Frequently Asked Questions
Welcome to our new FAQ area! We will add more to this area as time goes on. Let us know if you have any questions.
1. Can I take my Japan spec right right hand drive (RHD) model back to the USA? Unfortunately, Japan spec models do not comply with USA Department of Transport or EPA regulations. So to bring a Japan model to the USA you have to make contact with a US Government approved Registered Importer (RI) who is authorized to make all necessary modifications. This work can only be done in the USA. Modification costs are quite high and time factor is usually long due to the amount of work required. Bottom line: it is not worth it!
2. Does a RI also modify a Japanese RHD car to make it a left hand drive? No. They stay as RHD.
3. How do I contact a USA Registered Importer to find out the exact cost of modifying my car to comply with US regulations? The US Government has a list on the following web site. You should contact the one nearest where you will be going. US Government Web Site
4. Can I take my Euro Spec left hand drive (LHD) BMW or Mercedes Benz model to the USA? As explained in answer one, these models also do not comply with USA regulations and must be modified by an authorized RI. Costs are similarly expensive. We sell genuine USA spec Benz & BMW models. Check out our current stock list to see what we now have or contact us for more details. See Current Stock List
5. What would happen if I find someone to ship my Japan spec or Euro spec car to the USA anyway without going through a RI? Most likely your vehicle will be impounded by US Customs and you will be given three options? These are: a. Have the car dismantled or destroyed within a certain time frame, b. Have the car shipped out to another country, c. Make an agreement with an authorized RI to modify the car to USA standards.
6. Is it worth the time and money to have my Nissan Skyline GT-R modified back in the USA? The going cost to modify a Skyline R32 model is $16,000 and we can ship it for you to the USA for $3000. We can sell you the car as well. The cost to modify an R33 model is about $25,000 and we can also provide the car for you.
7. What about adding custom lights in Japan?- The front "angel eye" lights and rear crystal tail lights sold in Japan are not US DOT approved lights. On a car like a BMW the cost to change out these lights back home with genuine DOT lights is about the same as here in Japan (about $1000 with new OEM parts and labor for a BMW 3 or 5 series). While you may not have any difficulty registering your car with these lights at the DMV back home, you may. We recommend that you have the lights changed out back home or that you keep the old original lights from the car.