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

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Duster929 said:
I just got off the phone with Primmum and they told me that they do not insure imported bikes at all, not even for existing customers. The bike has to have been insured by someone in Canada before they will take it on. I'm not sure which of us has the right information, but I'd hate to see you get stuck by your insurance co while trying to get the bike across. Give them a call and make sure that you're right and I'm wrong. But the guy was pretty clear and direct with me.

"We do not insure imported bikes, at all. They have to be insured in Canada by someone else, for at least one day."

--- D
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Primmum told me that if you are an existing customer they take your bill of sale, cert. of origin, part 1 customs form and then send it to their underwriter for approval. BUT this is Primmum so who knows what the truth is. I do know they love to take our money every month.
 
zc911 said:
here in ontario you cannot get insurance on a bike that has not been imported, and the VIN has to be in the canadian MTO database
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Incorrect.
I called my insurer on Thursday, insured a 2003 VTX 1800 by providing them the VIN and explained I was picking up the bike in Chicago, they provided me with a rider number and a 24hr contact number if any officer/customs agent gave me issues.
I picked up the bike saturday morning, drove to ambasador bridge in windsor, waited 20 mins on US side, was told blah blah 72 hrs blah blah, they said proceed to canada, (no stamp on Title).
Arrived in canada, paid all GST/RIV in 10 minutes I was on my way.
Note, i had my other motorcycle plates on the bike, so I was not entirely legal.
 
By the way, here are the numbers...

2003 VTX 1800c
Original Owner, 62 year old retired man, his first bike and was too big.
3100 miles on it.
12 months remaining on Honda extended warranty (transferable)
$6400 USD.

Bike 6400 USD (6675 Canadian)
$404.00 GST
$206.70 RIV
$400 fuel/lodging to Chicago

$7685.00 CDN

By watching craigs, GTAforum and Autotrader, a bike in this condition and warranty/miles is worth $10,500+ taxes.

By all accounts, I saved 3-4 thousand dollars and had a nice ride across some nice states.
 
For those that bought new bikes, when you went to get plates did MTO ask for the recall letter? The only reason I'm asking is that BMW Canada is asking for $500 for that letter! Total bull$hit!
 
spawnx66 said:
For those that bought new bikes, when you went to get plates did MTO ask for the recall letter? The only reason I'm asking is that BMW Canada is asking for $500 for that letter! Total bull$hit!
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thats bull, did you talk to the dealer or the head office.
Sometimes the dealer can just provide the letter.
 
I talked to the US dealer, they said they got a package of information from BMW NA stating this. They said they will type me a letter anyways. How about when our dollar was 0.60 and US shoppers were buying bikes up here? No one complained, all of a sudden the tables have turned and they still want to screw us.

maxxpower said:
thats bull, did you talk to the dealer or the head office.
Sometimes the dealer can just provide the letter.
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joshmxpx said:
So from what you're saying, I should pay the extra $500 and get the bike with all the proper Canadian papers and such?
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Yes you should. If at the minimum that $500 buys you piece of mind, nothing worst than taking on someone else's problems.


Spawn PST is accessed when one gets their plates from the MTO.
 
It sounds to me like a lot of rules are changing now that the Canadian dollar is making it so attractive to buy in the states. From what I've learned this past week, insurers no longer cover a vehicle before it's imported (thus requiring a trailer), and BMW Canada is only issuing the document clearing the recalls for a fee of $500, from a Canadian dealer. They don't want you getting it from a US dealer and apparently the RIV has rejected some applications unless the document is from a Canadian dealer. Sounds like they're all circling the wagons trying to protect their pricing here in Canada. Nice.

--- D
 
Duster929 said:
It sounds to me like a lot of rules are changing now that the Canadian dollar is making it so attractive to buy in the states. From what I've learned this past week, insurers no longer cover a vehicle before it's imported (thus requiring a trailer), and BMW Canada is only issuing the document clearing the recalls for a fee of $500, from a Canadian dealer. They don't want you getting it from a US dealer and apparently the RIV has rejected some applications unless the document is from a Canadian dealer. Sounds like they're all circling the wagons trying to protect their pricing here in Canada. Nice.

--- D
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Remember that manufacturers make TONS off of fluctuations like this. Look at the price of Stickered new vehicles last year and this year, nothing has changed, yet, that vehicle being built/imported by a US company is happy making an additional 30% on our dollar.
 
maxxpower said:
Incorrect.
I called my insurer on Thursday, insured a 2003 VTX 1800 by providing them the VIN and explained I was picking up the bike in Chicago, they provided me with a rider number and a 24hr contact number if any officer/customs agent gave me issues.
I picked up the bike saturday morning, drove to ambasador bridge in windsor, waited 20 mins on US side, was told blah blah 72 hrs blah blah, they said proceed to canada, (no stamp on Title).
Arrived in canada, paid all GST/RIV in 10 minutes I was on my way.
Note, i had my other motorcycle plates on the bike, so I was not entirely legal.
Click to expand...


what company was this? i called statefarm, ridersplus, and two others, they all told me the same thing
 
zc911 said:
what company was this? i called statefarm, ridersplus, and two others, they all told me the same thing
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I'd rather not say.
Most main brand insurance companies rely on brokers to interpret/express and educate the customers on their policies. Ive been with the same insurer for almost 20 years and believe my relationship with the broker might have played an important part.
She even stated that if I was stopped at the boarder or hassled at all, to please call her and she would address any issues.
Sounds like you are being fed a bunch of crap OR, brokers are interpreting the rules differently.
 
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alien.soundvault said:
I don't know if this will end up to be a good deal or not

Know someone in the States that'll sell me a 2000 r6 for $2800 USD

Where can I find someone that'll truck it back to me preferably to Pearson or close to? Going to the border is just too far for me right now. And what's the best rates some people have gotten to get trucked by a company if they ever used one?

From what I am understanding from the posts there is no duty on the r6 because it's not made in the states correct?

Also, to get it certified does it HAVE to be at Canadian tire? Or is it to just inspect that all the parts comply with Ontario standards such as speedometer etc?
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HAS to be Canadian Tire, they are the only licensed RIV inspection center.
 
THe RIV inspection has to be at canadian tire. If the bike is used you will need a safety and you can get that done anywhere.
 
maxxpower said:
I'd rather not say.
Most main brand insurance companies rely on brokers to interpret/express and educate the customers on their policies. Ive been with the same insurer for almost 20 years and believe my relationship with the broker might have played an important part.
She even stated that if I was stopped at the boarder or hassled at all, to please call her and she would address any issues.
Sounds like you are being fed a bunch of crap OR, brokers are interpreting the rules differently.
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lol then you can't say it's not true. i think someone did you a favour
 
So guys, here's my buddy's contact info.. give him a shout if you guys are interested in bringing a vehicle to Canada.

"Larazza Auto Sales is committed to saving Canadians $$$ on the purchase of NEW automobiles, motorcycles and boats. Send an e-mail of the Make and Model of the vehicle that you are looking to purchase to larazzaautosales@gmail.com and we will respond with a quote within 2 business days. We can also arrange for the shipping and importation of a purchased motorcycle from the US to Canada. Please contact Joseph @ 416-684-1268 for further information."

The Honda 1000RR Repsol edition is about 10k with about 3K miles on it.. pretty sweet a deal if ya ask me..
 
spawnx66 said:
For those that bought new bikes, when you went to get plates did MTO ask for the recall letter? The only reason I'm asking is that BMW Canada is asking for $500 for that letter! Total bull$hit!
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That is the case now apparently for BMW cars, as well..it is another tactic to get Cdns to buy in Canada...Did you call BMW Can or USA??? Should be USA...if they tell you the same thing...try a BMW dealer or 2 (I would ask the dealer where I bough it or if private get the vendor to ask their dealer..A letter from an authorized dealer on their letterhead is all you will need.
Good Luck
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