PnP HIDs: Buy them while they last
PnP HIDs: Buy them while they last
US Customs is cracking down on PnP kits that are not DOT compliant (which means 100% of them) from pressure of local law enforcement agencies and the NHTSA. Taken from the following link:
http://www.strtrade.com/wti/wti.asp?.../2011&company=
Expect local PDs to be following suit REAL shortly. FHP has already begun a strict campaign here in Florida.
Originally Posted by International Trade News
CBP Targeting Illegal Imports of Noncompliant Auto Headlamps
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported recently that its Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center is on the lookout for illegal imports of noncompliant high intensity discharge conversion kits, light sources and ballasts. HID conversion kits are custom light sources and ballasts manufactured to be installed into headlamps that were not designed to use them. When these kits are installed, they pose potential glare hazards to other roadway users.
CBP states that since receiving a commercial allegation in December 2010 it has identified hundreds of shipments for examination at various ports of entry, including Los Angeles, Anchorage, Cleveland, San Juan, Miami, Detroit, Champlain, Orlando and Seattle. Most recently, CBP officers at the port of Newark seized Sept. 12 a shipment of 10,740 imported HID conversion kits from China valued at approximately $570,000 following a determination that the equipment failed to meet Department of Transportation requirements that headlamp replaceable light sources be marked with the light source type, the light source manufacturer's name or trademark, and the DOT symbol indicating certification of compliance with governing regulations. Other DOT compliance issues exist as well.
Since October 2009, CBP has seized more than 400,000 HID conversion kits and components for violating DOT regulations. A significant portion of those shipments arrived via air cargo or express mail from numerous southeast Asian countries.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported recently that its Import Safety Commercial Targeting and Analysis Center is on the lookout for illegal imports of noncompliant high intensity discharge conversion kits, light sources and ballasts. HID conversion kits are custom light sources and ballasts manufactured to be installed into headlamps that were not designed to use them. When these kits are installed, they pose potential glare hazards to other roadway users.
CBP states that since receiving a commercial allegation in December 2010 it has identified hundreds of shipments for examination at various ports of entry, including Los Angeles, Anchorage, Cleveland, San Juan, Miami, Detroit, Champlain, Orlando and Seattle. Most recently, CBP officers at the port of Newark seized Sept. 12 a shipment of 10,740 imported HID conversion kits from China valued at approximately $570,000 following a determination that the equipment failed to meet Department of Transportation requirements that headlamp replaceable light sources be marked with the light source type, the light source manufacturer's name or trademark, and the DOT symbol indicating certification of compliance with governing regulations. Other DOT compliance issues exist as well.
Since October 2009, CBP has seized more than 400,000 HID conversion kits and components for violating DOT regulations. A significant portion of those shipments arrived via air cargo or express mail from numerous southeast Asian countries.
Expect local PDs to be following suit REAL shortly. FHP has already begun a strict campaign here in Florida.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2008
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From: Fort Worth, Texas
That would include retrofit products as well would it not? I'm not sure what the difference in a ballast from a PnP kit and a retrofit kit is. Would they only hold the product in customs if it doesn't contain a D2S bulb connected on the end of it?
You are correct. This would hamper the sales of AMP-type ballasts. While this may force some to purchase more expensive OEM parts, it's basically forcing you to use superior equipment, which is an A+ in my book.
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tint, exhaust, etc isnt illegal to import. these are. they have been for years. they are just now cracking down on it. DDM saw this coming, thats why they announced the suspension of HID kit sales a while ago. Read the article, no one wants to lose $570,000 worth of product.
Last edited by Raptor05121; Oct 11, 2011 at 05:24 PM.
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While I do believe this is happening and something will come of it, I'm sure they will find a way around it one way or another.
However, I would like to think if you bought a kit straight from over seas they wouldn't catch it because it wouldn't be a large shipment and would be just be passed along routinely.
All of you people saying this is a good idea and are for retrofits, well this will surely harm you as well. if anything they will just set up a shop here making them which will turn this into nothing but a speed bump.
However, I would like to think if you bought a kit straight from over seas they wouldn't catch it because it wouldn't be a large shipment and would be just be passed along routinely.
All of you people saying this is a good idea and are for retrofits, well this will surely harm you as well. if anything they will just set up a shop here making them which will turn this into nothing but a speed bump.
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Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Northern California
Not really. It will just force you to use more expensive OEM equipment instead of overseas stuff. That's fine by me, give me some custom boosted ballasts and LS460 projectors with clear lenses anyday. If this starts getting serious I'll purchase 3-4 complete kits and some extras/accessories from TRS and store them so my vehicles for the next couple decades will have Retrofits.
I get what you are saying, and it does make sense. This mainly affects US-based sellers buying in bulk. However, once Customs catches on to company ABC selling little 12x5" boxes every other day and they open one up and find a HID kit, of course its going to red flag the rest of them coming in. So yes you are correct, it will get in, but its going to get harder and harder.
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From: Maine
tint, exhaust, etc isnt illegal to import. these are. they have been for years. they are just now cracking down on it. DDM saw this coming, thats why they announced the suspension of HID kit sales a while ago. Read the article, no one wants to lose $570,000 worth of product.