I was told that this is a fairly new requirement, so I dont know. I guess that the rule applies no matter what country your vehicle is registered in as long as it isnt the US! In the real world though, there must be hundreds of vehicles passing through the borders each day, and I doubt they all have the EPA paperwork.

I suspect that you could get away with it depending on how phinnicky the customs officer is and whether they're in a good mood or not.

My feelings on it are that it's a pretty easy thing to arrange and there is no processing fee, so why not get it sorted in advance and avoid any potential issues?

This appears to have been the requirement since January this year - at least.

Late last year, a friend rode from Korea to London then flew the bike to Florida, hoping to become probably the first Korean to ride RTW.

At the time, James Cargo did not know of this requirement, nor did their Agent - in far away California (nearly as far from Florida as their depot in London!)
It took him about 4 weeks to get the bike released by which time he had run out of time and just rode it from one airfreight shed to another to fly it on to Soeul before returning himself.

His great ride came to a sad end, beaten by the paperwork of the "Land of the Free"


But hundreds of thousands vehicles must have crossed the land borders into USA since then. Thousands daily.
Anyone here?
Was an EPA letter required?
If not - why is it needed by non-road customs?

__________________
Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
www.sibirskyextreme.com

I asked this question of James Cargo about a week ago and received the following reply:



Sort of helpful, sortof not.

__________________
Ajaxer(Back in the fold)
BMW R1200RT

Follow up to James cargo quote in the above post:

From reading the manual on the EPA website, the EPA section on form 3520-1 is NOT a waiver in the sense that it can just be ignored. It is a section that must be fiilled in (for temporary import of a foreign vehicle you insert an 'O' in this section of the form AND include a copy of the EPA letter).

It's all on the EPA website. For the purpose of clarity, the purpose of my enquiry to the EPA was to confirm that this procedure applies to overland customs entry as well as air/port terminal customs offices. Apparently it does!

As others have requested, I'd love to hear of people that have recently crossed the border without an EPA letter..for no other reason than to see the system being beaten

Utter b*ll*cks. (Sorry Moderators!)

They shipped the Korean's bike from London to Florida in January.

They knew all about Joon's eventual problems and resulting failed RTW due to lack of EPA letter.

They discussed it with both him and me at the time.
I sent them copies of documents Joon was given and obtained.
We spoke about it at their display stand at the HU Ace day in February.
We even mentioned him when I was at their offices 3 weeks ago!

Now, 6 months later, to say they have had not had any problem is blatently and knowingly incorrect.

These people should get paid for their skills, expertise and knowledge - not bullshit.

__________________
Vitim Bridge Clubwww.advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=533442
www.sibirskyextreme.com

EPA Website suggests it is needed

Overview of Vehicle Import Requirements | Importing Vehicles and Engines | US EPA

I'll be applying for mine later this week, even though I reckon we will not be asked as we are landing in Toronto and the crossing and East side boarder into the US, and if last time round is anything to go on they will take 1 look at our visa and wave us through :-)

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Well I decided to play safe and send my application in for the EPA approval. The info supplied by garmei was extremely helpful as there is no-where that I could find where this information is spelt out on the EPA site, it only says to apply for a letter but not this level of detail about how to do so.

As I only have a few weeks before departure I am crossing my fingers that I receive my letter in time.

__________________
Ajaxer(Back in the fold)
BMW R1200RT

James Cargo have sent me an email advising me that the EPA approval letter seems to be required now since the problem with the Anchorage customer. So maybe they will be clearer for other customers now and help them avoid problems.

__________________
Ajaxer(Back in the fold)
BMW R1200RT

Just sent off the request for mine and my wife's bikes, 2 separate requests so they don't get arsey over one person asking for multiple.

Then it occurred to me.

This is harder than working ! I think I need a holiday :-)

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk

Hi Tony
That is such a shame for your friend, I must have cleared customs at a similar time to him (early December), I didn't have the EPA letter and had a useless and inexperienced shipping agent (long story), but still cleared everything fine with no questions about a letter. Possibly a difference because Thelma arrived by boat? It took less than a day to clear Customs at Long Beach.
Also contrary to what the EPA states, it is still possible to exit the country whilst leaving the bike in the US, I went down to Guatemala at one point and also flew home whilst leaving Thelma in LA.
Good luck to everyone else, and maybe I'll meet some of you on the road to Labrador.

__________________
Tiffany
On the road from...I'm not sure any more
http://www.tiffanystravels.co.uk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAUhV1r-kUo

Hi we are shipping our bike to La on 1st Aug 2010 and have just read about your korean friends ordeal. We arrive in LA on 24th Aug same day as the bike what do we need to clear customs eg epa form and how do we obtain it thanks Gareth

bahh seems like new twist on a old law that will do nothing but make some treehugger happy and giving some useless bureaucrat at the EPA a job. There has been import laws on the books for years. most places allow cars and bikes on the road that do not meet with the EPA emission standards or saftey or some such. Importing them for someone in the USA is almost imposable. This twist is now being used on temporary importing cars trucks and bikes. But there is a work around and here is the form it seems. http://www.epa.gov/oms/imports/forms/3520-1.pdf

In the end it seems as this "law" is bent all the time. 50 miles north of me it must happen 1,000's of time a day. There not importing there cars gust passing threw.

I cleared my bike through New York port customs yesterday. The customs office is 5 miles from the port right beside Newark Penn Station.

The whole procedure took less then 20 minutes & the first thing the customs officer asked for was the EPA exemption. He looked disappointed when I said I had it.

He wanted;

EPA exemption coupled with the 'EPA Form 3520-1' which he stamped 3 times & signed.

Shipping docs (which I printed from an email, I didn't go to the docks to get the originals) that he stamped & signed.

A 'DECLARATION' form that he gave me to fill out (address details, VIN etc.) that he again stamped.

A copy of my title to the bike (my log book from home) & to see my passport.

There were a couple of questions re; occupation, purpose of trip & he also asked if I had insurance but wasn't fussed about seeing the documents.

So the part I was anxious about was relatively straight forward & the 'easy part' of getting my bike out of the docks is proving a pain in the backside.

The Dept. of Agriculture need to inspect every ship prior to it unloading & they have a backlog so although the ship arrived on Tuesday they still haven't been allowed to unload all the Rolls Royces, Bentley's, Range Rovers, Mini Coopers, Jaguars & my bike. Could be next week as they don't work weekends.

Patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue, patience is a virtue...

Good luck with the EPA's & Customs gents.

What was the time lag from requesting the EPA to being contacted by them ?

Its frustrating that they do not acknowledge receipt of the email :-(

__________________
--

http://www.ytc1.co.uk

I just logged my initial enquiry / application for temporary import exemption into the USA.

I will keep everyone updated how it goes and time line from application to receiving a letter of exemption.

Mike