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Importing a Motor Vehicle To Canada (the be all end all)

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NinjaNikki said:
Pretty much this no selling to a CND thing is a new thing now that the dollar is so good. The manufactures are trying to keep the Canadian dealers happy as people getting deals in the US are really cutting into their bottom line. They can't control where Canadians spend their dollar but they can try to make it a tiny bit harder to buy in the US. ;)
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Hey it's the original Ninja Nikki! Thanks for this thread!

Yeah I checked with another dealer in the US and they flatly said "We can't sell to you without a US residence". Probably all manufacturers are going that way.

S'OK, I want to buy used anyways.
 
@KJM

Unable to send response to your PM as your inbox is full.

KJM said:
Did you need to get insurance on the bike to get that temp permit? My insurance company (jevco) doesnt seem too keen on doing this for me..

Thanks
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Hey,

I did have insurance prior to leaving Canada from Jevco at that. My broker was a little confused at first but called me back the next day and said all they needed was the VIN, make, model and year.

Also to save paying taxes in FL on the bike, the girl at the DMV suggested I get a temp permit (good for 30 days if I recall correctly) in the sellers name, he was fine with that. To get my own permit, I would have to register the bike and pay full taxes on purchase price. Of course I think I would also need a FL address, so I'm not sure how that would have gone down. Either way it was $12 vs FL taxes on price of bike, maybe something to work out as part of the purchase with the seller...?

Good luck with the buy.
 
I am trying to bring in a bike from the US. I have already scouted out the bike and have gotten pictures from the seller and want to go view the bike before a purchase -- and if I decide that I want the bike right after a viewing without waiting for the 3-days at customs, do I only need to provide them with the VIN number or do I need to give them a Bill of Sale ahead of time as well.

Secondly, for those who have purchased a bike in the US. Does the bike need anything like a safety certificate and for the Bill of Sale, is there any UVIP package that they have their like in Canada? I'm curious about the Bill of Sale as I don't want to just randomly make one up and it wouldn't be valid.

Lastly, does anyone know a site where I can check up the VIN number of the bike so that I don't end up with a bike that is branded "salvage"? I tried carfax with their vin number and it says not found -- what would be the cheapest and price efficient service if I was to check several bikes? I am currently looking at 5 r6's in the states and would like to check them all just in case. Better safe than sorry right?
 
macrider said:
No, If BMW is making you pay $500 for a recall letter then you are getting royally screwed.
I am not sure about BMW but they should have a website with a recall checker.
You should be able to simply type in your VIN # and it should come up saying if there are any recalls on that VIN#
You would need to go to the USA BMW site if you are buying from the US.
Just print it out and fax it or go to the RIV office with all your paperwork and they will accept it.
Thats what they did with my Triumph.
Heres an example of Triumphs recall checker.
http://www.triumph.co.uk/usa/Recall_and_Tech_Update_VIN_Enquiry.aspx
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This is incorrect for BMW. There is no online VIN# check that provides information on whether all recalls have been completed. I called BMW NA (USA), the previous owner's dealership (he called him too for different types of documents that would satisfy RIV's requirements but they said no) and multiple dealerships all over the US for such info but no one would release it. I tried submitting service invoices from the previous owner indicating recall work but RIV would not accept since it was handwritten work order. RIV requires a computer printed letter of recall clearance or warranty history inquiry. With no other choice, I sucked it up and payed $500 to a Toronto BMW dealership who did the inspection in 5 min while it was on a trailer. They admitted it was a BMW NA cash grab. Even with the $500 I still saved over $4000 by importing it and it's a much better selection/condition than buying it in Canada.
 
NomadicLonewolf said:
This is incorrect for BMW. There is no online VIN# check that provides information on whether all recalls have been completed. I called BMW NA (USA), the previous owner's dealership (he called him too for different types of documents that would satisfy RIV's requirements but they said no) and multiple dealerships all over the US for such info but no one would release it. I tried submitting service invoices from the previous owner indicating recall work but RIV would not accept since it was handwritten work order. RIV requires a computer printed letter of recall clearance or warranty history inquiry. With no other choice, I sucked it up and payed $500 to a Toronto BMW dealership who did the inspection in 5 min while it was on a trailer. They admitted it was a BMW NA cash grab. Even with the $500 I still saved over $4000 by importing it and it's a much better selection/condition than buying it in Canada.
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I was pretty sure this hadn't changed for BMW. Although macrider's first comment still stands, people are getting screwed by BMW for this.
 
Any recommended source/dealer just across the border (New York or Michigan) to purchase motor cycle from?
I called and found that cannot buy new, but used is ok. Any (used) dealer or source recommendations?
 
I understand that you need a recall letter. Does this cost any thing? And what are you experiences with bikes older than 15yrs concerning a recall letter?
 
Would someone from the good ole USofA be able to ride or bring a bike down in a truck and sell it here in Canada privately? I guess this is how I see a scenario. I want to purchase a bike from the states, instead of me going to pick it up, the seller is willing to bring it across the border to sell here. Is this even doable or is this a whole new scenario?

I am not doing this, I just thought about it while on advrider in the classifieds where some are willing to ride to deliver, as long as expenses are paid.
 
A person bringing a bike from the USA to Canada cannot sell the bike. The only way you can maybe do it is to have them go through the entire importing process, bring it over and sell it. If you do this, I think you will be taxed twice? <unsure, don't flame me on this>

1st Time - Crossing the border and paying the 5% GST
2nd Time - Transferring Title in Canada

If that is so, is it really worth it?
 
robertojiang said:
A person bringing a bike from the USA to Canada cannot sell the bike. The only way you can maybe do it is to have them go through the entire importing process, bring it over and sell it. If you do this, I think you will be taxed twice? <unsure, don't flame me on this>

1st Time - Crossing the border and paying the 5% GST
2nd Time - Transferring Title in Canada

If that is so, is it really worth it?
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It would not be worth it with double taxes. I am not doing this, it was something I was just thinking about earlier today.
 
robertojiang said:
A person bringing a bike from the USA to Canada cannot sell the bike. The only way you can maybe do it is to have them go through the entire importing process, bring it over and sell it. If you do this, I think you will be taxed twice? <unsure, don't flame me on this>

1st Time - Crossing the border and paying the 5% GST
2nd Time - Transferring Title in Canada

If that is so, is it really worth it?
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Nope.

The person who brings it here can make a new bill of sale to the new buyer, and the tax payed at the MTO is paid on the amount the new owner pays for the bike (w/e is put on the bill of sale). I did this with a GSXR750.
 
So I might actually be buying a bike from the states, never done this before. What would you all suggest for payment? Carrying cash doesnt seem like a good idea, at its 15K.

Whats the best and safest way for doing this?
 
Just wanted to confirm something regarding Honda. For recall information, all I have to do is go to this website http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com , go to the Recalls section, enter my VIN information and print out the resulting page?
 
ViperZ said:
Just wanted to confirm something regarding Honda. For recall information, all I have to do is go to this website http://www.ahm-ownerlink.com , go to the Recalls section, enter my VIN information and print out the resulting page?
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Viper, good find, yes thats all you need for RIV.
As long as theres no recalls on the honda VIN # that you put in you are good to go.
 
macrider said:
Viper, good find, yes thats all you need for RIV.
As long as theres no recalls on the honda VIN # that you put in you are good to go.
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Thank you very much! I am slowly digging through the entire process, collecting all the documents, getting ready to fax them to the right agencies.
 
No need to fax them, just email them your VIN # they will send you a reply email that you print out.

Call them. heres the info....
NEW INFO
No Fax is required, just send them an email 72 hours or more before bringing your bike across the border.
Call the number here and a nice robot lady will let you know what you need to do:

Contact Information:

For instructions on how to export a vehicle to Canada, please call the CBP Port of Buffalo vehicle information hotline at (716) 843-8359. Procedures include sending an email with your export intentions and vehicle identifications number (VIN) to buffalovinnyoffice@dhs.gov. CBP personnel will confirm the receipt of your email and provide additional instructions. The Vehicle Export Office is located at the CBP Lewiston Bridge Cargo Facility and is the ONLY CBP location in Western New York where you can export a vehicle. You must report to this office with the vehicle(s) and all applicable documentation at time of physical export. Hours of operation: Monday - Friday 8am-4pm, closed federal holidays.​
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