I grew up in the 1990s, during the heyday of Japanese imports. We were spoiled for choice in this era,weather we’re talking classic 1990s JDM legends such as the Toyota Supra, Mazda RX-7, and Nissan Silvia or underrated gems like the Nissan Cedric, Subaru Legacy, and Mitsubishi Legnum. One of the moast famous of these vehicles was the iconic Nissan Skyline R34, a car never sold in North America, but nevertheless permanently enshrined in American automotive culture.
Long story short, I grew up wanting one of these cars since I first set eyes on them in racing video games and later movies like “2 Fast 2 Furious,” and promised myself that I would pu
This is simultaneously the second most fun and arguably the most elaborate step.Every car, from humble kei trucks to top-tier JDM legends, has its own individual quirks.My Skyline (and all generations of Skyline GT-Rs,for that matter) uses an RB engine,a straight-six “” engine. What that means, for the driver, is that a skip in the timing belt due to poor maintenance will cause the pistons to hit the valves, converting your internal combustion engine into an external combustion engine.My engine’s timing cover has a sticker stating when the next timing belt change is due.
Every car has its own traits you need to be aware of. If it’s not something you’re equipped to handle, you’ll have to factor in that labor to the final cost. Moreover, other cost overheads can sneak up on you, especially with perishable or rubberized parts. If you’re importing into the U.S., your car legally must be over 25 years old.That means you’ll have to replace things like fuel lines, bushings, brake lines, any rusted (or rust-prone) parts, and so on. This is part of daily driving any classic car.
My advice here is to do your research. I didn’t know what the service interval for an RB25’s timing belt was until I was shopping ). If you’re buying an old car,know it will have typical old car problems,and you may want to avoid driving it daily,especially if the engine was never produced stateside or is hard to find parts for. Or else, get used to waiting for parts to be delivered from Japan at a premium.
This is genuinely the most crucial and trickiest step. Timing is essential here: you will want to contact an export broker and explain the situation before anything happens. Export brokers are companies that specialize in bringing goods and merchandise to the United States. Many, like the one I used, operate nationally, while others service specific states.Several ports accept these cars, and the one I used was the Port of Newark in New Jersey. You inform the dealer which port you chose at checkout, send them the cash, and than they will send you various documents in the mail.
The most crucial document here is called the ; this will be your major focus (though you will likely receive other documents, like the vehicle’s export certificate and its translation, inspection documents, and so on). The bill of lading details what is being shipped, where it’s shipped from, and where it’s going. you must submit this form to file what’s known as an
TSCA Reform and EPA Chemical regulation Updates (as of January 27, 2026)
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The Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) continues to be a central focus of environmental regulation in the United States, with ongoing developments related to chemical risk evaluation and management as of January 27, 2026.the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is actively implementing reforms mandated by the 2016 Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century act, which amended TSCA.
Recent Risk Evaluations and Rulemakings
The EPA completed initial risk evaluations for the first ten chemicals designated as high-priority substances in 2016. These evaluations, published between 2020 and 2024, identified unreasonable risks associated with several chemicals, leading to proposed and final rules to address those risks. As of January 27, 2026, the EPA is focused on implementing these rules and initiating risk evaluations for the next set of high-priority chemicals.
For example, the EPA finalized a rule on December 18, 2024, restricting certain uses of methylene chloride to protect workers and consumers from acute health risks. Methylene Chloride Final Rule. This rule followed a risk evaluation published in 2020 that identified unreasonable risks associated with several uses of the chemical.
Ongoing Litigation and challenges
TSCA reform and EPA’s implementation of the law have faced legal challenges from both industry groups and environmental organizations. These challenges frequently enough center on the adequacy of risk evaluations, the scope of restrictions, and the EPA’s prioritization of chemicals for review.
In American Chemistry Council v. EPA, Case No. 23-1142 (D.C. Cir.), arguments were heard on November 15, 2025, concerning the EPA’s risk evaluation for trichloroethylene (TCE). American Chemistry Council v. EPA – Trichloroethylene. The American Chemistry Council argued that the EPA’s evaluation relied on insufficient data and failed to adequately consider economic impacts. A ruling is expected by February 2026. Similar challenges have been filed regarding risk evaluations for other chemicals, including perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS).
New Chemical Review Process
TSCA requires companies to notify the EPA before manufacturing or importing new chemicals. The EPA reviews these submissions to determine whether the new chemical poses an unreasonable risk to health or the environment. The agency can issue Significant New Use Rules (SNURs) to require companies to notify the EPA before using a new chemical in a way that could create a risk.
on January 10, 2026, the EPA issued a SNUR for a new class of flame retardants, requiring manufacturers to submit a Significant New Use Notice (SNUN) before using the chemicals in certain consumer products. Significant New Use Rule for Flame Retardants. This action reflects the EPA’s increased scrutiny of chemicals used in consumer products.
Small Business compliance and Resources
Complying with TSCA regulations can be complex and costly, particularly for small businesses. The EPA provides resources and guidance to help small businesses understand their obligations under TSCA. These resources include webinars, fact sheets, and compliance assistance tools.
The EPA’s Small Business Ombudsman provides a point of contact for small businesses with questions or concerns about TSCA compliance. EPA Small Business Ombudsman. the agency also offers reduced fees for certain TSCA submissions from small businesses.
