I know for a fact that if the import approval is in the importers name you can not register it in your name, you will need a letter from the importer stating he is tranfering the ownership of the car to you and you will need the import approval document with that letter, i imported a 55 oldsmobile in my name but wanted it registered in my wifes name and they would not let me cause my name was on the import approval, so i wrote a quick letter there at the rta transfering ownership to my wife and handed that with the import approval which they then keep once registered.
wow thats scary stuff...........i mean how the "great law" works ,,me son pays for the car & import costs also ,,then the importer who does "boner-fide-paperwork" just so happens to bring in customers cars under his own name & he literally owns them,,,,,sounds like nice little scamm goings on there,,,, i may have to "name& shame " himp soon as no response,,,
Sorry to disagree but it's simply not true that whomever has the import approval issued to them has ownership of the car. The same as registration papers do not prove ownership. The simple fact is, the import approval was granted to that person to import that vehicle, nothing more and nothing less, it does nothing as far as ownership goes, but it's understandable that licensing authorities need that aspect covered as in 68pony's case.
If you want the approval and the agents isn't giving it to you then you'll need to speak with the department that issued the approval and see if they'll give you a copy. I'm sure they'll want you to prove that you bought that vehicle to show that you have some entitlement to the import approval. You must have supplied proof of purchase as part of the VIA application so you should be OK there. Do you have any emails or documents from the agent discussing the application before he made it on your behalf? That will help.
Also, the U.S. title is not held by Customs, they have no interest in it. It belongs to you.
I just can't believe this guy isn't handing over the VIA, it's weird. Not a good situation. Good luck.