Mexico into US - tips re paperwork, permits etc?
 

Good day folks,

Mid-May I'll be crossing from Mexico into the US for a ride up and around the Rockies. Any tips for cheap and cheerful travel (e.g. national park & camping permits etc) would be greatly appreciated.

Also, what is the length of the standard tourist visa for myself (British) and the motorbike? 3 months? Can it be renewed by crossing into Canada and returning to the US? It would be handy to know these things ahead of time.

Any new rules re entering the US with an imported vehicle? It's been a while since I've ridden in a country with full-on rules and regs. I might have to finally fix my speedo which gave up the ghosts in the middle of Brazil.

At some stage I'll be sending the bike back to London. Any info on airline cargo or shipping companies would be great.

Thank you!

Bob

Bob, you might have better luck with your questions if you show some sign you've done a bit of research first. Lots of people ask the same questions, and a certain weariness sets in about giving the same answers over and over. Besides, the more specific your questions, the better answers you'll attract. "Any tips....." is pretty general.

For example, there are some important limits to tourist visas and the visa waiver program, which will indeed be crucial to know beforehand. Maybe read https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...r-program.html. There are some things you might want to know about shipping, easily found by doing a site search on The HUBB--this has been discussed at great length.

No one's going to care whether your speedometer works. I'd be sure to maintain a full set of lights, carry a current license and insurance, and to keep within 8 mph of all speed limits.

You'll want to think carefully about seasonal issues; lots of mountain roads won't be open in mid-May, and national park campgrounds will often be closed, too. Again, "up and around the Rockies" is sort've vague, since the Rockies extend 5000 km from New Mexico all the way up to near the Yukon Territory, and there are other ranges (and other landscapes) which are (IMHO) prettier and more fun, at least until you get to Banff and Jasper.

Hope that's helpful.

Mark

Border.
 

AFAIK you will be required to provide passwords for ALL your social media platforms and the history of these platforms will be examined in depth.
Also your bike could be impounded if it is considered unroadworthy by the official in charge.

Guilty as charged. I was being lazy. Sorry about that.

Thanks for the info Mark and Tenere99. Definitely helpful.

I shall do my research.

All the best,

Bob

The social media thing which is currently in the news applies to getting a visa, not using the visa waiver program. Basically, any immigration person can demand virtually anything they want from you on a whim--or based on your skin color, ethnic origins, religion, your resemblance to someone who bullied them in primary school, or the bad dreams they had the night before. It's not supposed to work that way, but it does.

So if you act nice and stay calm at the border the chances of anyone reviewing your HUBB postings is pretty scant. If you're applying in advance for a tourist visa, that chance increases drastically. If you're wearing a headscarf or only speak Farsi....well, don't get your hopes up.

I'm assuming that OP is planning to enter on a visa waiver, being British and intending entry a month and a half from now. That's not going to be difficult, but some planning is involved, and it's necessary to understand the rules about what constitutes a departure within 3 months.

Here's hoping it all goes smoothly!

Mark

When was the last time you crossed into USA from Mexico? What passport do you hold? You may be mixing up USA/Mexico border with Israel/Palestine! :help smilie: Trump is working hard to create a Police State, but AFAIK, not there yet!

Homeland/Border Patrol DO NOT handle traffic infraction issues ... at all. They are all about YOU, not the bike. Roadworthy issues are handled by local Police ... and generally riders on foreign bikes are cut a lot of slack by local LEO's as long as bike is not stolen and has some sort of insurance.

About a million people pass the border stations between Mexico and California per week. About 90% Mexicans or Mexican/Americans who either have visas or
are permanent residents. Many live in Mexico (Tijuana or Mexicali) and
cross the border everyday to get to work. I doubt they check all I million social media history every day.

Nationals from certain countries may be detained at airports and their social media investigated, but doubtful much of this happens at land borders unless your name comes up on some sort to watch list.

Those from "Most favored nations" (like the UK) with current Visas usually pass through without issue.

May could be a bit early for Rockies, best stay in South West or head to West coast. All good there and parts of Arizona, Utah and Nevada too. Some High Sierra passes won't open until mid/late June, others open in May. Coast is fine all the way to Canada.

No idea about Visa for you. Whatever the US Embassy folks decide I guess?
BIKE: There is no TIP required for your bike. You just ride in. You should have insurance but NO ONE will check this at the border. Local Police handle this if you get pulled. Not sure best US source for insurance for UK citizen. NO UK insurance will cover you in USA, AFAIK.

As per above, no TIP (or TVIP) for foreign vehicle entering a US land border. They will run the plate number to check if stolen, but NO safety checks performed by Border officers. Not their job.
Most big airlines have Cargo operations. Pick one. Note that if you sell your bike in USA the buyer will NOT be able to register it in Most US States.

I assume you know cost of shipping your bike US to UK? I hear about $1500 to
$2000. If you want to sell, sell while still in Mexico to a moto shop mechanic or similar.

As Mark mentioned, all this is repeated here a TEN THOUSAND times over. So research is your friend.

Touring US is not a big deal if you have a UsA Visa. If you don't, fly back to UK from Mexico, sell off bike or leave it and continue your trip next year? bier

Thanks, fellas. Much appreciated. I plan to enter the US on the visa waiver program. It makes sense that they only plough through social media for lengthier visa applications but not visa waiver entrants at the border, unless they felt it necessary.

I don't expect any problems. As you say, Mark, a breezy air and broad smile usually does the job. I just wanted to double-check to see if there were any new regs given the political rhetoric over the past year.

Good to know re no TIP. I'll work out how to get the road insurance.

Having read some info on the HUBB re flying the bike, it looks like it will be simpler from Canada, perhaps Vancouver. I know it's pricey, but what can I say - it's an old R80 G/S in good condition and I like it :)

Thanks again. You've pointed me in the right direction.

Cheers,

Bob

Puhhh, loads of information here. Which maybe is not very correct or it´s just different when you are from Germany...

So for German Passport Holders as of April 2018:
Visa: either the online thing, ESTA for up to 80 days for the North American Continent (and it doesn’t matter if you go to Canada in between they keep counting down) and do not forget they will ask you to have an onward fly to any destination outside of North America...

OR

You must go and apply for an B1, B2 Visa, fist online tons of questions and then eventually you get invited to an interview at an Embassy, this interview took three Minutes.

If you want to enter the USofA with your own (European registred) bike you must contact the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency, https://www.epa.gov/ ) and apply for the Exemption Approval (at least we had to for our bikes from 1993 (AT & TA). This is free but crucial to have, otherwise you cannot get it out of customs. BUT this may only apply if you are entering via plane or ship, don’t know… The process takes at the moment 3-4 Weeks, and if you do not have it you must wait at the customs for it (loads of cash to lose for storage, accommodation etc.).

For the insurance, you can have a look here in the HUBB, easy to apply for but takes some time as well…

For the rest have a look around here, all your questions have been answered b4… good luck!

‘Cheers Sascha