You can use this page to click on a specific area of this text, or scroll down to read about how to import a Nissan Skyline into the US in its entirety.
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.
In This Article...
Examining the Automotive Gray Market in More Detail
Nissan did not create their Skylines with the US market in mind. The creator of the Skylines, Naganori Ito, was imitating his instructor Shinichiro Sakurai. His task was to design a vehicle that would compete favorably with Porsche in the Japan Grand Prix.
The Skylines’ literal father was this Nissan 2000 GT. It was therefore predicted that when the 2000 GT showed its teeth at the track, everybody would be looking at the 2000 GT’s offspring.
Everyone wanted one after seeing how well it worked. The gray market became relevant at this point.
The gray market first gained popularity during World War II when soldiers fell in love with European automobiles and discovered that importing and maintaining the vehicles to meet US regulations was less expensive than purchasing the automobiles in the US.
People were able to import automobiles from the 1960s to the 1980s as long as they complied with US safety regulations. Gray market importers initially performed a fantastic job of importing cars and modifying them to meet the necessary American standards.
While the majority of gray market importers were legitimate, some discovered legal loopholes and began casually breaking the rules. At that time, illicit exotic vehicles, including the Skyline, were all over the streets.
In spite of the fact that they complied with US safety and pollution regulations, this is what encouraged automakers to pressure Congress into passing the legislation that forbade the import of automobiles from the gray market.
In short, the Skyline became unlawful since it didn’t adhere to the safety standards and laws that the Motor Vehicle Safety Compliance Act of 1988 established.
It’s interesting to note that the National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) gave amnesty for imported vehicles older than 25 years after the statute was passed. This means that the R32 and R33 Skylines can be lawfully imported, but not the R34 until 2024.
How can I buy a Nissan Skyline legally?
If you used a registered importer to bring the car over (RI). In order to comply with the applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, the RI will modify the vehicle (FMVSS). All motor vehicles less than 25 years old must adhere to FMVSS safety requirements in order to be permitted for usage in the United States under the new car importation regulations.
In other words, it is now possible to legally import a Nissan Skyline R34 into the USA. However, connecting to the RI and adapting the car to be road-worthy will be an expensive task.
The amount? I’m not sure. The initial cost of the car, shipping charges to transport it abroad, import taxes, federal taxes, and other as-yet-unknown “hidden costs” must all be taken into account. Then, you must cooperate with the RI to ensure that it passes emissions and crash tests. This becomes costly and may even need disassembling the car to upgrade or replace certain components to make it “safer.”
In the end, I’d estimate that it would cost $20k to $50k to legally import a Skyline r34. Given that the fifth-generation Nissan Skyline R34 was produced from 1999 to 2002, that’s a hefty amount to pay for a vehicle that is almost 20 years old! Perhaps all you need is an older R32. Heck, some individuals even prefer the R32 GTR:
However, if you have unlimited funds and a burning desire to acquire an R34 Skyline, go ahead. But it wasn’t always like this. Before the NHTSA changed the import laws, if you find a Nissan Skyline R34 driving around the streets, that vehicle is most likely a product of the 2006 Motorex scandal.
Is it acceptable to drive skylines in the US?
Yes, due to their poor safety measures, Nissan Skylines are prohibited in the US. The Skyline is prohibited from being imported or driven because it does not abide by the 1988 Imported Vehicle Safety Compliance Act.
The Skyline isn’t sold in the US since Nissan hasn’t tried to make it compliant with US safety rules. You must travel to Nissan’s native Japan if you wish to operate a Skyline.
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R32 Skylines: Are they allowed in the US?
First things first, we want to set the record straight and say that several Skyline models offered in the US, mostly under the ‘Infiniti’ brand, are in a whole different league.
You’ve probably heard the untrue allegations that the later-model Nissan Skyline R33 and R34 GT-Rs are currently prohibited from entering the US.
The most frequently cited responses include “Because they’re right-hand drive” and “Because they’re moving so quickly the Police can’t catch them.”
If a vaping Honda owner offers either defense at the neighborhood meet, politely leave the room and give them the link to this article.
First off, the R32’s legalization in the US demonstrates that right-hand drive vehicles are not prohibited there.
Even the US Postal Service has frequently used RHD vehicles, despite the fact that they are by no means ubiquitous, mostly for the ease of access to the curb.
The US import restrictions are completely to blame for the Nissan Skyline’s unlawful importation for usage on public roads for two very straightforward reasons.
R33 Skylines: Are they allowed in the US?
Any vehicle that is 25 years old or older can enter the United States with exemptions from a number of NHTSA rules, including emissions. Since 2014, R32 GT-Rs have been permitted. Beginning in January 2021, the 1995 R33 GT-R is acceptable. Morris claims that in 48 states, registering any of these right-hand-drive vehicles is simple.
When did skylines become permissible in the US?
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.
Nissan R34s are permitted in the US?
One of the most well-known and sought-after Japanese vehicles in America is the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R. As a result, many auto fans wonder whether the R34 is legal in the United States. The bottom line is that owning an R34 is permissible in America. However, obtaining one is quite challenging. This is due to the fact that when R34s were first being produced, it was prohibited for them to be brought into the nation. The regulatory regulations that all imported cars must adhere to were not met by the R34.
After the initial production run was completed, a business by the name of MotoRex brought a small quantity of R34s into the nation. The company’s purported use of a legal loophole turned out to be dubious, and the authorities ultimately shut it down. The MotoRex R34s, however, were kept by the clients who had purchased them.
An R34 can only be imported into the country as a “Show and Display” vehicle, which is entirely legal. These rules are meant to apply to vehicles that are part of a private collection or museum. Only a few R34 vehicles, though, have received import approval under these rules.
What are the prices of skylines?
The base MSRP for the 2021 Nissan (Skyline) GT-top R’s variant is $113,540. The MSRP for the NISMO trimas begins at $210,740.
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What JDM vehicles are prohibited in the US?
Many people are speculating about whether it’s legal to own and operate a JDM vehicle since more and more of them appear on the roads every day.
Since JDM vehicles under 25 years old do not meet US emissions and crash test regulations, driving them on US roads is prohibited. A vehicle can be imported legally after it turns 25 years old.
If you live in the USA and adore JDM cars, you might need to be a little patient. However, what will happen if you import one? And what about other nations, like Canada and the UK?
The R35 is not a Skyline, why?
One of the most renowned Japanese performance cars of all time is the Nissan Skyline GT-R.
The “Godzilla” (see here why the Skyline GT-R is called as Godzilla) has come to represent strength and performance throughout the course of several different generations.
The Nissan Skyline GT-R has become one of the most coveted names in Japanese performance driving despite being illegal in the United States at the time (see our article on why Nissan Skylines are illegal in the United States).
You probably already know that Nissan stopped producing the R34 Skyline generation in 2002 (for more information, see our buying guide for the R34 GT-R).
The skyline actually kept going after that and is still going today, but it is now what is known as the “New Generation Skyline,” which is very different from the past skylines. The new Skyline is more well-known in America as a line of Infiniti vehicles, including the Infiniti G35:
This New Generation Skyline was mainly focused on giving a premium touring car experience and never included a GT-R variant.
Due to the overwhelming demand from auto enthusiasts, the R35 GT-R was debuted in 2007 and is still in production today.
Indeed, the R34 GT-R was the Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, to give an example.
What makes the Nissan GT-R of today the Nissan Skyline GT-R R35? After all, any car sporting those distinctive taillights must be a Skyline!
The reason the R35 GT-R is not a Skyline is rather straightforward, in case you’re wondering.
Earlier GT-Rs (such as the R32, R33, and R34) were built on the Skyline platform of that generation.
Consider the R32 GT-R, which was offered in a variety of trim levels and engine/gearbox combinations, including as a sedan.
Nissan used that generation’s Skyline base to build the R32 GT-R (the original “Godzilla”), turning everything up to 11.
There is no platform overlap with the existing Skyline (known in America as the Infiniti Q50). The R35 GT-R is a “standalone” vehicle, as opposed to the previous generations of GT-Rs, which were all the pinnacle of the applicable Skyline platform.
Although the R35 GT-R is essentially the spiritual successor to previous Skyline GT-Rs, Nissan opted not to utilize the Skyline brand due to the distinctive platform.