Questions About Importing To U.s

[PARADISNUTS]

I'm a first time LEXUS owner.I just got a 2000' IS300 / RS200(ALTEZZA) and I was wondering what modifications do I need to do to it to bring it back to the States and be able to drive it right off the bat.I've heard of side impact doors and shatter proof winshields but I was just seeking info from anybody that has experience with importing from Japan or anybody else that might know anything about the subject.

[bartkat]

This can be difficult as the car must be converted to US spec. I think they will hold the car until the conversion and testing/inspection is complete.

Here is the general info and some links to US rules.

If you are in the US  :

This is information about importing the JDM car into the US.

As you may know, all the Japanese specifications vehicles (JDM car) are Right Hand Drive. Unfortunately, it is difficult to import JDM cars into the US at present except the 25 years or older model. It is because you have to obtain the approval from the DOT and the EPA in order to import the JDM car and it needs to legalize a car when it will reach to the US port.

Let me advise you that unless you wish to present crash test data for any Right Hand Drive car, it cannot legally be imported to the US. This is prohibitively expensive as a vehicle must be crashed to obtain the data, and we do not support the crash test data. Also the JDM car probably do not meet the US emission standard. And after 1996 models probably need to install the OBD2 system in order to pass the emission standard.

For your information, here is a link of the US importing information.

EPA : http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/quikover.htm

DOT : http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

US customs : http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/xp/cgov/import/

As of Oct 2003 the ONLY RHD JDM allowed for import into US is 1990-1999 Skyline GTS GTR. The vehicle must go to US conversion company (est 8k-18k USD) to meet US DOT standards. And you have to give them a returnable "bond" of 150% of vehicle value until conversion is done. If you get caught with an illegal one on the roads it will be confiscated and destroyed at YOUR cost.

NOTE : We J's Garage Export do not support any import procedure. The buyer is responsible for any necessary procedures, or any transfers, or any modifications for them to import the car.

Here is a page of links to other general info on importing cars.

http://www.j-garage.com/

Link to JDM exporting/importing.

http://www.j-garage.com/imports.htm

[SKperformance]

In order to import a car you have to prove it is the same as the US version.

But it isn;t not close

you need new bumpers with US spec rebars

and the headlights have to be dot spec not JDM

easy enough to change back after it is imported and passed inspections