US MODELS vs EURO MODELS

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on February 14, 2008 at 11:55am

If it does not have the U.S. Department of Transportation (D.O.T.) and Department of Energy (D.O.E) stickers it cannot be imported permanently without modification/certification. If your sister is coming here temporarily for work or for school, she can get an exemption to bring the car over and use it here during her stay but she cannot sell it and will have to export it upon her departure from the country.

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Permalink Reply by Tarek on February 14, 2008 at 12:45pm

What are the modifications because she will be staying here in Miami?

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on February 14, 2008 at 1:48pm

This is a complex issue. Here's a link to get you started. http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm
A Google search for import car to US will get you lots more.

A few years ago I was working in UK. I wanted to buy a Harley-Davidson to use while I was there and bring it home when I returned. (All Harleys are built in the U.S. remember.) I couldn't find a U.S. spec H-D and the Euro-spec models did not have the DOT & DOE stickers. Upon investigating the requirements to bring a Euro-spec bike into compliance, I learned that it was prohibitively expensive and time-consuming, and so decided to not pursue it.
Good luck

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Permalink Reply by Carlos on March 8, 2008 at 12:09pm

A lot of thing are different in de US 451: fuel tank, lights, gearbox, compression rate of the engine, safety features (different airbags), other gearboxratio etc.

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Permalink Reply by Daniel Coté on March 15, 2008 at 1:17pm

If you're still interested, I've found this on jalopnik.com :

"Bill Gates's adventure in importing his Porsche 959 brought increased media attention to the world of grey market automotive imports. It even prompted the creation of the "show or display" exemption for vehicles of extremely low production combined with historical or technological significance. The 1999 amendment opened the door for many fine vehicular examples to make their way into the United States, but at the same time, it has caused even greater confusion about the laws of automotive importation. If you're thinking about filling empty space in your garage with a Peugeot 308 or an S15 Nissan Silvia, it's best to do a lot of research first. Luckily, the folks at Motive Magazine have put together an article outlining the possible legal means of obtaining a foreign vehicle. It explains the process in simple terms, not confusing government syntax. Follow the jump to read more and be sure to contribute comments on your own importing experiences.

First thing's first: when making the attempt to import an automobile into the US, do not assume that the salesman spewing unintelligible legal jargon has the means of getting the job done legally. Neither should you assume that he's in full disclosure of the terms behind the vehicle's importation. Motive's article covers all the standard legal means, so if someone is selling you a process you haven't heard about before, run. Unless over 25 years old, in order to be federally legalized for street use a vehicle must comply with DOT standards for its year of production. It must also meet EPA standards, which means if the vehicle was manufactured during or after 1996, a complex ODB II diagnostic and sensor system is required. Very few registered importers have built reputations for successfully modifying imports for compliance of DOT requirements and there is an extremely short list of independent commercial importers available to install EPA demanded components with resulting proof. Both entities come at an enormous expense, often multiple times the vehicle's worth. The show or display exemption is an exception to the DOT requirements, but the qualification requirements are stringent. Plus, almost all exemptions only allow for importation on a temporary basis; when the bond period expires the vehicle must be exported or crushed. On top of that, working around EPA and California regulations is a whole different can of worms.

Once the information outlined by the Motive piece is digested, a lot of firsthand knowledge can be acquired from the Skyline GT-R/GT-S forum at FreshAlloy.com. The owners of the few federally legalized Nissan Skyline GT-Rs have seen, heard and shot down every conceivable importing scam. Posters look out for shady internet sales operations and they are also quick to point out fraudulent sales advertisements. They are very particular about the distinction between grey market and black market vehicles as well. There are automobiles that make it through customs and even end up registered on roadways, but are illegal in the eyes of the federal government therefore subject to impound."

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