importing to US

[Joe]

I'm traveling in New Zealand for a few months and have fallen in love with the ubiquitous Mini 1000s. I'd like to buy one and have it shipped back to the US. It appears, from one seemingly authoritative website, that the car must meet emissions standards if it was made after Dec. 31, 1967. Is this correct? I thought it was sort of carte blanche to import anything over 25 years old.
Advice is appreciated.
Joe

[Klaus]

http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/imports/quikover.htm
Depending on the year of the car, you may also have to do safety modifications (e.g. reenforcement beams in the doors), see DOT-NHTSA.
There are "grey market" importers who will import and do all the necessary mods and paperwork for you. Until you get your release from EPA and NHTSA you must post bond when importing. Do not modify the car before import, foreign modifications are not approved by EPA. The grey market importer/modifier must be an EPA-approved importer. A list of approved importers is on EPA's website.

Klaus
1969 280 SL