81 BJ42 Import--Do the typical Issues Apply?

[vtcruiser60]

Please don't yell at the diesel newbie, but I am really in the dark and need help. I have scoured the recent posts on this topic, but none answer my question.

My aunt across the border (60 minutes north in Canada) wants to get rid of her husband's (deceased ex husband) 81 bj42/3B with 98k with no rust (Yes, I asked three times). They are asking $7k US. However, I know that some of the 60 and 70 series diesels are difficult to import legally.

Am I looking at working with an importer, or is this vehicle actually simple to bring across the border with proper registration and insurance?

Thanks, in advance.

[VTCruiser]

the 42s are very similar to the 40 which were offered in the US, so I imagine it is possible. Call the RI you will be working with and they should be able to tell you whether or not they can import it for you.

PS: my HJ was not registered, insured or even running so that isn't a problem, you only need the title and proof of ownership (bill of sale etc.)

[Radd Cruisers]

If you ask real nice maybe Alex would help you with the paper work for a fee.

She is the resident expert, look a little further down and you will see a post on importing.

And by the way, you would be crazy to not buy that BJ42 and if you do pass let me know as I am looking for a toy.

Sounds almost too good to be true, but the fact its family you may have a real gem on your hands.

Good luck

[vtcruiser60]

I did some more online research and found the following information guides on importing land cruisers from Canada. Motor Vehicle Importation guidelines are available online.

US Customs (the declaration forms) requires confirmation of compliance with Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emissions requirements and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety and Bumper Standards.

For EPA regs see, http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/quikover.htm

For FMVSBS regs see, http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

For information on vehicle eligibility lists, see http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/...LIG071404.html

[Stickboy]

Alex's post "Everything I ever learned about importing" will explain all well. She is DEFINATELY the most experienced in this department. Off hand you can bring this into the US since it was canadian destined and US destined. The real trouble lies with Japanese destined vehicles (HJ61, BJ74, etc....)

Call the border agents, I was apprehensive at first but once I called them they cleared up many of my questions easily. I think most people are hesitant to do this but after bringing the BJ74 across in an odd manner my biggest suggestion would be to spell everything out to them and ask every question you can imagine. Most are pretty easy to deal with in my experience. Stick to a smaller crossing and you'll be more apt to deal with the same agent you spoke with on the phone. Also, when it comes time to cross ask the agent that has answered you questions the way you want when they are working and cross then. That'll save you a bundle of headaches not having to re-explain your situation. But then again, you'll have to deal with an RI so that might be different.

-mike

[rapovt]

I tried to bring a rusted HJ60 into Maine and they would not let it in even with a chunk out of the frame. We cut it apart. I was at the crossing in Derby Line in may and asked the 5 agents and they all said no way.

[Greg_B]

3rd vote for Alex. Contact her off list, and pay her for her time. From the little I know, your situation will allow this to happen. She has the process down and all the contacts.

gb

[colby1979]

It's real simple.
Have a Canidan resident drive it across the border and make the transaction in the US. A lot of people call this "smugling and so on" but the realiaty is that Customs is so scared right now (after 911) that they exercise their false law to the upmost. There is nothing illiegal about having a swb diesel 40 series cruiser in the US. Cruisers (40 series) were legally imported into the US until 1984, which was thier last year of production. There are regs on some of the gas cruisers in some places BUT diesels are exempt! You will have no problem getting your cruiser licensced and titled. I live in the western part of Texas, and we deal with customs and border patrol on a daily basis (we aquire most of our goods through mexico) generally they are just lookin for a reason to start a problem. In my opinion it is to much goverment! Don't let them scare you, there is nothing illegal about importing a BJ42, it is just a bunch of BS.

Regards
Colby

[Stickboy]

Colby,
I'm not so sure that's going to work anymore since 9/11.
Rumor has it that any canadian plate that goes across into the states gets put into the computer as having gone into the US. If that plate doesn't come back across in a certain period (1 year/1 month/etc...) then they (US Customs) come calling and can fine you and at least make you export the vehicle out of the country.

What I'm not sure about is if this is a provincial thing or a Canada wide thing. The rumor is that it happened regarding a cruiser coming in from Quebec.

Here's a very interesting discussion a while back about importing
details on the above mentioned situation are at the end of the thread...

http://forum.ih8mud.com/diesel-tech-24-volts-systems/8919-how-import.html

-mike

[colby1979]

Hi Mike,
I agree, since 911 things have changed. Customs make logs of ever vehicle that comes into the US through vidio conformation. Every time you come through the US (at a desinated check point) they photograph your liecens plate, and every time you leave they conform your exit. The Canadians are the ones that track the records of vehicels owned by canadians. From what I understand, if a canadian vehical leaves the canadian border after 6 months, the can. gov wondres why it hasn't returned (that's if the vehicle is 21 years old or newer) and will request a bill of sale or reason why. Also, any NA spec vehicle that is 21 years old or newer is exempt from US regs of importation, IF it is an actual NA spec vehicle. Now that dosen't inclued certain commi-epa crap like you woud have in Ka or any of those other marxist states, but it does exclued most of the REAL WORLD.

My 2 cents
Colby

[Radd Cruisers]

This thing about the plate crossing and not coming back is very false, do you think the Canadian border guys work h and in hand with the US border?

Common guys these are just vehicles not imigrants or dope, these guys have better things to do than chase around a damn vehicle.

Very simply put Alex could help ............. or you could get title unlimited to get you title. Damn I remeber a guy calling me and telling me the truck he sent to Toronto from Calgary was held up at the border waiting for the titles unlimited tile?????

Go figure...


The almighties got on one thread and went on about breaking the law and getting your truck crushed plus going to jail, I have never heard of this happening over a vehicle.

Please enlighten me and not with rumour or folk lore.

Rob

[Stickboy]

Colby- Hmmm... a little confusing here. 21 years for free importation of EPA rules, 25 years for free importation of DOT rules. Still have 2 years to go on the BJ42 vtcruiser60 is interested in if you want a completely hassle free importion (ie no RI or ellusive letter from Toyota). Correct me if I'm wrong though this is my understanding....

Rob-Border guards have better things to do than chase cars around in my opinion but that doesn't stop them from doing it and making life difficult for importing cars. My basis for writing the statement about one way trips was based on Adasilva's comments in that thread of his experience bringing an HJ60 across the line. Talking with Alex the other day we discussed it and it seems to be a legit case. We still don't know the consequences of the one-way trip but it does show that they do check. I tried contacting Adasilva a while ago but haven't heard back. I think the rumors of crushing cars and putting you in jail are unfounded.

I personally think the non-official routes of importation are putting yourself out there and that it's best to stick with the paper no matter how ridiculous it can be. Alex is definately the ticket when it comes to this stuff.

my .02
mike

[colby1979]

Hey guys,
I agree that there is a lot of mystical shit and folk lore floating around out there. The point I have been trying to make is that, NA spec swb 40 series cruisers were imported into the US until 1983. Now, some states have smog regs that bar them from being inspected or licensed to operate on state funded highways. Most of those vehicles are gassers, NOT DIESELS. As fare as I know (someone will corect me if I am wrong) but diesels are exempt from smog regs until the late 90's in the US. So, that makes any swb 40 series gas or diesel legal for importation into the US. The only time you will have a problem during your importation is when you cross the border. I have a lot of friends that are customs and bp agents. What is going on in their world is anyone's guess but mine. All that I know is that at the border, their word goes regardeless of state or federal law. The major hurdel you face when importing one of these vehicles is customs. If you can get by them, I have heard of no problems about getting one of the cruisers insured, licensed or titled.

Regards,
Colby

[vtcruiser60]

Folks thanks for the insights. Though we all may have a shred of truth in our pockets, it is what the customs agent believes on the day of importation that really matters.

I spoke with an agent yesterday and we had a long talk about it. She did some more homework and basically said three things of substance:

1. I will need to declare the vehicle at the border and fill out an auto import form.
2. EPA regs don't apply. The vehicle is more than 21 yrs, old.
3. She'll need proof from the NHSTRB (FED dot) that the vehicle is safe. I'll either need confirmation that this type of vehicle was brought into Canada and the US before (which it has been) or a letter from Toyota. The former has been done and Customs has a record allowing this land cruiser in.

Oh....the duty on this vehicle is 2.4% of the purchase price. But, since I am allowed to bring in $800 worth of goods duty free.....I won't have much to pay.

I plan on taking this one slowly. I want to phone at least one more Custom's port and walk through the whole thing again. Hopefully the answer will stay the same.

I'll keep you all posted.

[colby1979]

About that duty thing, every 2 weeks we go to Mexico to buy supplies (tequila, wiskey, vodka, beer, canned goods, Jalapenos and so on) What we do is wait until after the tax office has closed to come back across the border, which is 5pm Mon- Sat and I think their now closed on Sundays. No tax collector, me pay no taxes! I'm not shure if the US-Canadian border is the same, just thought I would mention it. Good luck on your importation and if you decide to sell the 42 let me know.

Regards,
Colby

[Otis]

There is a 1998 HZJ75 diesel for sale in Wisconsin on ebay right now. Claims to have a clear title. Is so, any idea on how it was imported?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...RK%3AMEWA%3AIT

[folsom50]

There is a 1998 HZJ75 diesel for sale in Wisconsin on ebay right now. Claims to have a clear title. Is so, any idea on how it was imported?

The Gov. gives a one-time freeby to military stationed overseas or to immigrants with permenant visa status, so some soldier might have brought it back.

[sbolduc]

Have you tried the small border in Beebe Quebec? It's a one man show - where they often sleep on the shift. I grew up there so I am quite familiar with it all. Also, my sister is a Canadian Customs Officer - I should ask to see if the USA does indeed have the ability to contact them.

[Radd Cruisers]

Originally Posted by sbolduc

Have you tried the small border in Beebe Quebec? It's a one man show - where they often sleep on the shift. I grew up there so I am quite familiar with it all. Also, my sister is a Canadian Customs Officer - I should ask to see if the USA does indeed have the ability to contact them.

The crossing has to be one of the proper crossings for importing, only a handfull of them have the ability to handle vehicle importation.

[Stickboy]

when talking to the inspectors when I brought my BJ74 across it seemed like most of the crossings can handle importation. I know on the WA-Canada line Blaine, Sumas, Oroville, Eastport, Libby all can handle it and that is most of the major crossings.
-mike

[Radd Cruisers]

I though Blaine was the only crossing, my mistake.

Thats good information for me as I tend to bring trucks up into Port Angeles and then drive all the way around to the Blaine crossing a couple of hours.