One year temporary import in Canada
 

Hi,
After two years spent on the road, from France to Malaysia, a little break is needed (mostly for the motorcycle, which is in a quite bad condition, and the bank account, which is in an even worse condition ).
My girlfriend and Iwill take this break in Canada. We have a working holidays visa. We just need to find a job - if anyone has anything to propose, we're up for it!
But my main question here is what about the bike? The beloved side-car is on its way to Vancouver. We should go and pick it up in about three weeks at the port. But what about:
- paperworks?
- Insurance?
- the fact the the vehicle is to stay in Canada for about a year???
Has anyone done that before? Does anyone has information about insurance and all the documents asked for a (rather long) temporary importation?
Thanks in advance for all your answers!

it depends in bc when your insurance runs outs. ICBC is the only insurance for all of bc. To insure with them I think you might have to import you bike but look them up and phone there 1 800 number . Vancouver is not cheap to live in long term. craglist can help you find a place to live. Some people camp out on the north vancouver size of the lionsgate bridge in summer or use to. Stay away from downtown easyside vancouver. It's the really bad part of town. as for Jobs if you can legally work then love for work on the government job bank. Bienvenue au Guichet emplois / Welcome to Job Bank
If you don't mind working nights there always jobs for security guards . 12 to 15 bucks on hour.
I well warn you that ICBC isn't cheap the higher cc the more cash it is. You can get away with insurance form anywhere as long as it's valid . There are lots of rv places out in surrey , whiterock where you could rent a campsite over summer cheap. There may be others in vancouver but I m don't know about them. Most are easy access to the bus. A trip on the bus runs 2.50 to 4.50 for a 3 zone pass.
You could find a storeage place for a bike from 60 bucks a month at some motorcycle shops or rent a storeage locker. There has to be someone on this site whom would help you out that way.
as for more info on importing a bike ask here: Importing a bike from the States to Canada - ADVrider

I think that you will have to fill out this form to get a temporary vehicle permit into Canada. Depending on the boarder official they may require that you pay a deposit that is refundable when you leave or have a carnet. But for insurance you can use the insurance that you have on your vehicle but make sure that they will cover your vehicle while in Canada. here is the link to the form i think:confused1: http://cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/publications/...aires/e29b.pdf

Thanks for the tips and the links! I went on the different sites, and everything concerning temporary import is here: Registrar of Imported Vehicles
I've put the whole text regarding temporary import at the end of the message.
A few question remain however:

* Just to get things straight: is insurance covering restricted to regions? The plan is to cross canada to Montreal, and try to find a job on the way there. So if we don't find anything before Montreal, we'll need a kind of wide covering insurance.

* In any case, is it possible to get one month insurance? I'm not intending to ride during winter time (I have to put the bike into pieces to sort out a few things like the engine seal, the clutch and so on). I would not mind calling the insurance company, but I'm in the middle of nowhere, with bad internet connexion, and intend to stay there until the bike arrives in Vancouver (i don't think I could find a better deal than a free flat...).

* I have the Carnet, no problem with that, even if it is a bit dodgy (filled in wrong places, pages unused, and so on... ). I hope it will be sufficient because in most countries, the importation period does not exceed six months (apart from countries where customs did not seem to care the slightest).
RIV exemptions

Vehicles are exempt from the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) registration if they are imported under one of the following conditions:

1. Vehicles older than 15 yearsThe vehicles (excluding buses) are 15 years old or more based on the date of manufacture, or are buses (including school buses) manufactured before January 1, 1971. The importer must be able to prove the age of the vehicle.
2. Temporary ImportationThe vehicles are entering temporarily with:
   • visitors, for a period of 12 months or less; temporary residents such as students studying at an institution for their studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work permits for a period of 36 months or less;
   • diplomats, if authorization has been granted in writing from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, for the duration of the posting in Canada;
   • visiting forces personnel, for the duration of their assignment in Canada; and
   • U.S. pre-clearance personnel and their dependents for the duration of the U.S. officer’s posting in Canada.Note: A vehicle imported temporarily under one of these conditions cannot be sold or otherwise disposed of while in Canada, and cannot remain in Canada longer than the time limit listed on the person’s work permit, student visa, or other Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) or immigration documents. Once the time limit has passed, the vehicle no longer qualifies for temporary entry and must be exported. If the temporary status of the person importing the vehicle changes while in Canada, the vehicle must be permanently imported, if it qualifies, or exported.

You could get a 15 day permit maybe in 15 which isn't cheap at 100 bucks . You could get 3 months insurance in BC. ICBC excepts collect calls I m told. Insurance corporation of British Columbia is how you would look it up. . outside of bc it's like the england which mean different companies offer insurance. Hope that helps.

Thanks for the info. I'll try to sort something out with my french insurance, and hopefully save a few bucks... Hopefully!
Going on every single possible web site regarding vehicle import, I could not find anything about side car... Has anyone a clue about side car legislation in canada????? Thanks in advance!

No problems
 

I am not sure what you mean by side car legislation. To the best of my knowledge, after riding bikes in Canada for 40 years, there is little to no specific legislation for side cars. There are a fair number of them around and a lot of them are home made so I don't think you need be concerned about it.

As for your insurance, if you can get something from your current insurance company stating that they exrend coverage to North America there shouldn't be any problem as we are used to dealing with private insurance companies.

On the work note the question I would put forward is what special skill sets do you possess.

Cheers

Rick

That is a pretty good piece of news! I just hope the custom officer will fully appreciate this fact of the matter. Fingers crossed...

That's what I'm working on right now. My usual insurance company, specialised in motorcycle insurance, does not cover the American continent at all - i stopped being covered the day I left Iran...11 countries ago... I'm trying to get a new one in France. It's on its way.


That's exactly what I wanted to keep hidden: I was a philosophy teacher back in France - as well as french and communication teacher. I have a master in philosophy, and a master in communication from a Grande Ecole, but never quite used it. And at the end of the day, I'd love to do something related to music. That is to say: it's not going to be so easy!!

Thanks for all the information, it is of a great help!
Vincent

Jobs
 

You might want to check out something like craigslist vancouver or whichever city you want to work in. They always have postings like

"We are looking for a part time French instructor to work at a learning institute in Coquitlam.
Must be fluent in French.
Teaching experience is a plus but the not required.
Please e-mail if interested.

• Location: Near Coquitlam Centre
• Compensation: $20/hr "

Rick

Thanks for the advice!
Vincent

Well, the problem I thought was solved, is not.
French insurance companies just would not cover Canada. I have tried many, many, sites to find an insurance - or at least get a quote. But when it comes to the question "has the bike been modified", I can't help being honest. I tend to consider a side car as a major modification.
In top of that, they always ask for a phone number and an address... What are you supposed to do if you're a nomad???? (which is currently my case).
I go and pick up my bike on Monday, and I need a solution by then... Please, I need some help!!

Subsidiary question: is an helmet required for the side car passenger???

In regards to a phone number and address, you are welcome to use mine for the steep price of a beer or a good travel stoty. PM me if I can help.

As for insurance, there are probably a couple of options but most riders on long term trips end up having to omit certain details when dealing with paperwork to circumvent some crazy rules so if it gets dire enough, also let me know by PM and I'll pass along some suggestions.

PM sent ;-)

I don't understand why a you consider a sidecar as a mod? A standard peace of kit for 100 years. Now if I added a Jet engine then that is real mod.

I hope that the custom officer will share your point of view...
Just lost ALL the motorcycle documents today at Seattle International Airport. Arriving in a few hours in Vancouver. No carnet, no bill of lading, no nothing. After 36 hours up, well, it looks like it's going to be a hard time...