Date:         Mon, 17 Aug 1998 14:47:57 EDT
Reply-To:     Westys4evr@AOL.COM
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <Vanagon@vanagon.com>
From:         Karl Mullendore <Westys4evr@AOL.COM>
Subject:      Re: Us canada import customs.
Comments: To: gaelen@NETTAXI.COM
Comments: cc: Vanagon@VANAGON.COM
Content-type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII

BT,DT ! I imported a Syncro Westy 2 years ago,what an experience! If the van
in question has a door-jamb sticker stating it conforms to Federal
standards,you're in good shape!The van has to be a model that was sold also in
the US.Contact the DOT for exact current regulations-but when I brought mine
down,it was fairly easy once I got the paperwork ready.You will be required to
get a 'letter of compliance' from VWOA-this was the hardest part for me,as VW
gave me the run-around for 2 months,saying it was not a Federal approved
van(even though it had all the stickers!!!).Finally,after vowing to never buy
another VW product,and beginning to look at other not-so-legal ways of getting
it here,as well as making many calls to VW customer service(some not-so-nice)
voila-a FAX from VW,a letter of NON-compliance,basically what was needed,as
all that didn't comply was the speedo and the brake warning indicator(!!) Sent
that to DOT,they said if I would change those 2 items in Canada,take it to an
authorized VW dealer for that to be verified,FAX all that to DOT,THEN they
would FAX back an approval letter,and I was free to bring it in the US.DO get
a bill of sale!!! US customs will give you lots of grief if you don't have
one! OK- hope I've conveyed most of the process.Here are my contact
#s:DOT:Kathy Rice,202-366-5283;US Customs:410-962-2191. If you need any
further advice,I'll be glad to assist.

Karl
' 87 CANADIAN spec Syncro Westy