Can you import ANY car to the US?

Question

This might sound, well... stupid... But, there are several cars that I have my eye on, but they are not sold in America... Like the fords and Chevrolets that are only sold in different countries, and also like, Nissans, Toyotas... you get the picture. As I said, there are a few that I have my eye on, but they're not sold in America... My question is, can I import any car that I would want to buy? Set price aside, it's irrelevant... I'm just wondering if this is possible, and how would I go about doing this?

Thanks a lot!!

Oh, and, not to sound rude, but please don't answer with comments such as "Buy American," because I don't care if it's American or not, I care about my personal comfort.

Thanks again!

Answer 1

First off you need to find out what vehicles can and cannot be legally imported, based on emissions and safety regulations, to start with. There are some vehicles that cannot be made to meet US standards. Don't forget, some of these vehicles could be pretty tough to get parts for after you import, as well, and you will have no warranty, of course. Here is a starting point.
http://www.importexporthelp.com/importing-cars.htm
http://www.foreignborn.com/visas_imm/entering_us/7importingyourcar.htm
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/

Answer 2

There are three conditions under which you can import a non-US market foreign vehicle.

The car is at least 25 years old. Importing is no problem, but registering the car may not be so easy in all states.

The car is historically or technologically significant, and no more than 500 examples were built. Then you can import it under "show and display." The number of miles you can drive per year is limited.
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/ShowDisplay/howtosd072003.html

The car has been approved for import, either because the vehicle has been proven (either through documentation from the manufacturer or independent engineering) to be either identical to an approved US model, or that it can be made to conform to US safety and emissions requirements. This can involve actually crash-testing the vehicle. This is very expensive. And it still requires you to use a registered importer, who will probably charge you a lot of money (many thousands, maybe tens of thousands) if any actual work is required to make the vehicle conform.

This is the list of vehicles which are already approved:
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/elig010807.pdf


In short, unless you're buying an old (1982 or earlier) car, a race car, or something you could buy in the US, forget it.


edit: The company that imported the Skyline went out of business due to fraud (they were importing cars that weren't approved, and they weren't doing some of the work they were supposed to).

It isn't a matter of US standards being higher. It's a matter of the US requiring things to be tested by US agencies, regardless of whether it's passed European or Japanese standards. In Europe, if a car has been approved for road use in Japan, they'll accept that in Europe, and vice-versa. The US does not participate in this arrangement.

Answer 3

You can only import a vehicle that is built to US safety and emissions standards and has the manufacturer's label to that effect attached to the door jamb.

A non-conforming vehicle can ONLY be imported by a licensed firm certified by the DOT and EPA to convert the vehicle to US safety and emissions standards.

Answer 4

Only cars that pass our emissions standards can be brought in. There are lighting standarsds also--the lights are sometimes different and thesafety equipment, seatbelts, air bags etc.

Answer 5

yes you can...
regardless of its emission standard and stuff.

for example, the Nissan Skyline was never sold in the US market, but there are quite a few of them out there on the street.
They were imported, and its steering wheel is mounted on the right side.