Steam cleaning the bike for the USA???

**Lois** · #1 6 Dec 2002

I will be shipping my bike from the UK to the USA next year and have been given the following info by a shipping company:

'As this is an off road machine and Alaska is part of the USA the US
Dept of Agriculture gets involved. You must have it Steam cleaned in the
presence of an LVI (licensed veterinary inspector) and crated whilst he is
there. Your local vet can advise you on this point and the LVI will issue a
certificate that the operation has been completed. If you do not do this the
US authorities may return the bike to the UK at your expense. This is a
hang-over from the Foot and mouth epidemic.'

I haven't been told this by any of the other shipping companies that have given me quotes and was wondering if this is indeed still the case. Can anyone shed any light?

Cheers,
Lois

**Susan Johnson** · #2 8 Dec 2002

Lois

As far as I can tell, the restriction your shipper was describing is only in effect for 'farm equipment.' From the official Department of Agriculture Foot & Mouth Disease website, I found the following FAQs:

Quote:

Q. What are the current requirements for the importation of used farm equipment from a FMD affected country?

A. Effective April 13, 2001, used farm equipment presented for entry into the United States requires an original certificate declaring that the used equipment has been steam cleaned and is free from all dirt and other organic matter for entry into the United States. If the shipment is not accompanied by this certificate, the shipment will be refused entry.

Q. What are the requirements for the importation of a vehicle, other than used farm equipment?

A. All motorized equipment will be inspected at the port of entry. New, used, and personally owned motorized equipment must be free of all soil, manure, and organic matter. Dirty motorized equipment must be cleaned before release.

Q. What are the requirements for used tires?

A. Tires, new or used, must be clean and free of any soil, manure, and any organic matter prior to release.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/lpa/issues/fmd/fmdexcac.html

So ensure your bike has been cleaned, including the tires, and is free of soil, manure and organic matter before it goes in the box, and you should have no troubles at the USA end.

Anybody else have any different experience in the past year, please chime in!

Good luck!

------------------
Susan Johnson

"It matters not what goal you seek
Its secret here reposes:
You've got to dig from week to week
To get Results or Roses."
Edgar Guest

'One world, two wheels'
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