Date: Fri, 14 Jul 2000 08:59:42 -0400
Reply-To: Christopher Michael Gronski <chrisgronski@hotmail.com>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Christopher Michael Gronski <chrisgronski@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: buying in Canada
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1"
Sean we just had a long discussion about Importing a Vehicle from Canada,
I've attached most of it here. In addition the floowing text was cut and
pasted from
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/can9909.htm
VEHICLE IMPORTATION GUIDELINES
(Imported From Canada)
September 1999
Box 2B
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 imported from
Canada on a temporary basis or if prior DOT or U.S. Customs clearance was
not obtained.
1. Contact the manufacturer of the vehicle, and ask 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). READ THE LETTER CAREFULLY.
2. 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 U.S. Customs at the border. U.S. 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.)
3. 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 U.S. Customs
approval.
4. 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.
5. 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.
6. EPA approval is also required. You may call the EPA information line at:
(202) 564-9660
CANADIAN CONTACT PHONE LIST
Volkswagen of America, Inc.
Customer Relations Department
3800 Hamlin Road
Auburn Hills, MI 48326
USA: 1-800-822-8987
CANADA: 1-800-822-8987
Thanks,
Chris
----- Original Message -----
From: "Christopher Michael Gronski" <chrisgronski@hotmail.com>
To: "Keith Adams" <keith_adams@transcanada.com>
Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 10:48 AM
Subject: Re: 93 EV Diesel Westie FS in Canada
> For Canucks who are looking to import from the States you may want to
check
> out http://www.riv.com/indexE.htm it is easier than you'd think as long as
> the vehicle meets US saftey standards.
>
> Thanks,
> Chris
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Keith Adams" <keith_adams@transcanada.com>
> To: "Christopher Michael Gronski" <chrisgronski@hotmail.com>
> Cc: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 12, 2000 9:55 AM
> Subject: Re: 93 EV Diesel Westie FS in Canada
>
>
> > A guy I work with had a friend who tried to take his car with him when
he
> moved
> > to the States. He had to post a $10,000 bond and then get the car
set-up
> to DOT
> > standards, which can include changing all the glass, I believe changing
> over the
> > instrument cluster to read in those funny units they use down there, the
> bumpers
> > may also be different (the reason we don't have an Audi A4 1.8T Avant
> here), an
> > extra funniness with the camper is that the regulations about RVs are
> different,
> > and the big nasty - emissions (which is totally state dependent, I
guess).
> If
> > they didn't sell a diesel EV in the States, there's probably a good
reason
> and
> > to import it may be financially challenging. As Chris said, it is
> dependent on
> > the age and the regulations in effect when that vehicle was originally
> > manufactured.
> >
> > Importing U.S. to Canada I think is (somewhat) easier, but no cakewalk.
> Canada
> > Customs publishes a list of which cars are and aren't admissible (those
> which
> > are newer than 15 years old)
> >
> > Aside from that, I didn't even know they made diesel EVs... that's my
new
> > knowledge for the day.
> > Cheers!
> > Keith Adams
> > Calgary, Alberta, Canada
> > 1986 Vanagon GL Westfalia
> >
> > Christopher Michael Gronski wrote:
> >
> > > I'd caution you to really investigate importing a vehicle to the
states.
> I
> > > live in Canada and the rules are great for US to Canada importation
but
> are
> > > aparently very strict for Canada to US. A few weeks ago myself and a
guy
> > > from Michigan were both looking at the same '80 Westy, he ended up out
> > > bidding me and got the van, then proceeded to struggle for days to try
> to
> > > export it from Canada to the States. He tried phone calls, e-mail,
etc.
> and
> > > I'm told he even drove the vehicle to the border but no dice... he
> couldn't
> > > bring it in. His loss was my gain. Since he wasn't able to export it
to
> the
> > > States, I ended up getting the van. It may have had something to do
with
> the
> > > age of the vehicle but be VERY careful.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > > Chris
> >
> >
>
>
----- Original Message -----
From: "sean thompson" <seanthompson9@excite.com>
To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
Sent: Thursday, July 13, 2000 4:21 PM
Subject: buying in Canada
> I am interested in buying a new Vanagon/Eurovan Camper in Canada.
> Is this possible? Any advice? Is it possible to import new from
> Mexico/US/Africa?
>
> Thanks very much
> Sean
>
>
>
>
>
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