banana bike man
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posted October 16, 2004 10:21 AM
Importing personal scoots to Canada
Anybody know the facts about bringing in a NONcanadian model in?
IE: grey market US bikes. I heard a comment that as long as it has been insured at some point in ANY US state it could come to canada subject to CSA inpections and such. And as long as it passed safety type inspections it would be do-able.
Any knowelge on this people?
bBm
    
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squidlydiddly
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posted October 16, 2004 03:49 PM
Yup. Lots. Been there repeatedly over the past 7 years.
If the specific model is not on the list, then you might as well be in hell.
So to respond to 'what you heard': that information is absolutely wrong. At the very least, you must have a manufacturers declaration that the bike was built to US Specs. The many CCM's, Aprillia's, Husky's, KTM's etc. that got imported into certain States are 'grey market', and have difficulty being registered in other states, let alone being exported from the US & brought into Canada.
Transport Canada, and then Customs, have their own difficult processes; and then if you get through that you still face ICBC. No one will provide irrevocable approval or an 'advance ruling'.
Try to do it legally at your own risk. The risk being buying the bike up front, laying out all sorts of expenses to get it approved, and then trying to get it back into the US for resale / disposal.
Otherwise get creative. Nice new avatar Owen.
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banana bike man
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posted October 16, 2004 05:29 PM
quote:
Otherwise get creative
as in: bring it in as race only and paper it with my FZR400 title?
OR
buy it and ride it across.
Interesting idea though the thought of a cavity search is some what concerning ........
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Dirtybill
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posted October 19, 2004 01:36 PM
If the bike is 15 years old or older, it's a lot easier to import into Canada.
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fish_antlers
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posted October 20, 2004 12:44 AM
I believe that's why Atlas had all of those older mid 80's 400's lying around... Whatever happened to Goodfellow? Didnt he get busted on importing newer bikes er something and they were seized and crushed?
Where's honest Al when you need him? 
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What business is it of yours where I'm from, Friendo?
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banana bike man
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posted October 20, 2004 08:02 AM
Yeah goodfellow got burned by Transport Canada and Customs I believe. His stuff went to the can.
Sad day.
I remember standing in his burnaby shop, a young novice rider, admiring his RC30.
He came to SBW once a few years ago. That was cool.
15 years is it. Hmmmm 2005 -15 = 1990 Well well isn't that perfect. That, I believe was the first year of the RVF400 ..........
Dirty, you say "easier" meaning what? Can do it with only minimal cavity searches? or I have to pay off some one.
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Dirtybill
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posted October 20, 2004 01:21 PM
I imported an American registered 1966 CB160 Honda from Washington state about 5 years ago. All I needed was a bill of sale and the Washington state reg documents. Payed pst and gst. That's it. This only applies to bikes from the USA. Importing a bike from Europe or anywhere else is a whole different can of worms.
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banana bike man
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posted October 20, 2004 01:26 PM
Hmm so if I bought an RVF from Myuki or GP Star, as long as it has been titled in the US, I'd be okay [with the 15 years old rule in play.]
excellent.
thanks bill
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Dirtybill
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posted October 20, 2004 08:44 PM
quote:
Hmm so if I bought an RVF from Myuki or GP Star, as long as it has been titled in the US, I'd be okay [with the 15 years old rule in play.]
excellent.
thanks bill
Double check with Customs!! A friend flew to California earlier this year to ride back a 00 Ducati ST2 which he bought there. He said even after duty and taxes it was cheaper than here. He did as much customs paperwork he could beforehand.
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fish_antlers
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posted October 21, 2004 09:46 AM
Part of that might be that there are more Ducatis on the road in California than all Honda Civics and Toyota Tercels combined
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squidlydiddly
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posted October 21, 2004 06:18 PM
Is that a joke fish? I realize you're not a fan, but Duc's are typically holding their values in the Lower Mainland more than anywhere else in North America. Oh, and this friend of ours bought it on eBay.
Easy to import 'cause it's on the list... Both taxes and $180 import / inspection fee. CTC does the inspection / provides the kmph stickers.
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fish_antlers
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posted October 22, 2004 09:12 AM
That's not a joke... Who said I wasnt fan of Ducatis? how did you "realize" I wasnt a fan? I had one for 4 years... it was a great bike.. the only shitty part was the local dealer.. .they were the ultimate reason I got rid of it... nothing else...
As for their "commonality".. (is that a word?) .. the first year I rode it to Socal it was oneo fthe only Ducs on the road... then the Americans got a hold of the company... now they're everywhere.. in the US they dont hold their value that well and they ARE commonplace..
If you read my post you'll notice that I am not talking about the lowermailand, but about the US and specifically California... which is what Bill's point was...
If people wonder why Ducs are so cheap in the US it's because every 85 year old lady and their dog uses them to get to the mall and back.. they're everywhere!
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squidlydiddly
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posted October 22, 2004 03:16 PM
Oops. Didn't mean to insult the host of the board.
Hadn't realized you had one of the only Ducs on the road. What a trend setter... I forgot how fukin cool you were.
I'll be sure to watch for 85 yr old 'merican women & dogs riding their Ducs to the mall next time I'm in the USA.
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fish_antlers
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posted October 22, 2004 05:41 PM
sassy!
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zx23rr
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posted December 02, 2004 08:47 AM
You need clear title documents, you will pay GST, PST, and duties on anything not made in USA/Canada. You will always have the option of making it a "U-Built" reggie. Transport Canada/Revenue Canada have a list of acceptable motorvehicles that can enter under their own make/model etc. They have been "approved" by the above agencies.
If your bike is approved, you recieve a FORM 1 - this costs you $182.00. You now have 30 days to have the vehicle presented to a Federal Inspection Facility - your local Canadian Tire Store is one. When you go a box on Timmy's doesn't hurt lol. Once the Form One has been approved / stamped, you then are off to your local Autoplan dealer. I HIGHLY recommend you find someone who knows what they are doing. This can get screwed up real easy here if not careful. Its a Paper thing. You will need the yellow copy of FORM 1, your bill of sale, title, and the vehicle so they can inspect the VIN/Serial numbers. If all is okay, then you get a BC reggie. IF you are U-building it. You have to bring the bike in as a "PARTS BIKE" or in otherwords, engine removed. At the boarder you declare it as a parts bike. This will allow you entry with the bike. GST Paid. And PST. Now you need to apply for a BC VIN/SERIAL number. This is a BLUE VIN/SERIAL TAG/Plate that will be afixed to the frame with two rivits. Bike is inspected at a Provincial motorvehicle facility that can do Motorcycles - your favorite MC dealer - bring Timmy's and then its off to Autoplan again.
If you have any other questions, give me a shout - 604.306.1483
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zx23rr
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posted December 02, 2004 08:51 AM
Oh ya, I forgot, all recalls have to be performed at a dealer. This may or may not be an issue. With Grey Market, you may have to go to the country to find out what recalls exist on that model - if any.
I would like a 90-92 ZZR-250 in black please. low k's
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squidlydiddly
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posted December 02, 2004 09:38 AM
Hey Frank. Good post.
I would add that you need to submit export documentation 72 hours in advance of your border crossing to satisfy the 'mericans.
And to be clear, the GST is paid at the border, but PST doesn't get paid until you register it.
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Banana Bike Man
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posted December 02, 2004 10:17 AM
Frank, thanks for all the info.
sounds like you've done yer home work.
Is there a year limit involved with all of this?
bBm
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frEEk
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posted December 02, 2004 10:27 AM
one small thing i'd like to add that i went thru. u mentioned that it has to get the vehicle inspection at a designated facility at one point: these are getting hard to find. most have dropped their designation. best i can tell, the only places that can do them are Highway Choppers in langley, Trev Deeley on Boundary (don't seem to know anything about sportbikes), and Imperial in Burnaby. the latter is definitely ur best bet IME.
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Banana Bike Man
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posted December 02, 2004 10:52 AM
VMS in Kelowna
Vernon Motosports in Vernon
both good inspection facilities.
Who wants to give me a bitch ride down to Cali to pick up a RVF400?
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frEEk
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posted December 02, 2004 12:35 PM
know what's sad? call the department in charge of vehicle inspections, and the 2 cruiser places i mentioned are the ONLY places they know of. they didnt even know imperiel did them. anyway, i'd make SURE that VMS & VM still do them before it's time to do the inspection as it seems most places that did them droppoed their designation over the last couple years. the list that the cops have is definitely out of date.
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Banana Bike Man
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posted December 02, 2004 12:53 PM
Wonder why they're dropping the inspection designations.
Liability?
I'm not too worried. Right now I'm not sure if I want to go back on the street [RVF400] or full on racing [TZ250] my bank won't support both, nor would my marriage ..........
But the import knowlege is great to know just in case I get a divorce.
bBm
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zx23rr
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posted December 02, 2004 01:21 PM
Federally, there is no money in it for the shops - just lots and lots and lots of paper. Hence, Canadian Tire.
Provinicially, you need to have a tech that holds a two wheel journeymans ticket for the provincial vehicle inspections. And there is no money in it.
So its all doable, just be prepared to pull hair out as they can make it difficult for you. Prepare to spend up to 4-8 hours at the boarder to get your paperwork.
The 72 hours can be waived if a broker takes care of it. And it really depends who you get. Smooth on a good day, nasty on a bad one.
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Banana Bike Man
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posted December 02, 2004 01:26 PM
Sounds like "parts bike" is the way to go.
Pull the motor and carry it all in the same trailer.
Typical government stuff. More work for no financial reward.
Your advice about the broker is worth thinking. It may be worth the extra bucks to have it shipped FOB vancouver through a broker.
Wonder if they'd know if I rode it across ............
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zx23rr
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posted December 02, 2004 01:28 PM
ps - the recalls have to be performed and verified by the manufacture (letter head from authorized dealer will work) before going to Canadian Tire for the Federal inspections. The $182.00 will cover the cost of the Federal inspection at CT. The provincial is usually around 80-100 clams. ICBC is the PST based on the declared value at the border backed by Bill of sale. There are no cutting corners. If you do, MOT can come and pick up your new ride with little recourse. :-)
I think I am Done........................
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