Does Customs Check Engines When Coming Into USA Waters?

[hp60]

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

You were able to import a Yanmar diesel into the USA from Europe?

Nope, imported it into Peru where the boat is being built. ~$15K plus shipping was abit pricey though. You could ask Baltic if they've sucessfully shipped to the USA recently.

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

Why not?

I think you mentioned having it built elsewhere then sailing into Florida. As some others mentioned, the last thing Homeland Security is looking for are Yanmar outboards.

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

Cruiser 60 cut down to 40 feet. Fiberglass and carbon fiber construction. Schooner rig, unstayed masts, wishbone booms. And when Rob finally finishes testing with his telescoping mast prototype I'll probably have this option, too.

The Cruiser 40. Nice.



Sent from my SM-T520 using Cruisers Sailing Forum mobile app

[nicholastanguma]

Originally Posted by newhaul

I will check with customs and the local EPA office prior to placing an order.
I'm hoping that it is correct and I can import one for personal use. The 6 HP would work great on my boat .

Please post up the customs and EPA response when you receive it! Klaxon told me the same thing about legally importing-for-personal-use-but-not-for-resale, and I'm quite dubious.

BTW, for anybody that's interested: Klaxon informed me they themselves build their motors from parts (presumably obtained from China). So, assuming the sales rep wasn't lying, that means perhaps the build quality might be trustworthy even if the components are from a sooty factory somewhere on the Mainland.

[Cheechako]

Klaxon seems to be an unknown. Chinese isn't a problem but a specific brand may be! A friend of mine has a 51 ft power boat with two huge Chinese diesels in it. They have been bulletproof. They live aboard and use their boat more often than anyone I know actually. He spent $23000 in diesel one year.

[mako]

Originally Posted by Cheechako

Klaxon seems to be an unknown. Chinese isn't a problem but a specific brand may be! A friend of mine has a 51 ft power boat with two huge Chinese diesels in it. They have been bulletproof. They live aboard and use their boat more often than anyone I know actually. He spent $23000 in diesel one year.

Yes that's basically my impression of the SDEC diesels. BTW, I had numerous discussions with EPA (covered on another thread) and the conclusion that I came away with was that one cannot legally import a non-compliant diesel unless it is replacing an existing non-compliant (and you can prove it) or the boat is home-built.

But let us know what they say about this Klaxon discussion.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

Please post up the customs and EPA response when you receive it! Klaxon told me the same thing about legally importing-for-personal-use-but-not-for-resale, and I'm quite dubious.

BTW, for anybody that's interested: Klaxon informed me they themselves build their motors from parts (presumably obtained from China). So, assuming the sales rep wasn't lying, that means perhaps the build quality might be trustworthy even if the components are from a sooty factory somewhere on the Mainland.

Found a place on the import forms where it says you can import up too 3 non compliant spark ignition outboard engines for personal use . Once in a five year period. I'm waiting on a reply concerning the small compression ignition outboard engines . The only rules I Can. Find deal with motors with over .5ltr per cylinder up to 2.5 lLtr per cylinder . The klaxon I am looking.at has a dispilacement of .442ltr for the entire engine.

[Jdege]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Just paint the cover and re-decal it so it doesn't say "DIESEL" all over it.

FWIW, I always paint my dinghy engines.... even brand-new legal ones. Usually with black or gray primer. Dinghy docks are prime hunting grounds for thieves, and making the motor look like a beater will discourage theft. I have even returned to find my unlocked brand new motor/dinghy still there when others next to it were stolen!

You're reminding me of a college friend who has a custom bicycle. He put thousands into it. Hand-built frame, campy gruppo, the works.

And he'd leave it outside the physics building without a lock.

Because it was painted Rust-Oleum black and had Schwinn decals.

[hp60]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Just paint the cover and re-decal it so it doesn't say "DIESEL" all over it.

FWIW, I always paint my dinghy engines.... even brand-new legal ones. Usually with black or gray primer. Dinghy docks are prime hunting grounds for thieves, and making the motor look like a beater will discourage theft. I have even returned to find my unlocked brand new motor/dinghy still there when others next to it were stolen!

Good idea. Sometimes I think that's why so many people have ugly houses here in the developing world. It's camouflage!

[mako]

In Italy we keep our houses ugly on the outside to protect them from the tax-man!

[hp60]

Originally Posted by makobuilders

In Italy we keep our houses ugly on the outside to protect them from the tax-man!

Ha ya some do that in Canada too.

[mako]

nicholastanguma, why don't you contact CBP and ask them when sailing into the country under what circumstances would they ask to see the EPA engine import form (EPA Form 3520-21). Perhaps they are more lax on sailers than when a boat is shipped.

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by makobuilders

nicholastanguma, why don't you contact CBP and ask them when sailing into the country under what circumstances would they ask to see the EPA engine import form (EPA Form 3520-21). Perhaps they are more lax on sailers than when a boat is shipped.

Likely they would consider it being for personal use only under exemption 23 . Although it does state small spark ignition and not small compression ignition engines.

[nicholastanguma]

Originally Posted by makobuilders

Perhaps they are more lax on sailers than when a boat is shipped.

Thanks for the tip! I'm going to check into this.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Likely they would consider it being for personal use only under exemption 23 . Although it does state small spark ignition and not small compression ignition engines.

Seems likely that few Customs inspectors, the type that meet incoming recreational vessels, would know the difference between a diesel and a petrol outboard by visual inspection. Removal of any external decals, etc, that proclaim "DIESEL" might be a good plan...

Jim

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

Seems likely that few Customs inspectors, the type that meet incoming recreational vessels, would know the difference between a diesel and a petrol outboard by visual inspection. Removal of any external decals, etc, that proclaim "DIESEL" might be a good plan...

Jim

Jim this part about small compression ignition outboard engines and small spark ignition outboard engines difference is exactly the question I have asked of the EPA as myself and several others here have shown an interest in importing for personal use.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by newhaul

Jim this part about small compression ignition outboard engines and small spark ignition outboard engines difference is exactly the question I have asked of the EPA as myself and several others here have shown an interest in importing for personal use.

Understood... I think there are two separate issues under discussion here: importing a new engine from abroad and having one as part of a returning (or entering foreign) yacht's equipment. it is likely very different officials will be met in those different situations.

jim