Importing and Texas Registration Notes

Importing and Texas Registration Notes

These notes were originally Appendix A: Getting the Damn Thing.

Import Process Notes

• Find and buy the truck. Plenty of auction sites/online marketplaces exist. Original example used [Cars From Japan](https://carfromjapan.com/)Japan
• Pay shipping and shipping insurance. Cars From Japan included this in the initial cost/estimate.
• ISF: file 1 week before loading truck on ship. Original example used [easyisf.com](http://easyisf.com)com
• Truck ships
• Cars From Japan will ask if you want to surrender BOL (Bill of Lading). This allows the shipping company to release the vehicle electronically. Say yes.
• Cars From Japan will mail physical copies of the Bill of Lading, invoices, bill of sale, shipping insurance documents, export certificate, and an English translation of the export certificate.
• You may or may not have to get your own certified English translation stateside for your local title agency.
• Wait. Good time to stock up on vehicle parts for maintenance.
• Notice of Arrival comes from the shipping company. You have to pay their invoice and port fees.
• Customs: send notice of arrival and paid invoice to your port broker or file with customs directly. Original example used [easyisf.com](http://easyisf.com)com again.
• EasyISF sends a final invoice for their fee plus customs fees. Once paid, you get a copy of all customs documents for title registration.
• Most important: get a Delivery Document filled out showing all items paid.
• Contact shipping company to verify fees are paid and the vehicle is released.
• Take delivery document to the port. Some ports might need a TWIC port security card, receipts, or other documents.
• Arrival at port with a 6x12 trailer and Harbor Freight ramps to load up the truck. A gas can and battery jump pack are a good idea too.

Import Cost Example

Item Vendor Reference Cost ItemVendorReferenceCost Truck Price Cars from Japan $1,300 Shipping Insurance (Included) Cars from Japan $40 Buyer Protection Fee Cars from Japan $95 Freight Cars from Japan $1540 Payment Fee PayPal Cars from Japan $148 ISF Filing Easy ISF $25 Stand Alone ISF Bond Easy ISF $75 Norton Lilly Arrival Fee Hoegh Autoliners $180 Customs Entry Fee EasyISF (Mendiola Customs Brokerage) $90 Customs Duty EasyISF (Mendiola Customs Brokerage) US Customs - $488.25; Merchandise Processing Fee $33.58; Harbor Maintenance Fee $1.74 $523.57 Single Entry Bond EasyISF (Mendiola Customs Brokerage) $55 NHTSA HS-7 EasyISF (Mendiola Customs Brokerage) $30 EPA 3520-1 EasyISF (Mendiola Customs Brokerage) $30 Payment Fee PayPal EasyISF (Mendiola Customs Brokerage) $25.50 U-Haul trailer U-Haul $150 Fuel for towing vehicle Self $150 Total $4,457.07

This does not include maintenance items you may or may not already have had, including fluids, filters, belts, gaskets, drain pans, jack, or jack stands.

Texas Registration

Item Vendor Reference Cost ItemVendorReferenceCost Police VIN Check Tarrant County Vehicle Task Force VTR 68-A $40 Title Request TxDMV $ Vehicle Registration TxDMV $ Temp Tag - 30-days TxDMV $29.75 Insurance Hagerty 1 year paid up front $546.57 Total