010
Nissan Nismo R32 Skyline GT-R (VINs BNR32-100000 through BNR32-100562) 1990
Nissan Skyline GTR R34 V-SPEC Early Model Limited Edition 1999
Peugeot 205 Turbo 16 1984-1985
Porsche 911 Carrera 4S (last made) 1998
Porsche 911 GT3 RS 2004
Porsche 911 Sport Classic 2010
Porsche 959 1987-1988
Porsche 993 Carrera RS GT2 1996
Porsche GT1Strasseversion 1997
Porsche GT1 1998
RMA Amphi-Ranger 2800 SR 1985-1995
Rover Mini Cooper S (last 50 made) 2000
Subaru Version-L Alcyone SVX 4WS 1992


list of vehicles NOT eligible

Aprila Moto 6.5 1995
Audi Avant RS2 1995
Bancroft Roadster 1993
Beijing Auto. Ind. Holding Rodedawg 2005
BMW M3 Cabriolet 1989
BMW M3 Sport Evolution III 1990
BMW M6 1987
Chevrolet Jimny 1998-2009
Citroen 2CV Dolly 1985
Crosslander 244X 2005
Daimler-Chrysler Smart Car 2000
Fiat 126 P 2000
Fiat 500 Abarth 2008
Hesketh V1000 1980 – 1983
Honda Beat 1991 – 1996
Honda Civic Type-R 1997-2000
Honda CRX Exclusive 1989
Jaguar XJ12 Saloon 1988
Jaguar XJ 220 S (race car) 1993
Lamborghini Strosek Diablo 1993
Land Rover Defender 130 2000 – 2001
Lotus 340 R 2000
Lotus Elise S1 1996 – 2001
Mazda Cosmo 1992
Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Tommi Makinen Edition RD- RHD 2000
Morgan LeMans ’62 Prototype 2002
Nissan Figaro 1990 – 1991
Nissan Pulsar 1991
Nissan Skyline GTS-T 1995
Nissan Skyline R32 GT-R 1989 – 1994
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R 1995
Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R V-Spec 1995-1996
Nissan Skyline R34 1999
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-Spec 1999
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-T 1999
Nissan Skyline R34 25GT-T 2001
Pegaso Z-103 1991
Porsche 959 S (race car) 1989
Porsche 962 RLR 1990
Porsche 964 RS 1992
Porsche Carrera 4 Lightweight (race car) 1990
Robin Hood S7 1983
Rover Mini Cooper 1995, 1998 – 2000
Rover Mini Cooper RSP / LE 1990
Skoda Fabia Greenline II 2012
Smart Crossblade 2002
Toyota Carina 1987
Toyota Sera 1991
Toyota Supra 1994
Trabant 601-S 1981
Trabant P601 1989
Triumph Bonneville M/C 1981
TVR Sagaris, T350, Tuscan, Cerbera 1996-2006
Volkswagen Beetle (Old Style) 2000
Volkswagen Beetle (Ultimate Edition) 2003
Volkswagen Beetle (Ultima Edition) 2004
Volkswagen Corrado Magnum Sport Kombi 1990
Volkswagen Type 2 Vanagon Double Cab Pickup Truck 1986
Zastava Fica 1985

[cooke24]

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

hers a link to all the info u need.

now if you import through a registered importer they can get a certain year in legally.

[aaronisonfire]

first off when u buy it and take it to the border, you are offically importing it into your country. you must pay duty and taxes and fill out paperwork.

in that paperwork theres probably going to be a check box stating either its for track/race, passenger car use, ect.

once a car is registered as a track car it cannot ever be registered as a road car.

show and display is a way. ill post cars eligible for import under that

Nissan Nismo R32 Skyline GT-R (VINs BNR32-100000 through BNR32-100562) 1990
Nissan Skyline GTR R34 V-SPEC Early Model Limited Edition 1999

I tried to pre-emptively address this option since Sean Morris said here that as of 2009 no one has been able to do it this way:

Then he mentioned that no R34 has been brought in under the Show or Display exemption, because no one can do the EPA side of the requirements.

2009 is a long time ago, but I doubt a whole lot has changed.

In the OP's question, he doesn't have to worry about the 2nd issue (registering the vehicle or not). The law states you are not allowed the import the car unless its 25 years or older, not registering it.

I tried to convey this! I tried!

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

hers a link to all the info u need.

now if you import through a registered importer they can get a certain year in legally.

I believe they can only do R33 GTR, and not the R32 and R34 due to the crash data submit.

[SK]

Now I understand completely. Thank you all for your patients and input. Since this is the case I'll more than likely buy a supra to build as a weekend warrior. Then, in 2024 ill get an r34 for a daily :] It's awesome not having a social life to be able to afford nice cars. Us car guys sacrifice a lot.