US Customs BS

[jeff s]

I have a car here from Europe that I'm doing work on. In order to get it in the country in the 1st place I needed to get an EPA permit and a NHTSA DOT permit, which I have that are good until May 2009. I was informed this week that US Customs is demanding the car be exported by Feb 15th or will asess fines totalling $450,000. as their rules say the car can only be here a max of 6 months.
There must be some shops here that have gotten a car in from another country for a resto or pro-touring build, what did you do if it took more than 6 months?
thanks

[68sixspeed]

Can you send it to canada and then bring it back in for another 6 months?

I know they mean business, years back I knew someone doing work on a non US car and they were told to get it out by the 6 months, pay the fine, or have it crushed.

[LateNight72]

Canada is definitely a viable option, if they will allow you to do it.

[BLT2DRIVE]

I'd try getting a hold of one of the high-end classic resto guys like Randy Ima or Nethercutt museum or such that do the Pebble Beach kind of restos, that often take years. These guys take on cars from all over the world. I'll see what numbers or info I can track down....

[Steve1968LS2]

Maybe it's on of those "buy the car for a dollar" do the work and then sell it back to the owner for $1.

Oh, the joys of big over-reaching government.

[Restomod]

I would think as long as you are not trying to title/drive the car (race or collector) they would let you keep it as long as needed.

[jeff s]

I got my Congressman's office involved. No word yet. The Canada deal is not easy, gotta get permission from their EPA DOT first. It took months to get that approval in the US before the car came here. The Chicago supervisor initially rejected any sort of extension, even though EPA and DOT granted me til May. I belive the problem is the car was brought in initially for show and display, but broke while here, for which there is no provision.

[Charley Lillard]

Work faster Jeff..... :-)

[JEFFTATE]

Turn it in as "Stolen " ........

Then magically recover it later.

[shmoov69]

That sucks jeff! But I would bet that the congressperson could give two craps about you or your problem! But hopefully I'm wrong!
Good luck.

[JEFFTATE]

Remember ...." Stolen ".

[Steve68]

What car?

[JEFFTATE]

What car?

No..My car wasn't stolen.
I was suggesting that Jeff S. turn that one in as stolen.