Importing RHD Toyotas to USA

[Protoman]

Greetings,

Has anyone here imported a full car into the USA from another country with Right Hand Drive sucessfully? I get varied responses from the DOT and NHTSA along with Registered Importers.. I know the vehicle is exempt from EPA requirements if over 21 years old, but the DOT exemption is only for over 25 years old. Some companies said the RHD cars can't be imported at all if there is no compliance to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) label from the manufacturer, even if the vehicle is basically the same as the US version aside from the RHD. Other times I've been told nonconpliant vehicles can be petitioned to be imported by the Registered Importer but crash data is needed... meaning, the car would be destroyed....?! I'm trying to import a RHD Camry and i'm not getting very far with all the agencies and companies not giving me a straight yes or no answer and at what cost. I have seen RHD Corollas and even Soarers along with other models we don't have in the states, but I can't figure out how its been done.

Thanks for any input!

[87-2LT]

The answers are here, but it'll take a couple of hours reading...http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=76210

[marapets2]

Yea i managed to get one using http://forum.ih8mud.com/showthread.php?t=76210
its one swell site :)

[DieselToyz]

That is more designed to work for older vehicles. Newer Hilux trucks (1990+) etc are not going to be easily imported unless you are in the military etc. If you are lucky enough to get one through customs, if you are caught stateside, it's a $25,000 per day fine. Definately a ballsy move. I think it's cheaper to import what you want in half cut form and then reassemble converting it to LHD.

[87-2LT]

Source for the "$25,000. per day fine"?

Previously reported cases either had the vehicle seized and crushed or were given a very short period of time to get the truck out of the US IIRC.

[wpenno]

They are routinely imported into Canada with no problems and i am sure that someone in the states must be doing this too. you can go to www.mustang.bc.ca and have a look at his stock or phone him and ask him if he knows anyone in the states that can supply what you are looking for. Barry is his name.

[87-2LT]

He was working with an eBay seller then called 'frugalfuels' who sold a Masterace van and a HJ61 on eBay last year. He and every other importer would love to be able to get JDM imports into the US, but it isn't going to happen. Individuals have found various ways under the radar or around the end of the fence, but that's it.

Originally Posted by wpenno

They are routinely imported into Canada with no problems and i am sure that someone in the states must be doing this too. you can go to www.mustang.bc.ca and have a look at his stock or phone him and ask him if he knows anyone in the states that can supply what you are looking for. Barry is his name.

[wpenno]

So are you saying that we in Canada can have these vehicles imported into the our country with no problems buy they still cannot be imported into the States?? I thought that we were both bound by the 15 year law and as long as the vehicle was older than that then there would not be a problem bringing it into the states. What will happen if i want to travel across the border? Will they allow my truck to enter the states??