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

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...


I got the information from this post... He mentioned 6% on the CDN value, now I'm confused :)
 
You pay GST on the price you paid after converting the US $ purchase price into CDN $ at the current daily rate.

cool, so with the input you have provided here is the new breakdown...

Cost of the bike = USD $9299 (CAD $10,895.38 )
RIV fees = CAD $195.00 + GST = CAD $206.70
6% GST on Price (CAD $10,895.38) = CAD $653.72

Total cost once you cross the boarder = CAD $11,758.80

Then are you saying I still need pay 8% PST on CAD $10,895.38 when I register it with the MTO?
 
cool, so with the input you have provided here is the new breakdown...

Cost of the bike = USD $9299 (CAD $10,895.38 )
RIV fees = CAD $195.00 + GST = CAD $206.70
6% GST on Price (CAD $10,895.38) = CAD $653.72

Total cost once you cross the boarder = CAD $11,758.80

Then are you saying I still need pay 8% PST on CAD $10,895.38 when I register it with the MTO?

Yup, plus you'll need to have the bike certified.
 
Yup, plus you'll need to have the bike certified.

Excellent! Thank you very much for the information. Even when you factor in the PST the total cost is still much cheaper than purchasing it locally :)
 
I'm looking at importing a bike from the states (new or used, havent decided yet)

The RIV site states under modification and inspection requirements for bikes: [FONT=Arial,Helvetica,Univers,Zurich BT][SIZE=-1] All Lights On.

I'm new to bikes, do bikes come with DRLs like cars?
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afaik, all bikes made since the early 90's had DRL's no matter what market they were made for, unlike cars, mfg's didn't make it an option.
 
Actually, you do have to pay 6% Duty on it if it wasn't built IN north america.

I read that on the CBSA web site, but there must be some qualifications to that statement. I imported a used Honda motorcycle last year and paid no import duty even though the bike was manufactured in Japan. Their biggest concern was the exact date (month and year) of manufacture.

Best bet to find out for sure about the duty would be to call them. See http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/E/pub/cp/bsf5048/bsf5048-07e.pdf for the brochure and contat numbers within.
 
It is the government we're talking about :)

Would the bike you imported be considered a classic? Cars older then 15 years are exempt, I assume the same can be said for bikes. Though I won't say for sure.
 
Duty is the ******* tax. You're an *** at the border and they will be by the book with you and charge you duty.;)
 
Taken from Forward Air's website:

"Effective June 1, 2006, Forward Air will no longer accept Motorcycle shipments to Canada due to U.S. Customs requirements."

This has put paid to my plan for shipping a bike across the border. I don't know what the new regulations are, but I think other shipping companies will also stop shipping bikes over. :(

Does anyone on the board know of a firm that will transport/import a US bike and take care of the customs? This would be for a vintage bike (+15yrs old). I called and confirmed that Forward Air will not longer transport vehicles from the US.

Thanks.
 
cool, so with the input you have provided here is the new breakdown...

Cost of the bike = USD $9299 (CAD $10,895.38 )
RIV fees = CAD $195.00 + GST = CAD $206.70
6% GST on Price (CAD $10,895.38) = CAD $653.72

Total cost once you cross the boarder = CAD $11,758.80

Then are you saying I still need pay 8% PST on CAD $10,895.38 when I register it with the MTO?


So we pay the GST/PST on what we paid for the bike in Canadian $, not the Canadian MSRP or book value?
 
DIY Trailer

If you buy a trailer kit, for example, at Harbor Freight in Buffalo, and import it as pieces of trailer hardware, then build it and try to license it, you will face a dilemma.

The hard way: visit Canada Customs at Front Street and find out you need a form that will cost you $160, which may be comparable to the price of the trailer.

The easy way: visit your friendly local Ontario licensing office and explain that you made a trailer from parts, and politely go through the hoops they offer.

It might be a good idea to visit that licensing office beforehand and ask what hoops they will present.

Good luck.
 
Getting a plate for a trailer in ontario is a breeze, just don't tell the mto its from the states. I brought a homemade utlity trailer for my jet ski without the ownership or plates, here is what is required:

1. Tell MTO that the trailer is homemade, tell them the year and type and they will give you a plate, just note that this is for light duty trailers, if your trailer has brakes/drums etc, it might be more involved.

also, if you go this route then the resale value will be affected as it will state homemade on the ownership, so if your looking to buy a trailer and use it once or twice, this might not be the best option.
 
question: is there a new rule now about changing the 15 year or older limit to import cars from say japan? and making it 20 years or older?? or even a rule about not allowing right hand drive cars anymore?? (didn't see anything on search)
 
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