RCFUK

Looking to import my UK RCF to California when we move there in January Does anyone know if there are any differences other than mine being right hand drive, head lights needing to be realigned, BHP slightly different purhaps a remap to pass emission test. Any advice greatfully recieved.

also is there another section of the forum that I might get a better response as not many people have RCF's but there are plenty of Lexus's and although I was hoping for specific details on the differences between a UK and USA car. I would also appreciate general advice on importing a car and meeting the DMV's requirements for registration.

hope you can help

swajames

It’s going to be extremely difficult and likely end up being basically impossible. It’s not just California you have to worry about, but federal regulations too.

Cars over 25 years old are exempt from many of the regulations, a new car like yours is going to be extremely hard to import and register.

Cars are generally cheaper here. It would be cheaper to sell yours in the U.K. and buy one when you get to California.

good luck with the move from the U.K. I did the same thing nearly 20 years ago now.

RCFUK

Thanks for the reply but i have looked at prices and RCF's are not cheaper and I only have owned mine 6 months and apparently it is worth $20,000 less now. I appreciate it may be complicated but i was under the impression that if there are no difference in the safety feature and emissions then it is possible to register the car. I would like to look into it further before deciding it is too complicated/impossible

ArmyofOne

There are major differences. First off, its RHD. That presents a massive safety concern when traveling in countries that drive on the other side. Good luck getting NHSTA and DOT to certify it, simply based on that reason alone. Converting it to LHD isnt really an option, because you would need to change the dash, and the firewall, which would basically involve cutting the car in half and removing the firewall from the unibody structure. That alone might cost you $25k after the new steering rack, new column, labor and interior parts.

Then, the emissions controls are different. On a car that new you arent likely to be able to get it CARB compliant with aftermarket parts, so again, itll cost you a few grand US to get it up to spec.

lastly is safety equipment. The headlights are different on Some models of RHD cars, they illuminate the left side more than the right. LHD cars are the reverse. Airbags are different, seat belts are different. The center console is different, front seats are different even the bumper structures under the plastc bumper covers are different. And i think the glass in the windows is different too.

it could cost more than the car is worth, and then there is no way to know for sure that it will be certified. Add to that the fact that you are taking it to the most regulation heavy, communistic socialist state government in the US, and its not worth it.

Suck it up, sell outright to minimize the loss (dont sell to a dealer) and take the hit...it really is the only option.

EDIT: there is another way. I know of some folks that have imported to canada first. Then canada certifies it and if canada certifies it then the certificate is valid for registration in the US.

mjeds

your best bet is to talk to an importer/exporter company that specializes in this.. my guess is most forum members are not going to be able to give you any real legal advice, only opinion.

start here:

https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-impo.../importing-car

some services that might be able to answer questions:
https://www.schumachercargo.com/usa-car-imports/
https://www.shipoverseas.com/blog/im...seas-into-usa/

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

I second this

MattyG

Agree with the others, it's not going to happen. Too complicated, too expensive and a non-starter. And I too would be worried about a RHD vehicle in a LHD world on sight lines and overall safety. If your RCF does not have a permanent FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) sticker or a similar CMVSS (the Canadian equivalent), you are going to have a tough time. Unfortunately, you will have to sell, take the hit and move on.

For reference. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.do...n-canadian.pdf

gengar

Unfortunately, DOT disagrees that there are "no differences in the safety features", as RHD versions of USA-spec LHD vehicles are implicitly considered not to satisfy the "substantially similar" rule. Please reference the following NHTSA document: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.do...elig120115.pdf, specifically the following:

In short, take the easy route, sell off your RC-F, and buy something else here. In your mind, you can write off the thousands in shipping costs, transit time, and effort/paperwork against your losses.

bitkahuna

iTrader: (20)

Driving in cali is crazy enough without not being able to see properly due to being on the 'wrong' side of the car.

sell it, avoid all the hassle/cost of shipping, customs, duties, regs, certs, etc., and move on.

Fizzboy7

Not possible in CA and most (all) other states. Cannot drive a new RHD car here.

Aron9000

RHD is not a problem when registering a car in the United States. The big problem is the ban of cars under the age of 25 years being imported into the United States from foreign countries. US customs will confiscate and crush your car at the port because of this rule. Back in the late 70's/early 80's, it was common for cars to be "grey-market" imported from Europe. Stuff like Ferrari's, Lamborghinis, V8 powered Mercedes(we couldn't get a V8 S-class sedan or SEC coupe in the early 80's) were sold by a 3rd party, originally bought in Europe, then sold in the US. This circumvented the dealer network of the manufactures in the US, thus pissing them off, dealers lobbied congress to stop this alternative method of buying a new car, thus we have the 25 year old imported car rule.

But yes, RHD is no problem in registering a car in the US, there are now quite a few RHD Japanese enthusiast cars in the US, stuff like R32 Skylines, RHD Land Cruisers of various types(hell yes RHD 70 series Land Cruisers), Honda Beats, Honda CRX Si(160hp Japan spec in a car that weighs 1800lbs), 1JZ-GTE Toyotas of various spec, all of those are hitting the streets now in the USA.

I hate to say it, but you need to sell your England spec Lexus, take a bath on it. There is no way in hell you are going to import it here. Unless you are active military, they do give those guys a good degree of freedom. I talked to a paratrooper out of the 101st Airborne in Ft Campbell KY who had a weird JDM only Subaru. It was a mid 2000's Legacy sedan, RHD, manual, from the factory same engine/trans/running gear as a WRX STi. Would have never noticed it except he got out on the wrong side of the car. Said he was allowed to import the car since he bought it while stationed in Japan.

chromedome

Having driven an LHD car in a RHD country, I'd say just the safety issues alone should deter you from moving the car. Passing is extremely hard and it's easy to swipe other cars when turning. That RC-F will end up in a garage most of the time, no way it'll be a daily driver in Cali.

Sulu

That won't work either, unless the car is at least 15-years old (which, admittedly, is 10 years better than the USA).

On the Transport Canada website, I found this:

The United States Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) (and by extension, the Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS), which are largely the same as the FMVSS) are very much different from safety standards in Europe, Japan or anywhere else in the world. For a new car to be imported into the USA or Canada, it must meet the FMVSS or CMVSS when it was built. The safety standards are also written to state that modifying a car voids any compliance, meaning that it would no longer meet the Safety Standard; trying to modify a non-compliant car to try to meet the standards is not possible either.

Toys4RJill

The idea of importing this RCF to Cali is a very, very, very poor idea. Almost needs no discussion of why.

I have seen a number of 15+ year old UK vehicles imported into Canada. All excempt from emissions and safety depending on where you live. Never seen a UK import in US.

blacksc400

iTrader: (4)

This is not a 1992 skyline GTR which is over 25 years now so it’s legal.
Just like everyone here says, take a loss sell it, and buy another here. Unless you plan to use your RCF as a track car only...