[QUOTE=travelbug] I've contact Bruce Gordon with regards to their BLTs frames which are built in Japan, but have been told that they're first brought over to the US, set up then sold.

That is not TRUE! All Bruce Gordon Frames are made in my shop in Petaluma, California.
I had about 200 early BLT's made in Japan over 10 years ago. Since then all BLT's are made in the USA!!!
Regards,
Bruce Gordon
Bruce Gordon Cycles
www.bgcycles.com