US Customs and DOT suck @$$ - Discuss US Customs and DOT suck @$$ on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in General CBR XX Discussion. (General Discussion of the Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird that does not fit into the other specific forums.)

Oriden · 06-15-2009, 6:36 PM

I finally ordered a set of HID headlights for my bike ( i do allot of night riding) and a set for the wifes car for the hell of it.

Now there sitting at LAX airport

stuck

because DOT put a stop import on all shipments noted sample car parts

. Now i am Trying to figured out if they will at least ship them back so i can get a refund

or if they will be confiscated / destroyed.

Uglystick · 06-15-2009, 6:57 PM

Wow that does suck..

ArmyStrong · 06-15-2009, 11:09 PM

Agreed.

DeathWish01 · 06-15-2009, 11:17 PM

sample car parts? what does that mean? but yet another reason to buy in US

Poundstretcher · 06-16-2009, 6:49 AM

Probably get confiscated, then someone there will be riding around with them on.

Doug66 · 06-16-2009, 8:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DeathWish01

sample car parts? what does that mean?

From what I understand in Oz, Sample parts/items are allowed into the country as purely that "sample" and not allowed to be sold. Usually well marked or stamped. Sounds like someones got a hand on a few and trying to rip them off on ebay.

Oriden · 06-16-2009, 10:08 AM

I email the compay and they said they faxed the DOT form and the pappers to get it to clear. So hopfully it will pass soon.

Edde · 06-16-2009, 12:32 PM

Thanks for the heads up.

testrider · 06-16-2009, 1:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriden

I finally ordered a set of HID headlights for my bike ( i do allot of night riding) and a set for the wifes car for the hell of it.

Now there sitting at LAX airport

stuck

because DOT put a stop import on all shipments noted sample car parts

. Now i am Trying to figured out if they will at least ship them back so i can get a refund

or if they will be confiscated / destroyed.

Thanks for the info. I ordered and received my HID from China a few months ago and I'm thinking of getting another set. Well, guess I'll have to wait...

dunedain · 06-16-2009, 3:10 PM

How far is Chula Vista from LAX.

I bet if you got down there and got in their face a little they'd play better. You can make up any kind of story and let them know the parts "..are for an R&D project" "...commissioned by CalDot" "...funded by stimulus money." the talking points are endless.

Go get'em

Oriden · 06-17-2009, 12:34 PM

Well got a call from DHL, Customs and DOT is questioning the safety of the conversion kits. I email the company to see if there were any documents they could release to customs to aid in the passage of my parts. Will keep yall updated on what happens as i find out.

From what i was told this question just came down the pipeline last week, figures i am the guinea pig

Poundstretcher · 06-18-2009, 4:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriden

Well got a call from DHL, Customs and DOT is questioning the safety of the conversion kits. I email the company to see if there were any documents they could release to customs to aid in the passage of my parts. Will keep yall updated on what happens as i find out.

From what i was told this question just came down the pipeline last week, figures i am the guinea pig

fingers crossed

keep at em

Skapan · 06-19-2009, 8:07 AM

You mean after all these years they finally woke up and realized that conversion kits nullify the DOT compliance test of headlights? They might as well go after all the other bulb manufacturers that were not part of the original certification. Surely they have better things to do.

Oriden · 06-19-2009, 10:38 PM

Just got a call. US custom made it illegal for civilians to buy and install HID lights. OEM only.

Citing safety reasons that the kit could catch fire if installed wrong/blind oncoming drivers if not aimed right.

Last i checked any miss installed headlight can arc and catch fire and i still get blinded my non hid headlight miss aimed

testrider · 06-21-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriden

Just got a call. US custom made it illegal for civilians to buy and install HID lights. OEM only.

Citing safety reasons that the kit could catch fire if installed wrong/blind oncoming drivers if not aimed right.

Last i checked any miss installed headlight can arc and catch fire and i still get blinded my non hid headlight miss aimed

Can't you tell them that you are receiving the HID kit for testing? Can you claim that you are going to use it to run a serie of tests in your own lab on this kit and it's not to be used on public road?

DeathWish01 · 06-21-2009, 3:03 AM

has anyone ever been pulled over for having hids? i know its illegal unless you have projection lamps, but ive NEVER heard of anyone getting pulled over for brights... ive heard about people getting pulled over for flashing their lights and well the obvious, having a burnt out light.....

VideoMike · 06-21-2009, 3:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oriden

Just got a call. US custom made it illegal for civilians to buy and install HID lights. OEM only.

Citing safety reasons that the kit could catch fire if installed wrong/blind oncoming drivers if not aimed right.

Last i checked any miss installed headlight can arc and catch fire and i still get blinded my non hid headlight miss aimed

Yeah, doesn't that give you a wonderful fuzzy feeling knowing that our government is protecting us from ourselves?

itsthemechanic · 06-21-2009, 7:45 AM

Land of the Free, home of the Brave right?

"When HID headlights are outlawed, only outlaws will have HID headlights"! xD

thechamp55 · 06-22-2009, 3:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by itsthemechanic

Land of the Free, home of the Brave right?

"When HID headlights are outlawed, only outlaws will have HID headlights"! xD

thats too funny

Oriden · 06-22-2009, 2:26 PM

The company i ordered the lights from are sending them out again.
here is a cut paste of the email

Dear Customer,

Sincerely apologize for all the troubles we have caused for you, whick makes you can not receive the package timely.It is the selective examination of your Customs and we can not control this. We have arranged the shippment again. It's still by DHL and you don't worry that DHL and LA Customs had come to an agreement and everything it's OK now. There has been no problem between DHL and LA Customs since it's 12 June. We will send you tracking nubmer later. Hope your package will reach you soon.

Not sure what they are going to do to get it thru but i will have to wait. I like the fact they want to get me my parts but if this fails again i am putting my foot down on my money back.

06-15-2009, 6:57 PM	#2
Uglystick Administrator Join Date: Oct 08 2007 Location: Australia Age: 49 Posts: 2,323	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Wow that does suck.. __________________ Laying in bed and crying "Oh God!" does not Constitute going to church

06-15-2009, 11:09 PM	#3
ArmyStrong Administrator Join Date: Mar 02 2008 Location: Atlanta, GA via Bronx, NY Age: 41 Posts: 4,810	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Agreed. __________________ Murphys 6th law of combat operations: If it's stupid but it works, it ain't stupid.

06-16-2009, 6:49 AM	#5
Poundstretcher A Rainbird Warrior Join Date: Oct 15 2008 Location: Tasmania Posts: 4,667	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Probably get confiscated, then someone there will be riding around with them on.

06-16-2009, 10:08 AM	#7
Oriden Join Date: Mar 09 2009 Location: CHula Vista, CA Posts: 26	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ I email the compay and they said they faxed the DOT form and the pappers to get it to clear. So hopfully it will pass soon.

06-16-2009, 12:32 PM	#8
Edde Join Date: Dec 07 2006 Location: Payson, Arizona Posts: 665	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Thanks for the heads up.

06-16-2009, 3:10 PM	#10
dunedain Join Date: Jan 04 2007 Location: Tulsa, OK Age: 47 Posts: 759	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ How far is Chula Vista from LAX. I bet if you got down there and got in their face a little they'd play better. You can make up any kind of story and let them know the parts "..are for an R&D project" "...commissioned by CalDot" "...funded by stimulus money." the talking points are endless. Go get'em __________________ Sua Sponte!

06-17-2009, 12:34 PM	#11
Oriden Join Date: Mar 09 2009 Location: CHula Vista, CA Posts: 26	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Well got a call from DHL, Customs and DOT is questioning the safety of the conversion kits. I email the company to see if there were any documents they could release to customs to aid in the passage of my parts. Will keep yall updated on what happens as i find out. From what i was told this question just came down the pipeline last week, figures i am the guinea pig

06-19-2009, 8:07 AM	#13
Skapan Join Date: Apr 05 2009 Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada Posts: 91	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ You mean after all these years they finally woke up and realized that conversion kits nullify the DOT compliance test of headlights? They might as well go after all the other bulb manufacturers that were not part of the original certification. Surely they have better things to do.

06-19-2009, 10:38 PM	#14
Oriden Join Date: Mar 09 2009 Location: CHula Vista, CA Posts: 26	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Just got a call. US custom made it illegal for civilians to buy and install HID lights. OEM only. Citing safety reasons that the kit could catch fire if installed wrong/blind oncoming drivers if not aimed right. Last i checked any miss installed headlight can arc and catch fire and i still get blinded my non hid headlight miss aimed

06-21-2009, 7:45 AM	#18
itsthemechanic Join Date: Dec 04 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 128	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ Land of the Free, home of the Brave right? "When HID headlights are outlawed, only outlaws will have HID headlights"! xD

06-22-2009, 2:26 PM	#20
Oriden Join Date: Mar 09 2009 Location: CHula Vista, CA Posts: 26	Re: US Customs and DOT suck @$$ The company i ordered the lights from are sending them out again. here is a cut paste of the email Dear Customer, Sincerely apologize for all the troubles we have caused for you, whick makes you can not receive the package timely.It is the selective examination of your Customs and we can not control this. We have arranged the shippment again. It's still by DHL and you don't worry that DHL and LA Customs had come to an agreement and everything it's OK now. There has been no problem between DHL and LA Customs since it's 12 June. We will send you tracking nubmer later. Hope your package will reach you soon. Not sure what they are going to do to get it thru but i will have to wait. I like the fact they want to get me my parts but if this fails again i am putting my foot down on my money back.