Any info on exporting an FPV to America?

[crYnOid]

This was posted by someone on a US forum about importing aus cars into the US. It should give a good brief overview.

Been through this before (about 3 years ago) when I ran into a guy who had a Falcon Ute in Long Beach, and being part of the US DOT at the time, and a big Holden fan, looked into the regs and what hoops you have to jump through. It's far quicker if I just recall and write than it is to search the past 3 or so years, so here's the scoop on this:

1. First of all, California's DMV isn't the federal government. The Feds have jurisdiction over anything that enters the country, and sets the regs for it. Any car that enters the United States is subject to regulations from US Customs (fees, taxes, & duties), but also must pass EPA (smog), NHTSA and DOT regs (crash testing, mandated safety equptment, etc). Don't go through any of these, and the car rots on the pier.

2. The biggest and only loophole is bringing a car to the US for "research" or "personal use". The personal use clause if I remember is for 12 months, after which the car must be removed from the US. You can bring it back again as many times as you like, but just like a visa it can't stay permanently. This includes all those cars from Ford of Australia and Holden.

3. States enforce this rule by granting limited registration. But you have to have all your federal papers BEFORE you're going to be allowed to register your vehicle. Some states you may not have to register your car, but then you can always be pulled over at any time to have the car's papers checked. States have jurisdiction over anything on public roads. Don't think they won't pull you over. Don't think they won't impound the thing if something's wrong.

4. Finally, I believe there is also the option of bringing it over for "Off Road Use Only" or as part of a "Private Collection", which will get you past safety regs that's used on a couple of exotic cars and for car museums. Not sure if that gets you past EPA or not. Bottom line is it won't see the street.


As a result of these hurdles to jump, most of the 1 off cars that are federalized for public roads tend to be high level exotic cars or companies that not only have the capita to do it, but can sell enough of these cars to make a profit.