Skyline Sunday

"JDMatt" (JDMatt)
02/22/2015 at 18:10 • Filed to: SKYLINE, GTR, 5th Gear, Tiff Nedell

This Semester I'm putting together a large report about Importing a Nissan Skyline GTR into the USA for my Import/Export management class. As I am procrastinating on this assignment, I am watching youtube videos about the Nissan Skyline to get in the mood.

I have been a Big fan of the R32, R33, and R34; and whenever I'm outside of the US I get really really excited when I see a GTR. I will credit gran turismo, the fast and the furious movies, and Need for Speed Underground for making me a GTR fan boy.

This report -which gets submitted in sections- will make me break down what the Skyline R32 is like a customs agent. I have to include things like the HTS #, the materials it's made out of (steel, rubber, glass, etc.), and the usage of the product. For the purpose of the project, I will (hypothetically) be importing the Skyline from Japan as opposed to driving a skyline across the border from Canada. Later in the semester I will need to contact real importers about hypothetically importing a Skyline GTR to the USA. Lucky for me, my professor's day job deals with shipping goods via container ships between Yokohama and Oakland, so perhaps I could go to her office hours and ask her what she would charge me to import the car.

Sadly, I don't think I can register the car in California. Our Smog regulations are too strict, and I personally wouldn't want to go through the hassle of registering the car in another state after spending so much time and money on importing the car into the USA.

DISCUSSION (9)

Clown Shoe Pilot > JDMatt
02/22/2015 at 18:19

You're aware that Doug Demuro is currently importing a Skyline and writing articles about it, right? If you need sources, I'll bet he could hook you up.

OUTFOXEM > JDMatt
02/22/2015 at 18:28

I personally wouldn't want to go through the hassle of registering the car in another state after spending so much time and money on importing the car into the USA.

This doesn't make any sense. Surely the "hassle" of registering the car in another state must pale in comparison to importing a car into the USA? If you can go through all of that, why not finish the job?

Right next door is Nevada, where most counties don't require ANY smog testing at all.

JDMatt > Clown Shoe Pilot
02/22/2015 at 19:15

I am 1,000% aware of the fact that Doug DeMuro is importing a Skyline into the USA! I've been keeping up with his exploits on jalopnik he took a CTS-V wagon drag racing.

I can use Google to research facts, reviews, press releases, magazine articles, pictures, and import restrictions pertaining to the Nissan Skyline. I won't bother Doug about stuff I could find on the internet. What I'll have to reach out to Doug (as well as Japanese Classics LLC) about are things such as the cost of a R32 Skyline at EXW, FAS, FOB, CFR, and CIF.

Ferrero1911 > OUTFOXEM
02/22/2015 at 19:18

Importing a car into the US is MUCH easier and less expensive than conforming a car to meet CARB standards in California or registering a car in another state. Registering a car in another state is not possible for everyone. You have to actually have an address there and then drive the car there to register it. Vegas is a 5 hour drive from LA with no traffic, not exactly right next door.

Also, the police in LA are pretty wise to this ploy and they can and will write you a ticket that would require you to register your car in California or remove it from the state.

JDMatt > OUTFOXEM
02/22/2015 at 19:24

Honestly, fear of getting caught. The CHP eventually catches on to Californians who drive on Nevada or Oregon plates for extended periods of time. For those people, they just get a fix-it ticket and get forced to registered the car in California.

By the same logic: Mexico is also next door to California. If I wanted to obtain a GTR through the black market I may as well register a R34 in Baja California and pretend to be on a really long vacation.

Ferrero1911 > JDMatt
02/22/2015 at 19:31

I'm an importer! I'd be happy to answer any questions you have. Like Clown Shoe Pilot said, Doug Demuro has been writing about doing exactly what you're talking about, so you can probably get most of your answers from his articles. You can email me at corinne@roadtripmotorcars.com if you have any questions.

911e46z06 > Ferrero1911
02/22/2015 at 21:27

Don't tell anyone, but the Clay County, South Dakota Treasurer will register anything you've got as long as you have a US address.

They're super cool. That's what all the Californians who leave cars down in Baja do. Keeps us from having to make a two thousand mile trek every 2 years just to get a car smogged.

911e46z06 > JDMatt
02/22/2015 at 21:27

Pretty sure your prof has never heard of Doug Demuro. You're probably good to just copy and paste that shit.

JDMatt > 911e46z06
02/22/2015 at 21:37

If only it were that easy. My teacher hasn't heard of Doug Demuro but she's heard of Turn-it-in.