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Importing BMW Bikes to USA

SEPPVONBAYERN

New member
I am trying to find out what, if any, issues there are with importing my BMW (2011 1200GS) purchased in Chile to the USA. My concern is whether there are any issues regarding emissions that could become a problem getting a DMV registration. As far as I know the BMW bikes from a safety and emissions perspective are manufactured to the same standards the world over and there should not be any issue with the DMV from those perspectives. Does anyone have any info on that or can point me in the right direction.

thanks so much -- Sepp
 
Sepp,

The rules are stacked against you to import a private motor vehicle to the US for registration here (as opposed to a temporary entry for tourism or diplomatic use, for instance).

If less than 25 years old, the bike must meet EPA (emissions) and DOT (other safety) specifications. Only two methods are allowed to do so: a) certification by the manufacturer that the bike meets these specifications, and b) conversion by an authorized converter business here in the US.

To protect its distribution entities (such as BMWNA), BMW will not provide this certification to you or the government, even if the machine in question were, in fact, built to USA-compliant standards. To convert an existing machine can be done, but it will cost significant money - figures tossed around on the net suggest in the middle four figures.

It's easier to find a good bike here and buy it. Do a little net searching on importation and you'll learn more.
 
David

thanks for the info. I was affraid I may run into issues lilke that. its a shame that BMWNA is likely not going to help with issues like this. The bike is just 2 years old and in tip top shape. But you maybe right -- it may just be easier to sell here and get an other one back home.

Sepp
 
There is ZERO call to bash BMW for any of this.

The requirements are Federal requirements and are not secret.

Meeting the requirements in cases like this is certified by the government, NOT BMW. ALL the parts are available.
 
Meeting the requirements in cases like this is certified by the government, NOT BMW. ALL the parts are available.

It's not that simple.

All the government does is review documents - it tests and certifies nothing. Parts are available, but that availability is irrelevant given that the only two methods of compliance are presentation of a certificate of compliance issued by the manufacturer (which BMW AG won't issue) or conversion and certification by a business that's licensed by the Feds to do this work (which will cost the owner a bunch).
 
So is there any automotive manufacturer in the world that will do this?

I don't know. But a company that builds cars to the US standard probably already imports them, and issuing certifications would therefore be subject to the same but-we'd-lose-sales argument faced by BMW.
 
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I don't think it is to protect sales as much as simple cost. To figure out which non-US models meet US standards, prepare the documentation, sign the papers under penalty of perjury, and deal with the US and State governments would be a very large task. The only thing BMW gets in return more liability. It is strictly business.
 
The certifications I've seen say the vehicle meets emission standards applicable on the production date, at which point the vehicle has always been under their control. By the time the vehicle is sold in another country and imported, the manufacturer would be issuing a certification on a used vehicle, which might have been modified after it left the factory. It's not worth their time or expense to inspect and verify the condition of the vehicle, which is why there are independent companies who perform that task, and charge accordingly.
 
I have friends in Canada & their telling me that Canada had dropped all duty / taxes on USA bike to Canada
 
No duties if the vehicle is manufactured in the US (NAFTA) but you still pay the taxes. The amount of the tax depends on the Province of residence. For example in British Columbia it would be 12%. You also pay some inspection fees to determine that it meets Canadian Vehicle Standards. Then the Provincial Motor Vehicle Branch will require a safety inspection. If it is a BMW bike and it still has a warranty, BMW Canada may ask for some cash to transfer the warranty. The dealer may also have their hand out if you bring a US bike in for service (anywhere from nothing to a one time fee to bless the bike to a higher labour rate for the life of the bike). It is not a difficult process as long as you are prepared to follow all the rules and pay the appropriate fees.
This is the short version, YMMV. You can see the beginning of the path here www.riv.ca
 
So is there any automotive manufacturer in the world that will do this?

No, there is not. I went through the same issue with a Mercedes Benz I brough to the U.S. from Germany about 25 years ago. In order to register it back then, I needed a certificate from Daimler Benz that the vehicle complied with the manufacturer's export standard for that model. They would not provide this document.
 
The vehicle would have to be modified to comply. This is not a service a USA distributor supplies. The liklihood of their certifying someone else's work seems slim. Frankly it's a dumb question to ask them.
 
I'd guess that any manufacturer's resistance to assisting with the importing of vehicles (even of their own make) is more a policy to protect their dealerships than anything else. IMO, this is completely legit.
I cannot see, however, why it would be so expensive or prohibitive to import a vehicle, esp. if it meets DOT and emissions standards. OR of older, antique or collectible vehicles such as motorcycles, for that matter.
 
So is there any automotive manufacturer in the world that will do this?

Yes there is. Pretty much ANY USA manufacturer will provide a letter of compliance or warranty recall document to a purchaser wishing to export a vehicle. For most US vehicles this information is public knowledge and can be found on the DOT site.

I've imported and helped others to import 3 motorbikes and one car into Canada from the US in the last few years and I know for a fact that BMW NA has instituted a policy that forbids their dealers from issuing the necessary document for importing a vehicle into Canada from the US. This is not because the vehicles do not meet emissions standards. Not only do they meet Canadian standards, they exceed them.

This is strictly a game of price fixing. In Canada we pay 15 to 20% MORE for new and used bikes than US prices. Same goes for parts and service. To enable price fixing they no longer allow US vendors to issue Warranty recall letters to Canadians. If you want one you can get one from a Canadian BMW dealer and for typing in a VIN number, selecting Warranty Recall option on the BMW system and pressing PRINT he will charge us CDN$500. On the US side the same procedure puts a warning comes up on the screen telling the dealer NOT to share this letter with consumers under penalty of fines from BMW.

If this is not price fixing I don't know what is. Having a good relationship or a friend at a US dealer who will defy BMW policy is the only way around this BS. "Free trade"? Well, it ain't free at all as far as BMWNA is concerned.
 
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That's what happens when you elect socialist governments. I'm sure we're not far behind.

Yep, the socialists always let the corporate capitalists overcharge the proletarian masses for everything. it's possible that you may be slightly confused.
 
Yes there is. Pretty much ANY USA manufacturer will provide a letter of compliance or warranty recall document to a purchaser wishing to export a vehicle. For most US vehicles this information is public knowledge and can be found on the DOT site.

.

Yes, but here we are talking IMPORT of a non-U.S. manufactured vehicle.
The vehicle meets all DOT and EPA standards that were in place at the time the vehicle was manufactured and yet you still can not bring it into the U.S. if you don't have documents that will prove excatly that.
That's actually the sore point. The manufacturer refuses to certify that the specific vehicle is exactly like the ones that they import into the U.S.
 
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