Importing / Scrapping a Motorbike in USA (or Mexico)
 

Hello all,

Wondering if anyone can help with the blow:

1) If I buy a new motorbike in Chile (i.e. brand new from the dealership) and drive it to the USA, can I then scrap it? I am asking because based on US import laws, I don't believe that I could import a Chilean motorbike as 1] the motorbike would not have the necessary stamp to show that it meets US DOT standards and 2] I do not believe that non-US motorbikes are sold with the necessary documentation to show that the motorbike meets USA EPA (Environmental Protection Standards). Is that right?

2) With the above in mind, could I instead scrap/total a foreign-plated motorbike in the USA without a US title? Which is to say, if I arrive in the USA on a Chilean motorbike and I do not import it (so do not have a title), can I get the motorbike scrapped/totalled (and have the relevant paperwork to evidence this)? Does this ensure I am not breaking any US import (or any US) laws?

3) Does anyone know the answer to the above two questions in relation to Mexico?

Thanks

I do not have a conclusive answer to your question but my experience of riding into the US from Mexico on a foreign registered motorcycle is that they do not put it into your passport or issue a TIP so saying nothing at the border and just scrapping it might be an option but why not advertise it here and on other fora and try to sell it to someone heading south? If it is not possible to change the registration document give the buyer a letter of authorisation (poder?) to cross borders with it.
You are correct in saying you cannot register it in the US.

OK thanks - super useful. I assume that you have only crossed the border once on Mexican plates? Which border was it?

So effectively as long as no one issues a TIP (and we would know that, as paper documents would be exchanged), we transfer the Poder via Chile (we know a service for this) and give notarised authorisation for that person to drive the bike... we could sell it?

Would that person not have issues when presenting the paperwork at the US border?

Thanks again

There appeared to be no US customs controls for tourist heading south into Mexico, I showed no documents heading that way, I used Tecate which is just east of San Diego, much quieter than Tijuana.

Rory , are you an American citizen or resident returning home on the Chilean plated bike ? In that case you can ride the bike into the USA provided you get it covered for US-liability insurance for a permitted period . You or anybody who buys it from you will not be able to get it re-plated as a road bike in the USA . But you can keep it as a paperweight or souvenir in your garage and play around on private property . You can sell it to another person with the proviso that it must never be used on public roads .

Or are you a tourist going into the USA temporarily ?
Then as a passing tourist you will be permitted to ride the bike around the USA for perhaps six months , the length of your tourist permit and then it has to be removed from the country. Foreigners are (or were) permitted as a reciprocal courtesy to ride any motorcycle they bring from their home country to travel the USA for a limited time as Americans are permitted to do in the countries they visit.

Or are you an immigrant taking up residence in the USA for a prolonged time ? Then at the border US customs may get a bit finicky about the bike .
. But you will not be able to get it registered and plated in the USA unless it is an old antique , beyond a certain age .

With all the international concern for pollution control and safety there is a budding trend among the major brands producing touring bikes to eventually make all motorcycles compliant to the strictest regulations ( sales !) Maybe the bike you are considering is one of those ?

The US does not engage in issuing temporary import permits at the border . The border patrol people at the portals do not seem to care much about those things unless they suspect blatant smuggling or other crime . The problems of ownership, registration or taxation will become evident later if one has contact with police ( traffic offenses) or tries selling and changing over ownership documents .