By now you may have heard that the first legally imported R32 Nissan Skyline has made it’s way to onto US soil, with the NHTSA’s blessing. It seems incredible that the R32 Nissan Skyline is now legal for import into the United States, and it has almost every Nissan fan wondering just how to legally import a R32 Skyline.
What is the R32 Nissan Skyline?
Quite possibly one of the most famous import supercars in existence, the Skyline GTR is recognized as the grandfather to today’s technologically charged imports. The Skyline was first produced in 1957 as a luxury sedan by Prince Motors, the Skyline as we know it didn’t exist until 1989 well after the Prince Motors and Nissan / Datsun merger in 1966.
The 1989 Nissan Skyline GTR was the first to carry the Godzilla moniker, and powered by the RB26DET it carried racers to the winners podium well into the late 2000s with the R34 Skyline. Much like the current model of GT-R, the R32 was dominant from the get-go, captured 29 straight victories in the Japanese Touring Car Championship.
The GTR would remain a huge part of every import enthusiasts wish lists, which led to many illegal and gray market imports from Canada. This kind of illegal activity has been frowned upon by the NHTSA, and they go to great lengths to locate, obtain and crush these illegal Skylines. There is a big risk involved whenever you are importing any kind of vehicle into the United States, which is why you want to learn how to legally import a R32 Skyline.
Why is it legal now?
Anytime you import a vehicle into the United States, it must comply with all the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) regulations. This may include any number of changes that the NHTSA requires before they deem your imported vehicle as street legal or DOT legal. All vehicles that are imported into the United States must follow this strict guideline, unless they are more than 25 years old.
The official statement from the NHTSA :
“to be imported free of restriction, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must be originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS and bear a label certifying such compliance that is permanently affixed by the vehicle’s original manufacturer.”
The Nissan Skyline R32 is just the right age for import enthusiasts to begin importing these legally, and Trevor Cobb is the first American to own a legally imported R32 Nissan Skyline. This process is still very new and you can expect some headaches and initial confusion or difficulty, depending on what state you live in however. That’s what our How To Legally Import a R32 Skyline guide is for, to help you figure out what you need to do to legally import a Nissan Skyline.
What forms do I need to legally import a Nissan Skyline?
EPA 3520-1 Form – This EPA form is part of the packet you must submit for your imported vehicle, stating what year it was manufactured and country of origin.
Who gets this form? U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Homeland Security must receive a copy of this form for each motor vehicle (including motorcycles, disassembled vehicles, kit cars, light-duty vehicle/motorcycle engines) imported into the U.S.
HS-7 Form – This form is the official statement and declaration that your vehicle is 25 years or older, and manufactured on a date where no FMVSS standards were in effect.
Who gets this form? U.S. Customs and Border Patrol must receive this form, filled out with the year ( in this case 1989 ) and the purpose of usage for the vehicle in question. Ideally you want BOX 1 checked, which recognizes that your vehicle is more than 25 years old and meets all the requirements asked of it.
How do I begin?
To begin you will need to find a reputable importer, one that’s familiar with the entire process of locating, transporting, disassembling and importing a Nissan Skyline. Unfortunately there’s a lot of false promises and fly-by-night companies that you would do well to avoid. Make sure to do your homework when it comes to your Registered Importer so that you are not confused or get something you didn’t expect.
Having problems and need someone to help you out? Give us a call at 1-888-776-7022 and we’ll be more than happy to point you in the right direction to import your Skyline. Finding an experienced importer and handler will go a long way in you actually driving your R32, or having it sit in some remote government building collecting dust.
Problems you may encounter
You knew this part was coming didn’t you? Like anything related to the government and driving cars, it’s never an easy task and importing a Nissan Skyline is no different.
Parts – Your R32 must be completely bone stock, meaning equipped with all the factory components from Nissan. Also your engine must be used or used and rebuilt in order to comply with the NHTSA. Also all catalytic converters, oxygen sensors, and charcoal canisters must be new, original equipment parts.
Registration – Just because the NHTSA and EPA, both national government entities are okay with a 25 year old car on public streets, doesn’t mean that your state DMV office feels the same way. Do your homework on this front, and ask those in your state or your local municipality on details regarding registering an imported Nissan Skyline.
Additional Forms – Depending on the method you are using to import a Nissan Skyline, there may be additional forms to fill out and / or complete to get the job done.
Additional Fees – It’s not cheap importing a vehicle, as anyone who has done it before can tell you. There’s going to be lots of unexpected fees or tariffs involved, so if you are determined to import one yourself, make sure you have an emergency fund or enough funds to do the job right.
Price Range of Importing a R32 Skyline
Our friends at N1 Concepts and the importers at International Vehicle Imports tell us that a good range for cost on importing a R32 Nissan Skyline is between 12-20 thousand dollars. A small price to pay for one of the most unique and incredible machines Japan has ever built. Many people go into learning how to legally import a R32 Skyline but do not think about the financial costs involved.
Why would the government destroy Skylines?
Under 49 U.S.C. 30141(a)(l)(A),a motor vehicle that was not originally manufactured to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards shall be refused admission into the United States unless NHTSA has decided that the motor vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle originally manufactured for importation into and sale in the United States,
certified under 49U.S.C. 30115, and of the same model year as the model of the motor vehicle to be compared, and is capable of being readily altered to conform to all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards.
Where there is no substantially similar U.S.-certified motor vehicle, 49U.S.C.30141(a)(l)(B) permits a nonconforming motor vehicle to be admitted into the United States if its safety features comply with, or are capable of being altered to comply with, all applicable Federal motor vehicle safety standards based on destructive test data or such other evidence as NHTSA decides to be adequate.
Need more Nissan Skyline news and How-Tos? What did you think of our How To Legally Import a R32 Skyline article? Leave us a comment below and let us know!
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Hi I’m interested in importing a R33 like your Project R33. Is that possible?
The R34 is the one I’d rather have. U can switch from Awd to Rwd. Badass
[…] : As of late 2014 Skyline R32’s have been importable and 100% legal to own in the US. Click here for more information on the how to import a Skyline […]