Importing to California from UK??

[badger]

Desperate to see if I can bring my 2002 Dark ie 900cc from UK into California. Searched high and low, awaiting a response from Ducati themselves, I see that 888s can be brought in, no mention of Monsters?

Anyone tell me?

[herm]

not sure if this is the only requirement (probably not...) but California legal bikes have a sticker under the seat near the seat lock which state that they meet that states emissions requirements.

might actually be easier to import it to another state, and get it titled/registered there first

[Privateer]

I tried to search around a little but only found this info:

US Dept of Transportation
http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/rules/import/FAQ%20Site/pages/page3.html#Anchor-20795

3. Requirements to lawfully import motorcycles or motor-driven cycles for on-road use.

If a motorcycle or motor driven cycle is capable of a top speed above 20 miles per hour and is equipped with components (such as lights, mirrors, and turn signals) that are needed for on-road use, NHTSA will regard it as having been primarily manufactured for such purposes. Motorcycles and motor-driven cycles with these capabilities and equipment cannot be lawfully imported into the U.S. unless they were originally manufactured to comply with all applicable FMVSS and bear a label certifying such compliance that is permanently affixed by the original manufacturer. The label must be affixed to a permanent member of the vehicle, as close as is practicable to the intersection of the steering post and the handle bars, so that its contents can be easily read without moving any part of the vehicle except for the steering mechanism. In addition, the vehicle’s manufacturer is required to submit to NHTSA identifying information on itself and the products it manufactures to the FMVSS (as required by 49 CFR Part 566), provide NHTSA with information the agency would need to decipher the VIN the manufacturer is required (under 49 CFR Part 565) to assign to each motor vehicle manufactured for sale in the U.S., and designate a U.S. resident as its agent for service of process (as required under 49 CFR 551.45).

US Customs and Border Patrol
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/trade/basic_trade/importing_car.xml

Dutiable Entry
Foreign-made vehicles imported into the U.S., whether new or used, either for personal use or for sale, are generally dutiable at the following rates:

Auto     2.5%
Trucks     25%
Motorcycles     either free or 2.4%

Emission Standards
The following passenger cars, light-duty trucks, heavy-duty engines and motorcycles are subject to federal emission standards:

    * Gasoline-fueled cars and light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1967.
    * Diesel-fueled cars originally manufactured after December 31, 1974.
    * Diesel-fueled light-duty trucks originally manufactured after December 31, 1975.
    * Heavy-duty engines originally manufactured after December 31, 1969.
    * Motorcycles with a displacement more than 49 cubic centimeters originally manufactured after December 31, 1977.

So, looks like it'll have to have to all the right equipment (mirrors, blinkers, brake light, speedo, not sure what else) and meet US emissions standards.  Oh, and pay import duty.

I know that isn't a perfect answer, but that's all the info I could find.


Andy

[DarkStaR]

Got a picture of the bike?  How much have you modded it out?

I'm not too sure what used monsters are worth in the UK, but you could probably get a similar monster in the U.S. cheap.

I'd just sell it, and find a new one when you get here.

[Langanobob]

Don't know how it compares to the UK, but I worked in Turkey last year and had a bike I was interested in bringing back to the USA.  I didn't get any real details, but talked to a dealer here who told me it would be prohibitive getting the emissions certification.  As I recall there are also some threads covering this subject at advrider.com.  I  think there is a business here in the US who will do the required emissions certification  work and walk your bike through the importing process for something like $3000, not including shipping cost but I'm not sure of the $3000 fee since it's third hand info.

[He Man]

Can you send the thing over and deal with it when you get here?

At that point, you can just swap frames and call it a day. labor? yea. but probably cheaper and easier. Id go with resale and rebuy though.

Illegal? yes. but hey, a huge majority of us are running with race only exahusts.

[Langanobob]

Can you send the thing over and deal with it when you get here?

Not 100% sure but I don't think you can even retrieve it from US customs without the required US federal certifications. 

[Capo]

Got a picture of the bike?  How much have you modded it out?

I'm not too sure what used monsters are worth in the UK, but you could probably get a similar monster in the U.S. cheap.

I'd just sell it, and find a new one when you get here.

+1 

[somegirl]

I'd just sell it, and find a new one when you get here.

+2

I had investigated this for a friend before, and also decided it was cheaper to sell the UK bike locally and buy another in CA.

[z0mb1e_DUC]

no, you can't retrieve it from Customs until it's legal.  Just ask Bill Gates, I believe his 959 sat in Customs for 5 to 10 years, until the "Show or Display" exemption was enacted under Bill Clinton's Admin.

[mstevens]

Of course, you'll have to convert your bike from RHD to LHD, as well...

[TiAvenger]

I imagine it will be the same (after the US customs bs) as bringing in a bike from another state.  Must have over 7500 miles on the clock, and the required smog equipment for that bikes model and year.  IIRC

[Goat_Herder]

Of course, you'll have to convert your bike from RHD to LHD, as well...

HA, might have to get a LHD helmet to to ride in the States, as well.   

[Shazaam!]

Importing Grey-Market Motorcycles into California from Overseas:

A 1974-or-newer non-US motorcycle cannot be imported into the US unless it meets exhaust emissions, noise level and federal DOT safety standards (controls, displays, brakes, headlights, horn, reflectors, etc.). Before entry you will need to obtain a Letter of Conformity generated by the manufacturer of the bike or you'll have to post a (US Customs) bond and hire a registered importer licensed by the feds to modify it within 120 days and certify that it meets these US standards unless it's for off-road (competition) use only. You can't register off-road motorcycles in California.

It may be very costly and in some cases impossible to modify these vehicles to meet California emission requirements. For example, gray market vehicles less than two years old are not legal for registration or use in California.

A federal (safety) certification label and EPA emissions label are required to be affixed to all imported bikes. Manufacturers test and certify certain (but not all) models for the US market. Non-manufacturer (grey market importers and individuals) must prove to US customs that each bike (not having a manufacturer's certification) meets all US standards BEFORE entry is allowed. An exception is made for bikes temporarily imported for competition, provided they are not licensed for use, or driven, on public roads.

You will have a problem importing a 1974-or-newer non-US motorcycle that doesn't have a manufacturer's US EPA certification. Federal EPA laws limit motorcycle exhaust emissions so equipment to limit emissions is required to be installed on all new motorcycles sold new in the US. The California law imposes even stricter emissions limits than the US federal standard so manufacturers either install one system to meet the requirements of all states or install a separate system in motorcycles sold only in California. After 1974, a manufacturer's sticker stating what emission standard it meets is required to be placed on all new motorcycles sold in the US.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) will do a VIN, federal certification label, and EPA exhaust emissions label inspection when you apply to register your bike. Motorcycles manufactured for US delivery have 17-digit VINs so some overseas bikes are immediately recognizable from their non-standard VINs. If it has over 7,500 miles it doesn't have to meet California-specific emissions requirements, but you still are expected to show it meets federal EPA emissions requirements. If there is no EPA sticker or federal certification safety sticker they refer you to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) to resolve the issue.

It's my understanding that Ducati UK will assist their dealers in providing the necessary parts and conforming labels for exporting some European models into the US.

You need to obtain a Letter of Conformity from Ducati or else hire someone licensed by the EPA to modify it and certify that it meets US standards. The LOC is essentially equivalent to the DOT federal safety certification label and EPA emissions label that are required to be affixed to all imported bikes. It's my understanding that Ducati Europe will assist their dealers in providing the necessary parts and conforming labels/certifying documents for exporting some European models to the US. The pipes, headlights, reflectors, speedometer and emissions need to be EPA/DOT conforming. You'll probably need to replacing the left switch assembly, the headlight (for right side of the road riding) and the speedometer (to read MPH), and computer EPROM (for emissions). They will then do all the paperwork necessary to verify you have a US specification bike, including providing all applicable EPA/DOT stickers.

You need to submit forms EPA 3520-1 and DOT HS-7 to Customs at the time entry is made. Also, applicable written approvals from these agencies must be obtained in advance and presented to Customs along with these forms. See: http://www.customs.ustreas.gov/impoexpo/impoexpo.htm for more help. I recommend you check EPA's web site and NHTSA's web site as well for any additional information that may apply.

Your warranty may not be valid in the US and you may not be notified of recalls.

If a cycle is already registered in another US State you might be tempted to argue that California should also register it because it has been proved to another state that US emissions and safety standards were met during import through US customs, even if there are no certification stickers on the bike and the VIN is non-standard. This isn't true however. Other states (New York for example) may permit registering grey market imports or even modified race bikes. So, having a registration and title from another state doesn't keep you from having your bike scrutinized when you try to register it in California.

You could try explaining-away any "missing" certification stickers since the federal certification (that lists the VIN), and EPA emissions labels are usually located on a body panel. Prior damage to this panel and subsequent replacement with a new panel that comes without stickers, would be one plausible explanation to a CHP inspector. Of course, different DMV and CHP inspectors have different experience on these non-standard cases so you might have more (or less) success at a rural branch office.

One owner reports that if the sticker is missing, the California DMV will contact Ducati North America directly to verify that the VIN corresponds to a bike manufactured to the 50-state spec.

[mstevens]

HA, might have to get a LHD helmet to to ride in the States, as well.   

I'm embarrassed to say I hadn't even thought of that, nor of the need for a California-legal flux capacitor swap.