OT Import of used auto from India. Licensing questions

OK sorry for the OT but thought of all the folks out there in YT land there may be someone who could advise me on this.

Miss India has a nice Nissan SUV here that she loves. If it would be possible I would love to import it to Iowa.

Getting it here is NOT a concern. We will be bringing a container at some point and we can put that car in the box.

My question is what do I have to do to get it licensed in the states? Emmisions, safety etc that sort of jazz? Of course the headlights would have to be changed since they drive on the other side of the road but that I can look into.

So has anyone out here done this? What problems did you run into?

Thanks

JT

Unless it meets DOT regulations for safety, emissions, etc., I do not think it is possible.

Until recently the old VW bugs were still made in lating America, but they could never be imported here because they did not meet gubment requirements.

You have to locate a DOT certified converter, which are usually located close to major ports ie. Long Beach, SF, Baltimore, etc. make arrangements with him to recieve the car from a shipping broker, run the car through the certifaction process which it may not pass. You can not do this process yourself. When I did it it was $2500 a pop or each try which was 10 years ago. I would strongly recommend you forget the idea unless it is a valuable classic.

Thanks Dennis

Just the answer I was looking for. Car isn't a classic just one she likes and doesn't make sense to keep it here for the times were are in India but if we sell it she will take a huge hit on depreciation.

Nissan's are imported new here and the duties are huge to bring stuff into India. There is a huge push for domestic production. Made it a pretty spendy car for her when she bought it. Just thought I would see what it would take. When I get a chance I will look into the certification deal but guessing it will be out of line.

jt

Still working out the edit function here.

John, can it be converted to tracks and skis (LOL). How's your road this morn? I hear the east-west ones are not good. Jim

Considered a gray market product. EPA requirements have you dead on arrival.

Is there any chance it was built to specs that would pass US standards? It is possible that if its a US model shipped to India it could pass. This is somewhat unlikely as most are built and sold in the US now but you never know. If its RH drive you should probably forget it. Good luck.

I suspect it's almost impossible. Canada is more lax, but even some odd-ball stuff that IS allowed into Canada is never allowed into the USA. And even that stuff cannot be new, as I recall (must have a certain amount of miles on it). Too bad, because there are some pretty need small SUVs with small turbo-diesels that I'd love to own.

Not long ago, a group of investors tried to market a small diesel car - used in England as a taxi cab - into the USA. As far as I know, they never made it. Just got way too expensive.

I've heard that not counting Federal regs, some states have relaxed some regs and are letting some odd-ball stuff in. Mostly out west.

I don't know what it is like now days but I know years ago if you where in the service and where stationed over seas and had a car there they would ship it here and you did not have problems but again that was back in the 70s so things may have changed plus it also may have been a military thing and being able to do things others can not get away with

you can bring it in,, but you cant drive in on public roads... or license it. Bill Gates has a car he bought that is in the same circumstance.. He drives it around his estate every now and then. You could by a nisson over here about the same year, get it licensed and hmmmmmm.....

Of course the headlights would have to be changed since they drive on the other side of the road but that I can look into.

WHY????whould headlights have to be changed because they drive on the other side of the road?

Different headlights.
The low beam is designed to cut off most of the pattern from shining into on-coming traffic, shine more onto the shoulder.
For those of us who drive on the right side, the pattern toward the left is cut off. For those countries that drive on the left, the right side pattern is cut off.
HTH
Willie

Lots of guys in California trying to figure out how to import some of those VW Bugs that you see all over in Mexico. They have the same problems with DOT and EPA certifications that you will run into.

Sell it and buy her a USA certified vehicle.

You might contact the U.S. Embassy. They might know something about importing personal vehicles, or at least point you in the right direction. But, expect the usual red tape and delays. It might be worth the try though. If it were me, I'd sell it, and buy new over here just to avoid the hassle of dealing with the bureaucracy. JMHO. C.L.

Sure would be fun to try. Just to make the govt. look up and explain the logic in all there silly rules.

Years back when working for dealer had a Puegot 304 brought in by customer - shipped from France to dealer- Customs tried to confiscate but we had paperwork showing was a used personal car that dealer was just accomidating. Still had to bring it to US pollution standards and have inspected as the model had not been certified for US market- passed inspection 3rd try and lady then allowed to register and drive it. Some of military members in church and the local shafty motorcycle club have brought back cars from overseas- most of them were US speced, some of the older used models had to meet basic EPA rules of time of manufacture to be registered. Extra bumpers, new brake master cylinder needed on some. VW beetles from Mexico were being brought into a couple Texas dealerships- bumpers and brakes were US standards, rollbar from SCTA supplier took care of DOT rollover standards and they were running on LP gas so EPA gave them a pass as clean alternate fuel vehicles. The fuel conversion was cheap- the Mexico City beetle cabs had been running the LP gas for a couple years and Mexican equipment was off the shelf. Power was about 35/40 horsepower instead of 50 hp but good torque curve. India has had some tight pollution laws past few years especially for imports- quite possible the vehicle may already meet US EPA specs. Right hand drive is no real problem- one lady in church has a Subaru with right hand drive, headlights can be quick swap. Check the manufacturers tags for codes for market/designation standards, see if Transportation codes match US specs. As long as it's used personal vehicle not meant for resale the tightest crash equipment standards and insturment equipment rules won't be applied- as in left side steering wheel and English insturments. A Indian Registration dated at least a year old will be helpfull- unless you're trying to bring it into California the EPA and Customs people tend to do a paperwork check then let state do inspection for road use. In Illinois that means basic count the wheels, count the seats, guess the weight, pass the tail pipe test and payoff inspector. For extra $100.00 bill to inspector - just drive in and pay, pick up plates and registration 15 minutes later(at least it was a couple years back). If you were to Register it in someplace like North Dakota, might be quicker and easier, mostly legal. RN

"Bill Gates has a car he bought that is in the same circumstance"

Bill Gates got Bill Clinton to change the laws allowing him to import the 400+HP Porsche. I'm thinking big jt doesn't have pockets quite that deep.

The first place to check is with the people you have to satisfy: US Customs. See the link below for the full scoop.

If it's a late model car you might as well forget it, since it must be modified to meet safety and emissions standards in effect the year it was manufactured.
Customs and Border Patrol Importing Motor Vehicles

(quoted from post at 10:13:50 02/15/10) John, can it be converted to tracks and skis (LOL). How's your road this morn? I hear the east-west ones are not good. Jim

Click to expand...

Jim

You are a lot closer to the road in front of my place than I am right now. I am over in India. Weather is nice here would guess it is in the 50's, and dusty which is normal for here.