I have successfully imported my '87 Golf GTI from Quebec to California, and
 faced the problems Ben mentions below (but managed to get through them). I
 have a doc I wrote about the whole story. Anyone who wants it please send me a
 quick e-mail!

A bientot,

Philippe

On Tue, 9 Apr 2002 16:39:43 -0400
 Ben huot <huotx@VIDEOTRON.CA> wrote:
> http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
>
> That should help.
>
> Ben 87 GL
> http://pages.infinit.net/eurokit/
>
> the following is a post i found on www.westfalia.org
>
> Watch Out!
> The worries are not worth the troubles in importing Westies to the U.S.
> from Canada ( & Bugs from Mexico). I recently imported my dream 1978 Westy
> in the spring of 2001 from BC to the US, it can be a confusing process but
> if your "customs savy" you should have no problem. Even if you want to pick
> it up yourself and drive it across the border the process has to
> authenticated so it can be registered in the States.
> First, before you even put an offer down on the Westy you should speak to a
> Vehicle Import Broker. This person is who you have to go through to take
> care of all the environmental standard, authentication and paperwork, and
> also coordinates with your Importer who you will meet at the border to pick
> up your private commercial manifest that you will give to the Customs
> Officer upon entering the US.
> Also their are alot of Catch 22's and red tape in vehicle importation
> politics. It's how country's can make a little cash$ on the side. For
> instance, if the Westy your interested in is 25 years old or younger it
> must compy to Dept. of Transportation standards here in the US. Like a
> metric speedo is against the law here in hte States. It must have either a
> dual KM/MPH or a MPH only. IT MUST BE CONVERTED BEFORE ENTRY INTO THE
> STATES! Also Canadian and Mexican Emissions Laws are more laxed than they
> are in the States, Yes Canada has laxed emissions laws! So if its a smokey
> pipe it won't pass here and therefore you will not be able to licence it in
> the states.
> Also, beware! i heard that the US is supposed to impound cars for a month
> if they are not up to "American" standards, So please have all conversions
> done before you go.
> And one more thing! you also need to know the month and year your Westy was
> made before you can even think about importing it from wherever!