I'm posting my experience dealing with the communist state of Maine regarding my recent JDM 100 purchase and import from Canada in hopes that it may help another member as well as create more awareness for the vehicles that we're passionate about. I recently purchased (3/26) 2001 LC100 that was legally imported into Canada from Japan 2 years ago. It came with every possible document that one might need to facilitate import and registration into the US. Prior to purchase, I went to my local city hall to make sure that I could legally register it after importing under the 25 year rule. The very helpful folks at city hall contacted the bureau of motor vehicles in Augusta to confirm. Augusta advised the to refer to the state BMV manual for clarification. After doing so and printing out the relevant 2 pages for me, I was informed that I could indeed legally register and drive my JDM LC100 on Maine roads. They also issued me a 7 day transit plate. Knowing that I was on solid legal ground, I went ahead and sold my Tundra then purchased an immaculate RHD diesel 100. I had it shipped from Calgary, Alberta to Montreal and planned to drive it across the border at Champlain, NY. I had completed my DOT HS-7 declaration, EPA 3520 and CBP 7501 forms in advance, flew to Montreal and picked up my LC at the freight terminal. Once I arrived at the border crossing, I was directed to another building to have the 7501 stamped and pay the required duty. Be advised that if you import a vehicle from Canada into the US, you WILL be charged a tariff on top of the duty. Once the LC was inspected (the Customs guys loved it!), paperwork was stamped and tariffs/duty were paid, I proceeded across the border, took the ferry across Lake Champlain and drove backroads all the way back to Maine. Glorious! Until the following Monday. I took the day off to deal with registration. I arrived early at the Augusta BMV only to be told by a supervisor that they refuse to register my LC as it's not legal to drive in Maine roads. I supplied her with copies of all the relevant documentation along with the pages from the Maine BMV manual showing that I exceed the criteria for registration. She gave me a hard no and suggested that I take it up with the secretary of state which I did out of principle. The deputy secretary of state surprisingly reached back out to me the same day and after a 20 minute call, she asked me to email her all of my paperwork along with a synopsis of what happened at BMV. A week later, she forwarded an email back from the director of BMV backing up everything the supervisor had said and still refusing to register my LC as it didn't meet federal safety/emissions (exempt under the 25 year rule) and a short VIN. I informed her that 17 character VIN's weren't standardized until 1981. Long story short, they STILL wouldn't issue a registration. I ended up using the Montana loophole (not cheap) but it was the only way to legally register my vehicle and drive it in Maine.
Hopefully this helps. Please don't hesitate to PM me with any questions.
Hopefully this helps. Please don't hesitate to PM me with any questions.
