Exact date of manufacture
Discussion
Guys, I have a potential buyer for my S2 in USA, apparently if the car was first manufactured more than 25 years ago, then importation is a lot easier due to avoiding having to make emission and safety modifications. My documents show a date of first registration of 01-08-89, but is there anyway to find out and prove (to some US customs official) when the "date of manufacture" actually was? Never the less I've still got over a year to go, but the manufacture date might have been sometime in early 1989, as it's been kept until August for the new reg letter I assume.
That’s more than likely. Mine was first registered in early 1992 but was manufactured in October 1991. I know this because of the name and date scrawled on the back of the centre console. I doubt that would impress a US Customs’ Official though. Why not export it to some other country where a brown envelope would suffice? 
I remember somewhere on here a list of the code letters for year of manufacture that is stamped on the VIN plate under the bonnet, I believe it included mine , a Registered January 1990 but the manufacture code is "L" relates to 1989, IIRC.
Someone may already know this but I will have a trawl round and get back to you.
Someone may already know this but I will have a trawl round and get back to you.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=755...
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Hope this link helps..
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Scroll down for more in depth info...
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Hope this link helps..
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Scroll down for more in depth info...
I am 99% sure that with a 1989 year of registration you will be able to import the car on Jan 1 next year. The restriction is based solely on the year of manufacture or year of registration, not the date. If you can prove that the car was manufactured in 1988, you could import it this year. Proof would typically have to be in the form of a letter from the manufacturer, or in this case TVRCC. I can't find a reference to the model year vs date, but I know I read it somewhere before I imported my car.
From the NHTSA website:
8. Importing a vehicle that is at least 25 years old.
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS. Such a vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form to be given to Customs at the time of importation. If you wish to see that form, you may download a copy from our website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You should note that the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture. If the date of manufacture is not identified on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle by its original manufacturer, to establish the age of the vehicle, you should have documentation available such as an invoice showing the date the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago. Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle could be used.
From the NHTSA website:
8. Importing a vehicle that is at least 25 years old.
A motor vehicle that is at least 25 years old can be lawfully imported into the U.S. without regard to whether it complies with all applicable FMVSS. Such a vehicle would be entered under Box 1 on the HS-7 Declaration form to be given to Customs at the time of importation. If you wish to see that form, you may download a copy from our website at www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import. You should note that the 25 year period runs from the date of the vehicle's manufacture. If the date of manufacture is not identified on a label permanently affixed to the vehicle by its original manufacturer, to establish the age of the vehicle, you should have documentation available such as an invoice showing the date the vehicle was first sold or a registration document showing that the vehicle was registered at least 25 years ago. Absent such information, a statement from a recognized vehicle historical society identifying the age of the vehicle could be used.
From EPA:
G code E - vehicle at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) and in original unmodified configuration is either exempted or excluded from EPA emission requirements, depending on age. Vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain equivalent or newer EPA certified engines. Customs may require proof of vehicle age.
This might be where I got the calendar year thing from, but that is just the EPA. I'm trying to find a similarly worded document from the DOT/NHTSA.....
G code E - vehicle at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) and in original unmodified configuration is either exempted or excluded from EPA emission requirements, depending on age. Vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain equivalent or newer EPA certified engines. Customs may require proof of vehicle age.
This might be where I got the calendar year thing from, but that is just the EPA. I'm trying to find a similarly worded document from the DOT/NHTSA.....
Loach1 said:
From EPA:
G code E - vehicle at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) and in original unmodified configuration is either exempted or excluded from EPA emission requirements, depending on age. Vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain equivalent or newer EPA certified engines. Customs may require proof of vehicle age.
This might be where I got the calendar year thing from, but that is just the EPA. I'm trying to find a similarly worded document from the DOT/NHTSA.....
Great information, many thanks.G code E - vehicle at least 21 years old (calendar year of manufacture subtracted from year of importation) and in original unmodified configuration is either exempted or excluded from EPA emission requirements, depending on age. Vehicles at least 21 years old with replacement engines are not eligible for this exemption unless they contain equivalent or newer EPA certified engines. Customs may require proof of vehicle age.
This might be where I got the calendar year thing from, but that is just the EPA. I'm trying to find a similarly worded document from the DOT/NHTSA.....
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