Hi all, I want to send a bike I've had for many years to the states where it will stay. Never done it before and I've seen some old threads but I'm wondering if anyone could recommend a good, current, way to proceed? Cheers.
Sending bike to California. Up to date info/pointers please.
- Thread starter cornish
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What, Tariffs on ancient bikes now as well?!
Doubt it but shipping costs to west coast will be expensive. Try and contact a freight forwarder specializing in this sort of thing and they should be able to give you a reasonable deal as they will combine your bike with a lot of other people stuff into one shipping load
ThreeDawg
Registered user
Would be worth speaking to Motofreight (or James Cargo). Airfreight to the States can be a PITA, but the quotes we had for seafreight back from San Diego were fairly sane with a consol service. I guess there would be duty to pay (and EPA inpections etc) as it is not a temporary import, so the bike would have to be pretty special to justify the cost.
It all depends on the age of the bike and I have a feeling it has to be over 25 years old to be imported. Normally, if you ship a bike to the US it can stay for 12 months with EPA approval.
The shipping is relatively straight forward but make sure you use a good shipping company as there are plenty who aren't good. The days of cheap shipping are long gone so be prepared to raise an eyebrow!!
In the first instance, contact Kathy at Motofreight who is very knowledgable and they do what they say they will do.
Another option is speak to Stephen Shores at Kingstown freight. They specialise is moving vehicles around the world and they will also be able to sort it for you.
break it into pieces , take it over bit by bit . 
Just to be accurate the Shipping Lines themselves are ALL pretty much the same. There are only 6 Global players left, I work for one…
These companies will not deal with individual shipments it’s only B to B.
It’s the Freight Forwarders who you will have to go through and Bilco is absolutely right here. There are 1000’s each offering their own concepts from the small mom and pop operations to the huge global concerns like DHL, UPS, K&N
Agree with above. Try and find one that deals with motor shipments to the US who will be able to arrange everything including paperwork but as already mentioned it won’t be cheap
I have ridden many times in the US and prefer just to rent. No hassle. But if you are choosing to go longer than a couple of weeks this could also become prohibitively expensive.
Unfortunately I don’t have any good names of bike friendly forwarders but there are options given above
Hope this helps
Registering a motorcycle in California will be more involved than other states because they have their own emission requirement which is stricter. I believe this started in the late 1970's so motorcycles made before then shouldn't matter. If your bike is about 1980 or newer there may be some California compliant certification and emission testing required.
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@cornish
You don't say if you yourself, are going to be the Importer into the U. S., or if you are facilitating the export from the U. K., to a U.S. party. And importantly, if the bike is going to be their permanently, or run for a period of less than 12 months on effectively, a 'visitor plate' equivalency.
I looked into this very recently (considering the export/import a Husqvarna 701 LR... See: @Slimebomb ) and there seems to be 2 very distinct compliance areas: the requirements by EPA Environmental Protection Agency (around emissions) where, if a bike is not already on an 'approved' list, you will need to provide evidence of compliance; the regulations regarding safety under the NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has a very useful FAQ page on their site (https://www.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle/importation-and-certification-faqs-0 ).
There is a list of NHTSA 'Registered Importers' who can assist with the compliance documentation: https://www.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle/registered-importers
I my own case, Husqvarna UK simply stated that they had no holologation documentation to support entry into the US market... Although clearly, the bike's technical specifications are fully compliant with EPA requirements.
So, there's legwork to be done in securing entry authorisation - and without knowing at the moment what specific bike you are referring to, you might have a challenge (but hopefully not!).
Other members have advised regarding the physical shipment. But if the bike is non-compliant and unless you can do your research on exemptions such as 'historic vehicles', you might wish to reconsider your plan.
Good luck!
You don't say if you yourself, are going to be the Importer into the U. S., or if you are facilitating the export from the U. K., to a U.S. party. And importantly, if the bike is going to be their permanently, or run for a period of less than 12 months on effectively, a 'visitor plate' equivalency.
I looked into this very recently (considering the export/import a Husqvarna 701 LR... See: @Slimebomb ) and there seems to be 2 very distinct compliance areas: the requirements by EPA Environmental Protection Agency (around emissions) where, if a bike is not already on an 'approved' list, you will need to provide evidence of compliance; the regulations regarding safety under the NHTSA National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which has a very useful FAQ page on their site (https://www.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle/importation-and-certification-faqs-0 ).
There is a list of NHTSA 'Registered Importers' who can assist with the compliance documentation: https://www.nhtsa.gov/importing-vehicle/registered-importers
I my own case, Husqvarna UK simply stated that they had no holologation documentation to support entry into the US market... Although clearly, the bike's technical specifications are fully compliant with EPA requirements.
So, there's legwork to be done in securing entry authorisation - and without knowing at the moment what specific bike you are referring to, you might have a challenge (but hopefully not!).
Other members have advised regarding the physical shipment. But if the bike is non-compliant and unless you can do your research on exemptions such as 'historic vehicles', you might wish to reconsider your plan.
Good luck!
Well that's more food for thought, thanks. I did say it would stay in the states, but not what year it was etc. So, it's a 1978 Laverda Jota and will be signed over to a third party who lives there. Family/friend. They have a green card. I have been in touch with the 2 firms mentioned above in earlier posts, but neither have mentioned this sort of thing. I will have a look at the pages you suggest. Cheers.
Well, according to the "25 year rule" there is no EPA compliance required for veheeacles over that age. So that's something. Also it seems no DOT compliance either, which is a blessing. I'll look into it further when I talk to someone at the other end. Good to raise it anyway. 
Well, according to the "25 year rule" there is no EPA compliance required for veheeacles over that age. So that's something. Also it seems no DOT compliance either, which is a blessing. I'll look into it further when I talk to someone at the other end. Good to raise it anyway.
I thought there was an age thing but couldn't remember what it was.
That’ll be your age!
