S13 Power wrote:This is out of topic but its still on importing...i read on the site from the NHTA that if it the model is similar to a model sold in the US you could get around that as long as you do the other mods to comply with DOT and EPA. does anyone know if this is true or did i read it wrong. Also the registered importer gets u all the paperwork ready, customs and the bonding charge which i have no idea what that is. Then the RI(registered importer) does all the mods needed, for a charge of course, but nothing outrages like 20 or 30k more. Anyone have any more info? So lets say i want to import for example a 00' prelude. the same model is sold here in the U.S. Do i still got to the crash testing and all that crap besides the EPA and DOT mods?
Yes, all of that is true. You can legally import any car that is "similar" to a USDM one. However, the problem is that a Skyline (and also Silvia) are not "similar" to a USDM model according to the DOT. The Skyline is not "similar" because, well, it isn't. There's nothing remotely close to it over here. The Silvia is not similar because the engines offered overseas are not the same as the ones in the U.S.
If you want to catch up on all the current laws for importing cars, go to
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
That should clear up just about any questions regarding the matter. As for importing cars as kit cars, as some have mentioned, then read
http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/kitcar.htm
If you read both those sites thoroughly, you will have a good understanding of what actually is involved.