Harnesses stuck in customs

[SanderGA]

I ordered Schroth harnesses, headrests, wind deflectors that mount on the side of the windscreen, a clutch cable and a throttle cable from Caterham UK.

 

It's stuck in customs and they want me to submit a form with the catchy title of "Declaration of Importation of Motor Vehicles and Motor Vehicle Equipment Subject to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety, Bumper and Theft Protection Standards." It appears that the problem is that I'm importing seatbelts and they want to make sure that they meet Federal Motor Vehicle Standards and are certified and labeled as such. I'm sure they haven't been tested for compliance with Federal laws since they are for the race track though we all use them on the street.

 

The forms provides a number of exemptions but many require documentation. For example, there's an exemption for a vehicle for racing, training and demonstration but that exemption requires an NHTSA permission letter which I don't have.

 

Anyone have any tips on getting the stuff out of customs?

 

Many thanks,

 

Sander

[sf4018]

I would start by emailing Caterham and getting them involved, I'd have to check the T&Cs but normally if they secured the shipping to your door they are responsible for customs issues. Worst case it'll get kicked back to Caterham and they'll have to reship without the belts (you can buy them from Summit Racing in the US anyways). Another option is to check box 8 and write that import letter.

[SanderGA]

I sent the form back and got an email they released them yesterday and they just arrived. Time well spent. From now on I’ll order safety equipment domestic.

[escondidoron]

For future reference I have had excellent experience with Crow Enterprizes.

[KnifeySpoony]

No help with customs, but I just ordered a set from Demon Tweaks and they arrived quickly without issue.

[Nick OTeen]

For future reference I have had excellent experience with Crow Enterprizes.

Same here. I've been using Crow for many years now to custom-make the six-point harnesses for my open wheel race cars. I'm lucky because I live in Orange County and can drive there, walk in and hand them an out-of-date harness which they use as the pattern for the replacement.

 

They usually have the new one finished within a day and there have even been a few times when they turned the job around in one day and their attention to detail and specific requests is fantastic.

[SENC]

For future reference I have had excellent experience with Crow Enterprizes.

 

Ron - what are you using in your 62 Seven? Mine doesn't have any belts, and at some point I think I will add some.

[escondidoron]

Ron - what are you using in your 62 Seven? Mine doesn't have any belts, and at some point I think I will add some.

 

 

I am using a Crow 5-point harness system. While I had my car completely disassembled for chassis repair I added multiple tubes to the chassis to accommodate full triangulation as well as tabs, tubes & reinforcements to support integration of the harness tie-down points. If you're interested to see what I have done I can start another thread.

[SENC]

I am using a Crow 5-point harness system. While I had my car completely disassembled for chassis repair I added multiple tubes to the chassis to accommodate full triangulation as well as tabs, tubes & reinforcements to support integration of the harness tie-down points. If you're interested to see what I have done I can start another thread.

 

That would be great, Ron, I'd love to see. When you have time, no hurry.

[SanderGA]

FYI, the Caterham belts are Schroth Formula 2X2. You can find them here. Mine arrived this week with an FIA certification that expires in 2025.

 

These belts are intended for formula cars with a very reclined seat. I've never sat in a formula car so I don't know if those seats recline as much or more than the Caterham's. I do know that my S3 seats are quite reclined and took a bit of getting used to. I guess Caterham decided that this particular harness set was the best solution.

 

I find one feature/flaw that I wish I knew about before I bought these harnesses. The crotch straps do not attach to the cam buckle. I know right?

 

At the end of each crotch strap there is a loop. That loop runs through a loop on the end of each lap belt strap and then the male buckle for the shoulder strap goes through the loop on the crotch strap before being inserted into the cam buckle. I'm sure I'm going to find this interesting.

 

I think the reason to order from Caterham is that they include Caterham specific mounting hardware. I haven't mounted them yet but I'm guessing that's what they have done.

[Croc]

I have that style of Scroth belt now. The crotch strap loops are well designed in that it only pressures your inner thigh and not the wife’s second best friend. The other crotch strap type (either 5 or 6 pt) which has a buckle attachment and clicks in are directly pressuring your genitals such that in an impact you will hurt big time.

 

So your new belts may be a bit complicated but you will be safer.

[FE07]

I don't have the Schroth belts but have formula car belts in my Caterham. They're easy to use and adjust, are much more comfortable and as Mike said- definitely safer.

 

They prevent submarining beneath your lap belt as well as keeping it pulled down on your pelvis where it needs to be. No metal pieces where you dont want them. When adjusted properly they're also more comfortable.

 

Not sure what seats you have but the subs are routed differently than a normal 5 or 6 point sub.

 

Feel free to reach out if you need help with mounting.

 

Jim