National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance
REGISTERED IMPORTER NEWSLETTER No. 2
April 29, 1994
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ALERT NOTICE
We have become increasingly aware of importers negotiating with Customs officials in an effort to import Russian and Chinese motorcycles, trucks, cars and items of motor vehicle equipment. Several importers have attempted to import motorcycles that may have been fraudulently identified as antiques (over 25 years old). Available information suggests that such vehicles generally are of recent manufacture and definitely are not 25 years old. Still others have contacted us to obtain information in order to import them properly. As you are aware, this process involves registration pursuant to Part 592 and bonding pursuant to Part 591. At this time, no Russian or Chinese vehicles are eligible for importation and sale in the U.S. We ask that you remain alert in this regard. If any doubt exists, please contact OVSC. RECORD SET FOR NUMBER OF During April 1994 the 21st RI was approved by NHTSA. There are now 13 RIs located in eastern states and 8 RIs located in western states. An updated list of current RI names and addresses (Rev 4-6-94) is enclosed with this Newsletter. MANY RANGE ROVER MODELS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR IMPORTATION Range Rover of North America has informed us that starting with the 1987 model year, vehicles not specifically manufactured and certified for the Canadian or United States markets cannot be modified to comply with the requirements of FMVSS 301, Fuel System Integrity. The vehicle structure has been reinforced to meet Standard 301 and such modification is not readily apparent. |
RIs who now have petitions for model
year 1987 and newer Range Rovers will
be required to export or destroy these
vehicles under U.S. Customs Service
supervision unless someone elects to
conduct crash testing on an imported
Range Rover which has been certified by
an RI. A petition dismissal letter to this
effect will be mailed to you as applicable.
The respective bonding company will be
served notice of full payment in the
amount of the bond if the above
requirements have not been carried out
within 30 days.
Petitions for eligibility of model year 1986 and older Range Rovers can still be considered on a case-by-case basis. No Range Rovers or Land Rovers have been declared eligible to date. If you have any questions, you may call Mr. Clive Van Orden on 202-366-5311. REPRINTS OF REGULATION Two NHTSA regulations pertaining to the RI program have been reprinted to incorporate all amendments through September 1993. Copies of 49 CFR 591, Importation of Vehicles and Equipment Subject to Federal Safety, Bumper, and Theft Prevention Standards, and 49 CFR 592, Registered Importers of Vehicles Not Originally Manufactured to Conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards are enclosed for your ready reference. All questions concerning this newsletter should be directed to George Entwistle, 202-366-5306. |