Hello Jens,

I'm sure Jeff can best answer your question as he is a registered
importer.

I just wanted to add that it has been my experience in assisting a few
people with tourist vehicles entering the here that US Customs made
each party sign documents advising and requring that each vehicle be
destroyed or exported out of the US by air or sea after the term of
the temporary permit expires. IIRC correctly, 'driving' it out to
Canada or Mexico does not meet those export requirements.

We have discussed this topic here many times before. Some States will
permit you to register the vehicle in question but that does not mean
it is in complian with Federal Regulations.

As I understand the rules in California, it is even more difficult
because legally importing here requires the engine to be tested. Jeff
told me the issue is the lack of an available testing lab for diesel
engines. How can you provide a test when no lab exist? I won't
advocate this practice so please consider this am academic discussion.
Many other States do not have the problem with diesel importation.
Once the documentation is complete to make the vehicle a legal import
in another State, there should be no issue then to register the
vehicle in California. California loves diesels or so my local Smog
Check referee tells me. Once you get past the import testing issue and
completed legalization of the importation for one of the other States,
California would then be a possibility.

Regards,

BenT

On Jun 7, 2010, at 1:23 PM, Jens Jakob Andersen <jayjay@ZORCK.DK> wrote:

> Hi Jeff
>
> Sounds interesting.
>
> Do you know what it takes for them to be able to do this legally?
>
> Or can the new owner do the paperwork that needs to be done?
>
>
> There must be some import-specialists here on the list.
>
> Happy driVWing
>
> Jens Jakob