TeamSwift

Can we import Cdn Swift/Firefly to USA?
I hear this has been discussed but I searched TS for "customs" and "duty" and did not get an answer so i went to the gov. sites. Based on 3 hrs of research, here is my answer:

Duty is 2.5%. But there is no way until 25 yrs old. [edit: BUT READ POSTS BELOW]

UNLESS there is an EPA sticker under the hood AND a DOT sticker in the door jamb that states COMPLIANCE WITH ALL USA REGULATIONS.

OR UNLESS you get a letter on stationary from the manufacturer stating COMPLIANCE WITH ALL USA REGULATIONS.

Subject to seizure, it is illegal to buy or sell a car (or parts of it) in the US that did not clear Customs. It can not be registered without the Customs form. The car must be exported or destroyed. (links to gov. regs are below.)

Swift/Firefly are not even on this
LIST OF NONCONFORMING MOTOR VEHICLES
THAT ARE ELIGIBLE FOR IMPORTATION
(BY OR THROUGH A REGISTERED IMPORTER)
as of May 1, 2008
( a REGISTERED IMPORTER must clear the car with customs and modify it and be paid by you before releasing it to you.)
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/imp ... 050108.pdf

[ many Mercedes, BMW and Porsches on the list because they spend $$ petitioning to get on the list and provide parts for conversion.]

these are the rules on registration and importation.
-- registration
http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg ... BhZ2U9MQ**
-- importation
http://help.cbp.gov/cgi-bin/customs.cfg ... _topview=1

_________________
looking for:
the time i mispent in my youth

daily driver: red 1991 Metro 3cyl 5sp, roof rack, 8 degree advance,
got 61 mpg combined on 14" tires but i prefer 12"

completed frame up restoration: black 1994 Swift GT 5sp -- like new ! 45mpg

why would you import a rusty canadian car to the US?

and i guess they are not on the list because they are already available in the US?

_________________
Suzuki Gold Master Tech
'07 Suzuki SX4 JLX AWD 2.0 | Turbine Tech turbo kit @ 7psi
'08 Suzuki SX4 Sport 2.0 , average baby carrier

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Why ??.....One word !!......"TURBO"
.
In the States they imported Suzuki cars with turbos for only Two years!
In Canada they imported Suzuki cars for 5 years.!...You do the math!!
I've heard stories were you cant through a rock in a Canadian junk yard without hitting a turbo car
Here in the states "Not so much"

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.------GV&S
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They are on the list. They fall under several sections: VSA-80 (All passenger cars less than 25 years old that were manufactured before September 1, 1989) and VSA-81 (All multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, and buses with a
GVWR of 4,536 kg (10,000 lb) or less that are less than 25 years old and that were manufactured before September 1, 1991). Alternatively, Suzuki Canada seems very willing to help with a letter certifying it meets compliance with U.S. regulations, at least so far. The only thing I see a problem with is that they can't certify it passes crash compliance due to the seat belt mounting points. With a letter stating it complies with all other regulations, a certified importer would only need to change seat belt mounting points for you and shouldn't cost too much (I wouldn't think). There is no bond required when importing these cars. Furthermore, the EPA has said they are exempt from compliance (at least certain years including 1989). I'll have to check my bookmarked sources when I get home, but from what I've found online and from speaking to NHTSA on the phone, the only thing that needs to be done is either the letter from the manufacturer or have a certified importer change the seatbelts.
Finally, it sounds like most people have not had problems bringing parts over the border, but your mileage may vary.

Tom

_________________
1987 Sprint turbo
1989 Dodge Caravan SE turbo 5 speed
1991 Honda ST1100
2000 Nissan Altima

being a tech ive seen more than a few canadian ford trucks here and a friend of mine has a legal canadian 300ZX TT. said all he had to do was get paperwork stating it met US regs.


i hate DRLs though.

_________________
98 swift 1.6 16v swap
03 cobra bolt ons
97 3000gt vr4 e85, high comp, bolt ons
too many others to list

Thanks Tom.
US Customs site seems to be lagging behind the NHTSA decisions.

Looks like the seatbelt mounts would have to be changed.
I wonder what the difference is since the belts do bolt right in.
Would Suzuki bother to have different body panels? NO
Could the belt material be the issue?

The Certified modifier will charge for the mod and the $100/car NHTSA fee.
and part of the $800 petition fee and his $500 annual fee. It sure adds up.

More details here including info about newer cars!
http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2007/E7-15829.htm

If i wanted a T3 and lived near the border, I'd just go get a real dirty engine&trans.
I know one member who was not charged duty

_________________
looking for:
the time i mispent in my youth

daily driver: red 1991 Metro 3cyl 5sp, roof rack, 8 degree advance,
got 61 mpg combined on 14" tires but i prefer 12"

completed frame up restoration: black 1994 Swift GT 5sp -- like new ! 45mpg

On the seat belt issue, the US Metro/Swift's had the seatbelt anchors on the door. This way you could buckle the seat belt and leave in "buckled", so the belt ws attached everytime you got in your car, by sliding in under the seat belt. I know 99.9% of the people don't do this, but I have met people that do. GM convinced NHTSA that this was a extra safety feature, like Ford Escorts and their motorized seatbelts. On some Cultus overseas the seatbelt anchors are on the "B" pillar, you might get away with changing the doors from a US car into a Cultus car to put the seatbelts on the door.

yup. they went away from that real quick too.

what happens if the door comes open in a crash.

_________________
98 swift 1.6 16v swap
03 cobra bolt ons
97 3000gt vr4 e85, high comp, bolt ons
too many others to list