Why Don’t You List Products for My Imported Vehicle, Even Though I’ve Seen Them in Other Countries?

Gray-market vehicles may share names—but not specs. Here’s why regional compatibility matters.

If you own a gray-market or personally imported vehicle, you may have noticed that your model isn't listed in our U.S. catalog—even though you've seen Bilstein parts available for it in other countries. This can be confusing, but there's a good reason behind it.

1. Market-Specific Vehicle Variations

Vehicles sold outside of North America often differ in key ways—even if they share a nameplate. These differences may include:

  • Suspension geometry

  • Ride height or weight ratings

  • Mounting points or hardware

  • Emissions or drivetrain configurations

Because of these variations, a shock or suspension product developed for a vehicle in Europe, Asia, or Australia may not be directly compatible with the North American equivalent—or with a version imported outside the standard market.

2. Our Catalogs Are Region-Specific

Bilstein product catalogs are tailored by region. While a part may be available overseas, it may not appear—or be validated—in the U.S. or Canadian catalog due to differences in vehicle specifications or regulatory requirements.

3. No U.S. Testing or Certification

In some cases, products available abroad may not have been tested or certified for use on imported vehicles in North America. Without local validation, we cannot list these parts for fitment, even if they physically resemble components from the same nameplate.

4. What You Can Do

If you own an imported vehicle and believe a foreign-market Bilstein product might be compatible:

  • Contact our tech support team

  • Provide your full VIN, year, make, model, and country of origin

  • Share the foreign-market part number if available (from forums or catalogs)

We’ll do our best to verify compatibility or offer guidance based on available data.

Bottom Line:

Not seeing your imported vehicle in our catalog doesn’t mean a compatible Bilstein product doesn’t exist—it simply means additional verification is needed to ensure safety and performance. Let us help you make the right choice.