 So you want a GT4 JDM?, how to ship a gt4 from japan |
 May 17, 2003 - 10:25 PM
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Enthusiast  Joined Sep 18, '02 From Northern, Virginia Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%)  |
After pondering celicas and the cost comparisons Ive decided to start this new thread, specifically on how to ship JDM cars from japan to the US. I suggested group buy at the end of this thread . Ultimately I think we all know that getting a JDM GT4 is a hella lot better then trying to swap front clip and back clip into a USDM to get a GT4 AWD 3sgte, and cheaper. Though I'm sure you are all wondering about the legalities and all the ins and outs of how to do this. Logistically It can difficult, you need to find a car in Japan that will match your criteria, then ship it to the US. This requires: Requirements: 1. A Celica GT4 Source 2. Shipping company/Broker 3. Knowledge of Customs/rules and regs to get car in US 4. Language (Must Know Japanese) I am convinced that once these hurdles are passed, and the process is understood that, gt4 JDM shipping will be a option to front clip and rear clip swaps. As I have never actually done this, but have done research on how, I would encourage other people with ideas or who are seriously thinking about getting a JDM GT4 shipped to contribute to this thread. I will update this thread with steps as they become clear and are workable, If all goes well we will have a HowTo for Shipping JDM GT4s and someone or I will have a JDM GT4. Estimated Cost 94-96:
Edited: actually prices are more like $5000 Estimated Cost 97-99: $13000 - $14000 shipped Estimate time to ship: 1 month
Edited: I originally wrote this thinking I could use this method to get past customs, there is too much of a risk 50/50 that your vehicle will get bonded on the spot Car comparision: Celica upgraded Dream car - 2700lbs - 350+hp - $22k Lancer Evo 8 - 3300lbs - 271hp - $29k Impreza WRX - 31000lbs - 227hp -$27k TT Supra - 3500lbs - 320hp - $26k 350z - 3200lbs - 287hp - $30k Cost USDM Celica Dream Car: Total cost + improvements: Celica (car itself) - 7k 3sgte swap - 5k 350hp+ engine upgrades -2k Suspension+brakes+wheels- 3k Paint+bodykit - 3k interior+stereo - 2k awd conversion 7k ------------------------------------------- Total - $29k Imported JDM Celica Dream Car: 1996 GT4 celica - $6000-$7000 Shipping - $1000 - $2000 Engine upgrades to 350hp+ - $2000 Custom paint - $2000 Body kit - $1000 Custom interior - $1000 Stereo - $1000 suspension+brakes+wheels - N/A awd conversion - N/A ---------------------------------------------
Edited:This is probably going to be lower, maybe $10k total, Many of GT4s in Japan are already 330hp+ modified with body kits. As you can see the cost for getting your Celica Dream Car imported is twice as cheap as converting a US version to the same spec. Reference: Imported motor vehicles are subject to U.S. safety standards, bumper standards, and air pollution control (emission) standards. Most vehicles manufactured abroad that conform with U.S. safety, bumper, and emission standards are exported expressly for sale in the United States; therefore, it is unlikely that a vehicle obtained abroad meets all relevant standards. Be skeptical of claims by a foreign dealer or other seller that a vehicle meets these standards or can readily be brought into compliance. Nonconforming vehicles entering the United States must be brought into compliance, exported, or destroyed. CONTENTS: Prior Arrangements The owner must make arrangements for shipping a vehicle. Have your shipper or carrier notify you of the vehicle's arrival date so that Customs can clear it. Shipments are cleared at the first port of entry unless you arrange for a freight forwarder abroad to have the vehicle sent in bond to a Customs port more convenient to you. Customs officers are prohibited by law from acting as agents or making entries for an importer. However, you may employ a commercial customs broker to handle your entry. Documentation For Customs clearance you will need the shipper's or carrier's original bill of lading, the bill of sale, foreign registration, and any other documents covering the vehicle. You will also need written prior approval from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), which will be evident to the Customs inspector at the port of entry in the form of an approval letter from the EPA, or a manufacturer's label in the English language affixed to the car, stating that the vehicle meets all U.S. emission requirements. Or, you may make arrangements to import your vehicle with an Independent Commercial Importer (ICI). In this case, the ICI will import your vehicle and perform any EPA-required modifications and be responsible for assuring that all EPA requirements have been met. ICIs can only import certain vehicles, however, and in general, their fees are very high. See below for Department of Transportation (DOT) requirements and for driver's license and tag requirements. Cleaning the Undercarriage To safeguard against importation of dangerous pests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free of foreign soil. Have your car steam-sprayed or cleaned thoroughly before shipment. Your Car is Not a Shipping Container For your own safety, security, and convenience, DO NOT use your car as a container for personal belongings. Your possessions are susceptible to theft while the vehicle is on the loading and unloading docks and in transit. Many shippers and carriers will not accept your vehicle if it contains personal belongings. The entire contents of your car must be declared to Customs on entry. Failure to do so can result in a fine or seizure of the car and its contents. Your vehicle may be subject to seizure, and you may incur a personal penalty, if anyone uses it as a conveyance for illegal narcotics. Dutiable Entry Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally dutiable at the following rates: Autos. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2.5% Trucks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25% Motorcycles. . . . . . . . . . 3% or 3.4% Duty rates are based on price paid or payable. Most Canadian-made vehicles are duty-free. Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards Motor vehicles not more than 25 years old must conform to the Department of Transportation (DOT) motor vehicle safety standards that were in effect when these vehicles were manufactured. Passenger cars manufactured after September 1, 1973 must also meet bumper standards. The importer must file form DOT HS-7 (this link is a .pdf file; click here for free download software) at the time of entry, indicating whether the vehicle conforms to applicable safety and bumper standards. The original manufacturer is required to affix a label to the vehicle certifying that these standards have been met if the vehicle is intended for sale in the United States. Vehicles that do not bear a certification label attached by the original manufacturer must be entered as a nonconforming vehicle under a DOT bond for one and a half times the vehicle's dutiable value. This is in addition to the regular Customs entry bond. Unless specifically excepted, the importer must sign a contract with a DOT Registered Importer (RI), who will modify the vehicle to conform with all applicable safety and bumper standards and who can certify the modifications. A copy of the RI's contract must be attached to the DOT HS-7 form and furnished to the Customs Service with the DOT bond at the port of entry. A list of RIs is available from DOT and should be obtained before you decide to import a vehicle. Furthermore, DOT requires that the vehicle model and model year must, prior to entry, be determined eligible for importation. A DOT RI can advise you whether your vehicle is eligible; if it is not, the RI can submit a petition in your behalf to have your vehicle considered for eligibility, if you so desire. Understand, however, that fees must be paid at the time such petitions are filed. For additional information or details on these requirements, see DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website, or call (202) 366-5313 or fax (202) 366-1024, or write: U.S. Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Director of the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (NEF-32), 400 7th Street SW, Washington, DC 20590. Emission Standards The following passenger cars, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty engines and motorcycles are subject to Federal emission standards: Gasoline-fueled cars and light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1967. Diesel-fueled cars originally manufactured after December 31, 1974. Diesel-fueled light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1975. Heavy-duty engines originally manufactured after December 31, 1969. Motorcycles with a displacement of more than 49 cubic centimeters originally manufactured after December 31, 1977. Beginning with the 1974 model year, vehicles that were originally manufactured to meet U.S. emission requirements, if driven outside the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, Australia, Taiwan or the Bahama Islands, may be required to have their oxygen sensor and/or catalytic converter replaced. You may import your U.S.-version vehicle under a Customs bond and have any qualified mechanic perform the necessary work. You should contact the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) directly for detailed requirements and options before shipping your vehicle. Nonconforming vehicles must be imported for you by a currently certified Independent Commercial Importer (ICI), a list of which is available from the EPA. This list should be obtained before you decide to import a car. The ICI will be responsible for assuring that your car complies with all U.S. emission requirements. (As of July 1, 1988, EPA no longer has the one-time exemption for vehicles five or more model-years old.) Be aware that EPA will deny entry to certain makes, models, and model years if an ICI is not certified or is unwilling to accept responsibility for the vehicle(s) in question. For importing motor vehicles, the EPA has an Information Faxback System: 202-564-9660, and additional Voice Help: 202-564-9240. Ask for a copy of the Automotive Imports Facts Manual (order #EPA420B94006), which describes emission requirements for imported vehicles. You may also contact the EPA by faxing (202) 565-2057, or writing: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Manufacturers Operations Division 6405-J, Investigation/Imports Section, 401 M Street, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20460. Individual state emission requirements may differ from those of the federal government. Proper registration of a vehicle in a state may depend upon satisfaction of its requirements, so you should contact the appropriate state authorities prior to importation. Be aware, however, that EPA will not accept compliance with a state's emission requirements as satisfying EPA's. A Word of Caution Both the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) advise that although a nonconforming car may be conditionally admitted, the modifications required to bring it into compliance may be so extensive and costly that it may be impractical and even impossible to achieve such compliance. Moreover, some vehicle models are prohibited from importation. It is highly recommended that these prohibitions and modifications be investigated before a vehicle is purchased for importation. Exceptions The following vehicles need not conform to emission or safety requirements but may NOT be sold in the U.S. and may require EPA and DOT declarations: Those imported by nonresidents for personal use not exceeding one year. The vehicle must be exported at the end of that year-no exceptions or extensions. Those belonging to members of foreign armed forces, foreign diplomatic personnel, and members of public international organizations on assignment in the U.S. for whom free entry has been authorized by the Department of State. Those temporarily imported for research, demonstration, or competition, provided they are not licensed for use, or driven, on public roads. Parties responsible for such vehicles must submit proper documents-that is, forms EPA 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 to Customs at the time entry is made. Also, applicable written approvals from these agencies must be obtained in advance and presented to Customs along with these forms. Remember, the cost to return vehicles that have been refused prior approval can be very high and must be borne by the vehicle's owner(s). Driver's Plates and Permits Imported cars should bear the International Registration Marker. The International Driving Permit, issued in five languages, is a valuable asset. Consult an international automobile federation or your local automobile club about these documents. U.S. RESIDENTS importing a new or used car should consult the appropriate department of motor vehicles in their State of residence about temporary license plates. MOTORISTS FROM CANADA AND MEXICO are permitted to tour in the U.S. without U.S. license plates or U.S. driver's permits, under agreements between the United States and these countries. HELP! All regulations of Customs and other agencies are not covered in full, and they are subject to change. Before importing your vehicle, be sure to contact the Customs Attaché or Commercial Officer at your nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy, or the appropriate agency below (particularly DOT and EPA): Customs Service If you are outside the United States, contact the Customs Attaché or Commercial Officer at your nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. U.S. Customs Attaches Throughout the World U.S. Customs Officers in Foreign Countries Contact a U.S. Customs Port U.S. Customs Service Washington, DC 20229 Telephone (202) 927-6724 http://www.customs.gov Department of Transportation (DOT) DOT's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration website Telephone: (202) 366-5313 Fax: (202) 366-1024 U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Director of the Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance (NEF-32) 400 7th Street SW Washington, DC 20590 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EPA Office of Transportation and Air Quality Telephone: 202-564-9240 Faxback System: 202-564-9660 Fax: (202) 565-2057 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Manufacturers Operations Division 6405-J Investigation/Imports Section 401 M Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20460 This post has been edited by coustoe: Jul 18, 2004 - 12:50 PM |
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Sep 24, 2003 - 5:05 AM
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 Enthusiast Joined Sep 6, '03 From Fairbanks AK Currently Offline Reputation: 0 (0%) |
question about your mexico option, is there anyway to do this in canada? mexico is bit far from alaska!!!! and if there are any importers bringing them over in the lower 48 i would be interested in flying down and driving back up.
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Posts in this topic
coustoe So you want a GT4 JDM? May 17, 2003 - 10:25 PM
jayi12-15psi but when you ship the car as parts alone, I though... May 17, 2003 - 11:01 PM Matthew no he is right
i talked to jarco inc...they said... May 18, 2003 - 12:21 AM ghostdog QUOTE (GT2GT4 @ May 17, 2003 - 9:35 PM) an airflow... May 18, 2003 - 12:36 AM Matthew thats why i said i think
damn dont know what your... May 18, 2003 - 12:38 AM Neipas09 People are gettin really testy lately...What up wi... May 18, 2003 - 3:54 AM Matthew well if no one minds i would like to do this first... May 18, 2003 - 8:43 AM batibot count me in on this one..... can't wait to dr... May 18, 2003 - 9:25 AM Jason I'd be down with getting one shipped over... n... May 18, 2003 - 9:55 AM Cragspider coustoe and GT2GT4, man thanks for the info. This ... May 18, 2003 - 10:01 AM coustoe updated main post, because the car link comparison... May 18, 2003 - 10:39 AM coustoe Import legal hurdles (as known as customs):
1. Sa... May 18, 2003 - 10:52 AM Raek the intarweb ownz you :
http://www.j-garage.com/
... May 18, 2003 - 11:45 AM aaronc222 I've been wanting to do this for some time, bu... May 18, 2003 - 11:50 AM ghostdog QUOTE (aaronc222 @ May 18, 2003 - 9:04 AM) I'v... May 18, 2003 - 12:59 PM Matthew yea thats what i was going to say..
i have checke... May 18, 2003 - 1:17 PM coustoe QUOTE the intarweb ownz you :
http://www.j-garage... May 18, 2003 - 1:28 PM coustoe Really, for bout $8k for the JDM gt4, you sho... May 18, 2003 - 3:16 PM No0bOne I skipped readin the replies and went ahead postin... May 18, 2003 - 4:20 PM coustoe your joking right? whats this place called, regard... May 18, 2003 - 4:44 PM Rivo Just as a side note, the 6th gen GT4's use MAP... May 18, 2003 - 5:08 PM coustoe pictures of 1994 gt4 modded with headlights, 18... May 18, 2003 - 6:45 PM coustoe another GT4 available in japan cost
$12400;... May 18, 2003 - 6:50 PM macavely look what i found May 18, 2003 - 7:16 PM macavely ok look what i found
If you are in the US :
Fi... May 18, 2003 - 7:23 PM coustoe did you read the first post mac? May 18, 2003 - 7:30 PM Coomer Wow, that's some very interesting and helpful ... May 18, 2003 - 8:54 PM coustoe gt2gt4, i talked with jarco this morning, dont kno... May 19, 2003 - 9:07 AM coustoe I'm really excited about this, there might be... May 19, 2003 - 11:08 AM ScoobyDooCruiser QUOTE (macavely @ May 18, 2003 - 4:37 PM) ok look ... May 19, 2003 - 1:42 PM coustoe I feel better, I looked at the NHTSA site again fo... May 19, 2003 - 2:03 PM coustoe error, moderator please delete May 19, 2003 - 3:28 PM coustoe anyone double checking my results? getting a secon... May 19, 2003 - 3:36 PM coustoe so I am a bit closer to getting a gt4, I've em... May 21, 2003 - 7:49 PM coustoe I'll try to finalize customs procedures tormor... May 21, 2003 - 7:57 PM doGGy Hey guys, i know that JDM GT4 is RHD so is it lega... May 22, 2003 - 1:19 AM macavely Ok i don't know about any one else, but this ... May 22, 2003 - 2:15 AM coustoe okay I changed my mind, bringing a car as show and... May 30, 2003 - 8:53 PM coustoe Have done more research. This seems to be a littl... Jun 10, 2003 - 8:49 PM coustoe 1993 JDM tt Supra 57k miles $2700
damage to ... Jun 10, 2003 - 8:59 PM coustoe 1995 JDM Supra 42k miles $4666 Jun 10, 2003 - 9:02 PM 97sccelica QUOTE (coustoe @ Jun 10, 2003 - 6:13 PM) 1993 JDM ... Jun 10, 2003 - 9:21 PM Matthew yea that is a really good thought and how i wish t... Jun 10, 2003 - 9:27 PM coustoe Ive explored the as-parts import option. It sound... Jun 10, 2003 - 9:35 PM funks QUOTE (doGGy @ May 21, 2003 - 10:33 PM) Hey guys, ... Jun 13, 2003 - 2:25 PM ScoobyDooCruiser QUOTE (funks @ Jun 13, 2003 - 11:39 AM) QUOTE (doG... Jun 13, 2003 - 2:47 PM Inferno I know an importer over AIM. He can get me a GT-F... Jun 13, 2003 - 7:00 PM coustoe to make importing gt4 into the US legal you would ... Jun 13, 2003 - 7:07 PM zipstrips i didnt notice anyone mention but DOT glass would ... Jun 14, 2003 - 7:44 PM yoz I tried this crap a year ago it ain't gonna ha... Jun 15, 2003 - 8:54 AM Stipt But the Euro ones are LHD.... Jun 15, 2003 - 11:46 AM gjunon so lets see why not go down to mexico since i live... Jun 15, 2003 - 5:33 PM coustoe yoz, some of your points have been discussed, but ... Jun 15, 2003 - 6:20 PM coustoe some people seem to be confused be the term ... Jun 15, 2003 - 6:28 PM coustoe Just updated the first post with reference materia... Jun 15, 2003 - 8:57 PM Inferno Hmm. I remember someone saying something about if... Jun 15, 2003 - 9:22 PM Pvc99gT i know europe has been brought up a few times, but... Jun 15, 2003 - 9:46 PM coustoe doggy lives in europe, read his post on this threa... Jun 16, 2003 - 9:44 AM bulletproofsnowman I don't know about any other states, but i... Jun 16, 2003 - 1:03 PM bulletproofsnowman I don't know about any other states, but i... Jun 16, 2003 - 2:00 PM coustoe Called more places today mexico consulate, US bord... Jun 16, 2003 - 4:16 PM gjunon o yeah i talked with my dad he said to get a vin i... Jun 16, 2003 - 5:13 PM celicakid84 so wait, lets say that the car is here in the stat... Jun 16, 2003 - 5:22 PM coustoe QUOTE o yeah i talked with my dad he said to get a... Jun 16, 2003 - 8:05 PM coustoe QUOTE so wait, lets say that the car is here in th... Jun 16, 2003 - 8:20 PM coustoe I was looking at virginia titles, the titles dont ... Jun 16, 2003 - 8:47 PM Inferno *bump* I really don't want this thread to die... Jul 11, 2003 - 2:32 PM FireinDC yeah, hows this coming ? Aug 16, 2003 - 2:23 AM EC_Knightrider i don't know about any of this stuff, but once... Aug 16, 2003 - 5:13 PM 97sccelica QUOTE (EC_Knightrider @ Aug 16, 2003 - 3:13 PM) i ... Aug 16, 2003 - 7:02 PM ScoobyDooCruiser I was talking to my dad bout stupid american impor... Aug 16, 2003 - 8:03 PM poddjam Check this site out, very useful info. Should help... Aug 17, 2003 - 12:11 AM 97sccelica i think some one should send in an application for... Aug 17, 2003 - 1:25 PM coustoe yes, I know Ive been gone for a while, sorry guys... Sep 23, 2003 - 12:32 PM NavyCelica well I have been reading over this thread and I th... Sep 23, 2003 - 12:56 PM boosted_K2 coustoe... if you are buying a GT4, are you keepin... Sep 23, 2003 - 2:37 PM Inferno QUOTE (NavyCelica @ Sep 23, 2003 - 12:56 PM) well ... Sep 23, 2003 - 10:44 PM Turbotone Guys
I have imported a few cars from japan
I have... Sep 23, 2003 - 11:18 PM kuya1284 Importing into the US isn't the issue... the m... Sep 24, 2003 - 1:22 AM GeEkBoY Canada is not an option unless the car is more tha... Sep 24, 2003 - 10:22 AM saleeka ok, first off i must admit i did not read all thes... Sep 24, 2003 - 2:12 PM Inferno Riiight..."Bill Gates can't afford a few ... Sep 26, 2003 - 5:18 PM saleeka its true- it was a big joke i dunno, about 6 years... Sep 26, 2003 - 10:51 PM iamblades I wonder if you could take the car apart and rebui... Sep 28, 2003 - 11:00 PM FallenHero take it and a US celica.... put your door panels, ... Sep 28, 2003 - 11:51 PM Inferno *Bump*. Nov 9, 2003 - 9:46 PM jayi12-15psi bringing back old threads---grr Nov 9, 2003 - 10:56 PM awdturbo well i am new here and just saw this thread. wich... Nov 10, 2003 - 4:30 PM nik #bump# Nov 11, 2003 - 8:52 PM Inferno I haven't heard from Coustoe in a while. I ho... Nov 11, 2003 - 9:01 PM awdturbo so i guess nobody has anyhting new for his huh? t... Nov 20, 2003 - 7:43 PM BigEdge169 I've got a question: what about kit cars that ... Nov 23, 2003 - 3:59 PM BigEdge169 So nobody knows about these types of cars?? Dec 1, 2003 - 1:04 AM neoklis Hey guys I feel so sorry for you.
I got my GT4 by ... Dec 4, 2003 - 9:10 AM NEVERSTOP I am not familar with other states laws but in Iow... Dec 4, 2003 - 12:13 PM Kardboard OMGSH this is something I so want to do! Sinc... Dec 11, 2003 - 9:26 PM poix im bringing thios thread back.
can we make this th... Dec 31, 2003 - 9:49 PM BigEdge169 That guys name was truejigga and I'm not sure ... Jan 1, 2004 - 8:03 PM
Kardboard OMFG.......someone get this..QUICK Mar 30, 2004 - 2:11 PM |
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