Customs problems in Anchorage.
 

Hi all

Im currently in anchorage alaska and importing my bike to ride it down to Argentina, from Ireland. But having problems getting the bike released. They are looking for a letter from the EPA. I have an e-mail sent requesting one. but as anyone experience with this, and if so what does it involve, should i worry, will it take long.

Pat.

temp importation of bike to USA.
 

Just letting anyone who is planning on shipping there bike over from Europe to do any sort of a trip. You MUST have a letter from the EPA (environmental protection agency) in order to clear customs. This was not the case before but is how. I am currently on my second week in Anchorage Alaska trying to cut through the red tape. Get this letter before you ship your bike.

Epa
 

Hey Pat,

my bike leaves for New York on Monday by sea from Southampton. I applied to the EPA using the form from the shipping the bike to North America on the lefthandside of this website under the planning part.

Once applied for via email I didn't get any auto confirmation to say that it had been received (I sent an email to make sure that it had) & within 10 days I got the 'Non Resident Exemption Memo' which needs to be filled out & returned to get the actual 'Non Resident Exemption letter' which followed two days or so later. I was told the whole process would take three weeks but it actually took two.

Lots of hoops to jump through but fingers crossed all will be well & you'll be on the road soon. Hope to see you out there.

Smudger.

I got my momo today and signed it and faxed it in as I can't find a scanner or working scanner around these parts. Hopfully will not be too long now.

EPA letter
 

I will be shipping to Anchorage from the UK at the end of August and have just come across post - pretty glad I did! Can any of you kind folk tell me how you get one of these letters and what what I need to get it please.

Thanks in advance

George

I am not the most IT literate, literate in general for that matter! Could you give me another clue as to the location of said form please? something to click on would be good if that is possible. Have tried the 'shipping the bike' section under planning but that doesnt seem to have what I need

Take it handy
George

You probably won't find government forms on Horizons Unlimited.
US EPA contact information can be found here.
Importing Vehicles and Engines | US EPA
Dealing with government agencies, it is often better to telephone than e-mail.
You never know when or if they will read the mail.

OK. Can anyone tell me what the procedure if I enter the USA from Mexico (i.e. not import the bike directly into the US)?

Having read the information posted by Chris in Tokyo (thank you, Chris), my understanding is that I can fill in a 3520-1 form at border control without an EPA approval letter.

I get confused easily, so does anyone concur?

(I might send off for a letter anyway, just in case, but I'd still like to know how it works).

Ta

OK, I'll answer my own question....

This is a reply I received from the EPA:


"You should apply for the exemption prior to reaching Customs. Attached is the list of information you will need to submit for applying for a Nonresident exemption"

And this was the contents of the attached:

Information needed to obtain Nonresident Temporary Importation
Approval Letter from EPA
Nonconforming motor vehicles may be temporarily imported into the U.S. by a
nonresident for personal use by the importer for a period not to exceed one year.
Only individual nonresidents may import a vehicle through a nonresident exemption.
The conditions of this temporary exemption are:
• Vehicle may not be sold or otherwise transferred to another party in the U.S.;
• Vehicle must be used solely for personal use by the importer and members of the
importer’s immediate family while in the U.S.;
• Exemption is voided if the vehicle is either used for commercial purposes, or used
principally by any person other than the importer (or spouse of the importer); and
• Vehicle must be exported after one year, or upon the nonresident departing the U.S.,
whichever comes first.
To obtain a Nonresident Temporary Importation Approval Letter from EPA;
please provide the following information in a letter that is signed by the
requestor/importer:
1. Your full name, current foreign address, phone number, Fax number, and email address
(if applicable)
2. Your U.S. address, phone number, Fax number, and email address (if applicable)
3. Vehicle year, make, model and Vehicle Identification Number
4. Proof of vehicle ownership (copy of current title or registration from country of origin of
the vehicle, Importer and owner needs to be the same).
5. Proof of nonresident status (copy of passport, visa, work permit, or other official
document).
6. A statement of the reason for the importation.
7. The duration of the importation.
8. A signed compliance Memorandum (this will be supplied by EPA once we have all of your
information). The exemption will not be issued until we receive a signed copy of the
memorandum issued by EPA.
Please mail, fax, or email this information to:
EPA Imports Line
Compliance & Innovative Strategies Division
Light Duty Vehicle Programs
2000 Traverwood Drive
Ann Arbor, MI 48105
David C. Hurlin
Imports Group
Managed by URS Federal Services
Phone: (734) 214-4100
Fax: (734) 214-4676
Email: Imports@epa.gov

I'll be applying for one of those then!

I'll post this somewhere else also, just in case it is news top anyone.

Patfitz
How is your ride going? Are you out of there yet?