Vehicle Importation & Sales  
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Specializing in the VW Vanagon / T3
IMPORTING FROM EUROPE
As a general rule, a motor vehicle less than 25 years old must comply with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to be imported on a permanent basis. Vehicles (other than motorcycles) manufactured to comply with the FMVSS will have a certification label affixed by the original manufacturer in the area of the driver-side door. Motorcycles will have the label close to the intersection of the steering post and the handlebars.

A vehicle without a certification label cannot be imported as a conforming vehicle. In this case, the importer must contract with a Registered Importer (RI) to modify the vehicle and post a DOT Conformance Bond in an amount equivalent to one and a half times the vehicle’s dutiable value. EU This bond is in addition to the normal Customs entry bond. Copies of the DOT Conformance Bond and the contract with an RI must be attached to the HS-7 form.

Under the contract, the RI will modify the vehicle and certify that it conforms to all applicable FMVSS. Before an RI can modify a vehicle, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) must have determined that the vehicle is eligible for importation based on its capability of being modified to conform to all applicable FMVSS. If no determination has been made, the RI must petition NHTSA to determine whether the vehicle is eligible for importation. If the petitioned vehicle is not similar to one sold in the U.S., this process can become very complex and costly.
IMPORTING FROM CANADA
All passenger cars, motorcycles, multipurpose vehicles - MPV, or light trucks less than 25 years old imported for personal use (not resale) into the U.S. on a permanent basis from Canada should follow this procedure. This process may also be followed if a vehicle was originally Canada imported from Canada on a temporary basis or if prior DOT or U.S. Customs clearance was not obtained.

Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle to request a letter, having them state if the vehicle complies with all applicable U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). The letter from the manufacturer must identify your vehicle by the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle complies with U.S. FMVSS, except for minor labeling requirements, you have an acceptable letter. This letter along with your vehicle registration should be presented to the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (Customs) at the border. Customs will review the manufacturer letter to assure that the vehicle complies. (DOT approval of the manufacturer letter was discontinued as of April 8, 1997.)

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS, except for the speedometer, or headlights, you may have these components replaced at a dealer authorized by the factory to repair your vehicle. In addition to the documents cited in item 2, above, you must present the invoice for the speedometer or headlight replacement to obtain Customs approval.

If the manufacturer letter states that the vehicle meets all U.S. FMVSS except for FMVSS No. 208 (automatic or passive restraint requirements) you WILL NOT be able to bring your vehicle into the U.S. on a permanent basis unless it is modified by an RI. If an RI is willing to modify the vehicle, it may be expensive and may change your desire to import the vehicle.

If the manufacturer will not issue a letter for your vehicle, the only method to import your vehicle on a permanent basis is to contract with an RI.
VW Volkswagen Import Importing Grey Market Doka Doppelkabine Crew Cab Double Cab Registered Importer ICI Independant Commercial RI

Port Hueneme

SHIPPING
Shipping from Europe to the West Coast (Port Hueneme, California) usually takes 4 to 6 weeks.

Wallenius Wilhelmsen is the only shipping company that offers RORO (Roll On, Roll Off) shipping service to the USA from Europe. Ports of departure in Europe are: Gothenburg, Bremerhaven, Zeebrugge, and Southhampton. WW Upon customs release of the vehicle, the RI will pick up the vehicle at the port and transport to the conversion facility.

CLEAN THE UNDER-CARRIAGE: To safeguard against importation of dangerous pests, the U.S. Department of Agriculture requires that the undercarriage of imported cars be free of foreign soil. Have your car steam-sprayed or cleaned thoroughly before shipment.

YOUR CAR IS NOT A SHIPPING CONTAINER: For your own safety, security, and convenience, DO NOT use your car as a container for personal belongings. Your possessions are susceptible to theft while the vehicle is on the loading and unloading docks and in transit. Many shippers and carriers will Shipping not accept your vehicle if it contains personal belongings. The entire contents of your car must be declared to Customs on entry. Failure to do so can result in a fine or seizure of the car and its contents. Your vehicle may be subject to seizure, and you may incur a personal penalty, if anyone uses it as a conveyance for illegal narcotics.

DUTIABLE ENTRY: Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally dutiable at the following rates:

Autos 2.5%
Trucks 25%

Duty rates are based on price paid or payable. Most Canadian-made vehicles are duty-free.
VEHICLE ELIGIBILITY
Currently, there are four model years of the Volkswagen T3 Transporter that are eligible for importation into the United States from Europe: 1980, 1988, 1989 and 1990. 1993 and 1994 Volkswagen T4 Transporters are also currently eligible for import.

Other model years can be certified as eligible for import based on a petition from a registered importer. The petition Eligibility process is usually based on: 1) the vehicle is substantially similar to a motor vehicle of the same model year that was manufactured for sale in the United States and certified by its manufacturer as complying with all applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) and 2) is capable of being readily altered to comply with all applicable FMVSS.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The following documentation is required at the port of entry in order to obtain the release of the vehicle into RI custody:
  • Contract between RI & Customer.
  • A copy of the foreign registration.
  • A copy of the bill of sale.
  • SSN of the Customer.
  • Power of Attorney for the vehicle.
  • The Bill of Lading.
  • DOT/EPA Vehicle Import Bond.

Required Documentation

 
 
LOOKING FOR A VEHICLE?
Give Mike Plompen at www.busman.be at try. Like us, they specialize in the VW T3 and they have many different version in stock and ready to ship.
IMPORTING "MYTHS"
IMPORT INTO CANADA, THEN INTO THE USA: This is one of the most popular "work arounds". It is also a FELONY!

Eligibility Only vehicles originally built for the Canadian market can be imported as Canadian vehicles. A vehicle imported into Canada is still a European market vehicle and must be imported as such.

IMPORT AS A PARTS CAR: Another popular "work around" and it's legal... as long as you NEVER drive the vehicle on the highway.

Remember, the Federal Government owns the highway system. In order to legally operate a vehicle on the highway it must have a certification from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Anyone operating a non-conforming vehicle on the highway is risking criminal prosecution and forfeiture of the vehicle, as well as civil liability if involved in an accident.
TYPICAL MODIFICATIONS
STANDARD #: 101 - CONTROLS AND DISPLAY:
(a) substitution of a lens marked “Brake” for a lens with a non-complying symbol on the brake failure indicator lamp;
(b) installation of a seat belt warning lamp that displays the appropriate symbol;
(c) recalibration of the speedometer/odometer from kilometers to miles per hour.

STANDARD #: 108 - LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES & ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT
(a) installation of U.S.-model headlamp assemblies that incorporate headlamps with DOT markings;
(b) installation of U.S.-model front and rear sidemarker/ reflector assemblies;
(c) installation of U.S.-model taillamp assemblies.

STANDARD #: 111 - REARVIEW MIRROR
replacement of the passenger side rearview mirror with a U.S.-model component.

STANDARD #: 114 - THEFT PROTECTION
installation of a warning buzzer microswitch in the steering lock assembly and a warning buzzer.

STANDARD #: 118 - POWER WINDOW SYSTEMS
rewiring of the power window system so that the window transport is inoperative when the ignition is switched off.

STANDARD #: 120 - TIRE SELECTION & RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES OTHER THAN PASSENGER CARS
installation of a tire information placard.

STANDARD #: 208 - OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION
(a) installation of a U.S.- model seat belt in the driver’s position, or a belt webbing-actuated microswitch inside the driver’s seat belt retractor;
(b) installation of an ignition switch actuated seat belt warning lamp and buzzer. The petitioner states that the vehicles are equipped with combination lap and shoulder restraints that adjust by means of an automatic retractor and release by means of a single push button at both front designated seating positions, with combination lap and shoulder restraints that release by means of a single push button at both rear outboard designated seating positions, and with a lap belt in the rear center designated seating position.

STANDARD #: 301 FUEL SYSTEM INTEGRITY
installation of a rollover valve in the fuel tank vent line between the fuel tank and the evaporative emissions collection canister.

EPA MODIFICATIONS (if necessary):
  • Catalytic Converter
  • O2 Sensor
  • Charcoal Canister
 Copyright © 2006 - Autostadt West (RI#: R-06-346)
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