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

[gldwngr]

Forum Sponsor

Thanks a lot gldwngr, very helpful.

Also, whether new or used, you'll need an Ontario safety inspection before you can get plates.

I guess that answers my other question - it sounds like I don't have the option of riding this bike back from NYC on my own plates, even if I could somehow get an insurance 'rider'.

You may be able to if the bike is fit. Out-of-state purchasers can get interstate transit permits from NY DMV offices that are good for 30 days. I used one to bring back a trailer I purchased in NY state this summer.

Dealers usually charge $25 US to arrange the transit permit for you, though if you do it yourself, you can buy the permit for $10 US. http://www.nysdmv.com/register.htm#temporary

Because of the cross-border thing, the tricky part will be arranging insurance. You need to present an insurance slip or binder to get the interstate transit permit.

If you already have a good relationship with your broker, they should be able to do it for you. They did it for me for a trailer I bought down there after I insisted on coverage, though the insurance coverage was only good for 48 hours from day of pick-up to give me time to compete the return trip. You may have to twist arms to get them to do the same for a motorized vehicle, but check with your broker and tell them what you want to do.

 

[Sarchi]

Awesome, thanks again!!!

 

[Sarchi]

So far this process has been a breeze! I can't believe I bought a brand new bike in Canada last year. :roll: :?

We'll see on Thursday when I bring my new wheels over.

 

[gldwngr]

So far this process has been a breeze! I can't believe I bought a brand new bike in Canada last year. :roll: :?

We'll see on Thursday when I bring my new wheels over.

So how did things go for you? Have you completed your federal compliance inspection yet?

 

[Sarchi]

I got the bike into the country ok, but I'm still waiting for the letter from RIV.

Things went fine at US Customs, I had to get in line and still I was done there in under 15 minutes. Amazing.

At the Canada side, I made a major Fubar by underdeclaring the value of the bike. DON'T DO IT. They will get you and it isn't worth your while, believe me.

 

[NinjaNikki]

I got the bike into the country ok, but I'm still waiting for the letter from RIV.

Things went fine at US Customs, I had to get in line and still I was done there in under 15 minutes. Amazing.

At the Canada side, I made a major Fubar by underdeclaring the value of the bike. DON'T DO IT. They will get you and it isn't worth your while, believe me.

So what happened?

 

[Sarchi]

Seller wrote up my bill of sale as $2k (I never asked him to). I figured what the hell, and submitted it that way. Purchase price was $3400. While I was paying the cashier an agent wandered over and asked me how I'd heard about the bike. I was expecting to meet him after the payment. I just replied "cycletrader". (true) He asked me to spell it out. That's when I knew I was f---d. Anyway he came back after a while and called me aside, said they couldn't find the ad, but that there are 3 levels of offenses for underdeclaring, and if I 'fessed up now, level 1 would be a lot more bearable for me than the others. He said they enforce this at Lewiston and that everyone's trying to save a buck, they get it all the time. He was pretty nice about it.

Anyway, I came clean and they assessed a penalty 25% of the difference. So that mistake cost me $300. Plus my van's license plate will now be in their system. As I said...not worth it. It also took an extra 1.5 hours to get through there.

 

[NinjaNikki]

And your name for the next 7 years. Lesson learned... thanks for posting... may your experience serve as a lesson for others.

 

[nickpipe]

3 time importer

Hi Nikki, I have imported 2 SUV's and one Motorcycle so far and havn't had a lick of trouble. Granted they were all over 15 years old. The only supprise I got was on the last one. They charged me 100.00 for air on one of the SUV's. No Pro though.
I do have a question though. An aquantance bought a custom built H.D. in the states and customs wont let her import it as a custom. My question is if I buy it and disassemble it leaving the custom frame behind can I import the parts? I have looked through the customs site and the DMV site but nothing quite fits this situation. as customs has the numbers of the bike they will know the situation and I want to do it leagally. The bike is in Maine now as she was not allowed to bring it into Canada.

 

[NinjaNikki]

Re: 3 time importer

Hi Nikki, I have imported 2 SUV's and one Motorcycle so far and havn't had a lick of trouble. Granted they were all over 15 years old. The only supprise I got was on the last one. They charged me 100.00 for air on one of the SUV's. No Pro though.
I do have a question though. An aquantance bought a custom built H.D. in the states and customs wont let her import it as a custom. My question is if I buy it and disassemble it leaving the custom frame behind can I import the parts? I have looked through the customs site and the DMV site but nothing quite fits this situation. as customs has the numbers of the bike they will know the situation and I want to do it leagally. The bike is in Maine now as she was not allowed to bring it into Canada.

Hey Nick, (nice name!)
Your best bet is to give customs a call. I know nothing about custom cycles and what grey area they fall under. Check the numbers on the first page and if you don't have any luck drop me a pm and I'll do some research for you.

 

[firbster]

i would love to hear anyones experiance in bringing in a ewer vehicale into canada,, im looking at 2003-06 acura rsx's... just would like to know what to expect as far as whats needed to bring it up to canadian requirments..
thanks

 

[Hachi-Roku]

Re: 3 time importer

Hi Nikki, I have imported 2 SUV's and one Motorcycle so far and havn't had a lick of trouble. Granted they were all over 15 years old. The only supprise I got was on the last one. They charged me 100.00 for air on one of the SUV's. No Pro though.
I do have a question though. An aquantance bought a custom built H.D. in the states and customs wont let her import it as a custom. My question is if I buy it and disassemble it leaving the custom frame behind can I import the parts? I have looked through the customs site and the DMV site but nothing quite fits this situation. as customs has the numbers of the bike they will know the situation and I want to do it leagally. The bike is in Maine now as she was not allowed to bring it into Canada.

Yes

 

[NinjaNikki]

i would love to hear anyones experiance in bringing in a ewer vehicale into canada,, im looking at 2003-06 acura rsx's... just would like to know what to expect as far as whats needed to bring it up to canadian requirments..
thanks

Did you read this thread??!!!?? What's needed to bring it up to canadian requirements is posted on the first page.

 

[firbster]

i would love to hear anyones experiance in bringing in a ewer vehicale into canada,, im looking at 2003-06 acura rsx's... just would like to know what to expect as far as whats needed to bring it up to canadian requirments..
thanks

Did you read this thread??!!!?? What's needed to bring it up to canadian requirements is posted on the first page.

YES I READ THIS TREAD!!!...!!!,, if you would read into my question, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ANYONES EXPERIANCE. in other words I BOUGHT ^&*( and this is what i ran into to bring it to canadian standards, IE: i had to get a module to have daytime running lights, how hard / how easy, that kind of thing.... GEZZZZ. if my question was a bother to ya ,, dont respond... ignore it....

 

[NinjaNikki]

i would love to hear anyones experiance in bringing in a ewer vehicale into canada,, im looking at 2003-06 acura rsx's... just would like to know what to expect as far as whats needed to bring it up to canadian requirments..
thanks

Did you read this thread??!!!?? What's needed to bring it up to canadian requirements is posted on the first page.

YES I READ THIS TREAD!!!...!!!,, if you would read into my question, I WOULD LIKE TO HEAR ANYONES EXPERIANCE. in other words I BOUGHT ^&*( and this is what i ran into to bring it to canadian standards, IE: i had to get a module to have daytime running lights, how hard / how easy, that kind of thing.... GEZZZZ. if my question was a bother to ya ,, dont respond... ignore it....

Elaborate.... Had ya done that you wouldn't have gotten my first response. I don't "read into" post I read what is written.

 

[Kaotic Trance]

just brought back 2 bikes this past weekend with no difficulty...

faxed US customs a copy of the title last week, when I got to the border yesterday, gave US customs the actual title, they stamp it and off we were to the CDN side... declared the bikes, went to customs, filled out a form (basic info) and showed the title... paid the 6% GST on the CDN value... and then showed them a copy of the auction I won... they went to verify it and we were out of there in 10 mins...

just gotta wait now for the paperwork before we can bring the bikes to CDN tire and get the federal inspection... then it's off to the MTO...


FYI... CDN customs will check the price... they caught a father and son who asked the seller (a dealership) to write the bill of sale $1000 less than what it was... Customs did a check and they caught them trying to cheat the system...

 

[zoomerthe1]

Nota Bene:

You still have to declare what you paid for the vehicle "Price paid or payable" so be prepared with an invoice. Red book can be used for comparison, but expect that you will be challenged if something really looks out of wack, and your seller may also get a phone call. PS. E-bay does keep a history of transactions.

Agreed Transport Canada is sticky about some models that CAN NOT be modified to Cdn standards. Stuff like seat belts. So caveat emptor.

As for "loopholes" watch out...during a Xmas ride check you might wind up going one way and your beloved US plated vehicle, that US cousin widget conveniently "left" in Canada, the other. You'll be paying a daily impound fee for something you can't drive and then paying for a transport company to re-export it back to whence it came. In addition, if the US insurance finds out that you've been delivering pizza, expect a quick cancellation.

Also be aware that vehicle age can be readily checked by VIN's and that applies even to the lowly Vespa. VIN numbers/ownership/history of plating can easily be checked both for the US and Canada through CPIC PARIS.

Moral of the story...if you purchase something in Canada without plates and no history, bank on it that the only thing you'll be doing is trailering it and driving/riding through the woods.

 

[BusaBob]

I've read through the tthread, thanks nikki and everyone else for contributing. It's a great thread.

My question: what exactly is a "statement of compliance label" and where do i get one if i need one? does it go on the bike, and if so where?

thanks

 

[coyo]

I've read through the tthread, thanks nikki and everyone else for contributing. It's a great thread.

My question: what exactly is a "statement of compliance label" and where do i get one if i need one? does it go on the bike, and if so where?

thanks

^^ +1. This is the second time in the thread this has been asked but I don't think an answer came up... I'm curious too.

 

[gldwngr]

I've read through the tthread, thanks nikki and everyone else for contributing. It's a great thread.

My question: what exactly is a "statement of compliance label" and where do i get one if i need one? does it go on the bike, and if so where?

thanks

Vehicles manufactured for sale in the US market have a label stating that the vehicle complies with all US safety standards. Ditto vehicles manufactured for sale in the Canadian market.

On a motorcycle, look for the label up near the top of your steering neck. On a car, look on the driver's door jamb. It's possible for that label to "disappear" over the lifetime of a vehicle , for instance, as a result of paint or body work.

Ch3eck out the RIV broshure at http://www.riv.ca/pdfs/LI_RIV_E.pdf . It will help give you an idea of what they're looking for when you import a vehicle into Canada.

Forum Sponsor