In summary, the Nissan Skyline GT-R is prohibited from being imported into the US since it does not adhere to the 1988 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act. The Skyline was not designed with the necessary safety elements to abide by the applicable traffic safety regulations.
A vehicle is exempt from these rules once it reaches the age of 25, at which point it is allowed to be imported and used on American roads.
With California being likely the most noteworthy exception in terms of particular states where you would have difficulties importing due to tougher emissions control legislation, this means that vehicles like the R32 GTR (the original “Godzilla”) can be imported into the USA.
By 2024, you should be able to start importing the R34 GTR. The oldest versions of the R33 GTR are also starting to become legal for import and compliance (provided there are no additional changes to legislation by then, or further tightening of emissions and environmental rules which is always a risk in the current climate).
Just a word of caution
As far as we are aware, there are no laws prohibiting you from importing one as a “show piece that isn’t allowed to be driven on the road but instead sits in your garage.” We’ve heard stories of people looking to buy and store Nissan Skylines with a view of registering and complying them once they turn 25 years old in the hopes of increasing their value. While it is likely not a bad idea, there is always a chance that the government could modify import regulations, leaving you with a depreciating burden rather than an asset that depreciates over time. Although it’s unlikely, it’s nevertheless important to remark.
We would be interested in hearing from you if you are aware of any other legitimate ways to buy a Skyline GTR in the United States. Please comment down below!
In This Article...
thoughts on “Why Are Nissan Skylines Illegal In The United States?
Untrue in every way, 100%. A skyline can be exported and imported to the US for a pricey sum of $5,500. That doesn’t make it unlawful.
Does the Nissan Skyline remain prohibited?
The NHTSA gave import automobiles older than 25 years of age amnesty in 1998. So even though it doesn’t comply with requirements, you can now import any Nissan Skyline that was manufactured in 1995 or earlier. Only in California are you at risk of problems.
Why is the R34 Skyline forbidden?
One of Nissan’s masterpieces is the Skyline GT-R. We shouldn’t be shocked that it has developed a cult following all over the world given its unparalleled power, handling, and design. The Skyline GT-R is regarded as one of the all-time greatest drifting vehicles and has won numerous awards.
Unfortunately, the Skyline GT-R cannot be fully appreciated in the American market. For the following reasons, the car is not certified for sale in the US:
- It is faster than US police cars due to its speed.
- It’s a luxury car on the gray market with features that violate US safety and emissions regulations.
- All of the vehicles are right-hand drive. None are made to US standards.
- Although Skyline GT-R spare parts are unavailable in the US, you might look into the brand-new NISMO Heritage Parts program. As of December 1, 2017, some new GT-R parts are being marketed in Japan.
Having said that, bringing a Skyline GT-R into the US is not absolutely difficult. (See the poster we created to celebrate the GT-R.)
Is R34 Skyline prohibited?
There is a widespread misperception that R34 GT-Rs are prohibited in the United States. That is generally true, although there are some exceptions. Federal legislation states that these vehicles cannot be imported until they are 25 years old, and this restriction includes the month of manufacturing.
Where can I legally buy a Skyline GTR?
As you can probably tell, we at Drifted are HUGE fans of the Nissan Skyline.
Numerous Skyline guides have already been released, and we’ve seen that there is a lot of misunderstanding regarding their present legal standing in America.
Our supporters have constantly questioned us about the situation, seeking the truth and explanation.
We’ve chosen to produce a comprehensive guide explaining all the fascinating details and responding to the all-too-common query, “Why are Nissan Skylines illegal in the US?” as a result.
Since the F&F brand surely contributed to the Skyline’s rise to become a cult icon in the US, we first brought up the matter and provided some clarity in our Paul Walker Skyline article.
The Fast and the Furious star was without a doubt one of the biggest R34 GT-R aficionados in the US and was also fortunate to have owned and driven several of them in Japan, including the illustrious Mine’s R34 GT-R.
But what if you don’t want to travel to Japan to satisfy your Godzilla craving? What’s holding you back from bringing your own in and becoming a renowned figure in your community on the track or in the streets?
We have some happy news for you! Any vehicle older than 25 years can avoid the absurd US legal system.
This implies that, except for California, where there are some additional obstacles, it is totally legal to import and own a Nissan Skyline R31 or R32 GT-R in the US at the moment.
You can also lawfully import any Nissan Skyline R33 GT-R that was registered before 1995 as of the time this page went online.
However, you’ll have to wait a bit longer if you want to import a Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R, as we’ll discuss in more detail below.
What is the price of the R34?
The Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R is regarded as the pinnacle of Japanese engineering in the 1990s. Fast & Furious, one of the most well-known movie franchises, features it as one of its key heroes. As a result of a few cameos by Paul Walker’s character Brian O’Conner in the F&F films, the JDM legend has grown to legendary level. Unfortunately, some limited-edition R34 GT-Rs have reached prices over $500,000. This is due to the GT-appearances R’s on television and film, as well as its illustrious past. Despite the staggering prices, you can still purchase a normal R34 GT-R like this one for “only $58,000.
What does an R34 Skyline cost?
Currently, the base-model R34 Skyline GT R rarely sells for less than $100,000, while the rarest models, such the V or M spec Nr’s, sell for more than $300,000.
Are JDM automobiles forbidden?
One of the most commonly used words when addressing foreign vehicles that are prohibited in the US is “JDM. The phrase “Japanese Domestic Market” refers to the fact that the cars were produced in Japan and targeted towards Japanese motorists. JDM automobiles are probably the most sought-after imports. You may have seen JDM automobiles featured prominently in movies, video games, and a variety of other popular media in recent years, which has greatly increased their appeal. These foreign vehicles are renowned for their distinctive performance strategies, whether it be for drifting, cutting-edge drivetrains, or just a cult following that the vehicle has developed. You might be asking yourself, “Why are JDM automobiles forbidden? It all boils down to construction if you’re wondering why Japanese vehicles are forbidden in the United States. Since Americans drive on the right side of the road and have vehicles that are left-hand drive, driving on the left side of the road and utilizing right-hand drive vehicles are both unlawful on this side of the Pacific. Almost all JDM vehicles manufactured in 1997 or later cannot enter the United States without paying a hefty fine. More severe punishments are deserved for owning or operating illegal JDM vehicles than for using drugs or automatic guns. Maybe in the future, the government will set priorities correctly.
Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R V-spec
The Nissan R34 GT-R V-spec, a rival to the Toyota Supra and Mazda RX-7, was one of the most popular vehicles in the world, let alone one of the most popular cars people wanted to import from the Japanese Domestic Market because it had some of the most cutting-edge technology for a 1999 vehicle. It was among the first to use a dashboard display screen that provided information on the engine and vehicle operation, including a gauge for measuring the amount of G-forces the vehicle was experiencing. Under the seat skirt of the driver’s seat was a computer jack that could upload data from the vehicle’s system to a laptop for study. The Nissan Skyline is the model on the NHSTA’s list of automobiles that are not allowed in America, according to a fast internet search. The 1995 GTS-T, R32 GT-Rs produced between 1989 and 1994, the 1995 R33 GT-R, 1995 and 1996 R33 GT-R V-spec, the 1994 R34, the 1999 R34 GT-T, and the 2001 R34 25GT-T are other Skylines that are prohibited.
Nissan Skylines are they quick?
However, even if it were street-legal, it most likely wouldn’t be that fast outside of the drag strip. That’s because drag strip surfaces are specifically prepared for increased grip and stickiness, as explained by Autoweek. The Drive claims that they are so powerful that individuals can become hooked to them.
For instance, while having more power than the Camaro ZL1 1LE, the Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye is slower in a drag race. The tires of the former simply cannot find enough traction without the tacky surface. And even if the Metro R32 had AWD, the situation would be similar.
However, Maatouks Racing did break a new record with the “King32,” an additional R32 Skyline GT-R. This specific Nissan Skyline features a full interior, the original body panels, and is street-legal. At 209 mph, it completed the quarter-mile in 6.84 seconds. Even if it is slower than Metro, the Nissan Skyline GT-R is still the fastest street-legal car in the world.