Read and translate the text. Pre-reading exercise

Pre-reading exercise

Unit 2

1. What documents generally cover a vehicle at importation?

2. Do you think there are exceptions for certain types of vehicles?

3. Is there any chance for a nonconforming car to be admitted entry?

For Customs clearance you will need the shipper’s or carrier’s original bill of lading, the bill of sale, foreign registration, and any other documents covering the vehicle. You will also need written prior approval from EPA (The Environmental Protection Agency), which will be evident to the Customs inspector at the port of entry in the form of approval letter from the EPA, or a manufacturer’s label in the English language affixed to the car, stating that the vehicle meets all U.S. emission requirements.

Also, you may make arrangements to import your vehicle with an independent commercial importer (ICI). In this case, the ICI will import your vehicle and perform any EPA-required modifications and be responsible for assuring that EPA requirements have been met. ICIs can only import certain vehicles, however, and in general, their fees are very high.

Both the Department of Transportation (DOT) and the EPA advise that although a nonconforming car may be conditionally admitted, the modifications required to bring it into compliance may be so extensive and costly that it may be impractical an even impossible to achieve such compliance.

The following cars, originally manufactured after a certain period, are subject to federal emission standards: gasoline-fueled cars and light-duty trucks, diesel-fueled light-duty trucks, heavy-duty engines and motorcycles with a displacement of more than 49 cubic centimeters.

In a number of cases your vehicle need not conform to emission or safety requirements but may not be sold in the U.S. and may require EPA and DOT declarations:

· Those imported by non-residents for personal use not exceeding one year. The vehicle must be exported at the end of this year without any exceptions or extensions.

· Those belonging to members of foreign armed forces, foreign diplomatic personnel, or other individuals who come within the class of persons for whom free entry has been authorized by the Department of State in accordance with international law.

· Those temporarily imported for testing, demonstration, or competition, provided they are not licensed for use, or driven, on public roads. Parties responsible for such vehicles must submit proper

documents to Customs at the time entry is made.

Дата добавления: 2014-12-29