Temporarily Import Bike to Canada
 

Hello everyone!

I'm planning to leave Germany for 2, max. 3 years to work and live in Montreal. I would like to take my bike with me for the time being there, and to do some 1-2 week bike trips in Canada.

In order to figure out if this is possible, I checked several pages, contacted authorities in Quebec, importing companies and so on. Now it is more or less clear for me what possibilities I have, since the bike is not older than 15 years.
The only option that I see is to temporarily import the vehicle.. but the question remaining is: for how long it is possible?
I couldn't find this information from any official source.

Hopefully you can help me to figure this out!
Thanks!

In Australia .. temporary import is valid for 1 year. The only reason I know this .. is a friend of mine was pursued for it ... eventually.

Think you may find it is the same in Canada.

You may get away with a longer time period .. many people including officials don't know of a time limit so they won't be looking at the time period.

However .. if you want to avoid any possibility of trouble .. easiest thing to do is the buy and sell a bike there - saves transportation costs, makes insurance easier and avoids importation problems. Take a small German flag and a small oval sticker and put them on your bike to say you are German.

You will also find that your German Riders Licence ... will only be valid while you are a tourist in other places... live there and your expected to transfer your licence to that country/state .. to be legal. During the transfer they may well take your German Licence off you. Keep a copy at least, so when you return you have some proof of your past status.

Thank you for your answer!

If the max. period would be 1 year, importing my bike would be out of discussion. It would be just not worth the additional efforts.

The reason why I really would like to bring my bike with me is just that it is almost brand new, and I invested already a lot of money in it. So selling it in Germany is not an option for me. Leaving it in my garage could work out. But 3 years of not moving it, will for sure not improve it's condition.
Transportation costs are not the problem. I have a complete 40 feet container for moving there.

Thanks for the hint with the drivers licence! I've also read somewhere that I have to do another driving test there, but only for the bike?

I'm originally from Quebec, and I recommend not to take the bike to Montreal for 2-3 years only. Importing for more than a year is an issue and insurance will definitely be quite complicated. Chances are that you'll get an opportunity to get a good and relatively cheap bike there that meets your needs, one that you can sell easily when you're done, if you really want one after looking at what the city and the region has to offer (short and expensive biking season in Qc I'm afraid).

Do consider that driving in Montreal can be tricky, no interlane driving permitted, high risk of theft, and getting out of there to to fun riding roads takes a lot of time, and there are only few of them nearby. I don't know what bike you're riding now, and whether you plan to return to Europe every now and then or not, but in the affirmative, you may consider to simply store your bike securely while away. Really, getting yourself a decent bike locally and sell it off for cheap when you're done is you vest option... My 2 cents. Welcome to Canada BTW! You'll love Montreal in the summer and fall.

28 seconds with google.....

D19-12-1 - Importation of Vehicles

@Squire: Thanks! Your hints and suggestions are very welcome. Getting out of town each time will be for sure no fun.

@teevee: Thanks you for the link. I've read this page already, but it seems like.. not carefully enough! doh

If I understand this correctly it would be possible to import the bike for 36 months since my work permit will not exceed this time period.


67. The circumstances listed below allow for the temporary entry of a vehicle into Canada without having to comply with TC’s import requirements at point of entry into Canada. These vehicles generally do not require a Vehicle Import Form – Form 1 unless a vehicle requires to be registered in the province or territory during its temporary entry.

68. A temporarily imported vehicle cannot be sold, gifted or otherwise disposed of while in Canada, does not qualify for permanent importation and cannot remain in Canada longer than the time constraints listed on a persons’ work permit, student visa, or other CBSA entry documents.

69. The vehicles that are entered by visitors, for a period not exceeding 12 months; temporary residents such as students studying at an institution of learning, for the duration of their studies in Canada; or individuals with valid work permits/authorizations for employment for a period not exceeding 36 months.

good luck friend.

spent a year in montreal several decades ago. loved the city even in winter!