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Mini Truck Import documents

Discussion in 'References' started by Tom's Mini Trucks, Jan 23, 2008.

  1. Do all export certificates follow the trucks to final destination?
     
    Last edited: Jun 27, 2008
  2. Wow, are you talking about Japanese/English import certificates? Not much you can do without those is there? We always just mail those out to the buyer once the trucks hit land here, in ohio you need them to show proof of ownership. If he's bein like that you may have no choice but to drag him to court and sue him.
     
  3. I don't know what you can do about the paperwork short of explaining the reason for them, but I'm sure that you already did that. Would it be possible to sell them to someone out of state that does not require all that paperwork? What state are you in? Might be a way to recoup some or all of your money and not have too expensive of a "lesson learned". Just a thought...
     
  4. xroadsimport

    xroadsimport Member

    Depending on what the trucks are and were you are located I might buy them all from you. Let me know.
     
  5. gbrad

    gbrad Member

    I'd be interested to know who the guy is? Will copies of the documents work for your state agency? Call a local Customs House Broker and see what he says about copies of the documentation versus the real certificates. Just some thoughts.

    gbrad
     
  6. Yeah, you might as well say who it is so no one else gets burned.
     
  7. Import documents

    Its coming still working on this....this guy is something else!
     
  8. steve_nagoya

    steve_nagoya Member

    I know that we can ship out trucks without export docs as long as it is declared as "scrap". Some exporters source vehicles from people who may have lost their ownership paper (I don't know how this happens when the truck has to be inspected every 2 years). So, the exporter buys the truck for super cheap, like 100bucks, (since the owner can't re-register the truck for the road and no dealer would take a truck that has no papers) and will then ship it to unsuspecting US buyers because they generally don't need the docs.

    PLEASE make sure that the exporter has paperwork (export certificate). We don't send out the export docs unless a client needs them, but are happy to send them out.

    If an exporter (or your import agent) says they won't or can't supply the export doc, then BUYER BEWARE!
     
  9. TetsuKuma

    TetsuKuma Member

    Steve brings up a good point that may also have an effect on those buyers and users in those states that allow on road use. Generally the DMV will require the export/import docs to even consider processing! In some cases it can't even be a fax copy...original only.
    Bruce
     
  10. steve_nagoya

    steve_nagoya Member

    You're right Bruce. An export doc is a must, regardless.

    If your exporter can't supply it, then you should ask him how much the truck was bought for. It was probably bought for less than 100bucks.

    Auctions supply "masho" (owner registration) to the buyer. This "masho" is then converted to an export certificate used for Japan customs to process the exporting of the vehicle, and is then considered de-registered for Japanese roads.

    This same export certificate can be used to show proof of ownership (along with a bill of sale from your supplier/exporter). This is the process in Canada, and I'm sure it would be similar with those states that will register trucks as atvs.
     
  11. jimhammer1

    jimhammer1 Member

    I live in California and took my 1997 Suzuki to the DMV to obtain an Off Road license for it. After inspecting it they sent the paperwork to Sacramento for a decision. Sacramento now wants:

    “Evidence the vehicle has cleared U. S. Customs. Customs forms 3299, 3461, 6059, or 7501 stamped or endorsed cleared by U. S. Customs.”
    They have the bill of sale and the export certificate.
    My importer says:
    "I apologize but I have never received any of the papers the DMV is requesting from you and I’ve imported well over 100 trucks now. We’re licensed, insured and bonded importers so I can’t see us doing something wrong. Who knows though… At this point I would recommend getting the export cert back from the DMV and take it to another. Unfortunately at this point I have nothing I can provide to you."
    Taking it to another DMV Office won't help since it is the DMV headquarters in Sacramento who is asking for the Customs document(s).
    Any advice would be appreciated.
     
  12. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    i didn't know they turned the title in for the export certificate. and the mvd here in phoenix sure doesn't know that. they looked at the export certs adn asked for registration and title. that's a handy little piece of information to have for my ongoing quest to register this beast.
     
  13. Mighty Milt

    Mighty Milt Active Member

    similar problem i'm having, they want to see that my truck has cleared customs to register it for off road use. i used to live in california and know how quickly they will impound something without a "greeen sticker". phoenix mvd told me i had to take my truck back to it's original port of entry to get it to clear customs and then i could try to register it here in arizona if it passed.

    luckily every time i have taken it to mvd they add one stamp or another, shuffle through the papers, hand them back to me and send me somewhere else for one more piece of the puzzle.

    on a side note, i did find a guy here in arizona that imports the little SMART cars. he told me if it had an airbag that was installed at the factory (does it? 99 hijet) for $2500 he could have it registered in 6-8 weeks.

    at this point i have removed my export documents from the equation and am working towards "bonding" a title, i just need to get it through the level 2 inspection, but they don't seem to like the idea that it's RHD, so that makes me wonder if the guy out in mesa can really get it registered after making it comply with import regulations.
     
  14. TRAX and HORNS

    TRAX and HORNS Well-Known Member

    Its my understanding that the importer who has a import # though the USA Custom and Border Protection MUST keep the Export Certificate that comes from Japan. Please correct me if I am wrong.
     
  15. Samurai9

    Samurai9 Member

    At present there seems no way to license my 1993 Hijet for anything here in Tennessee. At any rate, the only document I got from the private eBay seller was a highly inaccurate bill of sale--it states that he is selling me a 1995 Mitsubishi! It never occurred to me to ask for import documents. It seems unlikely to me that someone who buys from a private owner downstream from the original importer would have any such documents. I am not on good terms with the seller and cannot ask him for any further documentation. And it seems clear that the man is "intellectually challenged." (I have additional reasons for thinking this.)

    Sam
     
  16. steve_nagoya

    steve_nagoya Member

    This is true only if the truck was not exported as "scrap". As scrap, there may not be an export certificate as it is not considered used equipment.
     
  17. zbadboy

    zbadboy Member

    Wait a minute! What Trax and Horns is saying is the Green Export Certificate is to be held by the importer of record! When I sell a vehicle, I provide the buyer with the Original Green Export Certificate and a Translated English version to prevent any confusion. This is the first I have heard that the Original Import Certificate is required to be maintained by the importer of record!
    Please explain?

    Steve, I am surprised you do not provide the Export Certificate with every vehicle you sell. This prevents the customer from having to contact the seller who has to contact you in order to get the export certificate. Saves you time and the customer as well by including it when you ship a container.

    As far as the following information,

    "Evidence the vehicle has cleared U. S. Customs. Customs forms 3299, 3461, 6059, or 7501 stamped or endorsed cleared by U. S. Customs.”

    I will talk with my customs broker (personal friend) and find out if that documentation even happens at the port. I do not have any in my records.

    Jeff
     
  18. steve_nagoya

    steve_nagoya Member

    Hi Jeff,
    I don't recall saying that here. Some clients want the export certificates and some don't. When a client wants them, we send them.

    I think you may have confused my statement about "we can send them". I was refering to the fact that some exporters will ship using the "scrap" status, and they are then not required to send export certificates for the vehicle to be cleared by customs. As such, they may not even have the export certificate due to the condition/method they bought the truck.

    In our case, we send export certificates, and the translation, when the client wants them. Some clients don't want them, and some do. We're more than happy to send the export certificates!

    Steve
     
  19. zbadboy

    zbadboy Member

    Your right, I did miss understand you. No worries. I am surprised some don't care to have them. Thanks for the clarification Steve.

    Jeff
     
  20. Tuz222

    Tuz222 Member

    alright when i got my mits i have no documents or title. is there someone or something i can do to register it as a atv. can you get titles made. thanks
     
  21. The Export Certificate is part of the de-registration process in Japan. The person who handles this is the Japanese exporter, not the US importer.

    If you're still buying from an importer, then he is either brokering a deal or doesn't know what he is doing. The relationship between the importer and exporter should support this documentation as a matter of process.

    Since he did not provide them and was rude, I suspect he does not have them. This means that they are most likely in the possession of the Japanese exporter! You need to contact that exporter directly and give him your dates and serial numbers before too long.

    If you would like some assistance navigating through the export/import/customs process, contact me directly and I will help you go after the certificates!
     
  22. steve_nagoya

    steve_nagoya Member

    Thanks for the imput Mini Truck Exporter. As you probably know, mini trucks can be exported to the US as "scrap" without an export certificate. I fear this is the case with Tom.

    Importers, please make sure the people you deal with are not exporting your trucks as scrap. There is no way for you to get an export certificate if the trucks you buy are exported in this manner!
     
  23. Crazy~Critter

    Crazy~Critter New Member

    Need the NON papers fixed their be a way. Email me Tom let you know !
    CC
     
  24. Export Certificates

    Thanks for all the opinions and help,I resolved this matter a long time ago by circumventing the person holding out on me and got it handled...Then cut my business ties with him and moved on to a better situation for truck inventory.Just another bump in the road of the ever changing mini truck business!
     
  25. willcorbett

    willcorbett New Member

    hey i live in Alberta Canada .. i have the same problem .. i bought a 91 suzuki carry off a guy who told me i could license it no problem .. when i went to register it they asked for the import papers ... i called the guy back and his number changed ... what is a guy to do with a truck he owns but cant drive? ... does anyone have a set of import papers or a wrecked truck with a clean title? ... i've got a $6500 paper weight ??? any help would be great .. thanks
     
  26. steve_nagoya

    steve_nagoya Member

    Hey there,
    Well, did the guy who sold it to you make any reference about where he got it from? Can't you somehow track the guy down? You must have a bill of sale. If he was the original Canadian owner, he either imported it for personal use, or is a registered dealer. There must be some sort of paper trail.
    Feel free to PM me or contact me. I'll see if I can give you a hand.

    Steve
     
  27. rix

    rix New Member

    Where in alberta are you? I'm near edson.
     

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