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-----Original Message-----
From: jimt [mailto:camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO]
Sent: Saturday, January 22, 2005 9:50 AM
To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
Subject: Importing vehicle and cert from VW

If the vehicle was made after 1974 even if the vehicle was dual market (ie
us and canada) the cat converter and O2 sensor must be tested prior to
importation.  The cert can only be issued if the test was performed.  Only
certified stations can issue.  The details on this are even more messed up
when the bumpers are in issue also.  The trick on this one is if the van
does not still have the sticker of compliance on it.  Canada and the us had
similar bumper rules but the canadian gvt did not require the sticker until
much later and not on all vehicles.  If the vehicle is over 25 years old it
only needs to meet rules in place at the time.  Vehicles less than 25 years
old may need updating according to nhtsa rules before entering.

The rules are so detailed and cross referenced that even the customs office
recommends the expensive brokers do the vehicle importing.  Says it can save
a lot of aggravation in the long run.

My notes on going from the US to Canada refer to a lot of tax loop jumping
in addition to the safety standards issues.

There are revisions to the rules every two years on reviews by
customs/EPA/NHTSA.  The current manual being quoted on sites appears to have
a 2004 date on it but I cant tell if that was the revision and issue date of
if there were just changes posted.  The 9/11 had nothing to do with changes
made on the importing.

Also specific to canadian importing is

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/

Also see

http://www.nhtsa.gov/cars/rules/import/ELIG071404.html
........................................
jimt
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