Has anyone imported a bike from Canada?

[Travlr]

With the Canadian dollar in the tank, and riding season coming to an end, there are some great buys north of the border.

Has anyone purchased a late model bike in Canada and imported it?  If so, what are the issues?

Mike

[lucian]

I think whatever you save you will pay out in duties when it crosses the border. A new bike may have other compliance issues as well. Also likely to come with studded snow tires and high cholesterol.  :D

[Lannis]

With the Canadian dollar in the tank, and riding season coming to an end, there are some great buys north of the border.

Has anyone purchased a late model bike in Canada and imported it?  If so, what are the issues?

Mike

Not really possible, legally.   A bike over 25 years old can be waivered for EPA emissions compliance and DOT crash-test compliance.

A bike less than 25 years old has to have a VIN number indicating that it was built and tested to USA emissions and crash-test standards.   

No tickee, no laundry ......

Lannis

[Travlr]

Not really possible, legally.   A bike over 25 years old can be waivered for EPA emissions compliance and DOT crash-test compliance.

A bike less than 25 years old has to have a VIN number indicating that it was built and tested to USA emissions and crash-test standards.   

No tickee, no laundry ......

Lannis

2015 is 1990.  So a 1990 or earlier bike would be ok?

Or a bike that has an EPA sticker and was sold in Canada?

Mike

[smdl]

One other thing to consider is that a fair number of the more modern Guzzis in Canada have actually been imported from the US.  In this case, the bike has already met all the US safety standards and has EPA certifications.  Those should be pretty easy to bring back in, as all the correct labels will be present.

Cheers,
Shaun

[canuguzzi]

To try to save how much.money? If it is a euro or Canadian market bike,  contrary to what has been said, your DMW will cooperate with federal requirements and make it very costly if jot impossible to register legally.

But if you live in one of those states where the DMW is a totally independent entity, sure, just buy it, bring it in via the pickup and you're good.

[smdl]

Can we get a pound of Canadian bacon with the bike ?

  Dusty

What you really want is English bacon.  For that, you have to import a Norton...

S

[smdl]

To try to save how much.money? If it is a euro or Canadian market bike,  contrary to what has been said, your DMW will cooperate with federal requirements and make it very costly if jot impossible to register legally.

But if you live in one of those states where the DMW is a totally independent entity, sure, just buy it, bring it in via the pickup and you're good.

Not sure if you were referring to my comments, but want to clarify that I was speaking of bikes originally sold in the US, and then subsequently imported by a Canadian into Canada (I have imported three, and am about to import a fourth).  If you were to find a bike in Canada that was originally sold in the US, I don't think there would be any issue bringing it back to the US.  The US federal requirement seems to state that you, as the importer, are required to ensure that the vehicle meets all US safety and emissions standards.  Being a US-market bike, it has already met these standards and will be marked as such. 

That said, I have enough to keep me busy keeping up with US EXPORT rules and Canadian IMPORT rules.  I'll leave figuring out US IMPORT rules to you folks south of the 49th.

Cheers,
Shaun

[smdl]

OK , can we get a weekend with Eugenie Bouchard then 

  Dusty

Get in line, buddy. 

[canuck750]

I have sent a couple bikes south of the border to the USA, not much too it, best if the bike is at least 15 years old. AA Motorcycle shipping will provide door to door service, no pallet or crating required. AA Transport can advise on a broker to handle cross border customs, for a V7 Sport I sold last year for appx. $13K the duties were about $750.00. The shipper will give you an exact quote on duty.

[Groover]

Good thread. Would this also apply to say importing a bike from Italy? What would be the process for that? Same rules? (25 year rule). Has anyone done this?

[sib]

As far as I can determine, the newer V7's are identical for Canada and the US.  Canadian versions should already be certified for whatever US-specific safety and pollution regulations that apply.

[Lannis]

Good thread. Would this also apply to say importing a bike from Italy? What would be the process for that? Same rules? (25 year rule). Has anyone done this?

It's all the same.  I've imported bikes from Australia and the UK.  If the bike is 25 years old or older, you must have:

1) A signed waiver that the bike is old and doesn't have to meet EPA emissions requirements.

2) A signed waiver that the bike is old and doesn't have to meet DOT crash test requirements.

3) A properly executed title or registration (a government document) from the country of origin.

4) A Bill of Sale from the seller (sometimes included in the title or registration), has to have both of your names on it.

5) The Customs import document that says you've paid the appropriate duty and customs fees.

If you get it through Customs, you'll have all these things to present to your state DMV office to get the title transferred.   You'll want to call in a supervisor to the desk, though, as we've discussed before.

The cost breakdown last time I did it was (approximately):

1) $800 for the actual shipping on the ship.

2) $100 for duties and customs fees

3) $75 for an "Xray container search" (random check, you don't always get this).

4) $175 in brokerage fees (someone has to be in person at the port of entry, could be you but much easier to pay an expert).

5) $200 in warehousing fees for the bonded warehouse where you'll pick it up.

From Canada, you miss some of this.   Customs duties are only a percent or two of the value ....

Lannis

[rss29]

Depending on the bike, you might also have to address a speedometer and odometer that read in KM instead of miles as God intended. I don't believe that would be a barrier to entry but it would sure be annoying. A bike with an LCD instrument cluster should have a setting for units of measure, but an analog one might not. Even analog gauges that have a dual scale are nearly impossible to read on the secondary markings.

You could swap out the instrument cluster, but that could get expensive. Depending on where you live, the state might require the new odometer to be set at 0, resulting in a TMU title which negatively affects resale value.

[sturgeon]

As far as I can determine, the newer V7's are identical for Canada and the US.  Canadian versions should already be certified for whatever US-specific safety and pollution regulations that apply.

Not sure about V7's but I know there are some late model bikes sold here in Canada that vary from their US counterparts in emissions controls. Usually involves an evap canister in the fuel system. My F800GS is like that. My US pals used to go to great lengths to remove the things because they were causing performance issues.

[dlapierre]

It seems there are EPA and DOT standards that need to be met. Here's a site showing what you'd want to look for as far as EPA is concerned. Basically, it is when the bike carries the sticker that says it meets EPA standards. http://www2.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/importing-canadian-vehicles. For example, I have an 04' V11 Sport for sale, unmolested (all original) the speedometer on which is in miles, because all the ones imported then were in miles, not kph. And, under the seat is a sticker that shows not only the tuning specifications but states it meets EPA 04's emission standards for the state of California.

Weren't California's standards the strictest, back then?

I'm pretty sure I should be able to sell my V11 Sport into the US.

 For Canadians wanting to export from the US into Canada there is simply a list of approved vehicles. If there is the same visa versa, I can't find it.

[canuguzzi]

Not sure if you were referring to my comments, but want to clarify that I was speaking of bikes originally sold in the US, and then subsequently imported by a Canadian into Canada (I have imported three, and am about to import a fourth).  If you were to find a bike in Canada that was originally sold in the US, I don't think there would be any issue bringing it back to the US.  The US federal requirement seems to state that you, as the importer, are required to ensure that the vehicle meets all US safety and emissions standards.  Being a US-market bike, it has already met these standards and will be marked as such. 

That said, I have enough to keep me busy keeping up with US EXPORT rules and Canadian IMPORT rules.  I'll leave figuring out US IMPORT rules to you folks south of the 49th.

Cheers,
Shaun

I was referring to bikes originally sold in Canada. There were some very nice models sold in Canada but not here, the CX650 Eurosport for one but next to impossible to get registered here because emissions and so forth. After the 25 year time lapse, it often becomes a question of parts availability and what you are getting vs a domestic model.

With the huge number of bikes available domestically, it probably doesn't save a lot of.money getting a similar bike from Canada as seeking one out in the USA. A lot less hassle for sure.

I'd still like  CX650 Euro with the full fairing but after 25 years or more finding a good one is problematic anyway.

[smdl]

It seems there are EPA and DOT standards that need to be met. Here's a site showing what you'd want to look for as far as EPA is concerned. Basically, it is when the bike carries the sticker that says it meets EPA standards. http://www2.epa.gov/importing-vehicles-and-engines/importing-canadian-vehicles. For example, I have an 04' V11 Sport for sale, unmolested (all original) the speedometer on which is in miles, because all the ones imported then were in miles, not kph. And, under the seat is a sticker that shows not only the tuning specifications but states it meets EPA 04's emission standards for the state of California.

Weren't California's standards the strictest, back then?

I'm pretty sure I should be able to sell my V11 Sport into the US.

 For Canadians wanting to export from the US into Canada there is simply a list of approved vehicles. If there is the same visa versa, I can't find it.

The list of approved vehicles for import from US to Canada is administered by the Registrar of Imported Vehicles on behalf of the Government of Canada.   It applies to anything less than 15 years old, and the vehicle is either on the list of it isn't.  No room for discussion.  Fortunately, anything older than 15 years is exempt from RIV, and is not required to meet any safety and emissions requirements (with the exception of buses post-1971, modified vehicles, etc.).  Canada also accepts US safety and emissions standards for vehicles less than 15 years old.  Makes it much easier for Canadians to import. 

Now, if only or dollar was stronger!!

[Groover]

It's all the same.  I've imported bikes from Australia and the UK.  If the bike is 25 years old or older, you must have:

1) A signed waiver that the bike is old and doesn't have to meet EPA emissions requirements.

2) A signed waiver that the bike is old and doesn't have to meet DOT crash test requirements.

3) A properly executed title or registration (a government document) from the country of origin.

4) A Bill of Sale from the seller (sometimes included in the title or registration), has to have both of your names on it.

5) The Customs import document that says you've paid the appropriate duty and customs fees.

If you get it through Customs, you'll have all these things to present to your state DMV office to get the title transferred.   You'll want to call in a supervisor to the desk, though, as we've discussed before.

The cost breakdown last time I did it was (approximately):

1) $800 for the actual shipping on the ship.

2) $100 for duties and customs fees

3) $75 for an "Xray container search" (random check, you don't always get this).

4) $175 in brokerage fees (someone has to be in person at the port of entry, could be you but much easier to pay an expert).

5) $200 in warehousing fees for the bonded warehouse where you'll pick it up.

From Canada, you miss some of this.   Customs duties are only a percent or two of the value ....

Lannis

Nice reply, thanks for the breakdown Lannis. Who signs the waivers for steps 1 & 2? Also, step 4... what's the best way to find a broker? Are there online agencies that do this. What are they called? Import brokers?

Thanks again!

[Lannis]

Nice reply, thanks for the breakdown Lannis. Who signs the waivers for steps 1 & 2? Also, step 4... what's the best way to find a broker? Are there online agencies that do this. What are they called? Import brokers?

Thanks again!

You sign the waivers (they're Federal forms but each state is responsible for implementing them.   In Virginia, they've had to be notarized).    DMV will check the dates against the registration.

I found my broker online, I think he WAS called an "import broker".    He's basically the on-site presence for Customs, which has to be done in person.    Considering travel and time, it was worth the money to me even though I was only 200 miles from the port.   There's a lot of guys doing it, so they compete pretty hard on price.

Lannis

[Groover]

You sign the waivers (they're Federal forms but each state is responsible for implementing them.   In Virginia, they've had to be notarized).    DMV will check the dates against the registration.

I found my broker online, I think he WAS called an "import broker".    He's basically the on-site presence for Customs, which has to be done in person.    Considering travel and time, it was worth the money to me even though I was only 200 miles from the port.   There's a lot of guys doing it, so they compete pretty hard on price.

Lannis

Perfect! Thanks for the detailed steps. Nothing on the plate right now, but I do go to Italy to visit my family every other year of so, so this will give me enough info to make a decision if an opportunity were presented to me.

Thanks again - very much appreciated.

[toma nova]

Here is my first-hand experience.

I bought a Canada-model 2008 V-Strom when I lived in Tokyo.  It was Canadian due to the color being offered that year.  It turns out that it was a North America spec, meaning that it met US and Canadian requirements but had a kph speedometer.

When I moved back to the US, I "imported" it - the only change I made was to add a mph speedometer face and to get a letter from Suzuki stating that my VIN met US requirements.  I actually just provided the importer a photo of "my" speedometer (that I found online).  No import cost at all.

I took my Japan title and the shipping docs to the DMV and paid for new registration (I translated the Japan title myself).  They charged me the same as everyone else in line.

This was all possible because Canadian and US VINs are the same 17-digits long.  I tried something similar with a Japan-spec 2006 supermoto and could not get through all the hoop$ - 9-digit VIN was a red flag.

HTH,
Tom

[cruzziguzzi]

I tried to get an Armstrong 500 close on a decade ago. Finally walked away from it due to contemporary complexities. I don't recall the particulars but I do recall a lot of "it's only(s)" and "yeah, but(s)" piling up to the point of an aggregate NO.

Hope it's different now.

My experience was that I was all but trying to import plutonium. Happened earlier with an Iltis from Canada. Ironically, getting the very one I drove in Serbia proved easier to imort than one from Canada... Or, perhaps there's really no irony to that at all. More's the pity!

Todd.