Importing a bike from the States to Canada

[ScottDill]

Hey Mike - I brought that 1150 up last summer.

The 72 hour thing is a USA requirement. Canada doesn't care and wont ask.

The proper procedure to be kosher with US customs is to contact the post that you are going to cross in advance as they each have slightly different requirements. The only US post that handles vehicle export in our area is Lewiston (NOT Buffalo) and they are only open bankers hours M-F. For the 1150, they just wanted the VIN 72 hours in advance, I didn't have to fax them anything.

The above was the case last summer at least. I suppose things could have changed.

[EmmEff]

Originally Posted by pelvis_98

Sending the paper work to the USA customs is the proper procedure. They require this to properly export the item you are leaving with.

But I dont know if the Canada customs cares. The dont seem to ask for that. They only care about whats required to import the bike. I have been through twice with someone and they never asked for that paper work.

I'm not suggesting you try it.

Got it, thanks! The paperwork is for proper exportation, not importation.

[EmmEff]

Originally Posted by scodill

Hey Mike - I brought that 1150 up last summer.

The 72 hour thing is a USA requirement. Canada doesn't care and wont ask.

The proper procedure to be kosher with US customs is to contact the post that you are going to cross in advance as they each have slightly different requirements. The only US post that handles vehicle export in our area is Lewiston (NOT Buffalo) and they are only open bankers hours M-F. For the 1150, they just wanted the VIN 72 hours in advance, I didn't have to fax them anything.

The above was the case last summer at least. I suppose things could have changed.

Right. I got confused of the Canadian import requirements vs. the US export requirements. My mistake...

Thanks everybody for the clarification.

[blkhrt81]

Originally Posted by pelvis_98

Sending the paper work to the USA customs is the proper procedure. They require this to properly export the item you are leaving with.

But I dont know if the Canada customs cares. The dont seem to ask for that. They only care about whats required to import the bike. I have been through twice with someone and they never asked for that paper work.

I'm not suggesting you try it.

They do check the title to make sure it has the export stamp from US Customs

[pelvis_98]

Originally Posted by blkhrt81

They do check the title to make sure it has the export stamp from US Customs

They may very well. I just know the two times i went they did not. It could be hit and miss like when they charge you taxes on everyday items when you cross.

[jimbop]

I have brought two bikes across the Boarder (Pacific crossing) Once my export Docs were checked and once they were not. By sending the documents to the US side 72 hours in advance you are adding a secondary check as to whether or not there is a lean against the bike or perhaps it has been stolen.

[silverstone]

Inmates,

My be not the right place to ask ,but I have a buyer for a bike in Ireland. Does any body know what I have to do here on my side with registration and customs ?

Thanks.

[Against The Wind]

A friend is importing a bike and I'm trying to help him out with this:

He's sent a copy of the bill of sale and title to US Customs and has heard back that he can import it, it's clear.

He's sent a copy of the recall letter to the RIV. The accepted it.

Now when he crosses, he will fill out the RIV Form 1 at Canada Customs at the border. Once he pays his RIV fee there, does he have to wait for something to come in the mail from RIV before he can take it to CDN Tire and the to the MTO, or can he take the Form 1 to CDN Tire right away?

[revrandy]

Originally Posted by Against The Wind

Now when he crosses, he will fill out the RIV Form 1 at Canada Customs at the border. Once he pays his RIV fee there, does he have to wait for something to come in the mail from RIV before he can take it to CDN Tire and the to the MTO, or can he take the Form 1 to CDN Tire right away?

I just imported a bike about 3 weeks ago. I filled out the Form 1 at the border, they registered it with RIV. Later that day I paid the RIV fee and they made a Form 2 accessible to me via the website. Form 2 is what you take to Canadian Tire. They complete the inspection, then you take Form 1 and your MTO safety certification (plus insurance) to the MTO to have it plated.

[Fishizl]

Originally Posted by blkhrt81

They do check the title to make sure it has the export stamp from US Customs

I've imported before and never gone through american customs importing into canada, from what I understand you only need to do this if you are a licensed importer.

[MacNoob]

Originally Posted by Elburrito

I've imported before and never gone through american customs importing into canada, from what I understand you only need to do this if you are a licensed importer.

Nope, you ALWAYS are supposed to do this so that the unit is properly exported from the U.S. If you DON'T export it properly, good luck trying to send it back to the U.S. one day if necessary.

[Fishizl]

Originally Posted by MacNoob

Nope, you ALWAYS are supposed to do this so that the unit is properly exported from the U.S. If you DON'T export it properly, good luck trying to send it back to the U.S. one day if necessary.

It's not mandatory. Canada customs simply doesn't care.

Yes, if you plan on bringing it back into the US then of course export it properly from the US. I know I'll never do that so I skip the process.

[MacNoob]

Originally Posted by Elburrito

It's not mandatory. Canada customs simply doesn't care.

Yes, if you plan on bringing it back into the US then of course export it properly from the US. I know I'll never do that so I skip the process.

Correct - Canada customs might not check (but they might!). Why skip that simple, free step of stopping at US Customs on the way out? They ensure that your purchase is actually clear title (not stolen etc) and who knows now whether you or some subsequent owner might later want to sell back to an American? I recently sold a car back to the US - even though I originally planned to keep it forever.

[gumbellion]

What have you guys done with the RIV sticker you get sent after the process is finished. I imported my bike over a year ago and have not put it on. Have you ever been asked by anyone when going back to the states to show it? What is the purpose of it?
I really dont want to put it on my bike but am in the process of moving to a boarder town so will be back and fourth a fair bit I think

[LVGS]

Originally Posted by gumbellion

What have you guys done with the RIV sticker you get sent after the process is finished. I imported my bike over a year ago and have not put it on. Have you ever been asked by anyone when going back to the states to show it? What is the purpose of it?
I really dont want to put it on my bike but am in the process of moving to a boarder town so will be back and fourth a fair bit I think

I have never been asked by US Customs. However, I was asked once coming home (out of approximately 20 trips) by the Canadian Customs Officer where I bought the bike? After telling him it was imported from the States, he came out to look at the plates and the speedo. I then pointed to the RIV sticker; he waved me through.

I would just put it on...not worth the hassle.