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

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NinjaNikki said:
My best guess would be a US bank draft/money order from the bank. If you are prefer cash then change it at the bank I find that most banks don't charge for money exchange and the ones that do don't charge as much as a place like money mart etc.
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Just an FYI.
Chase US Bank places a hold on ALL outside US money orders and bank drafts.
There is upto a 7 day delay.

When I bought my bike I tried ALL options.
1- Money order, Chase bank would not clear funds for upto 7 days.
2- US Draft, would not clear funds for upto 7 days.
3- Wire Transfer - Would be great, most US and Canadian banks can do transfers, but, must be during regular business hours. (not good for me since I was driving down on a weekend)
4- Cash - took me 6 hours and 3 branches and was able to scrounge up enough US cash.
 
I am thinking about purchasing an SSR or Pitster Pro pit bike from Outlaw Powersports http://www.outlawpowersports.com/SSR...p/ssr125-e.htm

They are located in Nevada and only ship to the lower 48, so I was thinking of having it shipped to Niagara Falls NY.

I have checked the RIV site and read it all, but am still unsure of what to do, so my question is...

Do i still have to contact US customs 72 hours in advance with the title and bill of sale and stuff and bother with all that crap? or can i just declare it as i get to customs when i pick it up. the things just come in a crate semi assembled.

Thanks
 
NinjaNikki said:
Over 15 years no problem (no matter the country of orgin)... doesn't require RIV fair game! All that is required is payment of D and T (Duty and taxes)

Desi: Either or can bring the bike over but either or must be willing to do the paperwork pay the taxes etc and have all the relevant info... therefore it is more likely the buyer is the one that is seen at the border. There are brokers that will do all this for you off the top of my head LIVINSTON.
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this has recently beeen changed to 25+ years:(
 
Good thread but i have a quick question.

What if i wanted to buy a bike in Texas/Cali. Would I be able to ride it over here myself.

I'm concerned about the ownership and how would i get a license plate for it. Is there such a thing as a temp license plate just for brining it across the boarder?

thanx
 
oioioi said:
Good thread but i have a quick question.

What if i wanted to buy a bike in Texas/Cali. Would I be able to ride it over here myself.

I'm concerned about the ownership and how would i get a license plate for it. Is there such a thing as a temp license plate just for brining it across the boarder?

thanx
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Insurance will likely be your biggest hurdle. Check with your insurer first.

--- D
 
ya. if they do change it, i hope it applies to overseas only.
Leave US stuff @ 15 years

Acutally i hope they don;t change it period
 
How does the process differ If I get the seller of the bike Im looking at to drive into Windsor, Canada, and then buy the bike from him there?......seems like faxing the paperwork 72hours before hand to customs wouldnt be necessary? Anyone have experience using this method of 'import'? Thanks.
 
i have never done it but was told you can take the title to any customs office, hand in the title and do the paper work that way.
your best bet is to call RIV and ask them what needs to be done for a US bike that is already in Canada
 
15000RPM+ said:
How does the process differ If I get the seller of the bike Im looking at to drive into Windsor, Canada, and then buy the bike from him there?......seems like faxing the paperwork 72hours before hand to customs wouldnt be necessary? Anyone have experience using this method of 'import'? Thanks.
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If you did this you would be buying a bike that has been improperly brought into Canada and not authorized to be sold. Expect a lot of questions and possibly prosecution should you not come up with a good story as to how you came to knowing buy a bike that was smuggled into the country. But to answer your question.. should you do this then faxing the paperwork 72 hours before wouldn't be necessary. For the record this method of 'import' isn't advisible.
 
no thats defintaly not true
there is absolutly nothing illegal about what he wants to do.
And there is no law stopping you from doing it

There is a procedure you need to follow for US owned cars/bikes that are already in Canada
no explaining no prosecution no story needed

A title seach will still be done, so ensure there are no stories with the title before you buy it
 
I can't remember which thread I read this on, but I recall reading something about it being mandatory that the motorcycle being imported cannot have ANY modifications (other than maintenance).

How strict are they about this rule? Does that include aftermarket exhausts, flushmount signals or stainless steel break lines as well?

Someone please correct me if I am wrong on this.

Thanks.
 
zc911 said:
no thats defintaly not true
there is absolutly nothing illegal about what he wants to do.
And there is no law stopping you from doing it

There is a procedure you need to follow for US owned cars/bikes that are already in Canada
no explaining no prosecution no story needed

A title seach will still be done, so ensure there are no stories with the title before you buy it
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Right....

What exactly is your knowledge on this?

You are right there are procedures for US owned cars/bikes that are already in Canada but as I said there are also good reasons why these bike are here. The usual case is that the owner is living in Canada on some temporary basis (which by the way is documented by CBSA). My response was for the Original Poster however because based on the sincerio he/she gave it looks more like the sole purpose the US is being brought into Canada is for resale, and that requires the bike to be imported not smuggled in an attempt to not have to pay taxes by the driver at the Port of entry.
 
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BBK said:
I can't remember which thread I read this on, but I recall reading something about it being mandatory that the motorcycle being imported cannot have ANY modifications (other than maintenance).

How strict are they about this rule? Does that include aftermarket exhausts, flushmount signals or stainless steel break lines as well?

Someone please correct me if I am wrong on this.

Thanks.
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At the time of its inspection by RIV's authorized agents (is it still Canadian Tire?), which is the time at which the statement is made that the vehicle conforms to Canadian motor vehicle safety standards, the vehicle must ... conform to Canadian motor vehicle safety standards!

Strictly speaking, this means that anything which is even remotely safety-related, must be as originally equipped, or DOT approved, etc. Flushmount signals don't meet CMVSS 108. Most stainless steel brake lines don't meet CMVSS 208 (I think? could be wrong on the number). Most aftermarket exhaust systems are not certified as conforming to the relevant noise standard. And on and on ...

In practice? When I brought my US-import FZR400 in several years ago, the only thing they checked was that the US FMVSS conformance label was present and showed the gross vehicle weight ratings (as if that's of any relevance to a motorcycle ...). The other inspection was the regular safety inspection same as for registering any used vehicle bought here. But remember, the inspector for that inspection ALSO has the right to fail the inspection for non-DOT-approved lighting, brakes, etc.
 
15000RPM+ said:
How does the process differ If I get the seller of the bike Im looking at to drive into Windsor, Canada, and then buy the bike from him there?......seems like faxing the paperwork 72hours before hand to customs wouldnt be necessary? Anyone have experience using this method of 'import'? Thanks.
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I bought an WR250 from a guy from Rochester.

I had been talking to him about it and he had brought it up for a race at Skytop. I bought it there and took home with me.

I needed to get it plated for Ganaraska so I still had to go through all the same hoops to transfer ownership.

The only diffrence is that I left it for a few months and had to go back and file all the paperwork retroactivly but it didn't seem to be a big issue. The only person that really complained was the lady at the MTO who said it should have been registered in my name within 6 days.
 
NinjaNikki said:
Right....

What exactly is your knowledge on this?

You are right there are procedures for US owned cars/bikes that are already in Canada but as I said there are also good reasons why these bike are here. The usual case is that the owner is living in Canada on some temporary basis (which by the way is documented by CBSA). My response was for the Original Poster however because based on the sincerio he/she gave it looks more like the sole purpose the US is being brought into Canada is for resale, and that requires the bike to be imported not smuggled in an attempt to not have to pay taxes by the driver at the Port of entry.
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I was going to reply. but the guy above me had a good enough story.

There is no smuggling of anything. If you want to regiser the bike in Canada you still ahve to ge the RIV papaer work, pay taxes ect... You are not tying to avoid anything.

i was going to buy a civic with a bad motor. The owner was up here vising family. He did not want to fix the car, or tow it back. I called up customs or RIV, i forget, and they told me what to do. it was a few years ago now, so i don't want to post the wrong info (plus i didn;t end up buying it). It;s best to call RIV and customs for yourself.
 
Brian P said:
At the time of its inspection by RIV's authorized agents (is it still Canadian Tire?), which is the time at which the statement is made that the vehicle conforms to Canadian motor vehicle safety standards, the vehicle must ... conform to Canadian motor vehicle safety standards!

Strictly speaking, this means that anything which is even remotely safety-related, must be as originally equipped, or DOT approved, etc. Flushmount signals don't meet CMVSS 108. Most stainless steel brake lines don't meet CMVSS 208 (I think? could be wrong on the number). Most aftermarket exhaust systems are not certified as conforming to the relevant noise standard. And on and on ...

In practice? When I brought my US-import FZR400 in several years ago, the only thing they checked was that the US FMVSS conformance label was present and showed the gross vehicle weight ratings (as if that's of any relevance to a motorcycle ...). The other inspection was the regular safety inspection same as for registering any used vehicle bought here. But remember, the inspector for that inspection ALSO has the right to fail the inspection for non-DOT-approved lighting, brakes, etc.
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I would nto worry about the canadian tire inspection. that is a joke, sucha waste of time. As long as the sticker is present, like you said, you are good.

Even getting it certified you shouldn;t have a problem. IF you do go elsewhere
 
Put it this way if some dude walk into the office to me without a good reason as to why he wants me to fill out RIV paperwork that should have been done at the POE I'm seizing the bike. In the end better safe than sorry I say.
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