This case involves violations of the Clean Air Act ( CAA ) by two California corporations that have since been disolved. Yuan Cheng International Group, Inc. (ÂYCIGÂ) was an importer of highway motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATV's). NST, Inc. ( NST ) was incorporated in 2006, following YCIGÂs cessation of business and it acquired the motorcycle and power sport aspect of YCIG's business.
NST and YCIG were major importers. Based on importation records, in 2010 NST was the seventh largest importer of Chinese-made motorcycles imported into the United States, and in 2007, YCIG was the fifth largest importer of Chinese-made motorcycles, and the eleventh largest importer of Chinese-made recreational vehicles imported into the United States.
YCIG and NST together imported over 17,500 recreational vehicles and highway motorcycles without proper EPA certifications or without proper emissions labels. In addition, the companies failed to adequately respond to EPA's requests for information under the CAA.
Although not named personally in the complaint, the owners of YCIG and NST have agreed to be individually bound by the settlement and be personally jointly and severally liable for all of the terms of the consent decree. This individual liability was a significant point for EPA as many illegal importation enforcement cases involve companies operated by one or a few individuals who simply close down one business and continue operations under a new name or corporat