Why don't people import the FL5 from outside the US? - Random Question

[pudharee]

I have a random question why don't people in the US or UK import from another country, what are the import fees, I have been following the forum since 2023. With the prices in the states at that time, I was surprised that they do not import cars from countries like the Arabian Gulf specifically Kuwait where there is no tax and the price of the car is almost the factory price with a slight increase, with the prices I read I have not heard of anyone asking about importing from outside the US. Maybe things were different back then, but I'm curious to know why.

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[pudharee]

You also get a spare tire when you import it from Kuwait.

 

[ProjectDD]

We don't do it because we aren't legally allowed to.

Until a car is 25 years old, it is very difficult, if even possible, to legally import a car into the US.

 

[Chilly613]

Unfortunately you cannot import a car from another country into the US that is less than 25 years old.

Even if we could, why would we though?? It would cost even more to import an FL5, buying from another country and dealing with the exchange rate and then having to ship the car here with the freight fees, taxes, customs fees and the tariffs that are coming.

 

[AZCWTypeR]

There are many differences across the world.

Though Civic's may look the same from 10 feet away, government safety specs for airbags, windows, crash resistance, turn signal color, etc. force part differences. Emission regulations and gasoline blends are different too.

It's almost impossible to import cars less than 25 years old due to DOT and EPA rules. I've seen new imports being test driven around Detroit by the Big 3, but the automakers can't sell them to the public.

 

[TheDapperDriver]

I am from Saudi Arabia and recently picked up my 2025 Type R. I was surprised when reading here about the mark ups over in the US. There are discounts regurally here on the Type R. I picked up mine during discounts for around 47K USD (excluding the service package). Then again we are about 10% of the US population so its a much smaller market here.

 

[Chilly613]

I am from Saudi Arabia and recently picked up my 2025 Type R. I was surprised when reading here about the mark ups over in the US. There are discounts regurally here on the Type R. I picked up mine during discounts for around 47K USD (excluding the service package). Then again we are about 10% of the US population so its a much smaller market here.

Fortunately for other countries they have regulations that car manufacturers can only sell cars at MSRP. Unfortunately, the US does not have those same regulations.

 

[TheDapperDriver]

Fortunately for other countries they have regulations that car manufacturers can only sell cars at MSRP. Unfortunately, the US does not have those same regulations.

Some luxury cars here are more expensive than the US, brining them from the US and paying the 20% VAT and customs fees would be less than the price of them here. Other brands its about the same, I believe MSRP for the civic here and in the US is the same, just a smaller market here so probably thats why there are discounts.

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