HawaiianMenpachi
New Member
Aloha,
If you want to register any JDM vehicle straight from Japan (aka foreign country) in Hawaii, follow these simple steps. Driving my JDM vehicle off the docks and walking out of the DMV with the Hawaii Vehicle title in hand all in one shot is a good feeling! No revisiting the DMV and going back and forth. Everything with an asterisk star (*) is the required documents you need to register the JDM vehicle. It took me 1.5 days to pick up the vehicle from the dock and register it.
1.) Once you win your bid in Japan, you NEED these documents from the auction/company:
*Bill of Sale
*Original Export Certificate (in Japanese)
*translated Export Certificate (in Engish)
They may send you other docs, but the above are essential.
2.) You need a Broker to handle US Customs, and the Broker will send you all the paperwork required to complete this process. Please communicate with the Broker and inform them of ETA of the vehicle.
3.) Shipping: Once the vehicle is on the vessel, it should take 5-6 days to reach Honolulu Harbor. Communicate with the auction/company.
4.) Get the Customs clearance to release the vehicle from your Broker and schedule a pickup! -Pay the Broker and vessel
5.) Pickup your vehicle and get the *BILL OF LANDING from InChape
6.) Drive your vehicle from the port to the toledo weight scale at 1914 Hau St, Honolulu, HI 96819. Keep your vehicle as light as possible because you will need the *Weight scale
7.) Go to Kapahulu Motor Vehicle Control Office at 1112 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816. You will need a *VIN Verification
Go to any safety check place and give them VIN Verification, Weigh Scale, and Insurance Card. They will provide you with a *failed safety check paper for not having a registration.
Summary of items you need:
*Bill of Sale
*Original Export Certificate (in Japanese)
*Vehicle Export Certificate (translated into Engish)
*Bill of landing
*Weigh scale
*Insurance card
*Vin verification
*Failed Safety check
Drive to the DMV and give them all the ******* in this post!
All jokes aside, the DMV worker said it is rare to have someone come in with all their paperwork in one shot. They will take all the *** paperwork and give you license plates and a title in return.
Go back to the safety check shop and get a valid safety check.
Doing all of this will cost approximately $1,500
I hope this post finds those who want to register a JDM vehicle in Hawaii. Also your vehicle will be registered on the month it landed not picked up. You can import 1998 vehicles!
If you want to register any JDM vehicle straight from Japan (aka foreign country) in Hawaii, follow these simple steps. Driving my JDM vehicle off the docks and walking out of the DMV with the Hawaii Vehicle title in hand all in one shot is a good feeling! No revisiting the DMV and going back and forth. Everything with an asterisk star (*) is the required documents you need to register the JDM vehicle. It took me 1.5 days to pick up the vehicle from the dock and register it.
1.) Once you win your bid in Japan, you NEED these documents from the auction/company:
*Bill of Sale
*Original Export Certificate (in Japanese)
*translated Export Certificate (in Engish)
They may send you other docs, but the above are essential.
2.) You need a Broker to handle US Customs, and the Broker will send you all the paperwork required to complete this process. Please communicate with the Broker and inform them of ETA of the vehicle.
3.) Shipping: Once the vehicle is on the vessel, it should take 5-6 days to reach Honolulu Harbor. Communicate with the auction/company.
4.) Get the Customs clearance to release the vehicle from your Broker and schedule a pickup! -Pay the Broker and vessel
5.) Pickup your vehicle and get the *BILL OF LANDING from InChape
6.) Drive your vehicle from the port to the toledo weight scale at 1914 Hau St, Honolulu, HI 96819. Keep your vehicle as light as possible because you will need the *Weight scale
7.) Go to Kapahulu Motor Vehicle Control Office at 1112 Kapahulu Ave, Honolulu, HI 96816. You will need a *VIN Verification
NOTE!!! They open at 8am, close throughout the day, then open again at 3pm. So if you pick your vehicle up in the morning, there is no way you are getting a VIN verification by 8am.
So while you have downtime, call Geico Insurance, and in 15 mins or less, you will have *vehicle insurance (or any insurance of your choice. Geico has no problem registering a JDM short VIN). LOLGo to any safety check place and give them VIN Verification, Weigh Scale, and Insurance Card. They will provide you with a *failed safety check paper for not having a registration.
Summary of items you need:
*Bill of Sale
*Original Export Certificate (in Japanese)
*Vehicle Export Certificate (translated into Engish)
*Bill of landing
*Weigh scale
*Insurance card
*Vin verification
*Failed Safety check
Drive to the DMV and give them all the ******* in this post!
All jokes aside, the DMV worker said it is rare to have someone come in with all their paperwork in one shot. They will take all the *** paperwork and give you license plates and a title in return.
Go back to the safety check shop and get a valid safety check.
Doing all of this will cost approximately $1,500
I hope this post finds those who want to register a JDM vehicle in Hawaii. Also your vehicle will be registered on the month it landed not picked up. You can import 1998 vehicles!
Last edited:
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