REGISTERED IMPORTER NEWSLETTER No. 17

 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Office of Vehicle Safety Compliance

September 2000

 

SERVICE INSURANCE POLICIES

The last newsletter advised that service insurance policies must be written by an insurance company or by a company that is backed by an insurance company.  We are accepting policies written by the following companies:     

      Automobile Consumer Service Corporation   800-824-7059           Mr. Bob Clemens

      Avalon Risk Management Inc.                           888-750-5677           Mr. Mike Brown

      Continental American Insurance Company      317-232-5251           Mr. George Thompson

      Roanoke Trade Services                                   415-765-6636           Mr. Terry Cummings

You must check with the insurance commission in your state to determine if the company you select is authorized to sell service insurance policies in your state.  Read your policy closely.  Many only cover vehicles eligible under VSA 80, 81, 82 or 83, and you cannot use these policies for vehicles with other eligibility numbers.

 

MAINTENANCE OF RI REGISTRATION

This will be your only reminder that it is time to submit the information required to permit you to continue as an RI in FY 2001. The following information must be submitted in September for FY 2001 registration, which begins October 1, 2000.  For uninterrupted service all required information must be received by October 31, 2000.

1. Check made payable to the Treasurer of the United States, or authorization to charge the $416 fee if you are approved for credit card use,

2. Statement required by 49 CFR Part 592.5(e),

3. Service Insurance Policy for FY 2001 with notarized signatures,

4. Changes in any application information not previously reported.

5. Copy of certification label for a motorcycle, passenger car, light truck and heavy truck.    Four types of labels must be completed with information for specific vehicles.  See certification labels below.

 

STATEMENT OF CONFORMITY

The statement of conformity has been revised to provide a space for odometer information and to identify the location of where the vehicle is being stored and is available for inspection.  Failure to provide this information after November 1, 2000, may result in the conformity package being returned.  Data disk submission of this information should be discussed with Ms. Rena Lee at 202-366-7982.

 

FY 2001 RI FEES

The fee schedule for FY 2001 is attached.  There is a significant difference in the processing fee if the RI makes entry with a custom broker through ABI, has an e-mail account on file, pays by credit card, and the information filed on ABI and the conformity statement is correct.  If we are able to benefit from these time-saving advantages, the fee is $6.  If the information submitted to Customs by the broker is incorrect or the conformity package contains incorrect information which require manual corrections, the fee will be $16.  Make sure information submitted is correct.

 

RECALLS

When using the NHTSA website to determine if a vehicle is subject to a recall it is imperative that you query the system properly.  Use the pull down menus to ensure that the vehicle model is correctly identified.  For example, if you enter a 1995 GMC K-1500 you would conclude that the vehicle has not been subject to any recalls.  If you correctly identify the vehicle as a 1995 GMC Sierra you would find that the model has been subject to recall.

 

QUARTERLY RECALL REPORTS

Starting next quarter you will no longer send Part 573 quarterly status reports to OVSC.  Your next quarterly report due by October 30, 2000 should be sent directly to the Office of Defect Investigations.  The correct mailing address is: RI Part 573 Quarterly Status Report, RAD/ODI, NSA-11, NHTSA, 400 7th Street, SW, Washington, DC  20590.

 

CERTIFICATION LABELS

You are required to submit copies of 4 different types of certification labels with your renewal information.  Labels for the following vehicle types are different: 1. - passenger car; 2. - truck and MPV less than 6,000 lb; 3. - truck, and MPV over 6,000 lb, bus and trailer; and 4. - motorcycle.  Not all Canadian vehicles meet the requirements of FMVSS No. 120.  This standard requires that weight ratings, and tire pressures appear in metric followed by LB or PSI in parenthesis, as appropriate.  Usually the FMVSS No. 120 labeling requirement is combined with the Part 567 certification label requirement in a combination label and is encouraged.  If you have any questions concerning your labels please contact Mr. David Coleman at 202-366-5302.

 

CONFORMITY PACKAGES RETURNED

Many conformity packages have been returned for a variety of reasons.  You have been reminded of these reasons in past newsletters but many of you have failed to adhere their guidance.  The FAX advising you of the errors warns that if you continue to make the same errors appropriate sanctions may be imposed against your company.  If a sampling of your folders identifies errors, all submissions will be returned not just the folders with the errors.  When resubmitting, you must band and return all folders at the same time.  Be sure to include the attachment (echo sheet) to the FAX sent to you when returning the folders.

 

PETITIONS

When the basis for a petition is that there is a substantially similar US certified vehicle and modification is required to bring the vehicle into conformity with a standard, the nonconforming part number and the US part number must be identified.  If the modification required is other than replacement of a part, a detailed description of the modification is required.  Petitions not identifying the part numbers or detailed descriptions will be returned to the petitioner for the additional information.

 

CANADIAN ELIGIBILITY NUMBERS.

Make sure you and your broker are using the correct VSA numbers for vehicles less than 25 years old that were certified to the Canadian Safety Regulations.

      VSA-80    Passenger cars that meet FMVSS Nos. 208 and 214(see Appendix A of 49 CFR 593 for model year requirements)

      VSA-81    MPVs, trucks and buses with a GVWR 10,000 lb or less that meet FMVSS Nos. 202, 208, 214 and 216 (see Appendix A of 49 CFR 593 for model year requirements)

      VSA-82    MPVs, trucks and buses with a GVWR greater than 10,000 lb

      VSA-83    Trailers and motorcycles

 

CONTRACTING OUT

An RI cannot contract out any of the modification work.  Replacement of the speedometer/odometer is modification work and cannot be contracted out.  The RI itself must remove and install the speedometer/odometer.  Sanctions may be taken against RIs contracting out any modification work.

 

3 Attachments

1.      Statement of Conformity

2.      FY 2001 Fee Schedule

3.      Certification Labels

 

 


Attachment 2

 

REGISTERED IMPORTER FEE SCHEDULE FOR FY 2001

 

ACTIVITY
FEE
New Registered Importer Application

$584

Annual Maintenance of Registration

$416

Vehicle Eligibility Determinations

 

    Petition for substantially similar vehicle

·        Paid when petition is filed

·        Paid for each vehicle

 

$175

$105

    Petition for vehicle capable of being modified

·        Paid when petition is filed

·        Paid for each covered vehicle

 

$800

$125

    NHTSA initiative – Paid for each covered vehicle

·        Determination before October 1, 2000

·        Determination after October 1, 2000

 

$0

$125

Processing Costs

 

    Bond

$5.75

    Conformity Package

$16

    Conformity Package w/ABI, e-mail, credit card, information correctly entered

$6


Attachment 3

 

REGISTERED IMPORTER CERTIFICATION LABELS

 

Passenger Car

 

 

MANUFACTURED BY:

THE FINE CAR COMPANY, INC.

 

IMPORTED BY

ABC IMPORTERS

 

DATE OF MANUFACTURE:  MAY 1999

 

GVWR 000 KG (000 LB)

GAWR FRONT 000 KG (000 LB)

             REAR   000 KG (000 LB)

 

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY, BUMPER, AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE

 

VIN: 123456789X1234567

 

TYPE: PASSENGER CAR

 

Vehicles other than passenger cars are required to have tire information on a label meeting the requirements of FMVSS No. 120, Tire Selection and Rims for Motor Vehicles Other Than Passenger Cars. The tire information label must be affixed to the same location as the certification label which is typically on the driver=s door or door pillar.

 

FMVSS No. 120 tire information label

 

 

 

GVWR            271 KG (598 LB)                             

GAWR FRONT  110 KG (243 LB) WITH 120/70R18M/C TIRE, 18XMT3.00 RIM, AT 250 KPA (36 PSI) COLD SINGLE

GAWR REAR   161 KG (355 LB) WITH 160/60R17M/C TIRE, 17XMT4.00 RIM, AT 250 KPA (36 PSI) COLD SINGLE

 

 

An RI label may serve as a combination certification label (49CFR 567.4) and tire information label (49CFR571.120.5.3) to bring vehicles (other than passenger cars) lacking a correct tire information label into compliance with U.S. requirements.

 


Combination label for trucks and MPV vehicles with GVWRs less than 6001 lb

 

MANUFACTURED BY:

THE FINE TRUCK COMPANY, INC.

 

IMPORTED BY

ABC IMPORTERS

 

DATE OF MANUFACTURE:  MAY 1999

 

GVWR 2676 KG (5900 LB)

GAWR FRONT       WITH TIRES   AT COLD PRESSURE           RIMS

000 KG (000 LB)    000R00           00 KPA (00 PSI) SINGLE       00.0x0.00ZZ

 GAWR REAR         WITH TIRES   AT COLD PRESSURE          RIMS

000 KG (000 LB)    000R00           00 KPA (00 PSI) DUAL          00.0x0.00ZZ

 

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY AND THEFT PREVENTION STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.

 

VIN: 123456789X1234567

 

TYPE: TRUCK

 

Combination label for trucks and MPVs with a GVWRs greater than 6000 lb and

all buses and trailers

 

MANUFACTURED BY:

THE FINE TRUCK COMPANY, INC.

 

IMPORTED BY

ABC IMPORTERS

 

DATE OF MANUFACTURE:  MAY 1999

 

GVWR 2812 KG (6200 LB)

GAWR FRONT       WITH TIRES   AT COLD PRESSURE           RIMS

000 KG (000 LB)    000R00           00 KPA (00 PSI) SINGLE       00.0x0.00ZZ

 GAWR REAR         WITH TIRES   AT COLD PRESSURE          RIMS

000 KG (000 LB)    000R00           00 KPA (00 PSI) DUAL          00.0x0.00ZZ

 

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.

 

VIN: 123456789X1234567

 

TYPE: TRUCK


Combination label for motorcycles

 

 

MANUFACTURED BY:  MOTORCYCLE MANUFACTURERS, INC.              DATE OF MANUFACTURE: JUNE 1998      

IMPORTED BY:             MOTORCYCLE IMPORTS, INC.                                                 

 

GVWR              271 KG (598 LB)

GAWR FRONT  110 KG (243 LB) WITH 120/70R18M/C TIRE, 18XMT3.00 RIM, AT 250 KPA (36 PSI) COLD

GAWR REAR   161 KG (355 LB) WITH 160/60R17M/C TIRE, 17XMT4.00 RIM, AT 250 KPA (36 PSI) COLD

 

THIS VEHICLE CONFORMS TO ALL APPLICABLE FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARDS IN EFFECT ON THE DATE OF MANUFACTURE SHOWN ABOVE.

 

VIN     WMIXXXXXXXXXXXXXX                                                 TYPE:        MOTORCYCLE


Combination labels must be typed in capitals, using sans serif font, and must contain the following 17 elements. 

 

1.      The words: AMANUFACTURED BY@ or the abbreviation AMFD BY@

2.      Manufacturers name

3.      Month and year of manufacture

4.      The words: AIMPORTED BY@

5.      RI=s name (address is optional)

6.      The words:  AGVWR@ or AGROSS VEHICLE WEIGHT RATING@

7.      The GVWR value expressed in AKG@ followed by the equivalent value in ALB@ within parenthesis.

8.      The words: AGAWR FRONT@ or AGROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING FRONT@

9.      The GAWR value in AKG@ followed by the equivalent value in ALB@ within parenthesis.

10.  The words: AGAWR REAR@ or AGROSS AXLE WEIGHT RATING REAR@

11.  The GAWR value in AKG@ followed by the equivalent value in ALB@ within parenthesis.

12.  Tire size:  (with appropriate prefixes and suffixes)

13.  Rim size:  (with appropriate prefixes and suffixes)

14.  Cold inflation pressure stated in AKPA@ followed by the equivalent value in APSI@ within parenthesis. and (for other than passenger cars) followed by ASINGLE@ or ADUAL@ describing tire mounting

15.  Correct compliance statement applicable for type vehicle, i.e. a passenger car w/ theft markings, an incomplete vehicle, a heavy truck, etc.

16.  Vehicle identification number (VIN):

17.  Type vehicle: (i.e. PASSENGER CAR, TRUCK, MPV, BUS, TRAILER, MOTORCYCLE)

 

COMMON ERRORS:

 

1.      When figuring GVWR and GAWR (for other than passenger cars) not subtracting 10% from capacity of AP@ passenger car tires; #7,9, and 11

2.      Not stating the GVWR, GAWR and cold inflation press in AXXX KG (XXX LB) format; #7,9, and 11.

3.      Altering the words in the statement; #15.                                        

4.      Describing the type as something other than the types listed in 49 CFR 571.3; #17.

5.      Not including the prefix of passenger car tires as:  AP@205/75R15; #12.

6.      Not including the prefixes AST@ or ALT@ in special trailer or light truck tires; #12.

7.      Not including the load range as a suffix in ST, or LT tires as:  ST205/75R15(C); #12.

8.      Not including the load range as a suffix for heavy truck tires such as: 11R22.5 (H); #12

9.      Not describing the rim fully, i.e. diameter and width 22.5 X 8.25; #13.

10.  Not including the suffix of the rim, as:  15" X 6" J; #13.

11.  Changing the order of the information.  49 CFR 567 requires the order as shown; #1-17.