Importing a UK R1200GS Adv into California

[Steve Law]

Hi all,

I have been offered, and accepted, a great new job in Southern California. My family and I will be moving out there within the next few months, just as soon as the Visa Applications are complete.

Does anyone have any ideas on the problems I might face importing my 2011 R1200GS Adv? I know the headlight unit will need changing but what else?

I bought it new and it currently has 1000miles on the clock.

Although I've had a few GS's before this is the first bike or car that I've ever bought brand new and for sentimental reasons I don't want to get rid of it unless I have to.

Thanks,

Steve

 

[Schtum]

Don't even think about it. Sell it and buy a GS there.

Apart from anything else, ISTR, you can't register and out-of-state bike in CA unless it's got 7,500 miles on it. That's a bike that's previously been registered in the USA. A bike from outside the USA would need too many parts changed for ones that are DOT compliant and stamped that it would be uneconomic, even if you could do it.

 

[boatman]

[email protected] That (if it opens ) might be a place to read up on

 

[Schtum]

[email protected] That (if it opens ) might be a place to read up on

Ehhh....that's an e-mail address, Symon.

 

[Steve Law]

Schtum,

Thanks for the quick replies.

I've been told by BMW UK that the bike is compliant with the emissions and safety regs that apply out there. Apart from headlight orientation there are apparently no differences in BMW GS's the world over.

What is the DOT you are referring to?

Steve

Don't even think about it. Sell it and buy a GS there.

Apart from anything else, ISTR, you can't register and out-of-state bike in CA unless it's got 7,500 miles on it. That's a bike that's previously been registered in the USA. A bike from outside the USA would need too many parts changed for ones that are DOT compliant and stamped that it would be uneconomic, even if you could do it.

 

[NLC]

Hi all,

I have been offered, and accepted, a great new job in Southern California. My family and I will be moving out there within the next few months, just as soon as the Visa Applications are complete.

Does anyone have any ideas on the problems I might face importing my 2011 R1200GS Adv? I know the headlight unit will need changing but what else?

I bought it new and it currently has 1000miles on the clock.

Although I've had a few GS's before this is the first bike or car that I've ever bought brand new and for sentimental reasons I don't want to get rid of it unless I have to.

Thanks,

Steve

Your first port of call should be to US Customs BPA to see if you will be liable for duty on the item depending on how long you have owned you may have to pay import duty. Most cars (i don't know about bikes) that are sold in North American are California emission compliant because those are the highest standards. Depending on Customs then a call into the California DMV. I look at doing this many years ago on an Audi that I owned in Canada to move it to the US. Doable but it was a real pain in the ass. Good luck.

 

[Schtum]

What is the DOT you are referring to?

DOT = http://www.dot.gov/

That may be what BMW say but I'd be pleasantly surprised if you can register a European spec bike registered anywhere in the USA, let alone California.

If you want to persevere with it, contact California DMV -

http://dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm

Where in California are you going to be living?

 

[Steve Law]

Hi Schtum,

I've actually found the dealer (Alan Jefferies) and BMW UK very helpful. I actually live in Normandy France, although I bought the bike in the UK. I quickly and FOC got a european type certificate to register it over here. Not that I've done this yet.

I've been onto the DMV site and not found it very clear at all.

We are going to be living in the Pasadena area.

I would sell it but I'll lose a lot and it was a big thing for us to finally be in a position where we could pay cash for a 'luxury' such as this.

Cheers Steve

DOT = http://www.dot.gov/

That may be what BMW say but I'd be pleasantly surprised if you can register a European spec bike registered anywhere in the USA, let alone California.

If you want to persevere with it, contact California DMV -

http://dmv.ca.gov/portal/home/dmv.htm

Where in California are you going to be living?

 

[Schtum]

Having just checked the DMV site, I'm correct that imports into CA with less than 7.5K miles on them can't be registered unless they comply with California Emissions Regulations. In order to do that, you'd have to fit the charcoal evap canister to the fuel system and there may well be other anti-smog equipment.

This is possibly the most detail that the CA DMV have on-line -

http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/brochures/howto/htvr9.htm#feesdue

 

[boatman]

Ehhh....that's an e-mail address, Symon.

Aye right enough Mikehttp://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hubb/trip-paperwork/temp-import-usa-epa-approval-51514 thats mibbies the right link

 

[Wapping]

I would sell it but I'll lose a lot and it was a big thing for us to finally be in a position where we could pay cash for a 'luxury' such as this.

Not the greatest way to prepare to (possibly) sell it on UKGSer, I might suggest

Nor, perhaps, the best way to view a (possibly) lifetime opportunity to live and work in sunny California. If it really hinges on the loss made of selling a 2011 registered GSA you might be better off - spiritually at least - looking at whether you really can afford to go.... or afford not to go, as it were.... The possible resale value of a motorcycle should not be priority one in your life, nor should not having one.

PS As you are learning from Mc Schtum, permanently importing vehicles into America / California is not quite the same as doing the same in Europe. Not least our Yankee cousins ain't yet in the EU. Good luck with your endeavours, just the same

 

[Bahnstormer]

I don't wish to pour water on your fire, but unless the rules have been completely relaxed in USA, vehicles entering the USofA must be manufactured to (USA 50 State) EPA & DOT requirements, otherwise your bike will be prevented from leaving the port of entry, given a period of time for you to export it away from the USA or surrender it to be destroyed.

Your european spec bike will not meet these requirements and there are quite different specifications for the USA, hence these models have a completely separate range of VIN (or frame) numbers. When the merkins check yours it won't be on the list and it won't be allowed in.

I find it very difficult to understand why the folk at BMW UK have lead you in to thinking your bike is compliant to USA specifications. The Certificate of Conformity you refer to is only good for the EU, try asking for a "Certificate of Origin" the document required in the USA and you'll see the glow of embarrassment even where you are.

As Schtum said at the beginning, don't even try, sell it in Europe and buy a one Stateside.

Schtum,

Thanks for the quick replies.

I've been told by BMW UK that the bike is compliant with the emissions and safety regs that apply out there. Apart from headlight orientation there are apparently no differences in BMW GS's the world over.

What is the DOT you are referring to?

Steve

 

[Giles]

....nor should not having one..

.... !

 

[Wapping]

.... !

He'll live, no doubt.

 

[davegs]

Calfornia

These people are unbelivable when it comes to vehicles (or general health and safety) They would not let our bikes out of the docks in San Francisco
because they were not clean enough!!, yet every other time they went to New Jersey and across the states in a truck no bother!. Just sell it and get another. If you loose a bit here it may not be a lot different to shiping and
import costs. Read a health and safety leaflet when you get there and have a laugh, what is wrong with brass door keys? ask them!!. saw it in a health and safety leaflet at a hotel, the manager showed us!.
Dave GS

 

[Commuter]

No better

Congratulations on the move, great part of the world and fantastic roads for riding. I have that as a place on my list to live at some point.

If I can offer you my humble advice having travelled most of the globe with and without bikes as governments allow and after owning bikes on both side of the pond, having imported a USA bike to UK and considered importing my original bike out to US, I would offer this following very simple advice:

Sell the bike before you travel.

It really is not worth the hassle. Strip the bike of all the extras you got for it from TT/ Wunderlich etc and sell it. Then take those bits with you.

When I moved to the USA in 2005 I bought a brand new bike for the price of a 2 year old bike in the UK. There are deals a plenty. You will need a motorcycle licence and time to get it plus your regular licence. This all takes time, holds up your shipment and frankly adds stress to your situation, imagine not being able to get your family belongings out of customs because your bike is rejected....

I had my entire shipment held up and bike taken in Turkey when I shipped it there. That I would not wish on anyone here, the feeling is terrible at the time even though I finally got it back.

I hope you enjoy California, it's a great part of the world you have chosen.

 

[Steve Law]

Hi all,

My desire to take the bike to California is based on the great roads and adventures that are to be had out there and a sentimental desire not to have to sell the first vehicle I've ever bought brand new before I've really had time to enjoy it.

Yes I'll live and I certainly would never let the forced sale of a bike stop me and my family taking advantage of such an opportunity. Not that I ever suggested it would.

I was looking for advice on how best to import the bike based on information provided to me by BMW UK, that being that the bikes are the same the world over. No different models depending on emission regs or safety. Unfortunately, there is a wealth of opinion on both here and AdvRider that this might not be the case and everyone seems to agree that the easiest thing to do would be to sell the bike and buy another one once happily settled in California.

Thanks commuter, you are the second person to tell me today that the import authorities may well block the entire shipment, furniture & everything, not just impound the bike which was the worst case I had imagined. Obviously I wouldn't want to risk the inconvience and hassle that would cause for my family for a bike.

All the best,


Steve

 

[Steve Law]

Wapping

Wapping,

I'm tired and its been a long day but I've read your post more than once and I can't see a single constructive thing in it?

Please expand on your constructive points to stop me thinking you are just a prat that sits behind a computer screen criticising people you've never met because there are no come backs or risks.

Regards,

Steve

 

[Loiq]

just saw you lived in france, atleast the handle bars will be in the right side...

 

[Mark Hooton]

OOOOOOOhhhhh yeah - sell it mate

About 20 years ago I looked to import my GPZ1000RX (remember them?) into Ca as my family live out there (and still do). Within a month or so I had lost the will to live and was considering self harm, there is sooo much in your way and that was about 2 decades ago - it simply isn`t worth it.

really REALLY sell the bike, with appropriate tears of course, and buy another one.