Interpretation ID: nht68-1.35

DATE: 01/23/68

FROM: Howard A. Haffron; signature by Dowell H. Anders

TO: Thomas S. Foley; House of Representatives

TITLE: FMVSR INTERPRETATION

TEXT: This is in response to your letter of January 8 to Congressional Liaison, Department of Transportation, in which you enclosed a letter of December 20 from your constituent James B. Mitchell of Spokane. Mr. Mitchell protests regulations then proposed and new adopted, promulgated jointly by the Department of Transportation and the Department of Treasury, which cover importation of motor vehicles subject to the National Traffic and Motor Vehicle Safety Act of 1966.

These regulations, in essence, implement section 108 of the Act and state that motor vehicles subject to the Federal motor vehicle safety standards (such as passenger cars including sports cars, but not including competition racing cars) cannot be imported into the United States unless they conform to all applicable standards prior to entry or are brought into conformity after entry. Consequently, any Ferrari manufactured on or after January 1, 1968, and intended primarily for use on the public roads will be admitted to the United States if it conforms to all applicable standards or, in the alternative, if it can be brought into conformity within 90 days after entry or such other period as the district director of customs of the port of entry may allow for good cause shown.