So close and yet so far!

[Colin Dalzell]

Well my kit arrived at the Seattle docks yesterday. That's the good news. Now the bad. The customs broker is having a tough time with the customs agent to get the container released. Seems to be that even with supporting "interps" from the DOT/NHTSA that he has determined that it is a "vehicle" and must conform with the new car standards.
The battle continues; I'll keep you all posted.
/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Ron Earp]

This is one area that is a PITA to deal with. While I do not have a CAV car, I think this is one area where CAV does a fantastic job - you don't have to fool around with this sort of thing with their cars.

My RF was easy to get in, but that was two years ago and it was clearly not a car - just a big box of parts. If DRB, RF, and NZ are to bring in rollers they'll have to get this sorted for customers so that it is a smooth process. It can be smooth, but the parent company and agent in the states must do their homework upfront.

Good luck with it, I hope you are able to get it soon. Did you check the back info on the forum? I know I posted a name of one fellow who helped me and some others responded as well.

Ron

 

Having read this post and talking to Robert at Roaring Forties this morning. He confirmed that his car customers in the states do not have this problem, as RF take on the responsibility of customs etc. as part of the deal.

 

[Colin Dalzell]

The kit was shipped as a collection of parts. The customs agent is just trying to make a name for himself. I'm confident it will get sorted out, just on somebody elses timeline!

 

[Hershal Byrd]

Hey Dazzle,
With todays modern communications abilities it would be easy to get this clown that's trying to make a name for himself. First off his job is to know his job and not cause undo delays to the citizens. An hour or two of research will give you a wealth of knowledge on how this is supposed to work. I'm sure if you want you can squawk loud enough to the right person and get this guy back to counting contaners instead of making important decesions that he is not capable of making at this point in his career.
To many times people remain complacent because they are afriad these idiots could make it worse. I'm hear to tell you that it's the other way around when you know who to call. You won't be so understanding when your State goverment sends you a nice customs bill. And it ain't a small bill either. The amount depends on the declared worth of the shipment. My little surprize came three months after I recieved the car and it was for over 1K.. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif I say rattle their cage and make them work for those bucks` /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Hersh

 

[Bill Musarra]

Dazzle,
Do a search on the forum about importing and customs. There is a lot of info that should help you with the customs people. If they continue to interpret the car any other way than chassis, change the code/choice to race car.( That is what it was anyway ) Then it doesn't have to meet any of the requirements. Registration then is between you and your state. In Ga. we have found some sympathy from the local authorities that will sign off on the car as a restoration of a historic car, which gets us around all the registration hassels.
Bill

 

[Ron Earp]

Actually, I got a little suprise too - 1.5 years after bringing the car in.

I paid the US customs taxes etc. to bring the car into the country, but 1.5 years after that North Carolina sends me a tax bill with fines for being late. I fought this and won, pointing out to them I had just registered the car at the DMV (another whole story) and paid taxes on it then. What they were doing was double taxiation, once on the parts into NC and once on the car registered in NC. They backed down.

If you've got a bunch of parts you'll get it in. Do the reading and remain calm and professional - you can scare them into leaving you alone. It worked for me and I'm sure it'll do the same for you.

Ron

 

[dave harris]

Ok everyone, I'm a little confused about the "state taxes at registration" portion of this import thing. What are these? I certainly hope they are not "sales taxes" as none of us has pruchased our cars from the states we live in. So I must be missing something here.


Colin, did you give the importer the proper code for a chassis and "parts" import?

 

[Shannon M]

[ QUOTE ]
Ok everyone, I'm a little confused about the "state taxes at registration" portion of this import thing. What are these?

[/ QUOTE ]

This can depend on your state, in NC when you register a car you must pay a registration (property?) tax, which can be quite high depending on the value of your car, but it does have a cap I believe. You might also have to pay a sales tax based on the total value of your car. I would call your DMV to find out what fees are charged to get your car legal. Note these charges don't have anything to do with importing the car to the States.

I wish there were a uniform way of registering kit cars throughout the US, but unfortunately it differs wildly from state to state as per my kit car research.

-Shannon
GT-40 owner hopeful

 

[Neal]

Colin,

Give me a call and I can fax over my paperwork.

 

[Hershal Byrd]

What I paid had nothing to do with registration or personal property tax. It was a bill from the state of Arizona IRS. It specifically states that it is a customs import tax on privately imported items. If I was a business this tax would not be due. It sucks, I paid cause I don't need the IRS agravation, been there, done that...

Hersh

 

[Colin Dalzell]

A brief (unhappy) update - Customs is now asking for a three times value cash bond to be placed to ensure conformance with DOT regs.
Anyone want a box of car parts cheap?
I will be getting the DOT lawyers involved on Monday - they know about this particular agent and the problems he causes and have indicated that as far as regs and standards that Customs WORKS for the DOT and they are not pleased. If all else fails I will be taking the suggestions to import as a race car.
I am trying to stay calm but I've waited over 8 months for this day to arrive and it is so frustrating.
Thanks for all the support.

 

[Hershal Byrd]

Colin,
Where the hell is your agent. He's the one that's supposed to be jumping through these hoops. How come he isn't demanding a second opinion from a superior officer. Tell him somebody better find out how to administer the proper designations and procedures for these idiots. You need to research those rules then print it out and educate them as to what you have. Sorry but one guy is not enough to hold up that load. You have options and they ain't gonna tell you about them either. They work for the public and they are subject to dariliction of duty charges.

Hersh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[Colin Dalzell]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Well my customs agent negotiated a DEAL between DOT and Customs. The container has been CLEARED and will be delivered on Thursday. I don't know all the details yet but I will post a summary of my experience with Customs once I do.
<font color="red"> Yahoo! </font> /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Bill Bayard]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Colin,

CONGRATULATIONS! That's super news! As I told you a week

ago, "What's one more week?" /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif I'll bet that you are all

smiles now! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

With the customs chapter behind you, now the fun begins!

Regards,

Bill

Keep us posted on the delivery.

 

[dave harris]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Ok Colin, now I expect to have you sending me pictures of YOUR build regularly !!!

Congratulations !!

 

[Hershal Byrd]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Good news Colin. I'm sure glad it all came out OK. It's too bad you had to go through that crap.

Hersh /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Bill Musarra]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Colin,
There are always bumps in the road, ao just go with it. Learn how to post pics as I want to see how the newer DRB's compare to the "originals" by the first owner.
Bill

 

[Ron Earp]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Colin,

I'm glad that it came through for you, I know you are happy about it. We're all a family here, one way or another, and it is not a good day when one member can't do something that the others are privy to.

Good luck with the build and post lots of pics!

Ron

 

[Bill Bayard]

Re: So close and yet so far! - GOOD NEWS!

Bill,

Take a look at the front suspension mounting points and
hardware. BIG DIFFERENCE from the older DRB's. I believe
that there are is a photo of the older setup, somewhere on GT40 Australia's website.
Didn't I e-mail you photos of my front suspension a while back???

Bill