Importing to Canada HELP!
 

One year old BMW 650 and I want to ship it to Canada and gift it to my father. I'm in Dubai. The Transport Canada website is a jungle.....anyone jumped through the hoops with success?

a little help(maybe)
 

Shipping into Canada is a bit of a PITA. I don't really know how to do it for a new bike. I did it with an '88 AT. While in line at customs, a fellow who was importing 2 RangeRovers was complaining that it was the last time he'd ship directly into Canada. Said he normally ships one Seattle and drives it over the border into Vancouver. I think you can do that with the UAE export plates and insurance. (emphasize 'think' over 'know').
Other than that, even with an old bike that doesn't need to meet Transport Canada's regulations, it's a PITA. It's also different if you are not keeping it yourself. Best would be to write to Customs and see for yourself.

If the bike has not got a Canadian VIN i.e. was not built by the manufacturer for the Canadian market and stamped as such you will not be able to import it and register the bike in Canada. You may be able to bring it in as a temporary import for a year if you are not a resident of Canada or Canadian citizen.

Sean

As far as I recollect, there used to be exceptions for family gifts. I can't really say whether this still applies, whether it might apply in this specific situation, or whether my memory is misleading me....but this aspect might be worth checking into.

Mark

Check out the following site (w3.riv.ca) fairly explanatory. Too much detail to get into but in short, fairly easy to import from the US by following a few steps, much less easy for other countries. If you have any questions, feel free to email me. Cheers.

Appreciate feedback, TC gives seminars throughout the year on importing vehicles. How ridiculous is that.....the system is so complex they have the manpower to give free forums?? Anyway my father will attend one in July and get the details and I'll post when more info.

JD