Returning a bike to the US

[micmac]

I'm considering buying a bike outside the US after I travel to see it. I have read somewhere over the years that there is no import tax if the bike was originally manufactured here in the Big PX. Any ideas,, experiences or advise is appreciated.

[exeric]

I did buy a motorcycle from Australia in circa 2005. The price was okay, and I was happy with what I got but there was quite a bundle of red tape, and a ridiculous duty & environmental fee to get it through a port is Los Angeles. There may have been a waived Import tax but the other fees were more than sufficient to make that a moot point. I was told by more experienced importers that I got screwed but since I had (have) no intention of ever doing that again, it was all water under the bridge. I hope you get more informative comments on this very curious subject, Peter.

[pisten-bully]

Pete...with current tariffs going up and down (tariffs = import duty) you're going to need a savvy broker, one that knows EXACTLY what you're re-importing. There are lots of brokers out there now, you're going to want someone that has experience re-importing vintage motorcycles, and ask them for references (they may blow you off after you ask that...but a good broker won't). There's nothing worse than a broker who says yes, they can handle your re-importation, but they've never done one and they screw it all up...(I've seen that painful scenario play out several times). One idea would be to contact Hagerty and ask them if they have any suggestions.

BTW, it used to be if a machine was previously titled in the US, shipped abroad and then brought home, that it would then be exempt from duty. But all bets are off now and you're going to want a pro involved!

[Jerry Wieland]

US manufactured items have free right-to-passage home. Also foreign made stuff only has to pay the import levies once.


Jerry

[joe fxs fxr]

US manufactured items have free right-to-passage home. Also foreign made stuff only has to pay the import levies once.


Jerry

That's what I understood. I bought my 72 Boattail in Canada and had no problems or questions driving back to the US. I just had to show a Bill of Sale. My problem is the CT DMV considers it 'grey market' and I have to bring it to their HQ for a full inspection, and who knows what other horrors.

[Eric]

For international shipping i used this company, very friendly and professionnal :

Team international
Sarah Bounaadja

Attachée Commerciale/ Sales Representative


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ZI Paris Nord 2
161-163 Rue de la Belle Étoile
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FRANCE

[marksg]

That's what I understood. I bought my 72 Boattail in Canada and had no problems or questions driving back to the US. I just had to show a Bill of Sale. My problem is the CT DMV considers it 'grey market' and I have to bring it to their HQ for a full inspection, and who knows what other horrors.

My experience was the same driving to Canada to pick the bike up.
No fee to import since it was made in the US and has to take it to the Florida DOT for physical VIN # inspection.

There was still plenty of paperwork with DOT and EPA forms. No issue though since the bike was over a certain age.

[joe fxs fxr]

My experience was the same driving to Canada to pick the bike up.
No fee to import since it was made in the US and has to take it to the Florida DOT for physical VIN # inspection.

There was still plenty of paperwork with DOT and EPA forms. No issue though since the bike was over a certain age.

That's good, the VIN is good and it's over 50 years old. I hope the kid who inspects it realizes it never had turn signals, or I can convince him of that fact.

[micmac]

Thank you guys! I have always wanted another 741 since mine was stolen in 1977. I have found one in New Zealand where I'm headed to in December for a month if it doesn't sell for much less than I have seen them in recent years here. My wife is a Kiwi so I will have someone with me who speaks the language!

[Chris Haynes]

I have brought several bikes in from Mexico. No duty on US made product;

[micmac]

Thanks Chris

[KNUCK]

I bought a bike from Canada this year, I could have used a broker but I worked a deal with seller to just bring it over for any reason he wants to tell the customs agent. He did and I paid him for his trouble and the bike. Hear no evil speak no evil.

[marksg]

When I brought a bike back from Canada, the Florida DOT required the papers from the border to transfer and title the bike. This included the DOT and EPA forms.
If I remember correctly.

[Architect]

I had a motor shipped from Canada to my place of work in NY. I have not registered it yet but I have no intention of discussing the Canada thing unless it comes up in their research. If so I have all the paper work from it being shipped across the border.