Has anyone ever done it themselves? I know there are companies like Duncan Imports who bring them in, do all the paperwork and then sell the cars. I'm sure they've got a healthy profit margin built into that. Has anyone ever imported a JDM on their own? How hard was it? How much did it cost?
I did last year. It's easier than you think, IF the car meets the 25 year old criteria. Just a few pieces of paperwork and some basic logistics. There are auction places in Japan that will inspect, buy, prep and get your car on a boat. There is a cost associated for their services and it varies from place to place. I used Japan Car Direct and have no complaints about thier service.
Does anyone know if the rules the same for heavy trucks? Asking for an idiot
GeddesB said:I did last year. It's easier than you think, IF the car meets the 25 year old criteria. Just a few pieces of paperwork and some basic logistics. There are auction places in Japan that will inspect, buy, prep and get your car on a boat. There is a cost associated for their services and it varies from place to place. I used Japan Car Direct and have no complaints about thier service.
Thanks!! The cars I'm looking at are over 25 years old. How long did the whole process take?
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
I don't know how long it took but I'm just here to remind you that costs for container shipping has increased tenfold recently and time lines have too.
John Welsh said:In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
I don't know how long it took but I'm just here to remind you that costs for container shipping has increased tenfold recently and time lines have too.
Yeah, I know. That's why I wanted to look into whether it would be worth it for me to try to do this myself or buy one from an importer that has already done the work and has the car sitting in their US showroom with all papers done.
In reply to John Welsh :
Auction cars from Japan are usually shipped RoRo. Different ships, although they're probably also affected by the current unpleasantness.
GeddesB said:I did last year. It's easier than you think, IF the car meets the 25 year old criteria. Just a few pieces of paperwork and some basic logistics. There are auction places in Japan that will inspect, buy, prep and get your car on a boat. There is a cost associated for their services and it varies from place to place. I used Japan Car Direct and have no complaints about thier service.
Quoted because important. You really need a trustworthy agent in Japan to inspect the vehicle as they have plenty of grotty sheds as well once they've reached an age that makes them legal to import. Also, the auctions aren't open to the public so you need them as an intermediary to bid for you unless you're buying from a dealer in Japan[1]. Plus of course shipping has to be organised, the vehicle properly deregistered in Japan and all the paperwork has to be in order so you can get it into the US. Usually these companies can also recommend a customs agent at the US end to facilitate getting the car into the country. It's relatively cheap and unless you already do import for a living, it's worth the money unless your time is worth less than zero.
[1] Private car sales pretty much don't exist in Japan, its usually all done via dealers and/or wholesale auctions.
I'm looking into some of the companies that can help import a car. For example, the Beat is a car I'm looking at. I know the two cars aren't precisely identical, but generally speaking:
Car already in the US and ready to buy today
The $2500 difference in price isn't insignificant.
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
Oh, I'd jump on the one already in the US. Even self importing is going to cost more than that.
SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) said:I'm looking into some of the companies that can help import a car. For example, the Beat is a car I'm looking at. I know the two cars aren't precisely identical, but generally speaking:
Car already in the US and ready to buy today
The $2500 difference in price isn't insignificant.
At best it'll be a $500 difference if you do it yourself. What's your time and headaches worth? I'm not even sure you'll save any part of that $2500 in today's market.
If the one in Japan is rough when it gets here, you own it. If the one at Duncan is rough when you go see it in person, you can walk away.
Pete. (l33t FS) said:In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
Oh, I'd jump on the one already in the US. Even self importing is going to cost more than that.
In my situation, it didn't cost me that much. I had my car shipped to Balitmore and picked it up at the dock. Getting the car from the port to some place inland can add a bunch to shipping.
I love that picture!!! I live 5 hours from the port in Savannah, so I'd be able to go get it.
Even when its DOT legal to import is it also EPA legal ?
And then is it EPA legal in all 50 states ?
Asking for a friend in California..........ummmm
In reply to californiamilleghia :
DOT is 15, EPA is 25, no?
Sadly you missed out on mine by a few weeks. Duncan is the easy button but generally overpriced. You can get a car in the US for less than what Duncan is charging. If you are on the book of faces there are quite a few Beat enthusiast groups where you can find good cars at good prices.
californiamilleghia said:Even when its DOT legal to import is it also EPA legal ?
And then is it EPA legal in all 50 states ?
Asking for a friend in California..........ummmm
EPA is 21 years old.
NHTSA is 25 years old
No idea on California....
Still has to pass local emission tests if required by the state you want to register the car in. That's one of the issues with registering "federally legal" cars in CA.
Some reading over at Classic Motorsports that might help:
How to Minimize Risks When Buying or Selling Via an Overseas Transaction
David S. Wallens said:Some reading over at Classic Motorsports that might help:
How to Minimize Risks When Buying or Selling Via an Overseas Transaction
Thank you!!!!!
Tim, everything over 25 years old is totally exempt from any inspections in GA. Woohoo!!!
In reply to SKJSS (formerly Klayfish) :
Woohoo indeed. CA is probably the hardest place to register any grey import vehicle - fortunately so far I've only lived in places in the US where they're fairly relaxed about emissions testing for old vehicles.
For buying overseas at auction, you'll need an agent. Someone who can translate auction sheets, bid for you, and see the car in person and handle the export paperwork. I'd say right now, The Import Guys and Pacific Coast JDM are 2 of the better regarded. You can sign up for a free account on Pacific Coast JDM to see auctions, it'll give you a good idea of what things are actually selling for, as you can see ended stuff. I imported a TVR from the UK 2 months ago, bought from a dealer. The shipping company I used was based in the UK, handled the export paperwork, and used Pride in Baltimore for the import end. My car was shipped roll on/roll off to Newark. I drove down, slapped a dealer plate on it, and after jumping it, drove it home. The DMV took a little a bit of time. Counterperson had to get the supervisor, supervisor had to call into the home office, that bounced around a couple offices there, but they figured it out. Took 45 minutes standing at the counter.
Wally (Forum Supporter) said:Does anyone know if the rules the same for heavy trucks? Asking for an idiot
Still over 25 years, you're good, mostly. Trucks can be subject to 25% import duty instead of the 2.5% on cars, thanks to the chicken tax. I forget if there's a curb weight limit, but one of the other definitions is a back seat with belts. No back seat, no belts, you get dinged at 25%
Along the same lines, anyone ever imported a wrecked vehicle? I have a future project brewing in the in the old brain pan that a wrecked Suzuki Cappuccino would be a good candidate for. I'd basically need the running gear and associated wiring, don't need anything from the bodyshell.
-Rob
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