Lee,

I was looking into importing my brother's '89
Transporter from Germany a year ago. There were many
obstacles, but not impossible.  Below are some
relevant websites.

http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/cert.htm
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/
http://wallacelab.com/DOT.htm
http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/location/ports/
http://www.carsafety.org/ictl7.htm

The gist of what I learned was that you can import it
if it can be made to meet U.S. safety & emissions
standards.

If "essentially the same vehicle" was sold in the U.S.
that year, it's not too difficult, though still
prohibitively expensive for the average vehicle...you
need to replace many things you wouldn't even think
of, like all the exterior lights and some of the
warning lights. As I recall, there were only 3 or 4
licensed importers in the northeas, and they have to
do the mods--what a monopoly.

In the case of a post-'91 Vanagon, it may still be
possible. One of these sites (forget which one) has a
list of all the vehicles that have already been
approved for import as a result of someone else's
petition. If you find one that's on that list, you're
golden. If not,you need to go through the process
yourself, and can make a career of it.

When I was looking into importing, I found that the
cost of shipping was the smallest item; the cost of
modifications and import fee were huge.

Good luck!

Jim Carter
'84 Westy (the Orange Violin)

http://www.epa.gov/OMSWWW/cert.htm

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

http://wallacelab.com/DOT.htm

http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/location/ports/

http://www.uscatalytic.com/ordering.html

http://www.carsafety.org/ictl7.htm

>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Lee Roesner" <paradigm@MC.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, February 29, 2000 8:56 PM
> Subject: South African Vanagon
>
>
> > I emailed VW South Africa regarding purchasing and
> shipping a "Bus" over
> > here. I just want to see where this goes. Will let
> you know what  I find
> > out. Just look at this
> >
>
baby...http://www.vw.co.za/range/bus/safety/frameset_safety.html
>  Can
> > you just imagine it in your drive way with 27
> miles on it :)
> >
> > BenT, any clue on what companies might provide
> this administrative
> > service to handle DOT, EPA etc.?
> >
> > --
> > Lee Roesner
> > PARADIGM Graphic Design & Web Development
> > Northbrook Office 847-509-8704
> >    Fax: 847-480-5701
> > Home Office: 815-385-2969
> >    Fax: 815-385-2994
> > PORTFOLIO: http://www.roesner.net
>
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