Everything I Ever Learned About Importing

[mot]

To borrow someone else's phrase:

"You are correct, Sir!"

In my office, trying to look busy.

[Chang-kuao-lo]

You can never smoke too much pot.
I didn't think you could find "too much pot" in Japan

[RMP&O]

nobody "upset" or offended me at all....and I myself have said Alex is on the money with her info about newer than 25 year old vehicles.

RHD vehicles are all over the USA and I myself am importing a 1977 RHD Ute Patrol. I have no worries at all on reggin' it or titling it. DMV won't even ask that where I live and the police inspector could care less too. I am thinking of converting it anyways...easy to do, new dash, new LHD steering box, new wiring harness and rework the throttle linkage is about all I have to do.

Nope you don't need a RI for a 25 year old or older truck. A customs broker will be a good idea though. A RI is for importing newer vehicles and they often do the upgrade work to meet EPA & DOT. They also charge an arm and a leg for their services...

There is a lot of hype and rumors floating around about importing vehicles. It is pretty basic and straight forward stuff especially if 25 years or older. Newer vehicles are a PITA, cost big sums of cash and you run a risk of total loss with now way to get your cash back.

My advice is simply to purchase an easier to obtain TLC than a 70. Such as a 1980 troopie or 1980 BJ with a diesel and so forth. In about 5 years you can hassle free and legally begin to import 70's so why not enjoy an obscure TLC in the meantime and then plan to import when 70's turn 25 years old!?

Here are the typical questions I see people ask about importing on a variety of 4x4 forums....

Are there some loop holes in the system of importing non-DOT & non-EPA trucks?
YES but loop holes often = risk

Can you bring it in for less than 365 days?
YES

Can you bring it in as a off-road truck?
Yes but...this is difficult and you will have different results in different ports of entry and same goes for the state you live in. You are going to have to prove this is what it is for, such as importing the truck to build up and use in over seas rallies/winching events.

Can you bring it in as parts and then build it as a home vehicle?
Yes but you can run into problems and trouble here as some LandRover guys have found out. If they find out you are doing some shady things bye bye TLC hello fines. Jump on the POR L/R forum and ask....or other good rover forums. There are a lot of imported Rovers in the USA already, same goes for Mogs, Volvo C/TGB series and Pinzgauers.

Can you bring a non-USA vehicle in as a firetruck, foresty use or AG use?
Yes you can but you best have a farm, forestry company or be involved in a fire depatment. Customs, EPA & DOT do not dig BSing...

Can't I just pay to have it meet EPA & DOT regs?
Yepper but get out the cash roll as this often runs as much as the truck in the first place! And sometimes more!! If I had $500k to toss around at some trucks I would do it, otherwise no way.

If you have picked up the phone and called Toyota Japan or would do that then simply pick up the phone and call customs, EPA & DOT. Make a list of questions for each. Sit there and ask away taking notes. If you call the right people in the right department they are happy to help and that is part of their J.O.B I have spent hours on the phone with customs in Washington DC going over lot's of things in details. Give them a try...

[Chang-kuao-lo]

This could be a worth while pursuit. One would think letting us import/export would be awfully good PR for Toyota, besides, who sings the praises of Toyota louder than 'cruiserheads?

[mot]

Originally Posted by Chang-kuao-lo

You can never smoke too much pot.
I didn't think you could find "too much pot" in Japan

We grow a lot of tea where I'm from.

Does that count?

[70seriesaddict]

A few more notes:

Off-road only
This can work BUT for a diesel combustion engine 50HP to 100HP emissions compliance is required for production date 1/1/96 or newer, for a diesel combustion engine 100HP to 175HP that date is 1/1/97, so if it is newer than that then you still have to prove emissions compliance. Also, the rule is if it is a vehicle capable of being licensed for and used on the road then it cannot be imported for off-road use only, but not everyone enforces this, again, up to individual customs agents and brokers.

Parts
Yep, some Rover guys have been busted for this, not sure how East Coast Rovers is still getting away with it at least EPA wise (DOT wise they start with US frames so they are safe there). But the deal is, straight from the EPA, if you do this for a personal car that is not for resale it is okay, the minute you do this as a business for resale purposes then you're gonna be in trouble.

Info From Other Countries
On an import I once worked with EPA in Ann Arbor, they told me if I could find emissions docs from the country of origin that showed the emissions outputs that we could compare to US standards and show that they fall within acceptable limits then we'd be good, or, if I could show that the emissions standards for the country of origin were more strict than the US then we'd be good. But, I do not know if importers can do it this way, and if it is coming from a country other than Canada you have to use an importer, so... As far as the DOT part, that is not a big deal, as long as it is on the eligibility list the mods are simple, so it is EPA that we have to dance with.

[Chang-kuao-lo]

Not 'cruiser related, but here's something cool one CAN import inti the US:

[Chang-kuao-lo]

oops, forgot th' link: www.iltis.ca

[Chang-kuao-lo]

Pardon me, I digress, be that as it may, has anyone tried to obtain documentation regarding emmisions standards from Japan?

[70seriesaddict]

Originally Posted by RMP&O

Well well well...we meet again Alex. I had wondered where you dropped off to, seems TLC's. Still got your restored 69 Patrol!? Got those Rovers out of your barn?? Seem you made some headway in your TLC imports from Canada...

Hi Ian,

I should just be calling you, but this whole land use directorship for the MN4WDA is keeping me way too busy, no wonder there's so much turnover for this position, I am working my ass off for Minnesotans to get trails and have to prod people like hell to get them to help themselves, I fell like a stupid cheerleader sometimes and am wondering how long till I burn out. So, other than that... I wouldn't say I've been hiding here, I am not very participatory here either. As far as the Patrol, yep, still got it, still as pretty as ever, but now that I live on a gravel road I am chicken shit to drive it at all for fear of paint chips. How the hell did you end up with my old Montana junk yard Patrol? And tell me more how/why you got Jim Morrow's. As for the Patrol forum, it just got so big, and there were so many people that knew so much more than me, I had nothing to contribute really, other than being the token female which I admit I am good at

I am not sure the military thing works, if you read the statute it says it's temporary and has to be re-exported, but...

As for the firetruck thing, never heard of that, could work for all those Jap fire Cruisers but then why wouldn't Steve Kopito have used that loop hole for the ones he has brought in?

For AG, what I was told was similar to that for off-road, if it is capable to be licensed/used on the highway it can't come in for ag, I know someone who was going to put a sprayer on the back of an ex-mine Canadian HZJ75 and he talked to customs and they told him no, so...

Mining/construction exemptions, not really, read what I say about off-road use only, these engines still have to meet emissions if they are produced after a certain date, so...

Not to throw a wrench into things, just putting in my two cents worth too

[mot]

Originally Posted by Chang-kuao-lo

Pardon me, I digress, be that as it may, has anyone tried to obtain documentation regarding emmisions standards from Japan?

I was going to try to get to that sometime and let you know what my findings are, unless someone has that information already and beats me to it.

Mot

[Chang-kuao-lo]

How about a mailing address for Toyota Japan? I can't find it anywhere. Perhaps if enough of us write (on a weekly basis) requesting information, they might get just annoyed enough to actually break down and give it to us (say, if they got 50 or 100 letters a week?). Apparently such info is readily available from Honda or Nissan. Besides, mail is far cheaper than overseas phone calls.

How about this: I'll write a letter, publish it in this forum and whoever wants to join in, print off a copy, sign it and send 'er off to Toyota. What do ya say? The worst they can do is ignore us!

[mot]

Originally Posted by Chang-kuao-lo

How about a mailing address for Toyota Japan? I can't find it anywhere. Perhaps if enough of us write (on a weekly basis) requesting information, they might get just annoyed enough to actually break down and give it to us (say, if they got 50 or 100 letters a week?). Apparently such info is readily available from Honda or Nissan. Besides, mail is far cheaper than overseas phone calls.

How about this: I'll write a letter, publish it in this forum and whoever wants to join in, print off a copy, sign it and send 'er off to Toyota. What do ya say? The worst they can do is ignore us!

I can probably get that address if you want, but the pessimist* in me thinks that not too many people will get off of his/her ass to do it in a hurry.

However, I have found an inquiry/request page at their site (sorry, only available in Japanese). I will try to get the Japanese emission requirement information somewhere on
the web, hopefully in English, but I don't know what the chances of that is going to be (Refer to "*" above )

After I have the emission info. I might work up something professional to send to Toyota through the aforementioned site concerning their emission or, more importantly, their safety standard similarities/differences between JDM and foreign Cruisers.

I would think that the question will have to climb up the corporate ladder more than halfway to get the desired letter/document from the authorized person/department.

I hope I put it in the manner that would not scare them off as I feel there is only one shot at it. You know, no second chance to make the first impression.

Anyway, I hope we can make it happen.
I bet you thought I was gonna say something like "Don't hold your breath!!", didn't you?

Mot

[mot]

Since last year in some of the biggest cities in Japan, such as Tokyo, Osaka and surrounding areas, have been tough on diesel vehicles.

I have not been able to do much research concerning the emission information, but have found what diesel vehicles, mainly large trucks/semis (but includes diesel Cruisers) are up against in those areas (in NOx and PM):

http://www.env.go.jp/air/car/pamph2/07.pdf

On page 2 of the document, it lisets the numbers. The top one in the table is for passenger vehicles (including the LC, I believe) and below are for mainly commercial trucks (I think).

According to that, it has to meet 0.48g/km NOx and 0.055g/km PM, NOx figure equaling that of gasoline vehicles in 1978.

Now I don't know how those numbers compare with those required in the US and more importantly what kind of numbers diesel Cruisers put out in stock form when they were manufactured (or what the regulation was back then).

But as I said above, these are for large cities, at least for the moment. So I guess I still need to work on the numbers for the rest of the country.

Just an F.Y.I., I guess.

Anyway, thought I would post this before hitting the sack!

Mot

[Diescipel]

Bumping up this awesome post--again, wealth of info. Admin--sticky? FAQ?

BRB

[Diescipel]

Despite going through an RI to import my BJ42, the Cali DMV still requested a compliance letter from me. I am right now sending them copies of all my RI docs and the Customs release etc., but I also called Toyota's corporate office in So. Cal. In about 5 minutes of taking down basic info and the VIN, the customer service person said they would send some paperwork to me to fill out, which would then be reviewed by Toyota to issue the letter. Customer service person said it would take approximately 2-3 weeks for the whole process . Now this is WAY different from what everybody has said and I kinda hope isn't true so I can justify spending $300 USD on the importer's fees .

FYI--I'll keep everybody posted with what actually happens and if I actually do get a compliance letter--and, most importantly from re-reading Alex's first post, if it actually is a "good letter." If I do get a good letter, I'd say watch out Canucks, cuz there may be a whole passle of Yanks heading North to satisfy their cruizer jones.

B

[crushers]

here is hoping you do get the letter...
if not then i guess the border stays closed and we get to flaunt our wealth of stinky, gutless diesel rust buckets to the poor State Boys...
;^)

[HZJ60 Guy]

Originally Posted by crushers

here is hoping you do get the letter...
if not then i guess the border stays closed and we get to flaunt our wealth of stinky, gutless diesel rust buckets to the poor State Boys...
;^)

Hey Wayne-"O"

I FART in your general direction. Your mother is a hampster, and your father smells of elderberries!




TB

[crushers]

how did you know my father liked elderberries?

[89GASHOG]

Originally Posted by NorCalCruzr

In about 5 minutes of taking down basic info and the VIN, the customer service person said they would send some paperwork to me to fill out, which would then be reviewed by Toyota to issue the letter. Customer service person said it would take approximately 2-3 weeks for the whole process,,,
FYI--I'll keep everybody posted with what actually happens and if I actually do get a compliance letter--
B

I picked up one of those forms too. Now I just need a VIN to go with it! Please do let us know how it goes for you, thanks. The woman I talked to said that you can call before two weeks to "see how it's going", or something like that.

[mot]

B,

Good luck and please keep us posted!

Mot

[tlcruiserman]

Originally Posted by NorCalCruzr

Despite going through an RI to import my BJ42, the Cali DMV still requested a compliance letter from me. I am right now sending them copies of all my RI docs and the Customs release etc., but I also called Toyota's corporate office in So. Cal. In about 5 minutes of taking down basic info and the VIN, the customer service person said they would send some paperwork to me to fill out, which would then be reviewed by Toyota to issue the letter. Customer service person said it would take approximately 2-3 weeks for the whole process . Now this is WAY different from what everybody has said and I kinda hope isn't true so I can justify spending $300 USD on the importer's fees .

FYI--I'll keep everybody posted with what actually happens and if I actually do get a compliance letter--and, most importantly from re-reading Alex's first post, if it actually is a "good letter." If I do get a good letter, I'd say watch out Canucks, cuz there may be a whole passle of Yanks heading North to satisfy their cruizer jones.

B

I missed some of this are you trying to bring in a cruiser from Canada or from Japan?? The reason I ask is a few year ago I tried to get a letter from Toyota about being compliant with US federal safty/emmisions and because the Cruiser was not sold in US or Canada Toyota told me there legal department would not let them write the letter. Now if it is a Canadian model I am surprised someone is telling you that you need a compliance letter. I am sure I missed something in all of these post but I do hope you get the letter that would be great if they give you one, and they should if it was Canadian.

Keep us posted.

Good Luck,

Michael

[Diescipel]

Well, that's what's funny. Yes, a Canadian BJ42 (just like yours... well, not exactly), went through an importer. The DMV copied the customs release docs etc. and sent them to Sacramento along with the Vanc registration etc. to establish title, then I got the letter stating I need the compliance letter. I'm sending ALL the RI's docs to the DMV now, but also working on the compliance letter.

Question for you Michael--isn't the RI's documentation enough to register these in Cali? I mean, you have a ton of Canadian BJs so you should know. Did I miss something?

Fortunately, the local DMV gave me plates and tags so I'm good cosmetically until Dec. of 2005 ;>)

[89GASHOG]

FWIW, I talked to a customs officer in Washington state about bringing a cruiser across from Canada. He said that if I had no intentions of immediately registering it, it can come right through without a declaration. Of course, the buyer is then responsible for meeting his/her state DMV requirements for registering the vehicle, which means that one would eventually need to get the letter of compliance from Toyota and the appropriate forms from Customs. Anyway, it seems that one could put the cart before the horse if they wanted to.

[Cruiserhead05]

Ok i got a question. I'm looking at a 1982 RHD Toyota FJ45 TroopCarrier in australia. Any ideas if i will run into major problems. The seller quoted me 1500-2000 to ship it in. I'm clueless to the whole importing thing so any help would be awesome.

[crushers]

because it is not a canadain spec unit i would say wait 2 years and then import it... lot less hassle...
cheers

[wesintl]

This thread should be sticky.. Good think no MOD's hang out in Internat'l Cruiser Tech