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General Information => General => Topic started by: myke_w on March 04, 2007, 04:32:35 pm
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I'm going to be getting an engine from a guy in Canada, but want to make sure I don't get hassled at the border. Is there any documentation I need to have when coming back to ease my re-entry? For example, do I have to take the oil pan off so they can see inside?
All advise is appreciated
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i wouldn't be surprised if they wanted the oil pan off... and to be honest, for all they know you could be transporting guns or drugs into the country... after all, we Canadians have easily accessible supply of guns that are readily available... and cheaper than the guns in the US... :lol: [/sarcasm]
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Any ideas on the particular laws governing this?? I don't want to get a bunch of grief about it and have to get all pissed off about it and yell at them.
I'm just trying to be absolutely certain this is going to fly..
Has anybody done this that can advise?
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get a receipt from your seller with a (minimum) reasonable value.
years ago, i hauled an engine the other way across the boarder, and the customs arsehole didn't believe me that I only paid $150 for it (which might have explained why I had driven from Toronto to Boston to get it, but that just didn't click for him) and I didn't have a receipt. I ended up paying tax on $450 and getting a :x sticker on my 'file'.
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go on the goverment website and send them an email. I did that about a year ago when I was going to deliver a crap load of engines to the states. It didn't pan out so I didn't persue it too far
Make sure you have the VIN
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VIN huh?
I'm pretty sure there's not really a VIN left..
This is a complete engine from a German vehicle, whose chassis is probably still in Germany too.
I saw a post a while back about this somewhere that referenced a particular rule that allowed said transporter to pass, but no search high or low turned up anything.
It seems like some people report no issues, claim it, pay the tax and go, and others seem to have a hell of a time with this..
I have no idea what to expect.. is there any concensus?
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depends who is working and how they feel that day. have all possible documentation with you. be prepared. call ahead and ask what they want to see (that's what i always do) so there are no surprises. shouldn't be a big issue..
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Pardon my ignorance.. buy how do you call them? What agency runs the border patrol?
Thx ..
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call the border crossing that you will be going to. i looked up the numbers from government websites. used google i think. if you have trouble let me know.
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Well that particular border crossing # is out of commission, big surprise.... So I called the EPA hot line for car imports.
Of course the first answer - nope can't do it. Not unless it is "certified".
But - engine parts... that's ok, bring em on.
URGGGHHGGHG
I can tell this is going to be a good time already. I am thinking about just taking the damn thing all the way apart while I'm there and doing it that way.
Funny how people can stuff 100 engines in a container from Germany but I have to stand on my head and spit quarters to get a single engine in the door.
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just show up, say you paid XX for it. if they ask what its for or whatever, or if they give you a hassle about some reason why you can't import complete motors... say you just got it for parts. if they have an issue with it being a complete motor, make sure you have the tools to pull it apart a little. i can't see this being that big a deal........ but who knows.
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...i had to call some general line to get the # for the border crossing i used last time. the number listed online was old as well.
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Thanks for the reassurance.
I found the rulkes applying specifically to this situation.
Here is the link http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/quiktext.htm#usversion
B. (2) Engine not in Vehicle or Chassis
EPA regulates the entire vehicle, not individual parts, for cars, light trucks, and motorcycles. If an engine is not installed, and is to be used in a car, motorcycle, or light truck, it may be imported as an automotive part. No approval or Customs bond is required by EPA. Importers should be aware, however, that replacement of an engine in a U.S. version vehicle with an engine of a different type or model year which is not currently covered by an EPA certificate or will be covered by an EPA certificate prior to introduction into commerce may violate EPA regulations.
To import an engine for use in a car, light truck or motorcycle, the importer must file with U.S. Customs, upon entry, an EPA Form 3520-1 and declare code "W" on that form.
link to form
https://www.smartwebmove.navsup.navy.mil/swm/documents/EPA%203520-1.pdf
For a "heavy" vehicle or "heavy" truck, EPA regulates the engine, whether or not it is installed. EPA considers a vehicle or truck as "heavy" if it has a gross vehicle weight rating of more than 8,500 pounds, or a curb weight of more than 6,000 pounds. To be imported, such an engine must be either excluded, exempted, covered by an EPA certificate of conformity, or imported by an independent commercial importer.
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sounds stupid to me... i would just say that the engine dropped a valve after the timing belt slipped because the owner didn't maintain his engine properly... just say you got a great deal and you're going to rebuild it... (tell him the rebuild will cost you like $1000) and that you payed $150.
hopefully the dude will cut you some slack... but having a signed receipt saying you payed $150 with a dudes name & number will be the key to your successful crossing of the border!
Maybe splash some mud on the engine too??? lol make it look like it's been sitting outside hehe!
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Nice, that's a damn fine idea..
:)
I'll let ya know how it goes..
It is really ugly.. so that should help.
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Myke, I just brought in two 1.6td motors on the 27th of feb. Ran into MAJOR hassels at us customs. Both where out of original car, one had head off. I had receipt with names dates addresses phone numbers sale price. 1st customs guy I delt with was a putz. I saw him right at the end of his shift. Not a happy camper. This guy wanted the epa certificates for the engines. When I told him they were pulled engines, and in pieces, he did not care. "Take em back to Canada, there not coming in." Long story short. The section you quoted about parts,,engines not in chasis, thats what you need. The second shift Sup dug that out, filled it out with me and I was on my way. Call ahead to the border crossing you intent to use. Ask to speak to a importation specialist. Tell them what you want to do. Get there name and contact info. Perhaps if the engine was broken down you might get some slack. If you contact vw america and have all the info from the original car, vin etc, they will cut you a letter about compliance with emissions, but they said it would take almost two weeks to process.
Hope this helps, Jim
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Well I'm planning to tear it down anyway, I just don't want the hassle. I'm taking the form in case anyone ***es...
BTW did they make you put a vin on the form?
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Nope.
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Could you elaborate on what you DID have to put on the form?
Thx..
8)
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Honestly, The guy just put a form in front of me, said mark it here, put this here, n/a, n/a, n/a, fill out name address etc, have a nice night. There where no import fee's, it was quick and simple. Who know's, I was really beat at that point. I could have just sold my first born and signed up for a thirty year hitch in the French Forigen Legion. :shock:
When this second shift Sup came on, man life just got easy and I was greatful. I beat feet, wound it up to 80 and drove due south for 5 hours.
Hope yours goes smooth :)
Jim
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Honestly, The guy just put a form in front of me, said mark it here, put this here, n/a, n/a, n/a, fill out name address etc, have a nice night. There where no import fee's, it was quick and simple. Who know's, I was really beat at that point. I could have just sold my first born and signed up for a thirty year hitch in the French Forigen Legion. :shock:
When this second shift Sup came on, man life just got easy and I was greatful. I beat feet, wound it up to 80 and drove due south for 5 hours.
Hope yours goes smooth :)
Jim
sometimes i think these people have power trips or something... and feel it necessary to 'bully' us... i mean come on... if i was crossing with a motor and i was super agitated and dodgy.. then yea cause for suspicion! :lol:
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A friend of mine bought an Olds 442 (86) from the states for really cheap and did all the paperwork as he was supposed to. When he came up to the border, he got through the American side OK, but when he got to the Canadian side he got hassled, the guy didnt think he paid 1000 dollars for the car, because his book said it was worth 6000. The guy threw him in a holding cell because he thought my friend was lying to him. After a few hours the guy called the PO of the car, found out that it was only sold for 1000 dollars and let my friend go, but vowed "he would find out the truth and that both he and the PO would pay for lying to him" Nothing ever happened.
Peter
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You know, it's like everywhere. Out of 10 or 15 people on a shift you are going to have your great people, some clock punchers and some non-people skill havin dickheads. I actually checked with the Customs guys I work with a week before I went up. Had them call a import specialist and everything. I was told it would be no problem. Even gave the 1st guy at the border the specialists name. still no joy. Second shift Sup was just like they said it should be. My suggestion, if you find a good inspector, get their name. Be friendly, without putting down the other dickwads you don't want to deal with, and try and find out when they most ofton work so you can come through when they are working. Kind of like hitting the bar when the bartender your in good with is working.
The Canadian guy's thought it was cool I was going to do a swap, he had a TDI and loved it.
You roll ya dice, ya take ya chances. Course it never hurts to load the dice as much as possible before you roll 8)
Jim
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Yaknow...if this was like the southern border you could just cross where there is no fence and be done with it.
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Honestly, The guy just put a form in front of me, said mark it here, put this here, n/a, n/a, n/a, fill out name address etc, have a nice night. There where no import fee's, it was quick and simple. Who know's, I was really beat at that point. I could have just sold my first born and signed up for a thirty year hitch in the French Forigen Legion. :shock:
When this second shift Sup came on, man life just got easy and I was greatful. I beat feet, wound it up to 80 and drove due south for 5 hours.
Hope yours goes smooth :)
Jim
Did you just wait until the first shift guys left?
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I was off in a side room using a payphone yelling at a guy from vwusa, who sounded in my opinion to difinatly not be in the usa. Anyway, I was on the phone with these jerkwads for like an hour, when I came out, the shift had changed.
What are you going up to get myke?
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A friend of mine bought an Olds 442 (86) from the states for really cheap and did all the paperwork as he was supposed to. When he came up to the border, he got through the American side OK, but when he got to the Canadian side he got hassled, the guy didnt think he paid 1000 dollars for the car, because his book said it was worth 6000. The guy threw him in a holding cell because he thought my friend was lying to him. After a few hours the guy called the PO of the car, found out that it was only sold for 1000 dollars and let my friend go, but vowed "he would find out the truth and that both he and the PO would pay for lying to him" Nothing ever happened.
Peter
man... those guys are total asswipes. *** them! see if i get off my ass to help those guys at work... lol like i said earlier, its a total power trip. they put a uniform on and think they are god. i wouldn't wish harm on them... but maybe once if they just got humbled... and i'm talking OWNED by their supervisor for being a dick! I'm all about safe border crossing, but still. focus on inspecting the vehicle.. not how much the guy payed for it!! omfg makes my blood boil[/rant]
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Yaknow...if this was like the southern border you could just cross where there is no fence and be done with it.
did you hear of the border guard down south who shot out the tires on an SUV who illegally crossed into the states???lol.. some noob was hiding in the wheel well and got her front teeth shot out from the ricochet... all occupants sued, and are now living for free, getting $$$ from the government, and that border guard is now facing like 12 years in jail for doing his job.
sorry guys, but if you are dumb enough to hide in a wheel well... you takes your chances!!! like wtf... if they would have hit a huge enough bump that *** would have been hurting anyways :lol:
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Hey all, I figured I'd update you on what happened.
So I go to Canada, pick up the motor, drag it to the border in the back of my Jetta wagon. When asked if I bought anything, I told him "car parts". He asked "what kind of car parts?" "An engine", I told him. He just gave me this crazy look, and asked, "you have an engine in the back of a station wagon?".
I invited him to have a look, which he did, and then asked what it was for. I told him "a VW bus" (it was a Vanagon TD motor). He asked how much I paid... I replied in Canadian currency. He said "So, you drove all the way from Ohio to pick up an old motor like this.. why?" I said, they are getting harder to find in the US these days..
I handed him the invoice, I had a sales slip ready, stating that it was a core motor from an 81 Vanagon D with the sellers name, number, address, etc. on it
Have a good day he said.. :P
So, no hassle at all.. I suspect it matters alot if the state you bring the thing into has an environazi stance. IIRC, New York, Maine and Vermont have strict laws about that kind of stuff, Michigan however, does not.
That's my $.02 ....Canadian
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hey wuddya know. glad it worked out. stock up on beer and smokes?? :lol:
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Not this time.. :)
BTW I kept it in one piece, the seller advised me that there would likely be no problems with it.. :)
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nice glad to hear everyone's hormones were balanced! :lol:
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someone who used to post on this site used to come up here a few times each summer to pick up engines and bring them back to the states, At first he was worried and had problems a couple of times. But the last few times he has been having an easier time. Only brings back one or two at a time and is going to a very small crossing
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someone who used to post on this site used to come up here a few times each summer to pick up engines and bring them back to the states, At first he was worried and had problems a couple of times. But the last few times he has been having an easier time. Only brings back one or two at a time and is going to a very small crossing
you know you replied to a 7 year old thread?
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It was linked in the other usa to Canada thread, so it makes sense to me.
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(http://www.tacomaworld.com/gallery/data/500/holy-thread-revival-batman.jpg)
Also it means I can dig out this classic. ;)