bike stuck in LA and I'm stuck on the other side of the world.
 

Hi all,

I recently had the luck to complete my motorcycle journey. I bought the bike in Toronto, Canada. Rode around Quebec and Ontario for a few weeks before crossing into the states.

The problem I have is that I left my bike in LA, with a shipping agent, and left the country. I'm currently in Thailand and received an email informing me that it is not possible to ship the bike due to a lack of an entry document of my crossing into the states.

I'm at a loss of what to do, I was even willing for them to send it back over the border for me, but this is impossible due to the lack of entry documents, they can not supply exit documents.

I'm thinking that I may need to go back to LA, rides the bike back to Canada, get all the documents sorted, and ship the bike. But the problem is the registration runs out in 10 days.

Is there some way the bike can leave the country without me needing to fly back and physically cross the border with my bike?

Thanks in advance

Angelo

hi i would love to bring your bike to canada but need more then 10 days...

I can't say what the requirements are for a foreigner riding a Canadian bike and crossing into the US, but for a Canadian riding a Canadian bike they do not give you any entry documents when crossing at a land border. They simply enter the data into their computer which does a fine job of tracking the vehicle and personal data so they have enough info on file at customs. Now I'm not sure that if I was planning on shipping out of the US whether they would request some other form, but certainly in the normal course of business a rider wouldn't have any paper "form" with them unless they knew that they would need one later on.

Commercial shipping is another matter. When transhipping through the US, it of course has to have correct documentation evidencing that it has been imported legally, usually with the assistance of a freight forwarder, and any duties or taxes have been waived or paid, blah, blah, blah.

First thing, I would go back to the agent and make sure he is correct in stating you need additional documentation for the shipment of personal items, not commercial goods, and then if so, what specically is needed. You would need to know those exact details in any event, as even if you did show up at the border with your bike to get additional documentation, there's a fair chance that they would be confused as to what they need to provide you.

Regarding rego, depends on the province but in some places it can be renewed online so you may want to look into that. You are out of country so it matters less and less about whether your rego is current, and once the bike leaves North America, it matters not much at all in most places.

G'day Angelo,

I feel for you. I had the same problem back in October 2011 when I shipped my bike back to Aus from New York. Luckily for me the bike was already in the container and at sea, but at one point the US Customs were threatening to turn the container around and send it back. Exactly the same problem, they wanted paperwork evidence to say the bike had been brought into the US. I rode in from Mexico and then had crossed in and out of Canada twice in the following six months. When I entered from Mexico I had to insist that the customs take the copy of the EPA letter (which they knew nothing of) and in none of the crossings did they provide me with any paperwork, just a "have a nice trip". In the end everything was sorted and they let the bike go.

I don't think the problem lies with the shipping agent, but more with the fact that the customs want the paperwork. Not possible when they don't issue any!! Presumably your agent has a copy of everything else Rego, Insurance etc?? It seems like a case of the right hand not knowing what the other right hand is doing, or a total lack of communication or procedures.

All I can suggest is that you keep up some pressure on the agent to insist that no paperwork is available due to the fact that none was issued by the same government department. And if they want proof, said department should contact their colleagues at the border crossing (where you entered) for verification.

Best of luck. In the meantime try to chill, enjoy the lovely part of the world your in and have another Singha!! jeiger

Chris

I am going through the same thing right now. The shipping company told me that I needed proof of entry. I went back and forth with them and each time they were requesting that I have a particular document. I would call the customs officer at the border, who was most helpful, and he would say, 'no that is for a commercial shipment' or 'that form is for permanent importation' or 'we don't require such a thing for Canadians crossing the border.' Finally the shipping company has said I can arrange it with customs at the port when I arrive. I am heading down to LA for April 16th, I will relay what I find out when I am there. I hope it all works out for you.

Cheers.

LEt's do this!
 

I am on a solo roadtrip from Seattle to Panama. Currently in Santa Barbara and am looking to sell my motorcycle and purchase another bike. My adventure isn't committed and I am very flexible. We should talk on the phone about possible options for me to drive it back to Canada for you. I have never had a speeding ticket on a motorcycle and no crashes or street dumps. I can provide very good distinguished character references; all that I am sure would say that I am honest and trustworthy. I have nothing but time...

Ok, so I took my Cruiser down to LA for shipping. Paperwork was not provided at the border but apparently could be. What you need is a form 7501, to temporarily import the vehicle. Now this does not make sense as Canadians do not require this crossing the border but from a US Customs perspective, you need to import it before you can export it and they need proof that it was imported (even if it is sitting right there). I was able to go down to Long Beach and the officer there was kind enough to provide me with this form. Perhaps your shipping agent can do the same if they have a power of attorney (which I was required to provide to allow the shipping to take place.) Now I must point out that you are supposed to get the form at the point of entry as the officer was not real happy about having to provide it there... but he did. (I promised I would spread the word about the proper procedure). You need to talk to someone in the informal entry in-bond desk and plead your case. I believe the officer's (last) name was Ta.

This is the place: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/c...ts/ca/2704.xml

If you have any more questions PM me as I don't check the hubb regularly.

Best of luck,
Jason