Compilation of Foreign Remanufactured Parts Import Restrictions

US Department of Commerce, Office of Automotive Affairs Remanufactured Parts Global Report
only sends the component to an overhaul plant for the machining (grinding,
honing, planing, etc.) but does the dismantling and re-assembly in house.
All overhaul plants are basically job-shops and there is no mass production of
overhauled components. In general, it can safely be said that end users feel they
take a risk when they install an overhauled part, especially an imported one.
Claims of warranty are generally considered non-enforceable and mainly an
advertising argument. Repair shops warn customers against buying an imported
remanufactured component and usually offer to find a used part and have it rebuilt
by them or by an outside rebuilder.
Local rebuilders are generally small and employ fewer than 20 employees. Their
machinery is mainly of U.S. or Italian origin and many of such enterprises are
owned or are managed by Italian immigrants. In view of the relatively small total
vehicle population of the country, about 2.5 million, with relatively small numbers
for each model, brand or model year, series production of remanufactured
components is not deemed economically feasible, even if the resistance by end
users could be overcome.
The machine shops purchase their equipment through the dealers of such products
and manufacturers of equipment used for the overhaul of automotive components
should attempt to locate a distributor and not approach the end users because
these require locally supported warranty and service.
We are told that there is no demand for reconditioned spare parts, such as those
for front ends, suspensions, CVJ=s, universal joints, bearings and similar. Salvage
yards report some business for such used parts in good condition from customers
unable to locate such a part for old vehicles but also emphasize that customers will
not accept an imported reconditioned part and prefer to wait until they or someone
locates a new original part. There are people who make a business traveling to the
U.S. for the sole purpose of locating parts for old vehicles for their customers.
There appears to be a steady market for kits and components used in rebuilding
parts, such as carburetor kits, brake cylinder kits and similar which are mostly
bought by the garages. Engine rebuilding parts such as valves, valve springs,
gaskets, bearings, pistons and piston rings, etc. are available from parts houses and
from local manufacturers. Brand name products are much preferred. Many such
imports recently come from Brazil but there appears to be a preference among
customers to install so-called original parts, namely those made by the automobile
manufacturer or bought by it for the vehicles this manufacturer produces.
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