Import ?? - Page 2

jefferson-mo · 01-16-07, 12:52 AM

I don't know anything about importing diesels into California but all gasoline(petrol) engined vehicles newer than 1975 have to pass very tough emissions regulations and usually just can't be done. You could get it in to California and start the rego process and drive it on a temporary rego but you wouldn't be able to pass any inpections so after a few months you would reach a dead-end and have to move it to Arizona, Oregon or Nevada

From what I understand their(AZ & OR) smog laws are getting tougher too

moondog · 01-17-07, 04:09 PM

I believe diesel are exempt from emissions testing in california. Not entirely sure though how they deal with that on imported diesels, mine's registered in the midwest - no emissions testing for any vehicles.

kiwiwonder · 02-25-07, 10:41 AM

As far as the california import goes. If the DMV agent handling your paperwork really knows the rules I believe that if the vehicle if newer than 1968 it has to have epa smog standards to register in ca despite diesels being smog exempt from testing (I looked into this extensivly a while ago) i can e-mail anyone the documentation that talks about this if anyone wants it. Most diesels coming in have never had their engines tested by the epa and therefore to legeally bring them into ca they need to have an expensive diesel emissions test done which is 3-4 thousand. Most DMV people do not know about this rule and therefore most diesels get through and get registered. The two diferences are bringing the diesel into the US and registering in CA.

Sniperx · 08-07-07, 01:40 AM

OK...I've been looking at these pages and the gov sites for a while...and am still somewhat lost.

My main question:

Brining into the USA from Japan, any car, any year before 25 years ago? Right?
or
ONLY cars that have been imported previously and have a US counterpart?

crushers · 08-09-07, 03:00 PM

from Japan must be 25 years old to the month (but there are exceptions in certain states depending on the number of vin digits)

Sniperx · 08-09-07, 10:35 PM

OK, but can I bring in a 25 year old BJ74, even though they were never produced in the US?

crushers · 08-10-07, 10:16 AM

sure, but you will be waiting till 2009 since the first BJ74 rolled off the line in late 84...

tlaporte · 08-10-07, 04:45 PM

You can bring in *anything* that is more than 25 years old. With two forms (customs and EPA) I was in and out of the Customs and Border Patrol office in Long Beach in under 20 minutes.

-- Tom

Sniperx · 08-10-07, 09:26 PM

Well 2009 isn't that far off when you live in the manufacturing country and own land capable of storing.

Customs form= What your are bringing in/VIN number/ETC
EPA=?

tlaporte · 08-11-07, 01:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sniperx

Well 2009 isn't that far off when you live in the manufacturing country and own land capable of storing.

Customs form= What your are bringing in/VIN number/ETC
EPA=?

EPA form includes the same basic info, including the check box to say that the vehicle is more than 21 years old, and hence exempt from EPA regulations.

Customs form (HS-7): http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/hs799short.pdf
EPA form (3520-1): http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/forms/3520-1.pdf

-- Tom

psimison · 10-21-07, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BreckenridgeCruiser

I'm the same Greg,

I have my guys keeping an eye out for a 1982-1984 BJ46 to import as soon as it turns over to it's 25th b-day. I may need to move faster if the laws change. I have a 44 now and love the truck. Too bad they never brought them here!

Kraig

I am trying to import a BJ46 as a daily driver. Am I nuts, or would this be a good vehicle?

Paul Simison

crushers · 10-21-07, 01:11 PM

daily driver?!? get a civic...

the 46 is a cool ride but will grow on your nerves in short order espec in the states...
too slow, loud and uncomfortable...

but then what do i know?

rutbeer · 01-17-08, 04:53 PM

From what I see, the rules may not be different but are being enforced all the sudden. My customs broker has never had an issue bringing in the diesel engines, but is now being pressed for the EPA 3520 forms. I thought all along he had been filing these on my behalf, but he says no....
So now what category do I check? Engines are 21 years old, so I'm leaning towards the "D" category and the "ancient engine" exemption.

http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/forms/3520-21.pdf

amaurer · 01-17-08, 05:08 PM

I don't think these classify as a heavy duty engine (the 3520-21 form is for heavy duties). Get a 3520-1 form and check the "code E" exemption.

rutbeer · 01-17-08, 07:41 PM

True, I'm not sure it makes much actual difference though. Either way, I have to get the serial number, date, etc. and put that on there to be legal. PITA.... how do you get the serial number off a packed crate that is stuck in customs? :(

01-16-07, 12:52 AM	#31
jefferson-mo IH8MUD Regular Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: San Diego858, California Posts: 451	I don't know anything about importing diesels into California but all gasoline(petrol) engined vehicles newer than 1975 have to pass very tough emissions regulations and usually just can't be done. You could get it in to California and start the rego process and drive it on a temporary rego but you wouldn't be able to pass any inpections so after a few months you would reach a dead-end and have to move it to Arizona, Oregon or Nevada From what I understand their(AZ & OR) smog laws are getting tougher too __________________ <---- That's my boy! Carson James Born 6/05 . 84 FJ60 249,750 miles....... 32X11.50 BFG MT 15x8 A/R XM OME , Bilsteins, AussieLocker rear, Unity spots my 1/4 mile time is faster than my 0-60 (Quote)- Dazza "Don't think of it as a slow car. Think of it as a fast tractor."

01-17-07, 04:09 PM	#32
moondog IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Down by the River Posts: 124	I believe diesel are exempt from emissions testing in california. Not entirely sure though how they deal with that on imported diesels, mine's registered in the midwest - no emissions testing for any vehicles. __________________ '87 HJ60 - Max

08-09-07, 03:00 PM	#35
crushers IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 9,793	from Japan must be 25 years old to the month (but there are exceptions in certain states depending on the number of vin digits) __________________ pulling this info out of my ass so take it with a pound of salt "People are poor because they don't spend money wisely, tough sh!t !!! " John Galt 09/22/08 "educate yourself. Sorry if that seems too blunt." John Galt 11-01-08 Wayne in Ontario http://www.ivoac.ca join today

08-09-07, 10:35 PM	#36
Sniperx IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Japan Posts: 195	... OK, but can I bring in a 25 year old BJ74, even though they were never produced in the US?

08-10-07, 10:16 AM	#37
crushers IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 9,793	sure, but you will be waiting till 2009 since the first BJ74 rolled off the line in late 84... __________________ pulling this info out of my ass so take it with a pound of salt "People are poor because they don't spend money wisely, tough sh!t !!! " John Galt 09/22/08 "educate yourself. Sorry if that seems too blunt." John Galt 11-01-08 Wayne in Ontario http://www.ivoac.ca join today

02-25-07, 10:41 AM	#33
kiwiwonder IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 116	As far as the california import goes. If the DMV agent handling your paperwork really knows the rules I believe that if the vehicle if newer than 1968 it has to have epa smog standards to register in ca despite diesels being smog exempt from testing (I looked into this extensivly a while ago) i can e-mail anyone the documentation that talks about this if anyone wants it. Most diesels coming in have never had their engines tested by the epa and therefore to legeally bring them into ca they need to have an expensive diesel emissions test done which is 3-4 thousand. Most DMV people do not know about this rule and therefore most diesels get through and get registered. The two diferences are bringing the diesel into the US and registering in CA.

08-07-07, 01:40 AM	#34
Sniperx IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Japan Posts: 195	OK...I've been looking at these pages and the gov sites for a while...and am still somewhat lost. My main question: Brining into the USA from Japan, any car, any year before 25 years ago? Right? or ONLY cars that have been imported previously and have a US counterpart?

08-10-07, 04:45 PM	#38
tlaporte IH8MUD Rookie Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Los Angeles, CA TLCA# 12050 Posts: 29	You can bring in anything that is more than 25 years old. With two forms (customs and EPA) I was in and out of the Customs and Border Patrol office in Long Beach in under 20 minutes. -- Tom

08-10-07, 09:26 PM	#39
Sniperx IH8MUD Junior Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Japan Posts: 195	Well 2009 isn't that far off when you live in the manufacturing country and own land capable of storing. Customs form= What your are bringing in/VIN number/ETC EPA=?

10-21-07, 01:11 PM	#42
crushers IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 9,793	daily driver?!? get a civic... the 46 is a cool ride but will grow on your nerves in short order espec in the states... too slow, loud and uncomfortable... but then what do i know? __________________ pulling this info out of my ass so take it with a pound of salt "People are poor because they don't spend money wisely, tough sh!t !!! " John Galt 09/22/08 "educate yourself. Sorry if that seems too blunt." John Galt 11-01-08 Wayne in Ontario http://www.ivoac.ca join today

01-17-08, 04:53 PM	#43
rutbeer IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,146	From what I see, the rules may not be different but are being enforced all the sudden. My customs broker has never had an issue bringing in the diesel engines, but is now being pressed for the EPA 3520 forms. I thought all along he had been filing these on my behalf, but he says no.... So now what category do I check? Engines are 21 years old, so I'm leaning towards the "D" category and the "ancient engine" exemption. http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/forms/3520-21.pdf __________________ 78FJ40 w/13BT diesel (BIESEL),66FJ45(MARMUT), 13BT install thread www.importpurist.com "Much like a cat or hot buttered toast, the correct side will always try to land down. If the bezel is on upside down, then the force of it trying to right itself may cause you to roll your cruiser unexpectedly."

01-17-08, 05:08 PM	#44
amaurer IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cupertino, CA Posts: 1,184	I don't think these classify as a heavy duty engine (the 3520-21 form is for heavy duties). Get a 3520-1 form and check the "code E" exemption. __________________ "... the motor car, after woman, is the most fragile and capricious thing on earth." - London Daily Mail 1908 1982 BJ42 "Krull"

01-17-08, 07:41 PM	#45
rutbeer IH8MUD Lifer Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: North Carolina Posts: 1,146	True, I'm not sure it makes much actual difference though. Either way, I have to get the serial number, date, etc. and put that on there to be legal. PITA.... how do you get the serial number off a packed crate that is stuck in customs? :( __________________ 78FJ40 w/13BT diesel (BIESEL),66FJ45(MARMUT), 13BT install thread www.importpurist.com "Much like a cat or hot buttered toast, the correct side will always try to land down. If the bezel is on upside down, then the force of it trying to right itself may cause you to roll your cruiser unexpectedly."

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