This is quite a sad tale.  Serious question here--if this seller's cars aren't legal to import and are being turned away at the port, why isn't he getting negative feedbacks?  While there haven't been that many sales in the past year, he has a 100% positive FB score.  For that matter, why hasn't a neg been filed in this specific case?  (I've been an Ebay seller for the better part of 20 years, with many thousands of sales, so I know my way around the site.)  Generally, Ebay will side with the buyer, especially if there's been a legal issue.  Has Ebay been approached for help?

As for having everything OEM, isn't that kind of ridiculous on a used car of that age?  My 2015 MINI was two weeks old when a rock chip took out the windshield.  That sort of thing happens all the time--why aren't allowances made for that sort of thing on a classic car, especially on safety-related or wear items such as glass, seat belts, etc.  Or is the real issue in this case because the car in this thread so radically modified? 

ron.. good to hear from you today.. BUT sorry to hear that david ellison dba Mountain minis has NOT given you even  you a partial refund..  just another  SCAMMER like BP.   you should just file small claims against him with i justice co.uk.. in his county.. only cost 120 quid to start and you do NOT need an attorney.. later bc

beane1.. david ellison / mountain minis.. still squirming about giving you FULL REFUND on this shorty?? should have arrived back in the UK over the weekend.. later bc

bean1  .. well. this shorty back in the UK. this week yet?? btw. just had  collect three Mercedes G wagons for dealer in texas.this week in the UK  . that had the BP missing deposit SCAM happen to him..  ebay.co.uk sure was NOT any help or pay pal.. later bc

It will be a while before I want to send it (she is only 11), and I was thinking of the Mexican idea, maybe even driving it to the port in Peru as a tourist, then out, etc. Obviously I still need to figure out a lot of things, but have a few years to do it. Maybe Trump can eliminate some of these stupid regulations too.

It has always been left hand drive.

Thanks for the offer. We will see.

richard1.. the engines only have to bee 21 years and older to IMPORT  . but has to be OEM to import in car or truck  bit of CATCH 22 ..  and all 336 ports of entry in the USA  have their OWN rules.   is you truck  stillRHD ?? you can NOT change from RHD to LHD either..    I would ship to mexico and just DRIVE it over.   you can call me at home. I have a custom broker in  Neuvo laredo / mexico..Laredo Texas. that can help..  bc  001.704.487.6797

That is what is now worrying me. I was considering that the 92 engine 92 would be 25 years old.

richard 1..  didnt you convert your pickup to SPI?/  all imports NOW must be totally stock or OEM including the engine that CAME in the pick up.. later bc

Reading through this bothers me a bit, as I planned on eventually sending my pickup to my granddaughter in the states. I thought the 25 year rule would cover me. Now I'm worried, as all parts are more than 25 years old, but it is a mix of the basic 1975 with later doors, 1992 power train. 7.5" power disc brakes up front. All original Mini from their time.

What are your thoughts?

1963SV2.. the problem NOW with CBP ( US CUSTOMS) is that they just up and SEIZED every land rover that Dr Aaron Richardt had imported for the last TEN years..statute of limitations on cars is FIVE years..  78 land rovers SEIZED total.. and thanks to Will Hendrick..  all have been RETURNED..   bad info from Jag/land rover north america on the tenth digit in the vin.s..  so NOW CBP has their panties all in twist on ALL imports like land rover defenders.. classic minis and nissian skylines.   later bc

Read NHTSA's own words.... but then, that has never stopped US Departments acting in contradiction to the actual laws... they call it "asserting jurisdiction.."

Cheers, Ian

1963SV2,,  CBP ( US CUSTOMS ) only allows OEM cars and trucks.. NO exemptions.. like shorty or after market cabrios into the USA.. I have seen land rovers SEIZED this year and CRUSHED for NOT having the OEM windsceen and  OEM seatbelts.. later bc

Thats correct, but i would call NHTSA first to be sure. They are the ones that stoped mine.

..Unless it comes with a certificate saying it was "remanufactured" before (import date - 25 years)

Cheers, Ian

I might have what you need Ron.
My contact info is in my profile.

Also anybody know of a shorty for sale in the states or a cheep donor car.
thanks, im not trying to bring in another modified cars and neither should anyone else.
leason learned.

Thanks for everything BC i will let you know if i need help getting my money back, i would think the car should be back to England in a week or so.
BC is awesome and knows his stuff on importing cars and i would highly recommend him.

This was quite the story. Hats off to you BC for stepping up for beane1! Ron came to the right place looking for help. It would be a nightmare trying to sort something like this out on your own. I hope everything works out to everyones satisfaction in the end.
Mini Estate

bean1..  when does the shorty arrive back in the UK..?? I do NOT recommend trying to send back as motor vehicle parts.. ( box 2a) on the DOT. as the mini has been RED FLAGGED by CBP there in LA..  If you have trouble getting your FULL refund of  $5k.. from david ellsion  / dba mountain minis..  I will make the call  to DLVA for you to their enforcement section and sure my friend will put the FEAR of GOD into the prick Ellison.. later bc

hi beane1.. anyupdate on this mess with CBP and david ellison giving you a refund?/ thanks  bc