Importing from Europe

[oldduc]

A Canadian on the Triumph Bobber site in Switzerland has to return back to Canada early due to family reason. He can not import his brand new Triumph because the RIV list only applies to North American registered bikes. He says no new bike From Europe can be imported. Anybody know how it could done

[stevecrout]

He is probably going to be out of luck. Sounds like the bike was purchased in Switzerland and he intended to remain there for a while. Not sure what he was going to do with it when his tour/assignment finished as he would be in the same pickle. His best bet is to find someone to sell it for him there and wire the cash home.

The rules for importing new vehicles are about as tight as they can get and a person needs to get pre-approval to bring the thing home before they buy. Unless it's 15 years old or more.

Any 'work-around' is probably going to cause him a lot of headaches.

[Dennis]

I concur with Steve.

A 15 year old or older bike is a cake walk.  A newer bike on Transport Canada's approved vehicle list is also doable.  A 15 year old or new bike not on the list is virtually impossible.

There is one very sketchy process, it apparently worked to import Big Dog and some of the choppers build in the states during the Orange County Choppers craze.  Import to Alberta.  Apparently they don't worry too much about red tape.  I don't know the process; I just know anecdotally that's how they got in the country.

There is also the Chinese import scam.  Swear false statutory declarations that the Triumph Bobber is actually a 1968 Bonneville.  I know this works, but won't tell you how I know.

Peace & Grease, Dennis