Another Yank wants to ship an @ to USA

[Goodname4id]

Anyone have a tried and proven method to legaly import an @ into the USA???

I am presently living in southern Spain and purchased a 2002 XRV750 this past Wednesday. I like it so much that I would like to take it home with me next year.

Your advice is greatly appreciated.

Cheers,
Lee

[Papa Pete]

Put in a large shipping container with all your household goods. Once you get it here go to the state DMV and get a state issued vin. The only way to get it in completely above the board is to go thru an registered importer and than that will cost you about $7,000 US. I must admit as you already own it this may make it a little less complicated when you go to the state dmv.

[Goodname4id]

Thanks Papa Pete,

I shipped a motorcycle to the USA in my household goods shipment from West Africa in 2003. The Customs guys found it really quick and my shipping agent said that it would be confiscated because I did not file vehicle importation paperwork before shipping. The bike was an XR650L that I had owned in the USA and shipped over there a few years before. My sister had actualy kept paying the $25 registration fee in Mississippi while I was gone, so I just scanned the up to date license plate and emailed a copy to the shipping agent. The shipping agency and Customs were all very pleased with the license plate and released the bike.

One key item was that the shipping agency also submitted the records of my exporting the bike from the USA, so it was treated as if I was an American tourist returning with my bike.

Has anyone taken the engine out of an AT and imported the bike in two separate shipments??? (1 crate engine, 1 crate entire bike less engine)

Thanks again,
Lee

[Papa Pete]

That can work also, but than you can run into the problem of importing a motor that will or will not meet epa standards. The whole thing is a crap shoot. The import rules state that a bike is parts if it has no motor in frame.

[tomcat]

What about the military? When my brother was in the Navy and stationed in Rota, he and his buddies brought all sorts of things home on the planes. No motorcycles that I know of, but if you know someone on a base I'd check it out. As I've stated before I believe mine was dissembled and shipped in. We're going to have to revive talk of a North American rally.
Tom

[Goodname4id]

Thanks Tom,

I know one Navy guy at Rota and plan to ask him, as one of my primary plans. I would have to put the bike into his name for it to work,,,,hope he does not keep it

Cheers,
Lee

[Papa Pete]

What about the military? When my brother was in the Navy and stationed in Rota, he and his buddies brought all sorts of things home on the planes. No motorcycles that I know of, but if you know someone on a base I'd check it out. As I've stated before I believe mine was dissembled and shipped in. We're going to have to revive talk of a North American rally.
Tom

Whats this talk of a North American rally? I know the best place to have it. Honda home coming in Ohio. Then we could show Honda what people are willing to ride if they can get their hands on one!

[mal]

Just a thought, would it not be easier to import the bike to Canada, and drive it into the States, I have know idea of the import regs in Canada but could it be easier??

[Mustafa]

Hi guys,

I've looked into this issue at length and can say that there is no certain way to get an AT into the States without going thru a registered importer. Some people have managed to do it by other means, but that's very risky. Going thru Canada will not help, as when you arrive at your State DMV they are sure to ask for the certificate of origin.

There is some special exception for military personnel returning from overseas, I believe. If you have someone who can do that for you then that may be your safest bet.

Good luck.

Mike

[wigs_1]

Could you take it into the US as a tourist (like you did the XR650 to Spain).

Once its in the country, then you can worry about making it official.

This may be easier/cheaper, although I don't know this (making first ever trip to the US in May, not with a bike).

Chris