# does anyone have first hand experience importing cars **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [January 1, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959 "2013-01-01T19:57:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [January 1, 2013, 7:57pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/1 "2013-01-01T19:57:06Z")
considering the possibility of importing a car that was never offered in the US. Looking to speak with someone that has first had experience with this. The process is pretty involved I want to make sure I get it right if I decide to do it. ---
**Author:** ![Mr\_T](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mr_t/32/7454_2.png) [@Mr\_T](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Mr_T)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:12am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/2 "2013-01-02T08:12:34Z")
well lets start with what year, make, model is it? ---
**Author:** ![MOBOOST4U](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f4b2a3/32.png) [@MOBOOST4U](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MOBOOST4U)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/3 "2013-01-02T08:39:28Z")
I also have been very interested in this topic lately specifically with regards to safety and emissions standards. ---
**Author:** ![JayS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/jays/32/15375_2.png) [@JayS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JayS)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:39am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/4 "2013-01-02T08:39:58Z")
Good luck. I brought one over from Canada that was offered here but was missing the EPA sticker but had the DOT sticker. Since it was offered here I was able to just go through GM and for $45 get a certified letter stating the vehicle met the US EPA guidelines which was enough for customs to allow entry and give me the paperwork needed to register. On a vehicle that was never offered here I think you’re SOL, short of using the old car exclusions if it’s old enough. ---
**Author:** ![focusinprogress](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/focusinprogress/32/7227_2.png) [@focusinprogress](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/focusinprogress)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/5 "2013-01-02T08:48:50Z")
if it’s coming in from canada, there are numerous registered importers you can go through to get it here. if it’s coming from oversees you have two options. Option 1: If it happens to be on the NHTSA’s list of acceptable vehicles to be imported, then you can file paperwork with the NHTSA to process importation of the car. If it’s not on the list, you have to go to option 2 Option 2: Have the car shipped without drivetrain in it, and the drivetrain shipped seperately at a different point in time. Pay shipping and duties on each shipment and retain all paperwork on each. Re-assemble the car yourself and register it as a home-built. (if you know a florida resident, it can actually be titled as the true make/model even under federal home-build guidlines…which is how a few nissan pulsar GTiR’s are titled as such here) ---
**Author:** ![brilliantyellowg60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6f9a4e/32.png) [@brilliantyellowg60](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/brilliantyellowg60)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:19am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/6 "2013-01-02T09:19:57Z")
ive done it and i wouldnt EVER do it again unless the car was 25+ years old what are you trying to bring in? ---
**Author:** ![yamba6](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/yamba6/32/5161_2.png) [@yamba6](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/yamba6)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:48am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/7 "2013-01-02T09:48:22Z")
I looked into doing it for a Mazda in Canada. What they told me was that I needed one of 2. I either needed 2 stickers (D.O.T.) stickers that indicated that the car was approved for the states (chances are it wont) The other method they told me was to get the vin, contact the auto manufacture to get a certified letter with the automakers letterhead stating that the car is compliant with the US standards. If the car is not able to be imported because of any issues with the car and the way it was produced… you need to fix all of those and have it inspected/show paperwork to have it imported. Edit: [http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/](http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/) ---
**Author:** ![travisn](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/travisn/32/5046_2.png) [@travisn](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/travisn)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:30am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/8 "2013-01-02T10:30:05Z")
I brought an 88 bmw IX to the states. BMWNA was a pain to deal with but BMW canada sent me the letter I needed fairly quickly. I used an importer and he took care of all the paperwork and shipping ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:44am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/9 "2013-01-02T10:44:13Z")
I recommend Vandelay Industries. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/10 "2013-01-02T13:08:30Z")
> [@Fry](#): > > I recommend Vandelay Industries. and you want to be my latex salesman… ---
**Author:** ![L8APEX1](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/l8apex1/32/7276_2.png) [@L8APEX1](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/L8APEX1)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 2:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/11 "2013-01-02T14:45:25Z")
Art vandelay. Latex and latex related products. ---
**Author:** ![MPD47](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mpd47/32/7383_2.png) [@MPD47](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/MPD47)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 2:54pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/12 "2013-01-02T14:54:17Z")
> [@brilliantyellowg60](#): > > ive done it and i wouldnt EVER do it again unless the car was 25+ years old > > what are you trying to bring in? This is the only person other than myself and a lawyer who specializes in dealing with customs/international trade that I would trust on this. Whatever you do, do NOT call customs and ask them questions. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 3:11pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/13 "2013-01-02T15:11:42Z")
> [@MPD47](#): > > Whatever you do, do NOT call customs and ask them questions. :io: ---
**Author:** ![Spam16v](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/spam16v/32/5287_2.png) [@Spam16v](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Spam16v)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 3:26pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/14 "2013-01-02T15:26:07Z")
> [@brilliantyellowg60](#): > > ive done it and i wouldnt EVER do it again unless the car was 25+ years old > > what are you trying to bring in? not like you have any experience 😉 ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 7:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/15 "2013-01-02T19:06:15Z")
> [@brilliantyellowg60](#): > > ive done it and i wouldnt EVER do it again unless the car was 25+ years old > > what are you trying to bring in? why would you not do it again? What sorts of problems did you encounter? > The other method they told me was to get the vin, contact the auto manufacture to get a certified letter with the automakers letterhead stating that the car is compliant with the US standards. This will be a phone call I will make to see what I can learn. ---
**Author:** ![XwalkerX](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xwalkerx/32/7598_2.png) [@XwalkerX](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/XwalkerX)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 7:09pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/16 "2013-01-02T19:09:21Z")
> [@somedude](#): > > why would you not do it again? What sorts of problems did you encounter? > **[Here is what is left of my Rallye..............](https://www.vwvortex.com/threads/here-is-what-is-left-of-my-rallye.2963211/?id=2963211)** :meh: ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 8:51pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/17 "2013-01-02T20:51:03Z")
I really don’t have time to read 51 pages. I see he cut the car up. cliffs? ---
**Author:** ![Matt\_Danger](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/matt_danger/32/4981_2.png) [@Matt\_Danger](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Matt_Danger)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/18 "2013-01-02T21:01:13Z")
Cliffs: NVRIMPRT ---
**Author:** ![BadnewsMike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/badnewsmike/32/7419_2.png) [@BadnewsMike](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BadnewsMike)\ **Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 9:01pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/19 "2013-01-02T21:01:57Z")
customs came after him he either had to export the car or surrendered it to customs. he took EVERYTHING off the frame and surrendered it to customs. ---
**Author:** ![somedude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecd19e/32.png) [@somedude](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/somedude)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 7:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959/20 "2013-01-03T07:36:18Z")
My question is why did that happen though. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/does-anyone-have-first-hand-experience-importing-cars/227959.md?page=2)