Luis de Prat

My U.S. spec 944S2 cabrio is sitting in a warehouse awaiting clearance by E.C. Customs in Valencia, Spain.

My U.S. title VIN matches the number on the windshield pillar, but not the chassis number embossed on the firewall.

I believe this is normal and confirmed it verbally with PCNA earlier today, but the Customs Agent insists that the car can't be imported into the E.C. unless the chassis number matches the number on my title.

PCNA "Customer Commitment" won't issue a letter certifying this and referred me to Porsche A.G. in Stuttgart.

Chassis number: WP0ZZZ94ZLN481555
Windshield VIN: WP0CB2943LN481555

I need to prove that these numbers correspond to the same car to the Customs Office somehow and am waiting for Porsche A.G. to return my call (good luck). What can I do???

TIA

Bryan

Every North American Porsche since '80 (when they started with the modern VIN style) is like this. But I don't know how you convince a Customs agent of it.

Good luck,

Bryan

Luis de Prat

Thanks for the data point. I just got a call back from Porsche A.G. referring me to the Spanish importer in Madrid.

PCNA told me Porsche A.G. actually issues the U.S. VIN numbers in Germany, so I figured they would be the ones to help me.

Maybe the Spanish importer can certify this for U.S. customs.

IceShark

What will Customs take for proof? Maybe your insurance company could provide a letter and a copy of the decoder page for VIN numbers.

It is easy to explain, though. The thing that is probably throwing the Customs is position 9 which is a Z on the chassis and a 3 on the windshield. That is a check digit so obviously would change because the chassis just has ZZZ in position 4,5 and 6 rather than the windshield which describes the series (4), engine (5), and restraint system (6).

Another idea would be a local police auto theft unit. They know how to read the serial numbers.

Luis de Prat

PCNA said the positions 4,5 and 6 were as follows: C = cabrio, B = normally aspirated, 2 = airbags. The 3 in position 9 is a check digit. What the heck is that? They couldn't say.

IceShark

Check digit? It is to ensure that all the other numbers have been recorded correctly and that there hasn't been some typing or transcription error. You plug all the other numbers into a formula and out pops the check digit.

I think the idea started in the old days of business machines or computers so people down the processing line could tell if they had typed things in accurately, hadn't lost an item in a group along the processing way, etc.

Luis de Prat

IceShark, thanks for the data point. Now if I could only get something in writing from PCNA...

<img border="0" title="" alt="[Frown]" src="frown.gif" />

Luis de Prat

PCNA wanted $175 for a "compliance letter," certifying the authenticity of the window pillar VIN.

I called Porsche A.G. in Germany and they referred me to their customer service department. The representative requested some proof of the situation, which I sent (U.S. title, bill of lading, etc.)

I must say that they came through for me, faxing a letter to certify the VIN authenticity. The hard copy arrived today, and will no doubt be very useful when I apply for permanent registration of the car.

The Customs Office investigated the car for signs of being stolen and it was released to me last Thursday 1/16.

Thanks to all who replied.

924RACR

Good deal! Now keep a copy of that letter - I know another rennlister who was stopped by the police in his area on a routine stop, then they impounded his car and wanted to throw him in jail because of the VIN vs chassis # not matching - same thing, that ZZZ thing.

Skip

I fail to understand why this comes up still - nearly every car maker in the world exports cars the same way as Porsche. Hondas, Toyotas, even Kias have mismatched chassis numbers. The customs authorities, port authorities, importers, and car companies need to get their **** together and stop harrassing innocent folks! How many friggin times does it take to realize there's an epidemic of stupidity.

Don't misread to mean that they should not be looking for stolen vehicles - I'm with that - they just need to get a clue... I consider it possible that stolen vehicles are easier to import than honest ones.

Man, am I in a mood today Congrats, Luis!

S

Tom

I agree with Skip. What are the odds that the "mismatched" number just happens to have exactly the same sequential number as the "correct" number?!