[quote author=madams557 link=board=21;threadid=9209;start=msg80842#msg80842 date=1072542380]
I am currently in the process of importing an FJ45 by myself. I thought about working through an importer, but I decided that I would learn more if I did it myself. Of course, I am importing a 78 Fj45 so automatically I avoid any EPA and NHTSA requirements, but I decided to do a lot of reading on my own to CMA. The 25-year limit is established by the NHTSA. The EPA on the other hand is a separate entity and has a 21-year limit. They also separate between diesel and gas, so I concentrated more on the gas side, so if you are interested in a diesel, the cutoff dates might be different.
Then there is a third agency involved - Customs. I went through the customs regulations and thought I found a NAFTA loophole. I called an agency head in D.C. and the loophole wasn't available. The agency head did say that a lot of what the Registered Importers do is know where the regulations are, what offices to call and all the right paperwork to fill out. Paying a RI is like paying a law-clerk to fill out paperwork that you could do yourself if you knew what forms to do.
As for the NHTSA and EPA paperwork, from my current understanding it is all filled out at the border. Another word of advice is call the border crossing point that you are going to use and speak to an inspector on the matter to get an definitive answer. Some border crossings might be more relaxed than others, but I find that hard to believe in this day and age.
Once it makes it past customs, then everything else is left up to the State agencies. For instance, in Colorado because I won't have a U.S. title, the Colorado HWP will have to inspect the vehicle to make sure that it isn't stollen. Then the State emissions will inspect it, which it won't pass in its current non-US form. All the state stuff I don't mind, I'm holding my breathe though until I get it into the US.
One last point. Along the way in my research, I've been told my agency sources that very little differences in vehicles between Canada and the US can keep the vehicle from coming to the states. Most common beliefs is that seat belt restrainers, safe glass, safetly door beams are the first things to be required in the US, but the gentleman in D.C. made a comment on a U.S. built Chevy something, made for the Canadain market, had the Canadain required daytime running lights. Someone attempted to return the Chevy to the US, but the Canadain running lights were too bright or not bright enough for US standards. That is were the RIs come into play, they file all the necessary paperwork to guarantee that the vehicle meets US specs, whether they really do or not. The RIs risk lossing their licenses if they are caught, so they may or maynot be scrutinized as much as a normal citizen attempting to import.
Anyway, I leave on the 15th of January for Calgary to bring back the FJ45, to I will post something once I am back successfully.
Michael
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I would suggest that you get all the information on the vehicle and file the paperwork at the border A.S.A.P. A hassle we had was that the U.S. Customs wanted all the paperwork 3 full business days PRIOR to crossing the border (ie: arrive on Friday get cleared on the following Thursday). Not a big deal for us as we are 15 minutes from the border, but you being in Colorado are a little further away.