soil exam
 

hi there folks, anybody have any experience clearing a bike out of vancouver port , and how to sort a soil test on the bike there ?
any info much appreciated
trevor

Have you checked the "shipping the bike" database out? You might find some useful info there. (link on left menu)

And of course once you do find the answers, please enter YOUR shipping experience and information gained so others can benefit!

thanks!

Nightmare
 

I just got my Land Rover cleared 10 days after it arrived at the port. A total nightmare. Went down to CBSA (customs) at Dunsumir 4 times in total and nothing happened until I refused to leave the last time.

The inspection is very basic:
No visible mud then you are fine.
Minor visible mud and they will clean it for a high cost.
Major visible mud and they will resend it at your cost.

You, your broker or customs need to fax a soil inspection request form as soon as the vehicle arrives in the country and then the waiting games start. You can not book a time and you can not call them to ask when it will be done. If you google "CBSA", "soil exam" and "vancouver" you will get a lot of information about what local importers have gone through. If you are shipping by RORO or air the process might be different.

You have to pay around 50 CAD for the inspection (for a vehicle, maybe a bike is less) and since mine was in a cointainer I had to pay the port a total of 150 CAD for moving the cointainer around for the customs. No choice there since the port put a restrcition on the container until it was paid.

So 10 days later and 200 CAD poorer I will be able to drive away tomorrow.

O Canada!

Best regards,
Sveinn