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 Posted: Jan 7, 2018 09:21AM
 Edited:  Jan 7, 2018 09:24AM
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hi lilsatin.. sure..  my email is [email protected]   Bill Cox MBA lic NC dealer and bonded US CUSTOMS importer with TWIC ACE and SCAC.. WMI for moke.. www.montecarlomini.net   phone.. 1.704.487.6406 shop and 1.704.487.6797 home. Earl North Carolina . Aylesbury England and Wuhu, China.. NOTE I do NOT sell or import cars/trucks into California..  just too many hoops to register direct imports... 

 Posted: Jan 6, 2018 08:14PM
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Thewerewolf, I'm trying to get in touch because I have questions about importing. I'm sure there's some DM mechanism here but I don't see it nor did I see an email address. What's the best way to get in touch? Please let me know. Sorry for the inconvenience/intrusion. 

 Posted: Dec 19, 2017 02:43PM
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Short update, all the JDM minis were safe & sound out of Savannah by Dec 6.  All were Roll On, Roll Off. Most had minor modifications, such as AM exhaust, retro classic dash, and a couple had AM air filters. No LH conversions.  Turns out CBP didn't have any issues (after contacting DOT-HS to check VIN dates). SAV CBP just seems to work at their own pace, depending on the particular officer inspecting.

 Posted: Oct 12, 2017 11:57AM
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I would NEVER even think about trying to import a 1993 classic mini for another 14 months..  CBP out of control here on east coast.. over minis and land rovers..   later bc

 Posted: Oct 12, 2017 08:46AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimatalba
Justandyc....your Graph of Vin Numbers is probably reasonably close, but I disagree with your August 1994 guesstimate. I have a genuine, late 1993 with Vin No. 0762**. I've no reason to lie about it as it will be shipped when it's 25 years old. Very confusing.
My 1992 Vin No was 0505**. Distributor was made in April, Boot Latch showed 21/92, Wiper was June 92.    I would guess car was a June 1992 build.

Ive settled into a routine over the years of sending one of my Minis to the US each winter, driving it, then selling it before coming home. It pays for my Winter escape. LoL

Next years Mini is already sitting here ready to go.  It was first registered on 5th Dec 1993 in Japan.  I took the AC off it, when changing the Box.  It's Vin No.0762**.  I have not checked the Glass, Distributor, Wiper or Boot Latch, for age stamps, as there is plenty of time for that.

BC...Wouldn't send an Auto...too fragile...been down that path too often.  Only good as a Donor Shell for a Manual transplant.  Jim

ps...My next Import is a Figaro I bought last Tuesday in Japan for my GF in Florida.  No argument over age on that car....only built in 1991.
That's great information! When I made my chart up I didn't look at '93 registered cars at auction, so now I see this- 0533** in Feb '93, 0578** in March '93, 0643** in May '93, 0659** in June '93, 0669 in July '93, 0726** in Sept '93, 0744** - 0748** in Nov '93 and 0766** in Dec '93. At some point I'll look through '94 - '96 registered cars to fill in more vin # progressions. Cheers!

 Posted: Oct 12, 2017 01:47AM
 Edited:  Oct 12, 2017 02:02AM
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Justandyc....your Graph of Vin Numbers is probably reasonably close, but I disagree with your August 1994 guesstimate. I have a genuine, late 1993 with Vin No. 0762**. I've no reason to lie about it as it will be shipped when it's 25 years old. Very confusing.
My 1992 Vin No was 0505**. Distributor was made in April, Boot Latch showed 21/92, Wiper was June 92.    I would guess car was a June 1992 build.

Ive settled into a routine over the years of sending one of my Minis to the US each winter, driving it, then selling it before coming home. It pays for my Winter escape. LoL

Next years Mini is already sitting here ready to go.  It was first registered on 5th Dec 1993 in Japan.  I took the AC off it, when changing the Box.  It's Vin No.0762**.  I have not checked the Glass, Distributor, Wiper or Boot Latch, for age stamps, as there is plenty of time for that.

BC...Wouldn't send an Auto...too fragile...been down that path too often.  Only good as a Donor Shell for a Manual transplant.  Jim

ps...My next Import is a Figaro I bought last Tuesday in Japan for my GF in Florida.  No argument over age on that car....only built in 1991.

Saor Alba

 Posted: Oct 11, 2017 01:24PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jimatalba
Just imported my 1992 JDM Mini. First registered in Japan on 1st Sept 1992.    All the signs and dated equipment pointed to a June 1992 build.  Although Glass indicated November 1991 and February 1992.
 Tried Heritage, but their records don't cover the 90s. Tried BMW and they don't have any records from Longbridge.
After listening to all the doom and gloom on this thread, I was worried, as it's very difficult to prove conclusively when any 90s Mini was built.
John Parnell was kind enough to assure me of the genuine age of my car.
Mini came in at 10pm on the Monday, and cleared by Wednesday morning. Big sigh of relief.
Jim
I ended up making a chart of SAXX vin number progression based on two parts catalogs, one English and one EU.  I reasoned that numbers lower than 049349 were safe as that was a starting point in May 1992.  Next hard number was 058254 starting in August of 1994.  Folks wanting to bring in 1993 SAXX cars next year will really have to study part date codes.

 Posted: Oct 11, 2017 01:07PM
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jim.. glad you got your 92 mini ok without VASIC or manifest hold..  The problem port has been charleston sc..for last year.  justandyc.. nice looking JDB minis..   hope both are manuels and NOT autos.. later b c

 Posted: Oct 11, 2017 10:36AM
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Just imported my 1992 JDM Mini. First registered in Japan on 1st Sept 1992.    All the signs and dated equipment pointed to a June 1992 build.  Although Glass indicated November 1991 and February 1992.
 Tried Heritage, but their records don't cover the 90s. Tried BMW and they don't have any records from Longbridge.
After listening to all the doom and gloom on this thread, I was worried, as it's very difficult to prove conclusively when any 90s Mini was built.
John Parnell was kind enough to assure me of the genuine age of my car.
Mini came in at 10pm on the Monday, and cleared by Wednesday morning. Big sigh of relief.
Jim

Saor Alba

 Posted: Oct 11, 2017 08:29AM
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Another update from Georgia, two of my mini's are home after port 'inspection'.  They were at Savannah when hurricane Irma passed but supposedly either the port authority or CBP moved all cars to an elevated warehouse temporarily- didn't see a bill for that (yet).  The blue car is a '92 1275cc spi, the black car is a '90 998cc HIF38.

 Posted: Aug 18, 2017 12:03PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JustAndyC
Quote:
Originally Posted by malsal
Don't be surprised if you get a storage bill from the shipping line as most ports anything after 10 days is around $15 a day no cash no checks money orders only i was told. BTW they kept that car well over 30 days and finally released it with a large storage bill paid.
Make sure everything is correct when you leave the port and make a copy of the gate release because when you come to title the car you don't want the tag office to say "it is showing still on customs hold" BTDT, the gate release (which they keep) is proof of release. It is a PITA to take care of any customs business once the car has left the port they can sometimes be most uncoperative which is putting it mildly.
Good luck with the cars you seem to have a good grip on the situation.
I did get a storage bill, was ~$10. per week for 5 cars. RORO storage at port is very cheap.  Containers on the other hand... *ouch* 
You did well. Every port seems to do its own thing.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Aug 18, 2017 10:06AM
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justandyc..  thank for the info about savannah..  as I ONLY use this port maybe once a year to import mokes from Sydney or Brisbane OZ..  every port is DIFFERENT.. fyi  seems that CBP is moving SEIZED vehicles now to pompano beach , florida.. seems they have contractor to store them all NOW down there.. later bc

 Posted: Aug 18, 2017 06:46AM
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Originally Posted by thewerewolf
justandyc..  CBP can NOW hold up to 60 days.. after they detain.. and BEFORE SEIZURE.. NOW after  60 days. if NOT SEIZED. it is automatic release..   if CBP recalls an entry..on a ( car) after you pick it from the port..  you MUST take it back to them.. or they will come TAKE it from you. and in most cases NEVER get it back..  I get release  ( called Tally or pick up order) in about an HOUR.. sure does NOT take 2-3 days..BUT I have a bond.. and CBP will just bill me for storage.. VACIS  ect..  when did you become an arm chair expert?/ stay at holiday inn last night and now you KNOW it all about importing?? Or been  taking  BAD advise from EX dealer/ EX broker in LA?? later bc
I've been using the term detain and hold to mean the same thing, so my bad. And I'm sure you're correct about the one hour release time for those coordinating at the port (and the stars are in alignment) but the reality is CBP leaves at one time, Port closes at another & my broker sometimes works from home. So a day or two for the releases is normal for me (the amature), doesn't add any storage fees & doesn't bother me.  I simply present the info for the mini enthusiasts to ponder, not to impress grumpy ol' timers

 Posted: Aug 18, 2017 06:35AM
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justandyc..  each port of entry is like its ON Island   of late ..  what I can do in Savannah is totally different say in Charleston..  I would NOT try to import anything as parts that is NOT true to be 25 years and older.  due the the lot of SKYLINES SEIZED in Charleston SC this summer from JDM motors.. someone can add the link from th Charleston Courier new paper.. later bc

 Posted: Aug 18, 2017 06:27AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by malsal
Don't be surprised if you get a storage bill from the shipping line as most ports anything after 10 days is around $15 a day no cash no checks money orders only i was told. BTW they kept that car well over 30 days and finally released it with a large storage bill paid.
Make sure everything is correct when you leave the port and make a copy of the gate release because when you come to title the car you don't want the tag office to say "it is showing still on customs hold" BTDT, the gate release (which they keep) is proof of release. It is a PITA to take care of any customs business once the car has left the port they can sometimes be most uncoperative which is putting it mildly.
Good luck with the cars you seem to have a good grip on the situation.
I did get a storage bill, was ~$10. per week for 5 cars. RORO storage at port is very cheap.  Containers on the other hand... *ouch* 

 Posted: Aug 17, 2017 07:10PM
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Thanks, guys, but I've been around long enough to know the basics.  I'm just wondering if you can get a car in and use it for parts, or if it will be crushed.  Now that I think about it, I believe, Bill, that you posted years ago that it's possible, but it has to be disassembled.  

This is actually an acquaintance who is going through this, so I'm not sure if it will be CKD, or whole.  I hope he doesn't lose the car to the crusher...  I hate to see Minis crushed!

**Dr. jinG**

"I tell you and you forget. I show you and you remember. I involve you and you understand." ~ Eric Butterworth
"The true charter of liberty is independence, maintained by force." ~Voltaire

 Posted: Aug 17, 2017 03:06PM
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drjinG.. dido what malsal just said..NOT way to register at 92 In calli.. UNLESS  you got state vin number and do it as CKD.. like I am doing the chokes here in NC.  you need to apply for SB 100 on 2 Jan 18.. for this.. later bc

 Posted: Aug 17, 2017 02:38PM
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dr.jinG. Even if you could get the car in as a legal import you could never register it in California as their cut off year is 1967 to 1975 depending who you talk to. Customs is very wise to these "parts cars" as it had been going on for a long time. If you are in California buy something that is already there and registered.

If in doubt, flat out. Colin Mc Rae MBE 1968-2007.

Give a car more power and it goes faster on the straights,
make a car lighter and it's faster everywhere. Colin Chapman.

 Posted: Aug 17, 2017 02:20PM
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dr jings.. I am NOT sure about importing in port of LA.. what is it called..  Hummane?? but you can import into ANY other of the 326 US ports that is PRE 17 aug 92..   If you import a 1992 manufactured classic mini.. I do recommend a BMHT cert to show build date..  btw I have cheap 92 auto mini at the shop in aylesbury UK.. that finished the $hit box rallye couple years ago.. by two dizzy women.. and it is a AUTO?? go figure..  only 92 mini I have EVERY owned..   check out www.ebay.co.uk or www.classicandcar.co.uk  if you need parts car.. damn cheap on both..  and I can help you with the import.. later bc  1.704.487.6797 home

 Posted: Aug 17, 2017 01:14PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thewerewolf
justandyc..  CBP can NOW hold up to 60 days.. after they detain.. and BEFORE SEIZURE.. NOW after  60 days. if NOT SEIZED. it is automatic release..   if CBP recalls an entry..on a ( car) after you pick it from the port..  you MUST take it back to them.. or they will come TAKE it from you. and in most cases NEVER get it back..  I get release  ( called Tally or pick up order) in about an HOUR.. sure does NOT take 2-3 days..BUT I have a bond.. and CBP will just bill me for storage.. VACIS  ect..  when did you become an arm chair expert?/ stay at holiday inn last night and now you KNOW it all about importing?? Or been  taking  BAD advise from EX dealer/ EX broker in LA?? later bc
Bill, can you bring in a 90s Mini as a parts car and not get it crushed in California?  Sorry, I know it's not your jurisdiction (haha!), but curious if you know the answer.

**Dr. jinG**

"I tell you and you forget. I show you and you remember. I involve you and you understand." ~ Eric Butterworth
"The true charter of liberty is independence, maintained by force." ~Voltaire

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