Importing from Canada

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Orlando7
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:44 am
Location: Kissimmee, FL

Importing from Canada

#1 Post by Orlando7 » Sun Apr 03, 2016 8:22 am

Bought a nice RZ500 in Canada, anybody had any recent dealings importing them into the U.S?
Looking at it EPA and DOT should just be 1 form each as its over 25 years old. May or may not have to pay Customs Duty as it's below 500cc?
Got an e-mail from Customs on the border that said should be OK but if markings on the bike do not prove the age of the bike to their satisfaction I have to supply a letter from the manufacturer proving this!! I would think a VIN sticker should be satisfactory for this though.
Anybody with any recent experience of this would be gratefully received…TIA
1975 Kawasaki KH250A5
1977 Kawasaki KH400A4
1977 Benelli Sei 750
1981 Yamaha RD350LC
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
1985 Yamaha RZ5001986
1986 Suzuki GSXR750 Skoal Bandit

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giron
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Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:49 pm

Re: Importing from Canada

#2 Post by giron » Sun Apr 03, 2016 2:00 pm

why you didn't have the seller ride it across the border?
1991 3MATZR250SP
!993 3XVTZR250SP
1996 RGV250(Lucky Strike)
1994 MC28SP
1995 MC28SP
1996 MC28SP
1985 RG500(Walter Wolfe)
1984 IT490
1985 RZV500R
1985 NS400R
1985 NS400R
1997 VFR750
1992 FZR1000
RGV400
TZR500
TZR350
1990 RZ350
1971 Porsche911S

silverstrom
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Re: Importing from Canada

#3 Post by silverstrom » Sun Apr 03, 2016 3:19 pm

I've shipped bikes to the US. The build date is what is important. As long as the build date on the Canadian VIN tag is 25 years you'll have no problems. No taxes or duties for the US buyer when I did it.

Orlando7
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:44 am
Location: Kissimmee, FL

Re: Importing from Canada

#4 Post by Orlando7 » Tue Apr 05, 2016 6:23 am

Hi there, Thanks for the replies. The current owner lives 3 hours from the border and will not take it across after talking with customs.
After a bit more research it has a build date on the VIN sticker of 84 so I should be good.
I have a bill of sale and title. A one page EPA form and a one page DOT form should be all I need on that front.
Will let you know how I get on. Aim to go up there and get it in a truck to get it across the border then u-ship it home.
Pics look good and previous owner really looked after it well. Will post some pics when I get it back to sunny Florida!!
1975 Kawasaki KH250A5
1977 Kawasaki KH400A4
1977 Benelli Sei 750
1981 Yamaha RD350LC
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
1985 Yamaha RZ5001986
1986 Suzuki GSXR750 Skoal Bandit

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Smoker
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Re: Importing from Canada

#5 Post by Smoker » Thu May 05, 2016 4:02 am

I've done it.

It's very simple to get a manufacturer's letter from Yamaha USA.

Orlando7
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:44 am
Location: Kissimmee, FL

Re: Importing from Canada

#6 Post by Orlando7 » Mon May 09, 2016 2:20 pm

giron wrote:why you didn't have the seller ride it across the border?
You need to import it correctly so they give you the paperwork at the border enabling you to register it in the U.S
1975 Kawasaki KH250A5
1977 Kawasaki KH400A4
1977 Benelli Sei 750
1981 Yamaha RD350LC
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
1985 Yamaha RZ5001986
1986 Suzuki GSXR750 Skoal Bandit

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giron
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Posts: 560
Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:49 pm

Re: Importing from Canada

#7 Post by giron » Mon May 09, 2016 4:03 pm

then if you live in California. make sure you have a lot aspirins. It can be nasty
1991 3MATZR250SP
!993 3XVTZR250SP
1996 RGV250(Lucky Strike)
1994 MC28SP
1995 MC28SP
1996 MC28SP
1985 RG500(Walter Wolfe)
1984 IT490
1985 RZV500R
1985 NS400R
1985 NS400R
1997 VFR750
1992 FZR1000
RGV400
TZR500
TZR350
1990 RZ350
1971 Porsche911S

User avatar
tacky1
Posts: 1248
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2015 12:30 pm
Location: Bay Area. CA.

Re: Importing from Canada

#8 Post by tacky1 » Tue May 10, 2016 12:19 am

Just file a lost title with the DMV, No customs or BS to deal with, The CHP will do a VIN check and you're good to go...
1985 RZv500
1984 RZ500 Hybrid
1986 RG500 Walter Wolf
1986 RG500 Skoal Bandit
1984 RZ350
1984 RZ350 Hybrid
1981 RD350LC
1981 RD350LC Hybrid
2009 CR500AF Supermoto 250X
2007 CR500AF 250X
1988 YSR50 (2)
1989 VFR750R RC30
1984 GPZ750 Turbo

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giron
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Joined: Wed Nov 16, 2005 7:49 pm

Re: Importing from Canada

#9 Post by giron » Tue May 10, 2016 10:33 am

Do not use the CHP. Go to the local police department and download the forms from the DMV site
1991 3MATZR250SP
!993 3XVTZR250SP
1996 RGV250(Lucky Strike)
1994 MC28SP
1995 MC28SP
1996 MC28SP
1985 RG500(Walter Wolfe)
1984 IT490
1985 RZV500R
1985 NS400R
1985 NS400R
1997 VFR750
1992 FZR1000
RGV400
TZR500
TZR350
1990 RZ350
1971 Porsche911S

Questo vecchio rz
Posts: 198
Joined: Sun Aug 30, 2015 2:36 pm

Re: Importing from Canada

#10 Post by Questo vecchio rz » Thu Jun 02, 2016 3:08 pm

I think w the age of the bikes things are changing ? A friend just bought. A Gamma500 and RZ500 registered in Arizona, (with titles)brought them to Califonia, added speedometers then paid a mobile title service woman and "presto" Calif titles. Didnt ask how nor why :-)
Banshee (Baja) Full Tilt desert race bike
Royal Enfield 500
96 GSXR SRAD, Future Yoshimura TT-F1 Lucky Strike rep.
85 custom Tri-Z
RZ421/YZR track bike(project)
86 VFR750 Flying Fred Merkel replica (project)

Orlando7
Posts: 51
Joined: Fri Oct 02, 2015 7:44 am
Location: Kissimmee, FL

Re: Importing from Canada

#11 Post by Orlando7 » Sat Dec 10, 2016 5:45 am

Bike safely arrived in FL (see member's rides) will be trying to register shortly will let you know how I get on.
Paperwork and customs charges were not as bad as I expected. Thanks for all your helpful comments.
1975 Kawasaki KH250A5
1977 Kawasaki KH400A4
1977 Benelli Sei 750
1981 Yamaha RD350LC
1984 Yamaha RZ350 Kenny Roberts
1985 Yamaha RZ5001986
1986 Suzuki GSXR750 Skoal Bandit

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