How to Import Bike from Canada?

[DannoXYZ]

I found cool bike I've wanted since I was kid. Only issue is it's located in Ontario, Canada! It's over 21/25-yrs old so it's exempt from EPA/DOT regs.

My usual uShip bids didn't get any quotes.
Neither did contacting several bike-specific shippers.
Appears no one wants to cross borders due to 14-day quarantines.

So I found on CBP site that US citizens can buy bike on trip there and ride it back. But again, I'd have to be quarantined 14-days both ways.

Any one know of way to ship bike across border? Using rail or ship perhaps?

Thx

 

[Demoni]

Think you are going to have a hard time getting a bike transported into the US. Canada’s border is closed to nonessential travel until Dec. 21.

Do your research, it's possible to import a bike from the great North but you need to make sure it meets EPA requirements. If the final destination is California it also needs to be approved by CARB. If for some reason it does not your stuck with a bike you can not register through the DMV.

EPA link
CBP link

I would bet their are companies that provide experienced services related to the process. Depending on the bike, the costs involved might not be worth the work required...

 

[motomania2007]

It is going to be very expensive and complicated.

 

[Blankpage]

Probably easier to just move to and live in Canada and ride it there.

 

[DannoXYZ]

It's a CA CARB-approved bike that was sold in Canada in 1990. It's over 21/25-years old so exempt from EPA and DOT regulations. I have DOT form hs7_r.v.7 and EPA form form3520-1-2017-07 filled out and ready to go. It even has EPA Emissions decal with "CA Emissions" stamped on it, so CA DMV shouldn't balk.

My question isn't so much about regulatory issues, which are all squared away with proper paperwork. It's more about logistics of actually transporting bike across border:

I would bet their are companies that provide experienced services related to the process. Depending on the bike, the costs involved might not be worth the work required...

Just wondering if anyone knows which "companies" these are that provides the service. Cost is no object compared to value of bike. Who am I gonna call?

 

[Tally Whacker]

Who am I gonna call?

My bet is that Canadian companies would be better at this than American shipping/transportation companies. They are likely to have much more experience in cross-border issues.

I'd do a search for Canadian moto transporters.

 

[buellistic]

What bike?
Have a Canadian drop it off in Washington then ship from there.

 

[dravnx]

Have it crated and freight shipped.

 

[DannoXYZ]

What bike?
Have a Canadian drop it off in Washington then ship from there.

Problem is Canadian will get quarantined for 14-days when entering U.S. I actually had idea of them going up to border and pushing it across so no human has to cross border. But... border's not set up that way, it's actually a long cattle-chute and once you pass entrance, you can't go backwards. Have to fully cross over border and deal with all procedures that entails.

 

[DannoXYZ]

My bet is that Canadian companies would be better at this than American shipping/transportation companies. They are likely to have much more experience in cross-border issues.

I'd do a search for Canadian moto transporters.

Have it crated and freight shipped.

Yup, I think I'll have to research what shippers are available on other side so they can pack it in crate and deliver to truck, train or boat. Apparently none of US-based transporters are interested in such shipment probably due to quarantine times.


Another option is to fly there, buy it and ride it back. About 30% down this CBP page, it outlines it:
https://www.cbp.gov/trade/basic-import-export/importing-car

As a returning U.S. resident, you may apply your $800 CBP exemption and those of accompanying family members toward the value of the vehicle if it:

• Accompanies you on your return;
• Is imported for personal use;
• Was acquired during the journey from which you are returning.

For CBP purposes, a returning U.S. resident is one who is returning from travel, work, or study abroad.

Also near bottom of this page:
https://www.ezbordercrossing.com/th...port-a-vehicle/importing-vehicle-from-canada/

Only twist is COVID-19 quarantine and it appears I'll have to spend 14-days in quarantine going into Canada, then another 14-days returning to U.S. I've sent CBP note for clarification on this process.

 

[Blankpage]

I believe there’s some sort of neutral zone at the Peace Arch border crossing in BC where you might be able to get in and out without quarantine.
That’s a lot of trouble though. Would have to be one of those two stroke GP replicas to jump through such hopes for. But still hardly worth it.

 

[motomania2007]

Have the seller pull the wheels off the bike pull the forks off the bike pack them and crate one. And crate the rest of the bike and crate two
And ship the two crates of motorcycle parts to you

 

[DannoXYZ]

Hey, good idea! Customs duty on parts is probably cheaper than complete bike.

I still need to find a shipper.

 

[DannoXYZ]

I believe there’s some sort of neutral zone at the Peace Arch border crossing in BC where you might be able to get in and out without quarantine.
That’s a lot of trouble though. Would have to be one of those two stroke GP replicas to jump through such hopes for. But still hardly worth it.

Awesome! This is definitely best way yet, thank you! I would rather avoid shipping if possible due to cost of shipping and potential damage. Would rather get it in person and ride it back (or arrive at border with my trailer). I've actually been there to see filming site used for Psych tv-show.

yes, it's worth it for historical significance of bike. And it still does very well @ track relative to its peers today.

 

[NoTraffic]

Have the seller pull the wheels off the bike pull the forks off the bike pack them and crate one. And crate the rest of the bike and crate two
And ship the two crates of motorcycle parts to you

This is the route I would take, may take a bit longer but during covid times, probably the least intrusive.

 

[Blankpage]

Awesome! This is definitely best way yet, thank you! I would rather avoid shipping if possible due to cost of shipping and potential damage. Would rather get it in person and ride it back (or arrive at border with my trailer). I've actually been there to see filming site used for Psych tv-show.

yes, it's worth it for historical significance of bike. And it still does very well @ track relative to its peers today.

I mentioned that because I saw a news clip where Canadian/American couples separated by the border closing were meeting in this zone without having to go through quarantine.
I don’t recall the exact details of how it worked to convince border officers that they weren’t going past this zone. But if you really really wanted to get that bike across this might be worth looking into.

 

[RVFRick]

Most lust worthy bike I've seen on BARF all month. I hope we all get to see it in the Bay Area twisties sometime soon.

 

[Busy Little Shop]

It's a CA CARB-approved bike that was sold in Canada in 1990.

It maybe a Two Wheel Ordeal but Mr. Honda's race bred V4s are worth it...

Check the VIN with the offical Honda Identified guide at the bottom of this
page... notice there are two serial number 1 RC30s imported to North
America... ones a CA balls one and the other is 49 State balls one... the
difference is a 0 for 49 and a 1 for CA... Both balls one RC30s are owned by
Daniel who only collects serial number 1 or balls one motorcycles... in fact he
owns ball one RC45...

My RC45 is balls two Canadian... it was transported out of Canada in the back
of a pickup truck and ended up in Tijuana Mexico... I bought it for 8K and rode
it across the US boarder plate-less...

Only problem was, the local DMV (Department Motor Vehicle) failed to locate
the bike's VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) in their computer. Our local
Honda also failed to locate the VIN number in the official dealers network
computer. Puzzling of all, law enforcement failed to find any record of the VIN
number in their anti thief computer network.

My first titled attempt was denied explained the DMV I must post a bond for 3
years equal to the cost of the bike... It's a legal move to protect the DMV
from being sued....

I ante up another $100 dollars and delay celebrating for two stress
filled weeks. Ultimately the title to RC45 number 2 arrives by mail...
I petitioned and won the rights to a personal "RC45" plate that Daniel
would love to own and has offered may times to buy...


Read the whole story that was published in MCN...

 

[DannoXYZ]

thanks Larry, I'll definitely check VIN in various DBs. DMV's always a mess, tried to double charge me on certain bikes. Or claim some doesn't exist because they can't find VIN.