Panacea,
There was a big to-do a couple of years ago about an EPA import ban.
I would be if you go back and look at the dates of the messages you read, you'd find they are older messages.
It was my understanding that the importing issue had been resolved as long as the engines have an emissions sticker on them.
Anyone care to confirm?
Also, check ebay as that is another source of engines that go through fairly regularly.
Good luck!
Steve