Importing bike into Canada
- Thread starter Scott
- Start date
Airfan
Registered user
Best place to ask would be the consulate
Cheers
Rob
Cheers
Rob
araspitfire
Registered user
Simply put... you can't unless it's more than 15 years old...
Easy enough to get them in as an expat, but unless it's got a Canadian conformance plate (from the factory), or an American one... you are out of luck...
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/menu.htm
Al...
Easy enough to get them in as an expat, but unless it's got a Canadian conformance plate (from the factory), or an American one... you are out of luck...
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/importation/menu.htm
Al...
Apart from the fact that you are in love with your bike, I would suggest that it is cheaper to sell here and buy new there. The Pound to Cand $ is very good and you could get a brand new bike. I did exactly this in 2005 when moving from London to Boston, USA. I brought my US bike back with me as it was so cheap.
Nick
Nick
I am hoping to do the same thing. Any idea how we find out about the "Canadian conformance plate" thingy? Will the uk bmw network be able to help? I would have thought that a UK spec GS was pretty much identical to a Canadian one except for the side reflectors?
TIA
edit: there is some useful info over here Scott.......
araspitfire
Registered user
They are identical... except for the plate... read the official government website on the link I posted.. they are very clear... very protectionist... but very clear... can't get the plate except through the manufacturer...
I looked into this extensively, as I'm a Canadian Expat in The Netherlands... I wanted to buy a bike here and take it home eventually... (not to mention my nifty VW Westfalia campervan)...
In theory, there is a chance you could go to the effort of buying a US conformance certificate (it is possible, though expensive, to take vehicles to The States)... then possibly you could then take advantage of the drive across agreement... but I'd be willing to bet you would get the shaft in the end... Canadian Bureaucrats take their little power trips seriously...
Hmm... just read the link myself... seems they are reviewing the 15 year thing... want to make it 25 years...
Al...
I looked into this extensively, as I'm a Canadian Expat in The Netherlands... I wanted to buy a bike here and take it home eventually... (not to mention my nifty VW Westfalia campervan)...
In theory, there is a chance you could go to the effort of buying a US conformance certificate (it is possible, though expensive, to take vehicles to The States)... then possibly you could then take advantage of the drive across agreement... but I'd be willing to bet you would get the shaft in the end... Canadian Bureaucrats take their little power trips seriously...
Hmm... just read the link myself... seems they are reviewing the 15 year thing... want to make it 25 years...
Al...
What about dismantling the bike and then trying to register it as a custom once built back up over there? I'm suggesting that from the point of view that when a (Canadian) custom builder creates a new bike from parts that he/she has maybe sourced from all over the world they don't have a manufacturers certificate of compliance do they?! 
I going to be so sore if I can't take it! It's mine and I've spent too many hours upgrading it to my personal tastes to be throwing all that time away!
I going to be so sore if I can't take it! It's mine and I've spent too many hours upgrading it to my personal tastes to be throwing all that time away!
That's big UHAAAAAH!
Picked a couple at random from bmw motorrad websites over there, yr2000 1150's no addons - ca$12000. That's six farking grand! Hoooow much! 
Over here you can get a 2003 model low miler with goodies for that Bollox to emmigrating
What's up Scott? Are you leaving us premanently? Was it something we said?
Can we come visit you in Canada?
araspitfire
Registered user
Read through their website... I believe there are links to the situation you describe above... Go ahead and write a letter... I've tried that 2 or 3 times over the last 9 years and gotten no response... (which is a bit special considering it's a tax payer funded government agency...)
But you need to understand that due to political/economic pressures (the safety stance is only a justification) Canada is very tight on allowing non conformance vehicles into the country...
When you first arrive, you have the right to bring a vehicle in with you (unless you arrive with an immigrant status right off??)... I'm not sure when you forgo that right... I.E. when you become "landed"??? This could work in your favor...
After being in Europe and the UK for 8 years now.. I see the situation as you do... We can't even get as many cool cars in as Europeans... as each car model needs to have conformance paperwork done... large payments made to the Canadian govt. So the manufacturers compromise and only bring in what they are sure they can sell there at a profit... no "specials" ever come... It took years before the Smart was sold in Canada (just a quick example... =)...
It sucks... and if this extension to 25 years goes ahead... then my chances of taking my Camper home in 7 years (we could possibly stay away that long) have just been dealt a blow... Sucks...
Al...
But you need to understand that due to political/economic pressures (the safety stance is only a justification) Canada is very tight on allowing non conformance vehicles into the country...
When you first arrive, you have the right to bring a vehicle in with you (unless you arrive with an immigrant status right off??)... I'm not sure when you forgo that right... I.E. when you become "landed"??? This could work in your favor...
After being in Europe and the UK for 8 years now.. I see the situation as you do... We can't even get as many cool cars in as Europeans... as each car model needs to have conformance paperwork done... large payments made to the Canadian govt. So the manufacturers compromise and only bring in what they are sure they can sell there at a profit... no "specials" ever come... It took years before the Smart was sold in Canada (just a quick example... =)...
It sucks... and if this extension to 25 years goes ahead... then my chances of taking my Camper home in 7 years (we could possibly stay away that long) have just been dealt a blow... Sucks...
Al...
This will probably be what I do....just fishing for ideas.....and moving it doesn't sound reasonable form these links...I had done no research prior to this.
What's up Scott? Are you leaving us premanently? Was it something we said?
Can we come visit you in Canada?
yeah you really torqued me off with all your anti-american rants
Just looks like I'll be moving on for career opportunities...but it not set yet.
Assuming I do go it will be by the end of the year and in the Toronto area.....everyone's welcome.
Looks like all be on my red Ducati until I scare up a new GS.
Thanks for the input Ara! Valuable insight. Sorry Scott, thinks I have hijacked your thread
Now worries...looks like you're trying to do the same thing.
qwertme
Registered user
Scott, did you manage to import your bike into Canada? I am moving back in a couple of months and I was thinking of taking the bike with me, but in light of the info in this thread, I am no longer sure
Nope - sold it and replaced it with a Buell Uly this side of the pond.
You can't really import Euro-spec vehicles. I work with a German who brought over his R1200RT, but he can only keep it registered as long as he is on the work permit.
It's better just to sell it and remount when you get here.
You can't really import Euro-spec vehicles. I work with a German who brought over his R1200RT, but he can only keep it registered as long as he is on the work permit.
It's better just to sell it and remount when you get here.
qwertme
Registered user
Thanks for the info. 
Guess I have to sell it now.....
Guess I have to sell it now.....
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