Front Clip & EPA

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

I called Customs a few days ago after finally hearing that my front clip had arrived and the guy I talked to mentioned something about needed EPA paperwork from Nissan (WTF?!) I'm not sure if it matters but this is in VA, but I thought EPA was federal and so should apply the same state to state.

This is the first time that I've heard anything about this and as such I don't have any EPA paper work. I was told by the shipping company all I would need was money to pay any Customs duties, the bill of lading and the arrival notice / invoice.

All the people I've talked to since then don't know for sure. So can anyone give me a concrete answer on what is needed in regards to EPA paperwork if any?

I called Customs yesterday and they said that I needed EPA Form 3520. Here's a link to the form: http://www.epa.gov/otaq/imports/forms/3520-1.pdf

Looking at it I don't know hardly any of the information its asking for. Has anyone else had this problem? Any (useful) suggestions? I know at least a few people have either imported motors themselves or know someone that has that could help me out.

Thanks a bunch.

Post by **SpeedRacer1** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Oddly enough my friend just got his clip into port recently and got the same response that he needed to fill out a form to release it. If the form fails im pretty sure the they destroy the clip.

He got advice from the port and a local engine importer to hire a bondsman to write up the paperwork for like $150. Hopefully they will do it right and get the clip released.

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

That's what Wanye at Phase2 suggested.

So much for doing this myself, I guess that's what I get for going with a foreign company. Hopefully this doesn't have a bad ending

Anyone else have experience in this matter?

Post by **SpeedRacer1** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Which company did you go through? My friend is getting his clip through flash options, how did other people who ordered from FA overcome this obstacle?

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

SpeedRacer1 wrote:Which company did you go through? My friend is getting his clip through flash options, how did other people who ordered from FA overcome this obstacle?

That's what I'm trying to find out myself.

I'm going to have someone call a Customs brokerage for me tomorrow since I have class all day. We'll see what they have to say.

Post by **Cyberkreig** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Doesnt make sense to me.. the form says "dissassembled motor vehicles" and "heavy duity motors" I wouldnt think a clip would fit either of those, and would theirby be exempt

Post by **S15Buyer** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

So flash options isn't in the States? I was under the impression that they were and the motors they have in stock would be shipped from inside the U.S. already. If it comes to a threat of having your near $3k investment destroyed then it would be better off paying more and getting it from a reliable source like Unstable Hybrids or Heavy throttle. Laterz.

Zach

Post by **lessthanjakejohn** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Due to the cost of living and insufficient space needed, we transport to Malaysia and have all the engines, cars cleaned up and crated ready to be shipped to our customer whenever we receive an order.

via: http://www.flashoptions.com/about.asp

don't forget about http://www.afterdark-tuning.com

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Yes, in hind-sight it probably wasn't the best idea to order from them, but at the time I ordered no one had any clips in and they had a decent price. As of late I've only been ordering from companies that I've done business with before or have a good reputation. But the fact of the matter remains I have a ~$3K wooden box sitting in some warehouse that I would like to have sitting in my garage.

Now onto more pressing issues ... what to do about Customs? How is it that everyone else manages to get clips/motors in the states? Honestly the only other time I've heard anything about EPA and importing stuff was relating to Skylines. Which makes sense, it's a whole car.

Anyone have any suggestions besides ordering from a different company :pface

Post by **lessthanjakejohn** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Call or email them and ask them what the heck your supposed to do.

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Email who? Here's the response I got from FO Quote »Hi Brian, AH finally you receive the motor, but EPA documentations,

we do not have these problems before, please advise, i do not knowI'm sorry we don't know what's EPA,, sorry about it[/quote] Real helpful right? :rolleyes

Post by **S15Buyer** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Well, not to sound like a total azz but... At least you have saved the rest of us the headaches of dealing with Flash Options. I know it doesn't console you much, but thank you.

Zach

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Well supposedly other people have gotten clips from them ... how is it they managed to do it seemingly without incident?

Post by **S13240** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

You're s*** out of luck man! And it's FO not FA.

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Thanks for your helpful answer ><

Sorry about the typo, was just on the "other" forum and got acronyms messed up

Post by **elscorcho612** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

you should but the lawyer deal on flash options because of breeech of contract bust them fools plastic a$$ company

Post by **Cyberkreig** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Again, I'm sorry to hear about it. Best I can say is to call Daunttless or Heavy Throttle.. They import motors, they must either have the EPA info, or know why the motor is exempt... It sure doesnt seem to meet the requirements on that form.. Best of luck..

Post by **Daunttless** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Good Luck with your motor issues. : (

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Yeah ... that's about all the info I've gotten from places that supposedly import engines. Either they tell me they don't actually import them and get them from someone else or won't tell me what they do.

It's kinda like how Motorex won't say what they do to get their cars to pass EPA, except in their case it's somewhat understandable. They're the only ones that do it AFAIK, whereas with motors there's a bunch of places that do it. You'd think someone who imports them would know, but from calling/talking to people that doesn't seem to be the case.

Hopefully the Customs brokerage will be able to help. Looks like I'm going to have to shell out more money to find the answers I'm looking for, since no one wants to give it out

Post by **DonDonati88** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Ask Brent and Implicit how they got their motors from FO.

Post by **eng** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

DonDonati88 wrote:Ask Brent and Implicit how they got their motors from FO.

I already emailed Brent and this is what he had to say about it: Quote »I didn't need any epa paperwork, but there are no emissions laws in wisconsin, maybe thats why?[/quote] Which is odd to me since EPA is federal, not state.

I haven't tried contacting Implicit yet, I guess I'll ask to see what he had to do.

Post by **Daunttless** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Well, as much as I'm going to sound like an *******, why should I help you when you purchased from the competition, competition who aren't even American? If for some reason you were having a problem with an American company, I might be moved to help you more, of course you probably wouldn't have problems with that since it would already be taken care of. There's really no reason for me to support flash options. So good luck with everything, that's the best I can offer you. Enjoy your day!

Post by **Matthew** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

The federal goverment has authority over all international and interstate commerce.

Post by **DonDonati88** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

which means...................?

Post by **DonDonati88** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Daunttless wrote:Well, as much as I'm going to sound like an *******, why should I help you when you purchased from the competition, competition who aren't even American? If for some reason you were having a problem with an American company, I might be moved to help you more, of course you probably wouldn't have problems with that since it would already be taken care of. There's really no reason for me to support flash options. So good luck with everything, that's the best I can offer you. Enjoy your day!

You're right you shouldnt have to help someone who is dealing with a foreign co. (Heck you have your own shipping issues, correct?) But I dont think that the fact that he didnt support an "American" co., should be the issue here. I mean aren't we all driving "foriegn" cars. What if the Japanese decided they didnt want to sell to Americans? Ok, so he bought from a Malaysian dealer, (direct from the wholesaler), got a good price, what's the big deal? It was his choice. But don't say..."ohh you didn't support American dealers"...give me a break. THESE FREAKIN ENGINES ARENT EVEN AMERICAN!!! If you want to preach about supporting American this and that, go buy a FORD, and go see the Daytona 500, hope it doesnt break down on ya though....:thinker

Post by **Daunttless** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

No, I'm saying dealing with a foreign dealer versus an American dealer, because American laws apply. It has nothing to do with nationality beyond the fact that American laws do not apply. Also, in regards to your comments about supporting Americans, as I said that wasn't my goal, however, yes, would you rather pay an American a decent price and have the money stay in the country and support our economy or send your dollars to some other country? In any situation I'd rather support an American. However, that really has nothing to do with what I was talking about.

Post by **DonDonati88** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

No I would not rather be over charged to "help" our economy. If I had it my way I would buy directly from Japan thru a wholesaler at a very good price. But to each his own eh?

:asmile

Post by **Matthew** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

eng: since it's an engine not mounted to a chasis (code w), isnt it exempt from any regulation?

Post by **Daunttless** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

well, most American companies do not overcharge by that much. : ) There are varying degrees of quality in everything, you always have your eBay sellers, but you also have your higher quality dealers. Generally speaking, the higher quality dealers don't use a wholesaler in Japan, they are a wholesaler. Theres really no reason for me to start a lecture, but not support our economy and going for the absolute cheapest price on everything is what's gotten a lot of our economy into this mess, but whatever, that's a discussion for another day. Enjoy your day!

Post by **DonDonati88** » Tue Mar 11, 2003 3:50 pm

Yeah that is another disscusion! I am politically neutral. But definetly don't believe buying stuff the cheapest you can get it, perhaps internationally, has anything to do with our horrible economy. Most know everything went down hill since 9-11, and now with the impending war things are continuing to go down hill. Americans arent spending as much money....many dont have much money to spend because of layoffs. And the ones that do, arent spending it...because theyre worried. But the point is, going for cheap prices, ect. has not brought the economy to where it is today, it isnt even a major factor.

Front Clip & EPA

Front Clip & EPA

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