Date:         Sat, 12 Aug 2000 17:50:20 -0500
Reply-To:     "Roy O." <keepsake@pangea.ca>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         "Roy O." <keepsake@pangea.ca>
Subject:      Importing Westy Info
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="Windows-1252"

The original posting on Aug. 11 didn't seem to make it to Gerry so here it is
again:

Fellow and Fellowette (?) Listees:

For those of you who may wonder what's involved in importing a vehicle into the
U.S. from Canada, here's what I learned from my recent bout at selling my Westy.

1. According to U.S. Customs, before you import a vehicle into the U.S., you
need to post a bond triple the value of the vehicle. The bond will be returned
upon proof that the vehicle meets or has been modified to meet U.S. EPA
standards.

2. You also need to produce a Certificate of Conformity from the vehicle's
manufacturer, which I acquired from Volkswagen of America in Auburn Hills, MI.
This certificate confirms that the vehicle in question was originally produced
by Volkswagen AG for sale in the Canadian market and indicates if said vehicle
was certified to conform to applicable Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety standards,
U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency and California Air Resources Board regulations in effect at the time of
manufacture, with the following exceptions:

Safety: 1. The odometer must be labelled in kilometres or miles. 2. The
speedometer must read in miles per hour. 3. The dashboard brake warning light
must be labelled "BRAKE" in letters at least 1/8 inch high.

Motor Home Safety Standards: Since the vehicle was produced for the Canadian
market, it therefore does not meet U.S. National Fire Protection Safety
Standards. As a result, Canadian campers may not be imported or registered in
the following restricted states: Arizona, Colorado, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana,
Nebraska, Oregon, Washington, Tennessee.

In addition, a Canadian Safety Code label must be affixed to the outside surface
of the camper.

If you've stuck with me this far, then you need to get out more!  But if you
still want more info, go to www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/can9909.htm

Roy O.
'87 Westfalia GL
(till death us do part)