Importing from Canada to USA details appreciated...

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I'm interested in hearing details regarding importing vehicles from Canada to the USA.
Paper work needed, etc.
Some nice bikes on offer on the trade section.
 
My 1957 Triumph TR6A Trophy came from Canada to the USA and then on to Australia.
There is some form of summery (paperwork) normally needed by the USA Customs side, I forget the actual name for it but no doubt plenty of bikes go both ways sale wise.
(In my case, the TR6 did not have that paperwork with it or a usable title so got stopped at San Diego for a very long two months)
 
I sure hope someone with a more positive experience will post up some “Details” on how to get a bike into the USA from Canada .... I’m sorry that TimeWarp had trouble , seems like it should be straight forward as the USA is Canada’s biggest trade partner and we attached at the hip sort of thing .... I hope to need this info in the near future ....
 
Thanks very much Steve ,exactly the info I was wanting , hope I get to use it .... sooner ..
 
Twenty yrs ago I've done importing of my own car from Canada to USA (Cali). Also gone other way about 8 yrs ago with a van hauling a 20ft sailboat.
Basically, most of the red tape is centered around new vehicles to prevent or limit cross border shopping, undercutting local dealers/ manfacturers. If vehicle is considered used, things get a whole lot more streamlined. Proof of ownership/title, statement of safety conformity & recalls performed from the dealer manufacturer. I believe you need to send everything to the border some 3-4 days before you get the vehicle there so they are ready to process. Should not be any tax/duty on a used vehicle at border.
Regarding the letter of conformity from a dealer, I actually had a heck of a time getting that from a Mini dealership in California. They told me corporate office was refusing these as import US cars to Canada hurt sales in Canada...no matter if a used car. Had to go to a second dealer and lie that I was trying to sell car on line to an out of state buyer that wanted the letter. This worked. Had absolutely no problems at a VW dealer getting same letter for my van.
 
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Regarding the letter of conformity from a dealer, I actually had a heck of a time getting that from a Mini dealership in California. They told me corporate office was refusing these as import US cars to Canada hurt sales in Canada...no matter if a used car. Had to go to a second dealer and lie that I was trying to sell car on line to an out of state buyer that wanted the letter. This worked. Had absolutely no problems at a VW dealer getting same letter for my van.

You know that BMW owns the mini right? BMW are the worst!. They had The Canadian Motor vehicles around their little finger. and insisted that only a canadian BMW dealer was able to provide the proper check for recalls etc. Of course it would cost you anywhere from C$500 to 1000.00 when importing a USA bike etc.
 
Ducati has that very same program going too , no doubt lots of others too
 
You know that BMW owns the mini right? BMW are the worst!. They had The Canadian Motor vehicles around their little finger. and insisted that only a canadian BMW dealer was able to provide the proper check for recalls etc. Of course it would cost you anywhere from C$500 to 1000.00 when importing a USA bike etc.
Sure did. The letter is meant to be free of charge...not even 5 min VIN look up is all that is needed...you can actually perform it yourself on-line...but the Border agents require it to be on manufacturer/dealership letterhead. What bugged me was the letter was "not permitted" to be given to me, despite it being a government required doc for me to proceed with exporting top Canada. And, only BMW/Mini was being sticky....VW was good to go (I had two vehicles to import). From their perspective, they are trying to protect their sales in the other country...and no exception for older cars and even for cars not actaully being sold into the other market...this was my car I was taking with me when I moved back to Canada. When I lied to another dealer, there was no charge, ten mins later I was walking out the door....they just asked me several times if I was sending the car out of country to which I'd respond, nope...just seilling to another state buyer who wants to see the recall sheet.
 
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