Anyone use Tradecarview to import a vehicle? I'm looking into importing a Suzuki Alto/Cervo, Daihatsu Mira Trxx or Subaru ViVio to compliment my Suzuki Carry. Was looking at going through Pacific Coast Auto and buying from auction since I know Derek and his company is legit. but the market is pretty dry for them at auction it seems. Tradecarview seems to have some good ones with reputable sellers. But sending a bank wire overseas is otherwise nerve racking to think about. I know that I could pay Derek to view and purchase the car and export himself but is it even worth looking into?
I am currently dealing with Tradecarreview. I ordered a '93 Suzuki Carry 4x4 with axle and diff lock, 4sp., with 53,000km. $893.00 for the truck and $1200.00 for shipping. I too was a bit skeptical about an overseas wire transfer to Japan. MY bank was VERY skeptical and repeatedly asked me if this transaction was legit. The wire transfer went through without a problem. Communication with this company is great. They are quick to answer any questions which I ask them and have been updating me with the status of my shipment to Longbeach, California. My Suzuki was loaded onto a RORO (drive on, drive off) vehicle ship on the 30th of October. Tradecarreview gave me the name of the ship (TYSLA) and it's schedule and route and when it will be arriving in Longbeach. Yesterday they sent me all the documents which I will need to pick up my Suzuki from the port. Shipping will take a total of 12-15 days depending on the ships schedule/route and weather. I am able to track the whereabouts and the route of the TYSLA using vessel tracking websites. I was tracking the ship long before it reached Japan. My shipping schedule was delayed 3 days by the closure of the Shanghai port due to congestion in the harbor as an example. Tradecarreview sent me this information with an updated shipping schedule and I was able to see it on vessel tracking websites as well. I will update this post when my vehicle arrives and I pick it up. Customs should not take long since the truck is NOT inside a container. Good luck with your endevour!
Cool. Good to know.. Hopefully your '93 clears. It's not 25 yet so you may or may not get it through customs
I am importing this truck for off road use only. I will not be registering it at all since it will live on my 40 acre ranch in Nevada. Might there still be a problem with EPA/DOT regulations if it is for off road use on private property only?
Yes, depending on how you file the paperwork and if you have modifications done to speed limit it.. It has to be imported as an ATV and speed limited to 25 mph. The EPA won't matter as it's over 21 years and exempt to them, but 25 years is DOT. At the end of the day, if they let it in the country otherwise, it would have the potential to be illegally registered which is of course what they wish to prevent.
I am a California resident and also have a small ranch in Northern California as well. It is my understanding that it is not possible to register a mini truck for street use at all in my wonderful state of California. Do you think this will make any difference?
What happens to a mini truck if it is not allowed into the country by customs? Is it shipped back to Japan or crushed in the long run?
Actually California has mini truck laws to my knowladge, so you can register them as mini trucks with lots of emissions BS. But that is still a limited use vehicle needing to be speed modified... I couldn't tell you what happens to a mini truck if it's not yet legal but ends up here. I know the import cars, like R34 Nissan Skylines end up crushed if they are caught. Your best bet is to find a company that will make the speed modification that the goverment recognizes , and when you file the HS7 documentation make sure you file as an ATV limited to 25mph. It has it's own check box. Then you need to send the truck directly there to the company. You can save yourself here I'm pretty sure as long as the paperwork is filed correctly. It probably would have been cheaper to get a '92 since they are exactly the same
Just make sure your docs are filed not as a motor vehicle. Call customs for the ins and outs while it's still floating in the ocean.. Likely you'll be ok doing that.
I was just looking at form 3520-1 on which the approval expires in 2020. There is a section about EPA exempted vehicles which states vehicles must be at least 21 (twenty one) years old. Is this a slight change in the 25 year rule? Or, am I missing something?
That is correct for the EPA side of things. The NHTSA HS7 form, in check box 1 shows the 25yr exemption. https://help.cbp.gov/ci/fattach/get/46595/0/filename/DOT+Form+HS-7.pdf
Trade car view is the worst place to get an import. Be patient and use Derek at Pacific Coast. I've seen numerous cars with rust holes, mechanic issues, etc. that were not shown upfront.
Is PCA who you export through? I've been in conversations with them and they are who I'm going with and will expand my interest of cars into easier to find vehicles.
JOHN How did it go ??? The 21Y / 25Y thing really is a pisser. There is a dealer near me that is importing 97s Jan now & Feb production soon. He is getting his trucks through W/O any trouble under the EPA side of things. I do not know how YET... BUT I'm looking. As with any border expercince you are dealing with someone with a shiny badge & the outcome is always iffy .
It's fully legal to do so, but they have to come through with speed modifications and be declared as ATV or used farm equipment. That part has never changed for the entire time these things have been coming to the USA. The EPA closed a loophole a few years ago that made the 21yr restriction applicable to the mini trucks, so the newer trucks need EPA certification as well, so anything newer than 21yrs should be EPA certified if they are coming over
No speed mods whatsoever nor EPA certified eng group as the 1998s up would have to to have. I bought a 95 from him a few months back.. Matt, are you saying even if / when declared used farm equ they would still require the speed mod ?? I do have the import papers for the truck but can't determine it's import class or listing...
Legally yes because they cannot operate as a motor vehicle they are supposed to be speed modified., but importers seem to fly them under the radar via loopholes. It has to be classed and titled as an ORV if anything at all When I went to buy a truck this summer, A truck that I was very interested in as a 1992 with a very legitimate 12k kilometers. came back as a 1996 when I ran the numbers through Japans systems. When I looked closer, the seatbelt tags were cut and the paperwork was fishy.. That worked out because I got my 5spd from a different importer for quite a bit less money in similar shape
Matt: Thanks, Just to give you some background of the all knowing & great leaders we have in the geographical area I find myself residing. There are no titles for a golf cart BUT under many circumstances you are ALLOWED to drive them on the street. If you own an ATV or UTV the powers that be say you MUST obtain a title ( for your protection L.M.A.O. ) BUT you are NEVER ALLOWED to use it on the street. They won't touch the mini issue with a ten foot pole, no title, no registration, NO STREET..
That's why you buy a 25yr exempt truck and register it that way. NY is the same way but that's how you get around it. 1992-1998 trucks are for the most part identical especially with the Suzuki's... I daily drive mine and have yet to be even questioned as to if it's legal or not by authorities. I keep copies of all the paperwork in the glovebox just in case
