jav4820 wrote:I feel your pain!! REad my expereince
I'm form San Jacinto (Shepherd TX) county Texas but lived in europe and while there I bought a 96 GTST TURBO from the UK. Paid 7500GBP cash. I bought it in 2004 and drove it from london through the tunnel across europe into the Czech Republic where I lived and work. Wonderful Experience!!!
In late 2006 I wanted to move back to Texas and so had alot of cash with me, coordinated with shipping company and RI from TX and thought this would be enough to ship, change glass, door seats ect. through a RI.
It gets to customs and immediately they wanted to crush it and acted like they didnt want to release it so can ship back to EU! I called other RI from other states they didtn want to help at all, Ri companies said they did not deal with skylines unless$$$$. A nightmare! I had complete history from when I bought in UK and got it registered through a DMV like place in Prague. Perfectly street legal car which exceeded EU standards and legalities.
I shipped it back to CZE after almost 2 months and they charged me storage!!
My RI also changed their attitude and wanted way more money and it was not a garantee. THey say the DOCS I had were Skyline **** over email!! I was enraged. Dont deal with RI in TEXAS unless you want to get burned. I am not saying names. RI thing is a really a govt red tape that pits citizens against each other.
Matter in fact the GOVT do not want these cars in the US period!!! I see the folks here who post and I shake my head. They will find a way to take your car and make you spend the dough to get it back. YOu can also thank the idiots who race in heavy traffic and show no regards respect to life which causes the strict rules.
The Govt left it up to each port's discretion to decide if a skyline gets in or not. Believe it or not! My opinion is if it gets through then someone had a brother n law or a hook up somewhere. If it is legal then they paid out of the a$$.
I think after 25 years they will change the rules somehow to not let them in country. The person is right to say its sad that DHS cant find a real job to do/
In the mean time I have perm residency in CZE so good news the car is my name still. I definately pay my child support ... 250/month. I also maintain the INS. So in 13 years hopefully I can get it to USA. It sucks having to live in US and get to drive once a year when I visit but most importantly I get to see my son.
Thanks for Reading
Wow, hope that works out for you.
Just as a general update for everyone, i have still not received anything in writing as to the decision regarding me exporting the car. At the beginning of this ordeal i assumed exporting it would be as easy as 1-2-3, but its turning out to be questionable at best. I am crossing my fingers that they will allow me to do so.
I talk to the place that is storing the car, they say its there and being moved (dont you mean abused??) around the lot once in a while. Makes me wish i would have taken out the ECU or something so it wouldnt have even started...wasnt thinking at the time.
I realize now that this car is part of something larger than my individual case. It is and probably being held as evidence in a larger case against the original importer. That is the only reason i see why it is taking so long.
Hopefully the gov't has some type of sympathy and take my petition to heart....pray for me, it really sucks paying off a car that you dont have. Where's my bailout!!??