Importing U.S. to Canada
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 330
Likes: 0
From: King of Prussia, PA
Importing U.S. to Canada
Hey all,
I have a cousin in Ottowa that is looking to pick up his first bike, and he wants it to be a Harley. I was wondering if some of you fellow maple leafs could let me know if importing a used HD from the states is worth it, or is it cheaper and less of a pain to just buy in Canada. Thanks for any info ahead of time!
I have a cousin in Ottowa that is looking to pick up his first bike, and he wants it to be a Harley. I was wondering if some of you fellow maple leafs could let me know if importing a used HD from the states is worth it, or is it cheaper and less of a pain to just buy in Canada. Thanks for any info ahead of time!
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 831
Likes: 14
From: Delawere
Sold a Deuce to a guy in Toronto. He had to pay for the speedo to be changed from MPH to KM and tax at the boarder if I remember correctly. We tried to say it was worth 8K but they did not buy that. They went off book value at the boarder. Also if you do it, remember they want the info faxed before you get there. It was a few yrs back.
Last edited by coronerrpm; Nov 28, 2010 at 03:56 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
I am also from Ottawa. I bought one from NC this year and was a pretty simple process. Had biked shipped to HD dealership close to border and paperwork to me. Dropped off paperwork to US customs and picked bike up 72 hours later. Pay one tax at Canadian customs and fill out RIV form http://www.riv.ca/Home.aspx . All RIV paperwork is done through email or fax so goes pretty quick. Harley also makes it easy to get recall letter of clearance http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...bmLocale=en_US
The whole process was done within a week. As far as speedometer, Canadian Tire does the safety on it for RIV and all they do/require is put 4 stickers at 20/40/60/80 KPH that are easily removed after the fact.
The local HD dealership told me that warranty could be transferred if safety was done and speedometer changed, but if extended warranty was purchased that this would not be required to do.
The whole process was done within a week. As far as speedometer, Canadian Tire does the safety on it for RIV and all they do/require is put 4 stickers at 20/40/60/80 KPH that are easily removed after the fact.
The local HD dealership told me that warranty could be transferred if safety was done and speedometer changed, but if extended warranty was purchased that this would not be required to do.
Last edited by floyd2; Nov 28, 2010 at 04:42 PM.
Road Master
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 831
Likes: 14
From: Delawere
I am also from Ottawa. I bought one from NC this year and was a pretty simple process. Had biked shipped to HD dealership close to border and paperwork to me. Dropped off paperwork to US customs and picked bike up 72 hours later. Pay one tax at Canadian customs and fill out RIV form http://www.riv.ca/Home.aspx . All RIV paperwork is done through email or fax so goes pretty quick. Harley also makes it easy to get recall letter of clearance http://www.harley-davidson.com/wcm/C...bmLocale=en_US
The whole process was done within a week. As far as speedometer, Canadian Tire does the safety on it for RIV and all they do/require is put 4 stickers at 20/40/60/80 KPH that are easily removed after the fact.
The local HD dealership told me that warranty could be transferred if safety was done and speedometer changed, but if extended warranty was purchased that this would not be required to do.
The whole process was done within a week. As far as speedometer, Canadian Tire does the safety on it for RIV and all they do/require is put 4 stickers at 20/40/60/80 KPH that are easily removed after the fact.
The local HD dealership told me that warranty could be transferred if safety was done and speedometer changed, but if extended warranty was purchased that this would not be required to do.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 5,699
Likes: 15
From: Qualicum Beach, B.C. CAN
Bought 3 Harleys from the US. Painless, if you have a month of patience.
RIV.ca
and you have to get a recall letter from Harley.
PM if you need some help.
RIV.ca
and you have to get a recall letter from Harley.
PM if you need some help.
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Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
worth it
Just finished this process today actually. Simple to do. Well worth it. Paperwork, titles, bill of sale etc. must sit at the border for 72 hours. Pay provincial sales tax at the border. Fill out Form 1 on the riv.ca website, it costs, 200 or so, they check for recalls and give you Form 2, stating there are no recalls, than you dont need the letter from the manufacturer. Bring in your receipt and paper work to Canadian Tire where hey check over the bike, lights etc, i didnt have to change my speedo over and never had stickers put on. ended up saving about 5000 dollars on buying in the states.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 2,796
Likes: 36
From: Toronto, Ontario
I think that ou need to be careful that 'new bikes' need to be homogenized or something like that and that HD will charge an arm and a leg.
Also did hear that some Harley Dealers in Canada have not been honoring warranty on US Bikes (they can tell from the HD serial number)... again, this is 'hear say', but all others I know who got older bikes from the U.S are very happy they did so.
There are a few guys in Toronto that will do the import for you for a fee.
Also did hear that some Harley Dealers in Canada have not been honoring warranty on US Bikes (they can tell from the HD serial number)... again, this is 'hear say', but all others I know who got older bikes from the U.S are very happy they did so.
There are a few guys in Toronto that will do the import for you for a fee.
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 97
Likes: 0
From: Canada
Just did it. Totally painless process, whoda thunk that dealing with 2 levels of government would be easy but it was.
I had a customs broker do the paperwork, cost about $175.00, well worth the $ compared to my time. Had my Night Train transported from NC to Toronto, cost me $400.00, used http://www.dreamridetransport.com/ and I highly recommend them great service and ya can't beat the price. Ya can also bring back 100 lbs of stuff with your bike so I had a buncha parts from the Doc shipped with the bike. No custom's or duties to pay.
Tom from Dream Ride can give ya the Broker info if ya choose to do it that way.
As for dealing with the government regulations the biggest worry is the recall notice, there were no recalls on my 08 so everything went well but you need a clear copy. The guy I bought my bike from gave him one n he faxed it to me.
Canadian dealers are loath to give ya any help cause you ain't spendin yur $ with them.
When ya take it to Canadian Tire all they really looked at was the VIN #'s & day time runnin lights, as for the speedo change they asked me if I really wanted the decals stuck on my speedo and didn't bother when I said no.
I'd do it again in a New York minute n I've been known to squeeze a nickle till the buffalo *****.
If yur cousin wants any more info pm me n I'll give ya whatever help I can
I had a customs broker do the paperwork, cost about $175.00, well worth the $ compared to my time. Had my Night Train transported from NC to Toronto, cost me $400.00, used http://www.dreamridetransport.com/ and I highly recommend them great service and ya can't beat the price. Ya can also bring back 100 lbs of stuff with your bike so I had a buncha parts from the Doc shipped with the bike. No custom's or duties to pay.
Tom from Dream Ride can give ya the Broker info if ya choose to do it that way.
As for dealing with the government regulations the biggest worry is the recall notice, there were no recalls on my 08 so everything went well but you need a clear copy. The guy I bought my bike from gave him one n he faxed it to me.
Canadian dealers are loath to give ya any help cause you ain't spendin yur $ with them.
When ya take it to Canadian Tire all they really looked at was the VIN #'s & day time runnin lights, as for the speedo change they asked me if I really wanted the decals stuck on my speedo and didn't bother when I said no.
I'd do it again in a New York minute n I've been known to squeeze a nickle till the buffalo *****.
If yur cousin wants any more info pm me n I'll give ya whatever help I can
Last edited by Augustus; Apr 15, 2011 at 07:32 PM.