shipping in pieces???

[i wanaskyline]

has anyone tried this? does it even work? I would think that customes would check the box and find the chassis.even if you set the car in 20 large boxes at tottaly different times i would think when the chassis came through they would stop it??? what yall think and has anyone done this?

[imwright1985]

it can kinda work depends on location and you would have to register as a kit, then govt can audit state and still inspect your vehicle and seise it. best bet is for skyline enthusiasts to try getting govt to allow for easier importation based on emmisions and RI qualifications or risking the kit approach. I found out that it is possible to utilise an obd2 comp to get a skyline running OK, Not great. and found out each emmissions inspection is about 2500 and the annual certificate for an ri is about 32k a year. Eaither way the govt is locked into an RI bringing the car into the USA and that sets up a kinda exclusive monopoly. If we can find an RI that would trust us gear heads that want the car just for the capibility to turn heads and not just invest cash for resale it would cost us about 10k to import an r33 which i just dont find feasable and the RI wouldnt make profit which makes it pointless since a car that is 11 years old would run about 17k to get in the USA doing the work yourself and not guarenteeing a return on becoming an RI or even breaking even. Im kinda tempted on getting my canadian friend to register a car for me for about 10 years then taking ownership.

[AZhitman]

Read the first thread in this forum.

[i wanaskyline]

I realize that its Illegal...thats not the question.but thanks hitman. my question is has anyone personaly done this this way and does anyone know if customs checks the boxes its shipped in, and if its all in separate boxes say 10 or so will they seize the box with the chassis or engine in it?Ive heard that it can work I just want to talk to someone who has. By the way Im moving to japan fo four years so ill be able to send it back on my own not getting jipped by somebody saying they can get it to me.

[Gold Digger]

By the way Im moving to japan fo four years so ill be able to send it back on my own not getting jipped by somebody saying they can get it to me.

Military or university student?

Have you researched just how hard it is to own a car, let alone get one?

First off, before you can purchase a car, you have to have a drivers license (International Drivers Permits won't allow you to buy a car). To get a licesne, you have to have an address. At said address, you have to have a parking space rented (if you live in an apartment or university dorm).

If you finance the car, you have to have a bank account open and a job for at least 6 months before you can get a loan. In order to get a bank account (at most banks) you have to be able to read, speak and write Japanese.

You will need the compulsory insurance, as well. Plus the shaken inspection every two years. There is also tax yearly, and depending on the size of the car/engine, the tax will increase to refelct the car.

Driving exams aren't to bad. The written one is a ten question quiz in English then a driving test. Thing is, if you make one, even small, mistake, you fail the driving test and have to wait before you can take it again. (Not sure on the wait.)

There are many little things that will get you, so be prepared when you come over here. Get a printout from your DMV stating when you got your current license, then get it notorized and have it translated into Japanese. Do it while you are still home to minimize the wait.

Owning a car is a great experience in Japan, just not as easy as everyone thinks.

Now, if you are military, if you are a single E-5 or below, I don't think you can own a car on base. Better check into that first.

[imwright1985]

when are you moving to japan, the USA has a 25year cluase where you can own a car that is 25 years old and import it legally much easier. Im tempted once i graduate joining military trying to get a tour where i can buy the car and just buy one 23 or so years old drive it while im there than once it turns 25 ship it back here. that leaves me at 2 1/2 years till i graduate, then with time in the military i could get about a 1991 skyline, stinks it would be so old but will probably be worth it

[i wanaskyline]

The question aint can I get a car because I already know i can. im DOD and married.the Question was has anyone done this and does customs check the boxes with the parts in them. I know you have the right to ship parts but will they stop the engine and chassis.

[AZhitman]

Well, the "chassis" on a unibody car is damn near the entire shell. Think about that.

Engine is no biggie, neither are the parts.

But bringing in an assemblage of parts with the intent to reconstruct a vehicle FROM said parts is also laid out in federal law.

[Gold Digger]

im DOD and married.

What branch and where will you be stationed? Hopefully mainland. I need some more people to hang out with...lol.

It gets lonely over here.

[Vandrel]

Stripping cars to a bare shell, and I mean bare... nothing on the frame, and putting them in a 20ft container all boxed and strapped down is perfectly legal to be shipped into the U.S. Just make sure you don't put any tires in the container cause they will pitch a fit about that.

Military guys in Oki do it all the time

[i wanaskyline]

thanks vandrel. I appreciate the answer...if you have any specifics like prices or details on the whole idea drop me an email. if anyone else has some input feel free to answer. Oh and by the way Gold digger ill be in misawa in december and ill be there for four years. It would be cool to have someone with experience with skylines to help me set mine up.

[Gold Digger]

Wow...Misawa...that's uuuber far from here. You are going to be up near Aomori, which is close to Hokkaido.

I am down near Tokyo...bummer. Why not Yokota AFB? Better car scene in Tokyo area.

[Vandrel]

If you are going to Misawa look up a shop called Eagle Auto Works, they have helped a hanful of guys get their cars back home.

[i wanaskyline]

sweet will do. If anyone else has any info on this subject Id like ur input as well...im weighing my options... which arn't very many lol.

[i wanaskyline]

If any one else has done this keep this forum going so we can keep the ideas flowing!