Does Customs Check Engines When Coming Into USA Waters?

[newhaul]

Jim true and IMO the vessels that have those diesel outboards already when comming in will definagely as you said be checked by very different officials . The ones checking your vessel will be more interested in finding contraband and not give a hoot about EPA standards on installed equipment. ( For the sake of argument I am including tender motors in installed equipment lists)

[nicholastanguma]

Originally Posted by Jim Cate

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.

A good point. Knowing what I know of engine importing from my time in the vintage motorcycle and 4x4 world, it seems likely the officials that would meet me when sailing my new Australian-built boat into Floridian waters for registration as a USA vessel might be more lax than the officials that would meet me if I had shipped the vessel by superbarge.

I kind of feel like the customs agents who would me meet if I shipped my boat would be the same customs agents with whom I'm familiar from automotive/motorcycle engine importing...meaning the no-nonsense, strictly-by-the-book types that genuinely know old from new and diesel from petrol.

[RaymondR]

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!

At least take all the stickers of.

[nicholastanguma]

Bumpity-bump-bump.

Newhaul, any word from Customs on your query concerning Exemption 23?

[newhaul]

Originally Posted by nicholastanguma

Bumpity-bump-bump.

Newhaul, any word from Customs on your query concerning Exemption 23?

Nothing yet. I'm about to go to the local office and ask them directly. ( I'm in the largest protected deep water port on the west coast. Customs has a huge office here)

[newhaul]

Well I finally got my answer from the EPA and here is a quote from the email.
The personal use exemption does not cover marine engines or any type of diesel engines. This exemption is for small spark-ignition engines such as string trimmers, chain saws, walk behind mowers which are covered under part 40 CFR 1054. Marine compression-ignition engines are covered under 40 CFR 1042. In order to import this marine diesel engine it would need to be a U.S. certified engine bearing a U.S. emission label.

I have and can forward the entire email to any interested just shoot me a pm Rob.
SV Meer Schaum


*

[nicholastanguma]

Much thanks for the research, Rob. I suppose I'm not surprised by this outcome.

At this point, if I really want a diesel outboard instead of petrol (especially a super simple, air cooled unit from Klaxon), it looks like the, um, "safest" option is to have my vessel equipped with it when built overseas; and then to sail into US waters rather than ship into US waters by superbarge, hoping that Customs agents will care more about looking for drugs/sex slaves/guns/nuclear devices than checking for the EPA compliance of my outboard.

[newhaul]

Still looking or a loophole lol

[pwilletts]

I recently talked with the EPA and they said parts are OK....a block with a crankshaft is an engine...no chank, its parts

[mako]

Nicholas, although its CBP (Custom's) responsibility to collect your EPA Engine Import form when entering the US for the first time, I wonder if there is anyone out here who has ever actually been asked for such form when clearing back into the States. How would they even bother to ask if you didn't state that you were entering for the first time, especially if you're just crossing over from the Bahamas or Canada? So what was your final decision?

[nicholastanguma]

Originally Posted by makobuilders

How would they even bother to ask if you didn't state that you were entering for the first time, especially if you're just crossing over from the Bahamas or Canada?

Hmm, good question, I suppose. Up til now I'd just kind of assumed there was some kind of DMV for boats, and everything on a boat's paperwork would be run through a registration database by CBP. Is this not the case? If it's not the case I think maybe my quest for a diesel outboard in America just got easier.

[nicholastanguma]

Originally Posted by pwilletts

I recently talked with the EPA and they said parts are OK....a block with a crankshaft is an engine...no chank, its parts

Great to hear, thanx for the tip! I guess this is exactly how I'll get spare parts from Aus.

However, I'd still need an outboard in place for maneuvering in the marina upon arrival into Florida.

How does registering a boat in the USA even work? If I were to sail my vessel into the marina from the Bahamas, would I then proceed to some kind of central registration office and have a Customs agent follow me back to my boat? Like a DMV for boats or something similar?