I've been keeping a home in Costa Rica for the past five years, but we've decided to return to the States in North Carolina and not return to Costa Rica in the upcoming years. I have a '94 Land Cruiser that I bought from the original owner several years ago here in CR. The odometer is in kilometers, but it converts to only 92,000 miles currently. I bought it with about 80K miles. It runs perfectly in all regards. It has always been garaged and serviced properly, and is in really superb condition. It is carb'd, has a five speed manual transmission, a perfect cloth interior with 3rd row seats, AC, manual front lockers, and obviously is not full time 4WD. In returning to the States, I've been told that given that this vehicle has such low miles, is in beautiful condition, with a five speed manual transmission rather than automatic, that it might be an attractive find for someone in the States. So, I'm thinking of container shipping it to the US, and load it with some of our personal belongings. I'm probably going to keep it rather than selling it once there, but I was wondering if I could solicit comments as to its potential for sale once Stateside. Thanks in advance for any input.
Transporting '94 Land Cruiser to States
- Thread starter talegate
- Start date
This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, Skimlinks, and others.
inkpot
SILVER Star
I thought there were limits that non DOT rigs had to be over 25 years old?
- Thread starter
- #3
Not sure about the 25 year thing. When I was in the States last, I asked the DMV about bringing the car into North Carolina. I told them it was a '94 and they said there was no problem, and to just register it in NC when I get it there. No special import tax will be levied........just the usual registration fees. I asked specifically if there were any smog modifications I would have to comply with, and they said no. North Carolina's environmental requirements seem minimal, just an annual cursory safety inspection. I will obviously have to do some follow up regarding the actual government requirements before I act, but I was just trying to get a feel as to resale potential once I have the vehicle stateside.
inkpot
SILVER Star
I was thinking more of Federal law.
Importing section of this forum has plenty of really good info on this topic.
Off the top of my head, I think you're going to have to find an importer to handle it for you. You can do it yourself, but you have to pay something like a $10k bond just to file the paperwork. A state DMV worker isn't going to know anything about federal importation laws.
- Thread starter
- #7
I will definitely find the right government source to make sure I'm doing this correctly; I do doubt that DMV person was equipped to make an informed opinion. The link on "importing" previously mentioned was very helpful. What is the best way to determine the date that the 25 year clock start? Is it the build date, first sell date, or what? The only date I can find on the title paperwork under the caption "Fecha", which is "Date", is 11/11/94. Is that when the clock starts? I saw a reference in one of the write-ups of being able to get a one year reprieve, but I think the conditions under which that is granted has to do with a vehicle entering the States, but returning to its home country within 12 months. I'm wondering that since I'm 23 1/4 year from the 11/11/94 date, if I could wait to ship until Nov. 2018 before shipping, which would be 24 years, and file for a one year exemption. Time is not my friend here.
So, to be sure, your rig is gas, not diesel, right? If So, the only major difference would be the 5 speed trans from a U.S. spec rig. Maybe that will play in your favor?
To your original question, I think it would command a higher than market price. Any well maintained LC with low miles is valuable, and the rarity of the 5 speed will only add to its appeal.
The thing you haven't mentioned is rust. I can't imagine a tropical climate has been kind to the frame and body. This could negatively affect the value if it's an issue.
If I were in your shoes I would really dial in the cost of transport and importation. That could negate any potential for profit once it's stateside.
Any pictures?
The thing you haven't mentioned is rust. I can't imagine a tropical climate has been kind to the frame and body. This could negatively affect the value if it's an issue.
If I were in your shoes I would really dial in the cost of transport and importation. That could negate any potential for profit once it's stateside.
Any pictures?
- Thread starter
- #10
To the earlier question of fuel type, yes it's gas. The other thing that seems to be different, but not better, is that mine is carb'd, not fuel injected, and it also has a factory auxiliary fuel tank and visor area-mounted fuel gauge for the second tank, as well as an altimeter. I was under the impression that the 80 Series that were imported to the US were all automatics, full time 4WD. I suppose one would think not having that fulltime feature would improve gas mileage; I cannot attest to that being true. I just don't know. Most of the Land Cruisers I've seen also seem to have leather interiors, but again, not better, mine is cloth and it is in impeccable condition front to back . There is absolutely no rust. I'm the second owner. Both the original owner and myself always have had the car garaged and regularly serviced, him by the Toyota dealership, and me by a first class shop here in Costa Rica that specializes in Toyota. There are only two things wrong with this vehicle: 1) is the that the rear defroster dash button light does not illuminate, unimportant in Costa Rica, but very important in North Carolina, and 2) the odd little knob on the dash just under the ignition switch, which is supposed to be twisted or pulled, allowing the RPMs to be locked at a higher level, presumably for use with a winch. I intend to resolve both of these nitnoids before shipping to the States. Right now, my biggest concern is how to deal with the 25 year rule, given my rig is 23 1/4 years old. I'm hoping to hold off shipping till November 2018; that's the 24 year anniversary and I hope to petition at that time, if that's possible, to be allowed to bring it to the States. Perhaps a promise that the vehicle will be garaged until its 25 birthday and never have tires on the highway until then, might work. Not sure how much flexibility I have here. Logic says that if I ship a 24 year old Land Cruiser that I officially own in Costa Rica to the US, and pick that vehicle at the US port with a trailer, and tow it home, leave it in the garage for a year, that should work. But, logic does not always prevail. I'd really hope to garner a 12 month reprieve, and be able to drive it. I may be naïve in this regard, however. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated.
- Thread starter
- #11
I was asked for a photo. I'm not sure I've attached them correctly but here are two pictures.
It can not be legally imported into the United States until it reaches 25 years of age (from the manufacture date on the ID plate).
Cool truck by the way.
Cool truck by the way.
A 94 model means next year it will be eligible for import. Doesn’t matter when in the 94 year it was born.
Your turn is next year !
Your turn is next year !
The NC "safety only" inspection for pre-OBD2 vehicles includes a visual smog tampering inspection. I don't think we have any counties that still use a sniffer test for emissions which means any vehicle without an OBD2 port (generally only pre-1996) is exempt *. Some inspection shops are incredibly picky about this but it's getting to be that more and more places have no idea of what a carburetor is, let alone what is OEM equipment. It doesn't sound like you've desmogged or altered the equipment so you should be fine, but like others said, the importation rule is Federal instead of State.
* I'm about to take my 1994 for inspection with a nice bright orange CEL. Happens every year. There's nothing they can do about it, but that same light on 1996+ for any reason is an automatic fail.
Incorrect. Import eligibility is based on the actual manufacture date of the vehicle being imported, not model-year.
Importing classic or antique vehicles / cars for personal use
2fpower
SILVER Star
when you bring it over, load up the back with more 5 speeds and auxillary tanks.
Yep, Dan has it correct, again !
Thanks for clarifying....
Thanks for clarifying....
- Thread starter
- #18
Forgive my ignorance, but after reading the link, I'm still unclear as to the difference between the "21 Year" verbiage vs. the "25 Year". I understand that if my car was 25 years old (using the manufacture date as start of the calendar), I would be golden. My car reflects a date of Nov 1994, so I assume I have to wait till around Nov 2019 to be completely legit. The linked article for "21 Year" old vehicles however says "there are no EPA compliance requirements upon importation". Is there a chance I could go ahead and ship it now by container (which by Costa Rica law requires that it be removed from the Costa Rica national registry, and the plates removed. Since it would have no plates, which would be a beacon for the Highway Patrol if I attempted to drive it, say from Savannah (presuming I could use that port), I wonder if I could put it on a trailer and roll into my garage in NC, and leave it there until it becomes legal? Just trying to be creative, and stay within the boundaries of the federal and state laws.
Only if you get a letter from Toyota stating that particular motor vehicle meets ALL applicable US DOT standards as of the date of manufacture.
That is not going to happen.
That is not going to happen.
inkpot
SILVER Star
IIRC, that includes both emissions and safety items like safety glass and seat belts.
