Date:         Tue, 29 Feb 2000 22:44:04 EST
Reply-To:     BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Benjamin Tan <BenTbtstr8@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: South Africn Vanagon
Comments: To: dbeierl@ibm.net
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="US-ASCII"

In a message dated 2/29/00 7:31:46 PM Pacific Standard Time, dbeierl@IBM.NET
writes:

<< I believe the price is SA list price + shipping + whatever it takes to
 bribe US Customs and EPA and probably DOT as well.  In other words, there's
 no legal way to bring one into the US at any price.  Sigh... >>

David,

Why should it be any different from importing from Europe? US customs just
wants you to pay duty. DOT just wants to put US safety equipment (shouldn't
be too complicated since there are US spec Vanagons for parts), EPA well
install the US emissions stuff or convert to a US engine until your
certification is done.

It won't be cheap (or economically practical). However, l don't think it's
impossible.

BenT
San Francisco
PS:
I've owned 4 gray market cars. 2 of which I completed the certification. Of
course, this was during the free-for-all personal vehicle importing days.