Importing MC advice needed.

[RobW96]

I am interested in a 38 Indian that is being sold in Canada. I have looked at the Customs and Border Protection web page and the EPA and DOT forms listed. Doesnt seem too complicated, but as we all know, working with our gov isnt always as easy as it looks. So, has anyone had experience importing an antique motorcycle into the US? Any advice is appreciated. What was your experience.

[Rubone]

Anything originally made here can come back with no issues.

[Jerry Wieland]

As Robbie said, it should cost you nothing for 2 reasons. All US made products have 'free-right-to-passage' going home and with Canada the USA has a trade agreement that all automotive products including motorcycles cross the border duty free. That being said and I have re-imported quite a few HD's and Indian's from Quebec and Ontario and you still might have to declare it and fill out a bunch of paperwork depending upon thge mood of the border agent. Rule #1 - do not lie to them because they have been trained to detect body language on such things and can cause you a lot of grief.

Jerry

[sirhrmechanic]

Piece of Cake.

I got my EL in Canada. The only issue I had was the guys at Customs wanted to hold it for a couple of weeks to "ride it for safety testing." Mostly, they wanted to ride it to their local hang-out to show off. After some good-natured banter... I was on my way. I showed them Bill of Sale and paperwork. Signed a declaration form. No cost, took 10 minutes. All good.

FYI, if you go to Canada with cash to buy it... declare the cash. For two reasons... one customs folks have no sense of humor that they are aware of. If you have cash, you fill out one form, explain why you are bringing more than $10K into Canada and you are on your way. And if you DON'T buy the bike and are bringing the cash home... you will have proof that it left the country with you.

But with an Indian, you will have no problem! Unless some wag at customs wants to take it for a spin.

Cheers,

Sirhr

[RobW96]

Sirhr,
My understanding is that I will need a bill of sale or some type of documentation verifying the purchase, the DOT form, the EPA form and then fill out a CBP form when I get to the Customs check. Is that all?

[sirhrmechanic]

That should be it... but I don't recall needing the EPA form.

One thing that I did as well was called the border that I would be coming back through in advance and asking if they had any updates not on the Web site that I should know about. Called Highgate. They indicated nothing had changed. If you know where you will be crossing, either call or stop by on your way out of the country. That way you can say "I talked to Supervisory Agent Jellyfinger of the CPB and he said you guys would be expecting me."

Cheers Sirhr.

[aka HAWG]

is bike registered in canada?? if so ask seller for the buyers package.it is a ministry of transport documentation, it has important info on the vehicle that will help at the border

aka HAWG

[rwm]

i never have a hassle free re entry into the us. the chicken sheet home land security border guys and i don't get along. i think when they run my info it pops up on their screen watch this guy. last time they wanted me to declare the value of the empty box/ cargo hull on my truck. i showed him it was made in morgan town pa. he didn't care guys claimed i was smuggling empty cargo hulls. then he asked" if i thought this was a joke" i said "yes give me some cotton candy and i'll get your clown ass a red nose" they sent me back to canada. i had some more words for him but they wont go so well here on the web site.