Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Regional Forums > North America
North America Topics specific to Canada and USA/Alaska only.
Photo by Hendi Kaf, in Cambodia

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Hendi Kaf,
in Cambodia



Like Tree1Likes
  • 1 Post By VicMitch

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 25 Jul 2013
Worldbees's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: France (Dordogne)
Posts: 5
Can I leave alone my French number plate motorbike in USA for 6 months?

Hi,

I am doing a world tour with a BMW R1150 GS Adventure since 2014, see www.worldbees.com

I am in Baja California in Mexico and I am planning to enter for the first time in USA at Tecate border check point on the 1st of August 2013 (i already have my online ETSA visa). My questions:

1. Some small border check point doesn’t care about your bike and stamp nothing, but I want to be legal. Do you know if I can do the bike paper work in Tecate or do I have to go to the hell Tijuana? I have the EPA exemption letter and the form 3250-1 ready.

2. I am planning to leave my motorbike on the West coast of USA from mid-September 2013 to mid-April 2014 and go by plane to Europe to see my family. I asked by email the EPA block if it is possible, he answer was:

"NO, you can not leave the vehicle here when you return to Europe. The Terms and Conditions of the exemption state the vehicle must leave the US when you do, for any reason and any length of time. It must return to Europe and you must send export documents to us. And, you can not send it to Canada or Mexico to be considered exported"

But I heard that some non-resident US have left their bike for a while without problem (specially when no bike info is on your passport, as it is for USA). So where is the trick?

I really have to leave USA mid-September but I don't want to take my bike with me on the plane to Europe. I want to finish my 10 years round the world tour by visiting Canada and Alaska from April to July 2014! Please help me not shorten my trip...

For your prompt answers in advance thank you :-)

Gilles RATIA
gilles@apiservices.com
Mobile: +33 6 07 68 49 39
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 25 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Paris, France
Posts: 47
bonsoir
ce peut être plus facile de laisser votre moto au Mexique, durée max de 6 mois, pour cela il vous faudra entrer aux USA puis revenir
aux USA il semble possible de laisser son véhicule jusqu'à un an, au pire il est possible de le déclarer en panne/réparation et de faire part d'une nécessité impérieuse de rentrer type parent malade
2 de mes contacts ont procédé ainsi laissant leurs suz650 4 mois à Las Vegas, dans une concession, il y a 2 ans
cordialement
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 29 Jul 2013
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 69
YES you can leave it.

Officially as EPA said No, but they do not check. What they care about is that the motorcycle leaves the country.

We brought our bikes in last year and left them in a storage locker in Las Vegas for 6 months. On this trip we have been in and out of the US several times visiting Canada and each time the only question we get is are the bikes staying.

We will be exporting the bikes before the 12 months is up.

The only time we needed the paperwork you mentioned is when we air shipped them in last year. No one ever asked for it at all the border crossings. We did have to show our UK registration docs going into Alaska

Hope this helps,
Lilian
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 31 Jul 2013
Worldbees's Avatar
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: France (Dordogne)
Posts: 5
Thank you

I will see...
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 22 May 2014
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Brooklyn, NY, USA
Posts: 238
I have a friend who has had his Australian registered bike in the US for 7 years. He comes here for a few months every other year and rides it, He's gone back and forth across the US Canada border many times with zero issues.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 24 May 2014
RIP: 5/3/21
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Onalaska, Washington, USA
Posts: 335
Your temp import is good for 12 months, if that were to expire you could have problems if you actually run into someone who knows what the rules are. Last I knew you could restart the 12 months by going into Mexico and back.

I have a place you can store your bike in Washington if that fits your plans send me a PM.
Bob
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Buying a Motorbike in USA dylanflying Trip Paperwork 11 7 Mar 2023 13:12
B2 Visa questions. How long can I spend in the USA? nickdisjunkt North America 14 13 May 2016 08:35
After touring the world during 10 years, now 4 questions about USA Worldbees North America 5 2 Mar 2014 13:47

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

25 years of HU Events
Be sure to join us for this huge milestone!

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

Virginia: April 24-27
Queensland is back! May 2-5
Ecuador June 13-15
Germany Summer: May 29-June 1
CanWest: July 10-13
Switzerland: Date TBC
Ecuador: Date TBC
Romania: Date TBC
Austria: Sept. 11-14
California: September 18-21
France: September 19-21
Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:57.