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

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Ok, suppose I have all my documentation and paperwork and have done the reqiured 72 hour fax to US customs at the Lewiston bridge.
I go down and pick up the bike, do I have to bring the bike across the border only during business hours or does it matter what time?
Its confusing as they state they are open 24/7 but office hours are 8am to 4:30pm.
 
You can only bring the bike across during the office hours at Lewiston. And when I imported a bike last month, the office hours were 8 to 4, not 4:30.
 
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Queenston/Lewiston is only during those times. And the 72 hrs does not include the weekend. Windsor is 24 hrs.
 
Can I bring a bike on someone's else name ? Can I cross the border on a Saturday/ Sunday during office hours ?
 
1. Only if everything is in your friends name and he is the one doing the importing. In other words, it's his bike.

2. You can come across the border 24 hrs a day. If you're importing a vehicle however pls see post above.
 
After re-reading the last few posts, I see why you would ask the second question. You can not import Sat or Sun at the Queenston/Lewiston. Only Mon-Fri. Re-read previous posts, there are links to the websites with hrs of operation and other helpful info.
 
I talked to a dealer in OH and said he can't sell brand new bikes to Canadians and another one that will do it. Would I have a problem at the border bringing a brand new bike ? Do you recommend anyone for shipping ?
 
You will have no problem bringing a new bike across the border, just make sure you check the RIV site or call them to make sure your bike is admissable. http://www.riv.ca/
Some US dealers dont want the hassle and will tell you they cant do it. so you just do it yourself.
Have all your paperwork ready too, all the info has been covered in the first post.
Im picking up my new bike in New York at the end of Febuary.
Also be careful what State you buy from, some charge you state tax others dont, New York state doe'snt.
Theres no duty tax on motorcycles, you only have to pay the GST at the canadian border then pay PST when you register your bike with the MTO in Ontario.
 
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 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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I have aquestion,I want to go down to Florida for a week and purchase a car down there from a dealer, and than drive it back to Canada.Beside all the paper work and 72 hrs. period can I drive it back to Canada?(I would call my insurance and include my new car in my policy but I would not have a licence plate on it,what do I need to do,to drive it all the way back to Canada?Does Florida state charge state tax when purchasing a car for export?)
Thank You for any info...
 
Just to continue this long topic. Some bikes don't require the recall clearance letter, because the border has the search available on site. The one thing you do have to be carefull about is that if the bikes has a recall to do, then you have to get it done before you bring the bike up here. That can add some serious cost in shipping the bike to a dealer, and being forced to pay their prices, and only then shipping the bike up here. If anyone is stuck with a bike down there, send me a message and I can see if I can help.
 
arek1200r said:
I have aquestion,I want to go down to Florida for a week and purchase a car down there from a dealer, and than drive it back to Canada.Beside all the paper work and 72 hrs. period can I drive it back to Canada?(I would call my insurance and include my new car in my policy but I would not have a licence plate on it,what do I need to do,to drive it all the way back to Canada?Does Florida state charge state tax when purchasing a car for export?)
Thank You for any info...
Click to expand...

They do in fact charge you tax. The only way around that is to have the current owner get you a temporary tag. If you're buying from a dealer, I'm not sure if they would or not.

I got my bike in Florida and should have paid taxes, but got super lucky when the girl at the counter suggested we get a temp tag in the current owners name, he was fine with it and it only cost me $12 in total if remember correctly. I rode the bike back home over the 3 days, so you'll be fine driving a car back. I've also heard of people of taking their ONT plates with them and sticking them on their newly purchased vehicle in the states and driving it back home. Of course you take your chances with that one as it's certainly not legal, at least not here. Not advocating that you do that, simply saying that some have done it.

You would need to bring proof of insurance with you into the states. Your insurance co here will need the VIN, make, model and year and value of the vehicle you're purchasing in order to give you insurance. At least that's what mine asked for.

Good luck with the purchase.
 
l84toff said:
They do in fact charge you tax. The only way around that is to have the current owner get you a temporary tag. If you're buying from a dealer, I'm not sure if they would or not.
Click to expand...

Some states will issue a temporary tag in the purchaser's name as well. Colorado is one I know of for sure, same with South Carolina.
 
I'm not sure if things have changed in the last year, but US export control and the Canadian border people do not need the recall letter. RIV needs it.
 
l84toff said:
If you do find such a link, it will be inaccurate anyway. In fact in addition to paying 13% taxes, you'll have to pay another 6% (might be 6.x% - I don't recall off the top of my head, I'm sure a search either here or on Google will confirm this for you) for a vehicle made in Japan or anywhere else other than North America.
Click to expand...


Any recent experience on the 6.1% duty? Brought a Japanese bike over a couple of years ago and wasn't assessed this duty. Cars only, at least at that time.

Also, anyone with experience with getting a recall letter from Yamaha?
 
I called a dealership in new jersey and they said they are not allowed to sell to anyone without a US drivers license! Has anyone heard if that before??
 
Yes, Honda in particular dissuades sales of new vehicles by US dealers to Canadian buyers. Issues from other manufacturers (can't remember, but maybe Kawi?) have also come up lately, e.g. dealers won't get sales incentives from manufacturers if they sell to non-US buyers.
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