If you are looking to either import, or buy a Nissan Skyline there are a few things you should know about the title and registration process. In the United States vehicles over twenty five years old are Department of Transportation (DOT) exempt from meeting Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards(FMVSS). At over twenty one years old cars are Environmental Protection Agency(EPA)exempt in original configuration. If the car is newer than 25 years old, it still might be possible to import it under the Show or Display exemption, but check out that page for more information.To meet California direct import requirements, the car must be older than 1975. To have a newer car meet California requirements, it is very expensive, and sometimes near impossible to comply. http://www.importavehicle.info/2013/04/ ... newer.html
The first things are always to look for documentation on the vehicle. Without documentation, you don't want the car. It is the sellers responsibility to have documents. If they don't have them, the best thing is to pass, and find the next seller that has all the required documents. If you buy a car without proper documentation, you may not be able to title and register it in your state. If someone is selling you a car, you also want to see if they are legally allowed to sell cars. There are importers out there, selling cars, that aren't legal car dealers. Florida has the most shady importers of all. If a car has a Florida title, you should about run away from it. is-rivsu-a-licensed-car-dealer-in-florida-t586520.html It was probably done wrong. Probably illegally imported, and subject to seizure. No one wants to lose their car, so know what to look for.
If you need help legally importing cars then check out -http://www.Importavehicle.com or on Facebook - https://www.Facebook.com/importavehicle
Every state has its own requirements to register a vehicle. Normal requirements for title/registration are:
Dereg/Export Certificate
Translated copy
HS7 (NHTSA entry document)
3520-1 (EPA entry document)
7501 (Customs import form showing tariff paid)
Bill of sale/invoice
Application
Some states require an inspection/VIN verification
California VIN verification form http://apps.dmv.ca.gov/forms/reg/reg31.pdf
The best thing you can do, if you are trying to register a foreign titled/25 year old car is to use a Department of Motor Vehicles service similar to AAA. A service wants to help you get your car registered and titled. The state run DMV's, generally you put something in front of them that they aren't familiar with, and they will deny you. Don't get mad, take notes on exactly what they want. Get their name. Get their supervisors name. There are times they ask for documents that customs has, or takes. Occasionally they ask for things that can't be produced. Normally with the specific requirements, and the regulations, the error of what they are asking for can be corrected.
California can figure out how to use the chassis number, so can your state
A 25 year old Japanese car doesn't have a 17 digit VIN/Chassis number. This short VIN, can give some DMV's fits. They don't know how to handle it. Vehicles over 25 years old are not required to meet FMVSS standards, so they aren't required to have a 17 digit VIN. Some states may have some specific title requirements, but please read this newsletter from the NHTSA before they "assign" a VIN to your vehicle. At a state DMV it is easier for the person at the desk to deny you, than help you. So keep this in mind when trying to register cars over 25 years old.
NHTSA Newsletter - Can my vehicle have two VIN numbers. http://www.importavehicle.info/2014/03/ ... in.html%20
Even Ebay has problems with vehicles 1981 or newer and short VIN/Chassis numbers.
More resources:
Nissan Skyline GT-R Buyers Guide -http://www.gtrusablog.com/2013/08/nissa ... guide.html
This is the reason the Nissan Skyline is illegal in the US - http://www.gtrusablog.com/2011/03/this- ... ne-is.html
Direct import of vehicles 1975 or newer into California - http://www.importavehicle.info/2013/04/ ... newer.html
SEMA Guide to Registration and Titling in All 50 States - http://www.importavehicle.info/2011/01/ ... n-and.html
Is my imported car legal? - http://www.importavehicle.info/2011/11/ ... legal.html
Facebook.com/importavehicle - https://www.Facebook.com/importavehicle
Importavehicle.com - http://www.Importavehicle.com
