E-Type Restoration Guide - Importing to the United States

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My information is about ten years out of date, but what follows is my best understanding of the process. What I am sure of is that it has become even more difficult:

Paperwork required:

1. Sales documents - Sales agreement or contract. This should include a full description of the car, price, date, mileage(important), and signatures of buyer and seller. - German title documents
2. Customs Documents - CF7501 (five copies) Consumption Entry Summary - CF5101 Entry Record - Surety Bond - Bill of Lading - CF433A Courtesy Notice
3. EPA Documents - 3520-1 Clean Air Compliance Document
4. Dot Documents - HS 7 Safety Equipment Compliance

EPA Compliance: Clean air compliance can be proven in one of these ways:

• Car covered by certificate of conformity obtained by manufacturer.
• Car will be used for display purposes only
• Dept of State exemption (diplomatic immunity)
• Importer is non-US citizen who will leave country (with car) within 12 months.
• Vehicle will be used for engineering testing purposes
• Vehicle will be immediately re-exported
• Vehicle is manufactured prior to 1968
• Engine sans vehicle imported as parts
• Heavy duty (ie truck or bus) manufactured prior to 1970
• One time exemption granted.
• Vehicle imported under bond, will be brought into conformance.

The one time exemption may not be available these days. It used to allow an individual to import a non-complying vehicle if: the car is over five years old and will not be resold for more than two years. There are additional restrictions on this exemption which make it problematic. Since all local laws still need to by complied with, this exemption is practically a non-exemption.

The vehicle can be imported under bond, pending compliance. It can be converted, or simply proven clean by testing. However, if the vehicle fails to meet standards within 90 days, it will be impounded, and then re-exported or scrapped.

For a 1980 vehicle the standards are:

• HC .41 grams per mile
• CO 7.0 gpm
• NOx 2.0 gpm
• Evap 6.0 grams per test

DOT Compliance:

The car will need to conform with all Standards in effect at the time of manufacture. For 1980 these include:

• 101: Control Location
• 102: Shift lever sequence, starter interlock
• 103: Defogging and Defrosting systems
• 104: Windshield wipers
• 105: Split brakes
• 106: Brake hose standard
• 107: Reflective surfaces
• 108: Exterior lamps
• 109: Tire standards and labeling
• 110:Tire and rim loading
• 111: Rear view mirrors
• 112: Headlamp concealment devices
• 113: Hood latch standards
• 114: Theft protection
• 115: VIN
• 116: Brake fluid standard
• 118: Power operated window standard
• 119: Revised tire specification
• 120: Revised tire and rim loading specification
• 124: Accelerator pedal systems
• 127: Speedometer standards
• 201: Occupant impact protection
• 202: Head restraints
• 203: Collapsible steering column
• 204: Steering wheel rearward displacement
• 205: Glazing standard
• 206: Door lock standards
• 207: Seating system standards
• 208: SHoulder belt standards
• 209: Belt webbing standard
• 210: Seat belt anchorage standard
• 211: Wheel nut standard
• 212: Windshield mounting
• 214: Side door strength
• 215: Bumper standards
• 216: Roof crush resistance
• 219: Windshield crash standard
• 301: Fuel system integrity
• 302: Interior flammability
• Part 580: Odometer Certification
• Part 581: Revised bumper standard.

  All standards must be met within 180 days of import, or car will be impounded and crushed. Contacts (may be a bit out of date):

• Department of Transportation, NHTSA, Office of Safety Compliance,400 7th St SW, Wahington, DC 20590.

• EPA, Investigation/Imports Section, MOD (EN-340F), US EPA, Washington, DC 20460 (201 382-2504)

• US Customs Svc, 1301 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20229

Hope you are properly intimidated....

Mike Frank 1969 E-Type 2+2

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