Canadian Customs

[NC Steve]

Does anyone have any experience with or knowledge of purchasing & bringing bikes from Canada to the US? Occasionally an interesting ride will pop up for sale in Canada, and there's currently a tasty looking R80ST up in Edmonton, Alberta, listed on Ebay.

I've always wondered if there are outrageous fees, tariffs, duties, etc. associated with such a buy.
Thanks much for any input.

Steve

[Melena]

Sue in Canada will know about transferring from the US to Canada.  Maybe she'll have an idea about the other way.   :question

[suecanada]

Hang on Steve...I research it for you. Probably no duty but we will see. Emission control standards even if they are equal may be a glitch. I'll get back to you...

Sue

[NC Steve]

   Muchas gracias, Sue, but don't go to much trouble, ok?
   This is probably more for my own curiosity than a practical application, but thanks.

   Steve

[nhmaf]

It used to be relatively straight forward buying a brand new bike in Canada and
bringing in to the states, but I suspect that has changed a bit - it's been about
25-30 years since I was last involved in that.   It may be a bit more challenging
with a used bike, but as long as the owner does have a title, I think it will be OK.  
If the province you buy the used bike in is like some of these states, in which
vehicles over 20 years old do not have real titles anymore, it might be more of
a challenge.   I would be grateful to find out if someone does go through this - I've also
seen some nice machines over the border advertised in various places, and I
can function in metric as well as imperial units !

[NC Steve]

Yes indeed, some tasty rides do pop up fairly often north of the border, and usually for very reasonable prices too. That is, unless you gotta pay a jillion bucks in duties, tariffs, etc., then another jillion to have 'em shipped thru the US. And, who would (legally) handle the paperwork: the buyer, seller, or shipping agent?
I know a good independent shipper based out of Kansas, I may email him & ask if he's ever done a Canadian run. I had a good relationship with some folks in Milwaukee, but that went kinda sour when I was having my current bike transported.

Wonder how we could find out a bit more about this.....

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Perhaps this has been discussed on some of the other forums.  Boxerworks, Motorcyclist Cafe, Pashnit and Adventure Riders are a few that come to mind.  

[NC Steve]

Thanks for the tips, Rob.
Sue said she's checking on this too.

[suecanada]

It's all on the internet guys....too much to actually take in and a bunch of phone calls would be in order to make sure one has his/her ducks in a row. One thing seems true...no duty owing, just like i found for bringing a bike into Canada. Great!! Usual things about registration and emissions. Importing from Canada seems pretty easy but you USA people have to check State laws as well. So did I when it came to Ontario licensing but the two countries are pretty easy unless the bike is weird. I may take a bit more time on this but I think anyone with a computer can get the same info.....google time!! "importing a vehicle into the USA"

Any Beemer would get through pretty easily...wait till the exchange rates give you a good advantage...not yet!

[NC Steve]

  Thanks a lot for the intel, Sue. So, no biggie, huh?
   Hmmmmm.......................

[suecanada]

My bet is that it is really just a matter of being organized and honest so you don't upset officialdom.

[Justin B.]

Yeah, bureaucrats get real testy when they think some smart-a$$ citizen thinks they might be able to get away with something, or find an easy way to accomplish something!  

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Oh yes!  

Easy = wrong...