Yes, there are imports.
No, no more imports are being accepted.
No, partially changing them is not acceptable because it has to fit with whatever shipline the ship is included in. It can be inspired in a ship from certain series, but not just steal the model and add/remove a few bits
No, paying someone won't make your model accepted.
If you really plan on submitting ships do something new and original that the community will accept. Not imports.