Topic: Importing a bike from Canada to the US?

[csendker]

Does anyone know what you have to go through if you buy a bike in the Great White North and bring it back to the States?  I know Customs will take a keen interest; what paperwork do you need to get it over?  And then, what do you have to go through to register it (I know it's state specific, and NYS always makes things more difficult than most others...).  Any physical modifications necessary (other than becoming comfortable with kilometers per hour)?

Thanks.

[clarkjh]

If its an older bike, the speedo will be in MPH, if newer it most likly has both.

James

[bwaller]

It's been a few years since I sold a 77 CB550 to a guy in Boston, but it wasn't difficult,I recall all US customs needed was a letter from American Honda stating the model was the same for both countries, a bill of sale, and I believe proof of registration. To be safe check with US customs.

[Raul CB750K1]

You will probably have to pay import duties. If the bike is old, why don't you use one of the title companies? It would be like if you don't have the registration. They register it in Alabama or whatever and then sell to you, so you can register it in your state.

Raul

[el kabong]

i don't know first hand, but based on the internet, it looks like if the bike is over 25 years old, there are no US restrictions.  also looks like the govts lump motorcycles and autos into the same category, so if you search "importing automobile into USA" you'll get more useful hits than "importing motorcycle into usa".

here's some links:

http://www.buyclassiccars.com/import.asp

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/VIG_Canada07032.html

http://interactive.onramp.ca/hansens/library/files/uscitizen_canadianvehicle.pdf

you might also call one of the US customs entry points, like this one in buffalo, ny:

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/ny/0901.xml

Name: Importing a Motor Vehicle
Phone: (716) 843-8503

call early in the morning when business is slow and they might be more willing to chat.

(we've got it a bit easier in canada, where the "anything goes" threshold is 15 years, not 25.  i just imported a bike from the USA to canada (over 15 years old) and it was real easy.)

good luck

unrelated but interesting story....yamaha is being sued for $20 M by the California govt for importing 400  emissions unfriendly bikes: 

http://www.arb.ca.gov/newsrel/nr121605.htm