Buying Your Own JDM Car Part 4: Papers Please!
Now, let’s discuss the federal side
of importing a JDM car.
Whether you get a car through a broker
or through an importer there are several forms you should end up
getting that will be needed when it comes to registering your Skyline
or other JDM vehicle.
First is the Japanese Export
Certificate. This is basically a document that states this car was
de-registered and cleared for sale and export out of the country.
It’s not really a title as American DMVs use but basically serves
as one for purposes of registering the car in the US. It will be
mostly in Japanese but some areas may have an English translation.
You’ll still need an English translation however since only section headings will typically have an English equivalent while answers will mostly be in Japanese. Depending on how you’re getting your
car you may get this from the importer or broker or may have to get it done
yourself.
A sample Export Certificate complete with all those funny Japanese characters |
A sample translation of the sample Export Certificate above - now 100% funny character free |
Sample Customs Entry Summary (photo credit: Sean Morris/International Vehicle Importers) |
On the DOT and EPA side of things, you’ll
end up with Form HS-7 and Form 3520-1.
HS-7 is the Department of
Transportation (DOT) exemption form that simply states the car has
been allowed in under the 25 year exemption. It’ll have a check in
the appropriate box signifying that and a fee will be paid to get
this either by you or the broker/importer.
DOT says you must be this old to go on this ride |
3520-1 is similar to the HS-7 only this time for the EPA. It has a check box stating the car falls under the 21-year emissions exemption. Another fee is needed for this, same as the HS-7.
EPA says you must be this old instead |
All of these papers you’ll then take
to your local DMV for what will probably be the most fun part of the
importation process (note the heavy dose of sarcasm in that
statement).
Of course, you'll only need these papers if the car is being freshly imported and you're the first US owner. A US titled car should process for ownership transfer just like any regular car through the DMV unless they get all weird on you (which can happen so copies of the documents may still come in handy). If the car is already legally titled and registered here in the US you probably won't need the federal paperwork but it's worth asking if the current owner has copies since it reassures you the car was legally brought in. If he can't furnish these then be cautious about the car's legality especially if it comes from a state with lax regulations about verifying legal importation status (cough, Florida, cough).
Needless to say, as a JDM car owner you'll want to make copies of these yourself in case you ever resell the car or otherwise transfer ownership (or heck, 'cause you're sentimental like me lol). When you go to your local DMV they will usually take the originals for their records so make copies right away.
Stay tuned for the final post in this series where we discuss wrapping up the whole thing by playing tag with your local DMV. UPDATE: I've added a newer article talking about another piece of paperwork you might need to be aware of but isn't really needed for importation and registration. Here's a link:
http://23gt.blogspot.com/2015/06/buying-your-own-jdm-car-part-41.html
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