How to Import a Motorcycle into Canada in 7 Easy Steps

If you are a motorcycle enthusiast who wants to buy a bike from another country, you might be wondering how to import a motorcycle into Canada. Importing a motorcycle can be a rewarding experience, but it also involves some paperwork, fees, and regulations that you need to be aware of. In this article, we will guide you through the process of importing a motorcycle into Canada in 7 easy steps.

Step 1: Check the eligibility of your motorcycle

Before you decide to import a motorcycle into Canada, you need to make sure that it meets the Canadian standards for safety and emissions. You can check the eligibility of your motorcycle by visiting the Registrar of Imported Vehicles (RIV) website and entering the vehicle identification number (VIN) of your bike. The RIV website will tell you if your motorcycle is admissible, inadmissible, or requires modifications to be imported into Canada.

Step 2: Obtain the required documents

Once you have confirmed that your motorcycle is eligible for importation, you need to obtain the following documents:

A bill of sale or invoice that shows the purchase price and date of your motorcycle
A title or registration document that proves your ownership of the motorcycle
A recall clearance letter from the manufacturer or authorized dealer that confirms that your motorcycle has no outstanding safety recalls
A statement of compliance label that is affixed to your motorcycle and shows that it complies with the Canadian standards
A 72-hour export notification that is submitted to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) if you are importing your motorcycle from the United States

Step 3: Pay the fees and taxes

When you import a motorcycle into Canada, you need to pay the following fees and taxes:

A RIV fee of $310 CAD plus GST/HST for motorcycles with an engine displacement of more than 250 cc, or $295 CAD plus GST/HST for motorcycles with an engine displacement of less than or equal to 250 cc
A duty of 6% of the value of your motorcycle if it was manufactured outside of North America, or zero duty if it was manufactured in North America
A GST of 5% of the value of your motorcycle plus the duty
A provincial sales tax (PST) or harmonized sales tax (HST) depending on the province where you register your motorcycle
An excise tax of $100 CAD for motorcycles with an engine displacement of more than 1000 cc

Step 4: Declare your motorcycle at the border

When you arrive at the Canadian border with your motorcycle, you need to declare it to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and present the required documents. The CBSA will inspect your motorcycle and verify its eligibility, value, and compliance. The CBSA will also collect the fees and taxes that are applicable to your importation. You will receive a Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) from the CBSA that confirms your importation and serves as a temporary registration for your motorcycle.

Step 5: Complete the RIV inspection

After you have crossed the border with your motorcycle, you need to complete the RIV inspection within 45 days. The RIV inspection is a mandatory process that ensures that your motorcycle meets the Canadian standards and has no defects or modifications that could affect its safety or performance. You can find a list of authorized RIV inspection centers on the RIV website. You need to bring your Vehicle Import Form (Form 1) and recall clearance letter to the inspection center. The inspection fee is included in the RIV fee that you paid at the border. Once your motorcycle passes the inspection, you will receive a Vehicle Inspection Form (Form 2) from the RIV that confirms your compliance.

Step 6: Register and insure your motorcycle

The final step in importing a motorcycle into Canada is to register and insure it in your province or territory. You need to bring the following documents to your provincial or territorial licensing office:

Your Vehicle Import Form (Form 1)
Your Vehicle Inspection Form (Form 2)
Your bill of sale or invoice
Your title or registration document
Your proof of insurance

You will receive a license plate and a registration certificate for your motorcycle. You will also need to pay any applicable provincial or territorial fees and taxes.

Step 7: Enjoy your ride!

Congratulations! You have successfully imported a motorcycle into Canada. Now you can enjoy riding your bike on the Canadian roads and exploring this beautiful country.

Importing a Motorcycle into Canada: A Statistical Overview

Canada is a country with a large and diverse market for motorcycles, both for recreational and transportation purposes. According to Statistics Canada, there were over 1.1 million motorcycles registered in Canada in 2021, up 3.4% from 2020. This represents about 4.6% of all road motor vehicles in the country .

Trends in Motorcycle Imports and Exports

Canada imports most of its motorcycles from other countries, mainly from Japan, the United States, Germany, Italy and Thailand. In 2021, Canada imported over 120,000 motorcycles worth more than $1.2 billion, an increase of 12.5% in value and 9.8% in volume compared to 2020 . The average import price per motorcycle was $10,167, up 2.5% from the previous year.

Canada also exports some of its motorcycles to other countries, mainly to the United States, France, Australia, Germany and the United Kingdom. In 2021, Canada exported over 18,000 motorcycles worth more than $300 million, a decrease of 8.7% in value and 10.4% in volume compared to 2020 . The average export price per motorcycle was $16,667, up 1.9% from the previous year.

Factors Affecting Motorcycle Demand

The demand for motorcycles in Canada is influenced by various factors, such as consumer preferences, income levels, fuel prices, environmental awareness, safety regulations and weather conditions. Some of these factors are discussed below:

Consumer preferences: Motorcycles are often seen as a lifestyle choice rather than a necessity for many Canadians. Some consumers prefer motorcycles for their performance, style, freedom and fun, while others may choose them for their affordability, convenience and fuel efficiency. Motorcycles can also appeal to different segments of the population, such as young adults, women, seniors and ethnic minorities.
Income levels: Motorcycles are generally cheaper than cars to purchase and maintain, which can make them more accessible to lower-income households. However, motorcycles are also subject to higher insurance costs and taxes than cars in some provinces, which can reduce their affordability. Moreover, motorcycles are often considered as discretionary spending rather than essential spending, which means that their demand may be more sensitive to changes in income and economic conditions.
Fuel prices: Motorcycles are typically more fuel-efficient than cars, which can make them more attractive to consumers who want to save money on gas or reduce their environmental impact. However, fuel prices can also affect the demand for motorcycles indirectly by affecting the demand for cars. For example, when fuel prices are high, consumers may opt for smaller and more fuel-efficient cars rather than motorcycles. Conversely, when fuel prices are low, consumers may opt for larger and more powerful cars rather than motorcycles.
Environmental awareness: Motorcycles can have both positive and negative effects on the environment. On the one hand, motorcycles can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution by consuming less fuel and emitting less carbon dioxide than cars. On the other hand, motorcycles can increase noise pollution and road congestion by creating more traffic and occupying more space than cars. Furthermore, some motorcycles may not meet the emission standards set by the government or the industry.
Safety regulations: Motorcycles are generally more dangerous than cars to operate and ride on public roads. According to Transport Canada, there were over 3,000 motorcycle-related injuries and over 200 motorcycle-related fatalities in Canada in 2019 . To improve motorcycle safety, the government and the industry have implemented various regulations and initiatives, such as mandatory helmet laws, rider training programs, safety campaigns and technological innovations.
Weather conditions: Motorcycles are highly dependent on weather conditions for their use and enjoyment. Canada has a cold and snowy climate for most of the year, which limits the motorcycle season to a few months. Moreover, weather conditions can vary significantly across different regions and provinces in Canada, affecting the availability and accessibility of motorcycle routes and destinations.

Importing a motorcycle into Canada is a complex process that involves various legal requirements, fees and taxes that vary depending on the type, origin and value of the motorcycle. However, importing a motorcycle into Canada can also be a rewarding experience that offers many benefits to consumers who are looking for a different way of travelling and exploring the country.

References:

http://ucanimport.com/show_news.aspx?id=49

https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/topics-start/automotive
https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects-start/international_trade
https://tc.canada.ca/en/road-transportation/motor-vehicle-safety/canadian-motor-vehicle-traffic-collision-statistics

https://www.riv.ca/

https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/documents/importing-a-vehicle